Depression and Reclaiming Joy
In modern life, it’s easy for joy to feel indulgent or misplaced. Many people live in a state of high alert—navigating work demands, social comparison, and ongoing collective stress.
Understand the emotional, cognitive, and somatic aspects of depression. This category includes reflections and resources on navigating low mood, numbness, inner criticism, and the path toward healing and reconnection.
In modern life, it’s easy for joy to feel indulgent or misplaced. Many people live in a state of high alert—navigating work demands, social comparison, and ongoing collective stress.
When struggling with depression, joy can feel difficult to find. It often appears in simple, everyday moments—a loved one’s smile, the scent of blooming flowers, a shared laugh, or the satisfaction of creative expression.
Trying something new almost always stirs anxiety. No matter the stage of life we find ourselves in, life inevitably provides us with amble opportunity for learning something new or starting over.
For many, August signals back-to-school season—whether that’s elementary classrooms, college dorms, or graduate studies. Some adapt to this back-to-school shift with ease, while for others, moving from one rhythm to another can feel disorienting and stressful, and induce depression.
Resistance is information.
When we face a blank page or a creative block, it’s easy to assume something is wrong. But it’s often part of the process. It reflects our fears, perfectionism, or inner doubts—not failure.
It’s a quiet question that lives in many of us: Do I truly deserve love and self-worth?
For some, the answer feels clear. For others, it’s complicated. And for many, it’s buried beneath layers of overachievement, perfectionism, or silence.
A friend recently challenged me with a simple but profound invitation: practice deservedness.
And ever since, the word has been echoing in my mind.
Deservedness. Deservedness.
What do I believe I truly deserve?…
What Do I Deserve? Deservedness is a powerful theme that often arises in holistic counseling and life coaching. Many people carry unspoken beliefs about what they deserve — and these beliefs can quietly shape self-worth, relationships, and emotional well-being. Understanding your self-worth is crucial for personal growth. For example, someone might think: Deservedness in Trauma-Informed