Have you ever been that person who holds everything and everyone together? The one who gets things done, keeps life moving, and never really lets herself fall apart because, honestly, if you did, who would fix it? That’s me. I’m the planner, the helper, the steady one. But this week… yeah, I hit a wall.

I didn’t even explode. I just cracked a little. I got frustrated. I expressed my feelings. I didn’t sugarcoat it. And for a moment, that was enough to shock some people around me. You know that feeling when you’re like, “Wait… I’m allowed to feel this?” Yeah, that.

And that’s when it hit me. People love your strength until they have to see your weakness. They’ll clap for

Dear readers,

For so long, many of us have been taught to put others first. Family, friends, coworkers, even strangers—we try to carry everyone’s burdens, meet every expectation, and give our all. While generosity of heart is beautiful, sometimes we forget that our own hearts need care too.

Taking Care of Yourself Isn’t Selfish

Putting yourself first doesn’t mean you stop loving or caring for others. It means recognizing your worth, setting healthy boundaries, and honoring your own needs in ways that allow you to thrive—so you can show up fully and effectively for those who depend on

Just when you think you’ve found peace, safety, and comfort—it happens again. Another disappointment. Another letdown. Another moment that makes you question, “Will this cycle ever end?”

That kind of heartbreak is heavy, because peace isn’t just about calm surroundings. It’s about trust. It’s about believing you’re finally safe to rest, finally free to exhale. And when that trust is broken, it can feel like the ground has been pulled out from under you.

I won’t sugarcoat it

If you’re like me, your mind doesn’t always stop. It replays conversations, worries about what could go wrong, and questions every decision you make. Overthinking can steal your sleep, make small decisions feel huge, and even strain relationships. I know — I’ve been there, and I’m still learning how to live with it.

For me, overthinking can show up in different ways: racing thoughts, a tight chest, sweating, insomnia, or even snapping at people I love. Sometimes it feels like my mind is holding me hostage, and no matter how much I try, it won’t quit.

Overthinking isn’t just an annoying habit — it can take a toll on

Sometimes life throws so much at us that our minds start spinning out of control. I'm sharing this blog because I know what it feels like to overthink, to feel anxiety spike, or to wake up at 2 a.m. replaying the same conversation over and over. I'm not perfect, and I'm still learning — but I want to share what's helping me, in the hopes it might help you too.

Hi, I'm Catrina, and I'll be honest - I'm an overthinker. My mind loves to replay conversations, imagine every possible "what if," and stress about things I can't control. Sometimes it even leaks out as frustration or lashing out at people I love. Other times it shows up as anxiety, insomnia, panic attacks, or physical symptoms like a racing heart, sweating, or tight shoulders. I'll

Abuse doesn’t always leave bruises. People think it has to be loud, dramatic, or obvious — but the truth? It can be quiet, subtle, and still just as damaging. Sometimes it’s in the words, the small controls, or the little things that make you doubt yourself. If something in your relationship makes you feel unsafe — even in little ways — this is for you.

When most people hear the word abuse, the first thing that comes to mind is someone being hit, slapped, or beaten. Physical abuse is real and dangerous — no question. But abuse wears many faces, and some of them leave no visible marks. The scars can be

Dear Readers,

Let’s be real for a second.

Relationships are meant to be about support — not suffocation.

Partnership — not pressure.

Shared lives — not one person orbiting the other like a satellite.

But somewhere along the way, people get it twisted.

They start believing that because they have the energy, the time, or the drive to give 100% in a certain way, you should be able to do the same.

And when you can’t — or don’t — it turns into guilt trips, accusations, or the weight of feeling “not enough.”

Here’s the truth:

Dear readers,

Working in the nonprofit sector often feels like a calling—a deep desire to help others, make a meaningful impact, and change the world for the better. But let’s be real: the reality of nonprofit work isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s demanding, draining, and sometimes downright exhausting.

I’ve been there—juggling multiple roles, working long hours, and giving everything I have to a cause I believe in. And while passion for your work can fuel you, it can also leave you running on empty if you’re not careful. Self-care? Well, that often falls to the bottom of the to-do list when there’s always one more deadline, one more event, one more person to help.

But here’s the thing:

Dear readers,

As we navigate life's challenges, it's easy to forget one of the most important things: taking care of ourselves. Self-care isn't just a buzzword; it's a vital practice that helps us maintain our mental well-being. In today's fast-paced world, dedicating time to self-care can be transformative. For me, self-care has been a journey of trial and error, but one that has brought immense peace and clarity.

I remember a particularly overwhelming period in my life when I was juggling multiple responsibilities and feeling burnt out. A friend suggested I start small with just a few minutes of meditation each day. At first, it felt awkward, but gradually, I began to look forward to those quiet moments. It was like a

Dear Readers,

Let’s clear something up right now:

Struggling doesn’t make you weak.

Needing help doesn’t make you broken.

Getting support isn’t something to be ashamed of — it’s strength in its rawest form.

We live in a culture that rewards the hustle. We’re praised for “toughing it out,” for being independent, for staying quiet and handling things behind the scenes.

But at some point, silence starts to feel like suffocation.

And the strongest thing you can do… is breathe anyway.

Some of us grew up thinking we had to survive everything on our own. We weren’t taught how to talk about pain. We were taught how to

Dear Readers,

There are moments when the pressure builds so quietly, so gradually, that you don’t even realize how much you’ve been holding in — until suddenly, you’re drowning in it. And it spills out in a burst: words you didn’t mean, silence that shuts everyone out, anger you can’t explain, or tears you didn’t plan to cry.

And then the shame hits.

“What’s wrong with me?”

“Why did I do that?”

“Why am I like this?”

I want to gently say this

Dear Readers,

During our weekly women’s Bible study, my sister asked a question that didn’t just land — it lingered.

“What name have you been answering to that God never gave you?”

At first, it sounded like a simple reflection. One of those pause-and-think-for-a-second questions.

But then, the room fell quiet.

And in the stillness, I realized: this was not a surface-level question. It was a soul-level one.

Because if we’re being honest, most of us have been answering to names we were never meant to carry.

We’ve been responding to labels given to us by pain, by people, by pressure.

We’ve accepted definitions that were born out of trauma, criticism, or comparison — and we’ve worn them like identity badges.

Names like:

The Power of Showing Up Soft… Even When Life Gets Loud

Dear Readers,

There’s something I’ve been sitting with lately — something that’s reshaped how I lead, rest, and move through the world: the idea of soft resilience.

Being soft doesn’t mean being weak. And being strong doesn’t mean being hard. You can carry grace and grit in the same body. You can lead with tenderness and still hold your ground. That’s the balance I’m learning to walk, and if I’m honest — it’s taken years to get here.

I’ve had to show up in rooms that expected me to shrink, and I’ve had to stay grounded in spaces that tried to steal

Dear readers,

Anxiety has been a constant companion in my life, and I'm still figuring out how to manage it. As I navigate these challenges, I'm reminded that I'm not alone, and I hope that by sharing my experiences, others may find comfort in knowing they're not alone either. This blog post is as much for me as it is for you – a reminder to prioritize self-care and mindfulness in my own life.

One strategy that's helped me is mindfulness meditation. By dedicating a few minutes each day to quiet reflection, I've been able to calm my mind and reduce feelings of overwhelm. I've found that even a short meditation session can help me feel more grounded and centered, ready to face whatever challenges come my way.

Another strategy that's helped me is setting boundaries. Learning to say no without feeling

From Ambition to Burnout: How I Learned to Walk Away From a Toxic Workplace

Dear readers,

There’s something I need to get off my chest—my experience working at a company that lost sight of what truly matters. It’s one of those lessons that you learn the hard way, but it’s also one that’s left me with some serious reflections about workplace culture.

When I first started, I was hopeful. I believed in the company’s mission and thought it would be a place where I could grow, contribute, and build something meaningful. But that quickly changed. When a company becomes more focused on numbers than on the well-being of its employees, it creates a toxic, competitive environment that’s anything but healthy.

What they don’t tell you is that this constant pressure to perform doesn’t just burn you out—it strips away the sense of camaraderie. Suddenly, it’s not about team effort. It’s about survival. The environment becomes cutthroat, where colleagues aren’t coworkers anymore—they’re competitors. And in an

Beyond the Month: Continuing the Fight for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

Dear readers,

As September comes to a close, so does Suicide Prevention Awareness Month—a month that holds great importance for countless individuals who have silently struggled with mental health challenges. But the fight for awareness, understanding, and compassion doesn’t end here. Mental health isn’t something we focus on for just 30 days a year. It’s a lifelong journey, and this month is just a reminder of how crucial it is to support one another year-round.

We’ve talked about how many people suffer in silence, the stigma around seeking help, and the resources available for those in need. But now that the spotlight on suicide prevention begins to dim, the question is: how can we keep the conversation going?

Grow Through What You Go Through: Embracing Adversity as a Path to Personal Growth

Dear Readers,

Life’s journey is a tapestry woven with threads of joy, sorrow, and everything in between. Along the way, we encounter moments that test our resolve, push us to our limits, and ultimately shape us into the people we are today. It’s in these moments of adversity that we have the opportunity to discover our inner strength and resilience, and to grow in ways we never thought possible.

Reflecting on my own experiences, I’ve come to appreciate the profound wisdom embedded in the mantra “Grow through what you go through.” It’s a philosophy that speaks to the transformative power of adversity—the notion that

Breaking the Silence: Men’s Mental Health Awareness Beyond June

Greetings, dear readers,

Today, I want to emphasize a topic that remains crucial not just during Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month in June, but every single day of the year: men’s mental health awareness. While it’s essential to have dedicated awareness months, the conversation must extend beyond these designated periods to ensure ongoing support and understanding.

As an advocate for mental health across the board, I’m particularly passionate about shedding light on the unique challenges that men face when it comes to mental well-being. For far too long, societal norms and expectations have perpetuated the notion that

Turning Cruelty into Courage: Empowering Others in the Face of Hate

Last night, as I was in the kitchen cleaning, my daughter innocently grabbed my phone. Little did I know that she would be the one to come across the awful words that had been sent to me. It was lousy, to say the least, to have her witness such hate expressed on my device.

I had politely suggested starting as friends to a guy who asked me out, hoping to handle the situation with kindness and respect. His response was shockingly mean-spirited. He not only attacked me personally but also resorted to

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Embracing Your Worth and Achievements

Greetings, dear dreamers and achievers,

Imposter syndrome – those nagging doubts that creep in, whispering that you’re not good enough, that you don’t belong. I know these feelings all too well. There have been moments in my life when I’ve questioned my abilities, second-guessed my achievements, and felt like a fraud in my own skin.

It’s a constant battle, isn’t it? That inner critic that seems determined to undermine every success, every milestone reached. But here’s the thing – recognizing those feelings is the first step toward overcoming them.

For me, it’s been about reframing