Category Archives: Mental Health

Begin Again

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What do you think can shift if, instead of feeling like you are on a high-speed train of new world events happening to you, you could take the reins and harness the goodness of novelty for your own well-being?

I recently read an article in Psychology Today about just that.

“Psychology and neuroscience both make it clear that novel experiences help us to stay sharp, adapt to change, manage stress, connect with others — the list goes on. The human brain is a dynamic, powerful organ, primed to respond to novelty.”

 

I think there is an important calling here when we live in what seems to be increasingly unprecedented times. The thought would be to shelter in place, to remain grounded — fair and valid to a point. But removing self-selected novelty from our lives robs us of neuroplasticity, purpose, and even the relief from boredom. So what are some ways that we can shift from change happening to us to engaging in change in a meaningful way?

Here are three points I took away from the Psychology Today contributors:

 

1. Be proud to be a beginner

When starting something new, own it. There’s a natural tendency to want to be unnoticed (even invisible) when working through something new, but this is counterproductive to both growth and the energy that comes from connecting with others over shared novelty. Think about it: being a beginner is such an easy opening for connection. A shared interest gives you common ground, people love to feel heard and included, and it’s a low-stakes place to practice vulnerability. Beyond that, struggling through the early stages of learning in isolation makes it far more likely you’ll abandon the pursuit well before the real rewards of new learning set in.

When I was traveling for work, one of my favorite ways to introduce myself was, “Hey, I’m new to the city, what should I be checking out?” It almost always sparked an engaging conversation; honestly, it worked nine times out of ten. But it required being proud of being new in order to let someone guide me. What it signaled to others was a willingness to be open and vulnerable about my lack of knowledge, and that in itself created an environment where vulnerability felt okay or better yet, something to be proud of.

 

2. Limit low-quality learning

I really liked this point from the article. It called out most of our tendencies to think, “Oh, if I just watch a short video, I should be able to learn it perfectly.” This robs us of the richness of finding passion, getting into it, celebrating our newbie gains, and being able to hardwire the learning into our brains. You can’t learn how to ride a motorcycle without getting on a bike. You just can’t. You are required to experience the falls, the mishaps, and the achievements in order to make the pursuit a success.

I think about how each Saturday night in the summers, there is a whole group of motorcycle newbies that show up to a local empty parking lot by my house — my three-year-old loves to go watch. What strikes me as so cool about it is that these people are practicing sharp turns and navigating their huge Harleys in real time, with other people watching, physically participating in the act of learning. I would bet a lot of money that in those moments, the riders are strictly thinking about this newfound passion and not letting their minds wander to something trivial. That has to be such a satisfying feeling once they are done. Yes, they fall — and those huge bikes fall over too — but they get right back up and try again. This is not low-quality learning.

So when trying out something new, the way that you learn it matters. Are you even allowing yourself to go all in, or are you watching a video or two, giving it a C+ effort, then moving on thinking that you failed? 

 

3. Lower the stakes

The fun of learning something new will wear off quickly if you are too hard on yourself. In the medical and educational community, there is something called the “just right challenge” — that is where you find yourself in a place where you must remain engaged to master the skill, however the difficulty level is not so much that you don’t have the foundational skills to get there. If you are able to be honest with yourself, and you are proud of being a newbie, then you can find the just right challenge as a starting point. If your floor is “I know nothing” — great! That is where you begin. But don’t go into novel tasks 1. expecting yourself to be an expert, and 2. expecting that you are going to get it immediately. Going into novelty with an experimenter’s mindset can be helpful. You can recognize that you are curious (this helps you to stay engaged) but that you are no expert (i.e. you are willing to learn through “failed experiments”).

Desensitize yourself from the end result. Think more about the process and what it is giving you. Losing yourself in a task often happens when you are in novel situations. This mental flexibility also seeps into other aspects of your life, allowing you to be more flexible, resilient, and mentally agile. When you lower the stakes, focus on the process more than the result, you are ultimately giving yourself the benefits of the full learner’s journey. 

The best way to end is what I first read from the article: “Feeling depressed, anxious, or bored? Looking for new friends? Coping with loss, healing from a breakup or searching for your life’s purpose? Look for solutions to these disparate problems and you’re likely to see one suggestion appear again and again: Try something new.”

 

THE CONTENT OF THIS BLOG IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR A THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP.

Navigating Your 20s

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Your 20s are a time of exploration, transition, and growth.

This decade often brings major shifts in your career, friendships, identity, and relationships. It is when you begin discovering who you are, what you want, and how you are going to get there. And with that can come a lot of pressure.

Questions like, What should I do with my life? Who will I end up with? What should I achieve by 30? tend to feel louder during this time.

While high school and college can be transformational, the real transformation often begins once those structured environments fall away. Without built in systems or clear next steps, you are suddenly responsible for shaping a life that feels aligned with you.

If you feel uncertain, overwhelmed, or like you are behind, you are not. You are in it.

A supportive guide during this decade is not about having all the answers. It is about building clarity, emotional resilience, and alignment in a chapter that can feel nonlinear and, at times, confusing.

Here are a few ways you can begin supporting yourself through it:

 

First, get to know yourself. Your 20s are for learning who you are when no one is scripting it for you. Explore what excites you without judgment. Pay attention to what drains you versus what energizes you. Spend time alone and reflect often.

Second, build emotional skills, not just career goals. Success is not only about what you achieve. It is about how you move through your life. Learn to regulate before reacting. Notice your triggers. Practice expressing what you need, even when it feels uncomfortable.

Third, make peace with uncertainty. Your 20s are supposed to feel messy. What if feeling stuck is actually an invitation to get curious instead of panicking? There is something powerful about being untethered. It creates space for possibility, even if it does not feel like it at first.

Fourth, choose people who choose you. Relationships will shift, and that is okay. Focus less on forever and more on what feels healthy right now. Choose connection, reciprocity, and people you feel safe being yourself around.

Fifth, take small action toward what matters. You do not need a full plan, just the next step. Small actions build momentum and confidence. Whether it is applying for one job, trying a new class, or reaching out to someone new, these moments matter more than you think.

Finally, redefine success often. Success in your 20s is not about proving something. It is about becoming someone. Your path will not look like anyone else’s, and that is the point. Alignment matters more than appearance.

 

THE CONTENT OF THIS BLOG IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR A THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP.

If you want help navigating your 20s like a pro, book with Caroline.

Caroline is offering a special introductory rate of $65 per session.

The Importance of Getting Your Child ADHD Tested

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I remember being 9 years old at my neighborhood elementary school with not much of a care in the world because, honestly, academics were never really my thing. My mom, though, really wanted me to join my big sisters at this larger Pre-K through 12th grade private school about 20 minutes away. I was intimidated, mostly because I saw how hard my sisters worked on homework every day after school while I was usually just outside playing or singing. School just didn’t come naturally to me the way it seemed to for them.

After applying to multiple highly ranked private schools in Atlanta, including Woodward where my sisters attended, I got denied from all of them. At that point, my parents were kind of like, “Okay… maybe we need to look into this a little deeper.”

Luckily, Woodward had a transition program specifically designed for students with learning differences. But to be accepted into the program, I needed a formal diagnosis. So off we went to figure out more about how my brain uniquely worked.

After doing the full assessment, I was diagnosed with ADHD, dyslexia, math disorder, reading comprehension difficulties, and processing and retrieval challenges. Which sounds like a lot when you first hear it, but honestly, it’s much more common than people think.

Eventually, I got into Woodward’s transition program for 5th through 8th grade, and by high school I transitioned into mainstream classes full time. And truthfully, the classroom experience really wasn’t wildly different. It was just a little more supported and slower paced.

Getting diagnosed changed everything for me.

Not only was I able to receive the education my family and I hoped for, but I also got accommodations like extended time on standardized tests, which became incredibly important during college application season. Without my extended time, there’s no way I would have been able to finish the ACT or SAT, and honestly, college may not have even been an option.

I’m really grateful my parents trusted their intuition early on and took the time to understand what I needed instead of just assuming I “wasn’t trying hard enough.”

I went on to attend Belmont University where I studied songwriting because, as it turns out, my brain is just a little more creative and right-brained than traditionally academic. I graduated with my bachelor’s degree, and now I work full time as the Operations Manager at The Happy Hour.

All this to say, getting your child tested does not put a limit on their future.

If anything, it can open doors.

Understanding how your child learns can give them the support, confidence, and tools they need to truly thrive.

 

THE CONTENT OF THIS BLOG IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR A THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP.

ADHD + Mood Disorder Assessment

The Happy Hour offers evidence-based neuropsychological assessments for those 8 years and older designed to evaluate cognitive, emotional, and social functioning. These assessments are performed by licensed psychologist Dr. Brooke Rappaport, who specializes in diagnosing ADHD and mood disorders.

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What is DBT?

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Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, is a type of psychotherapy adapted from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. DBT is a skills-based therapy that focuses on mindfulness, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance. Through practice of DBT, we learn to accept the things we do not have control over and focus our energy on the things we do. 

 

The major players in the DBT world are Marsha Linehan, the original developer of DBT, and Lane Pederson, a psychologist who developed the first organization to certify DBT providers and accredit DBT programs. Dr. Linehan developed DBT after struggling with her own mental health issues. Dr. Linehan found that to build a life worth living, we have to practice both acceptance and changing our behaviors. 

 

Who can benefit from DBT?

 

DBT was first developed for the treatment of chronic suicidality in adults. We now have research supporting the use of DBT in adults with personality disorders, eating disorders, treatment-resistant depression, substance use, and a variety of other disorders. DBT is also evidence-based for the treatment of adolescents with various mental health disorders. 

 

If you are wondering, is DBT right for me? It is important to know that a formal diagnosis is not required for DBT skills to be helpful. If you are struggling with self-sabotage, unhealthy relationship patterns, struggling to cope with big emotions, poor impulse control, or engaging in risky behavior, or if you just feel like you’re getting in your own way, DBT might be just what you need.

 

When is it helpful?

 

The answer to that, from a DBT therapist, is always! 

 

DBT skills are often looked at as life skills. They are skills to help regulate strong emotions, build the ability to tolerate distress, engage in healthy and adaptive relationships, and build mindfulness skills for everyday practice. DBT can be most helpful when someone is struggling with managing and regulating emotions. 

 

Where is DBT offered in Nashville?

 

DBT can be offered along with other therapeutic approaches in psychotherapy sessions led by clinicians with the appropriate training and credentials. DBT is offered at The Happy Hour! DBT is most commonly offered in individual therapy and group therapy settings.  The skills are usually taught in session with a therapist and then practiced in your everyday life. Some DBT programs utilize Diary Cards to track the use of skills and severity of symptoms. 

 

For many, when starting out with DBT skills, it can feel difficult and frustrating when the skills don’t immediately click. I like to think of it as using a new muscle, at first it is difficult and hurts, but after time, it becomes easier and takes less energy to use that muscle. With DBT skills, we have to practice the skills for them to become effective and easy to use.

 

How does DBT work?

 

The original research on DBT supported a structured DBT approach to treatment, also known as standard DBT. Standard DBT was originally offered as a combination of individual therapy, skills group training, and client coaching. 

 

Through additional research and real-world practice, it was found that DBT is still effective in a more integrative approach. This means that you can see a therapist who practices a variety of modalities in combination with DBT in order to find the strategies and tools that both challenge and work for you. 

 

THE CONTENT OF THIS BLOG IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR A THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP.

 

Curious to see how DBT could help you move out of your own way, so you can live the life you know is meant for you?

Check out our upcoming DBT group, led by therapist, Amy Narusas.

How Small Shifts Transform Your Relationship

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“It’s the dishes, but it’s never really the dishes.”

 

For therapist Christa Booker, this simple phrase captures the heart of couples work. Conflicts often appear to be about everyday tasks—who’s doing the laundry, taking out the trash, or loading the dishwasher. But in reality, it points to something deeper: patterns of communication, unmet needs, or feeling unseen in the relationship.

 

Recognizing the Patterns

I got to chat with Christa on her work, and what excites her the most when it comes to working with couples. “I’m trained in pattern recognition,” Christa explains. “Normally when couples come in, you can point out the pattern. If the couples are willing to put in the work, it’s relatively quick and simple.” 

The key to note here is “both are willing to put in the work” – This takes patience and resilience. By slowing down and noticing recurring dynamics, couples can start to see what’s really happening in their relationship. It’s rarely about the chores themselves, it’s about the emotions and expectations tied to those moments. 

 

The Power of Simple Changes

What excites Christa most is helping couples realize that change doesn’t always require a complete overhaul. Sometimes it’s just one simple change that can be made and it shifts the entire experience. Couples therapy should feel like a safe space, a time dedicated to strengthening your teamwork. Often, the tension between you can feel heavier than the actual problem/pattern at hand.

With training in the Gottman Method and Prepare/Enrich, Christa brings practical tools to help partners better understand each other. “I like this work because you can offer some focused tools on what couples are trying to accomplish,” she says. “It’s about exploring the emotional experiences they’re both having so they can better understand each other.”

There’s no shame in experiencing conflict. Even if you’ve been with your partner for years and feel like you know them well, you’ll never fully know how they experience you—how your words or actions land with them. That’s where communication, and sometimes therapy, comes in. Together, you can learn how to become the best team possible.

 

Building Relationships That Last

Whether couples are navigating ongoing tension or simply wanting to strengthen their bond, Christa’s approach is rooted in both compassion and practicality. By teaching partners to spot patterns, shift dynamics, and engage in deeper conversations, she helps them discover that meaningful change is possible, even when the same arguments have been on repeat for years.

As Christa reflects: “It’s never just the dishes. It’s the pattern that needs to change, and the communication around the pattern.”

At The Happy Hour, we believe that small shifts can create lasting impact. If you and your partner are ready to build stronger communication and deeper connection, our team is here to support you every step of the way.

 

Explore Couples Counseling

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Prepare and Enrich your Relationship

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The Power of Relationships

One of the most fundamentally important aspects of being a person is relationship. Relationships are how we relate to others and how we contextualize ourselves and the roles we play in our communities, families, and even the way we form our own identities. The people in our lives with whom we have a close relationship form the basis of our support systems, how we receive and accept love, and shape our development throughout all of life’s stages. The people we surround ourselves with and come to know deeply are also the people who provide the emotional backdrop for our lives, whether that is safety and comfort or fear and emotional isolation.

Because of how important relationships are to human beings, I am drawn to working with couples. There are many types of relationships, but romantic relationships are some of the most powerful and personally impactful relationships we can have. This is why I believe it is so important to build those relationships on a foundation of trust, communication, acceptance, love, and support. Every human being is different. We all relate to ourselves, others, and the world in a different way. To me, this is a beautiful and wonderful thing. However, it can also make it difficult for us to be on the same page.

 

Strengthening Romantic Relationships

Prepare & Enrich helps couples understand the concepts of how relationships function, how individual differences can change what relationships look like, and gives couples tools for learning to support each other more deeply and more fully.

I love seeing couples figuring things out together and coming to a deeper understanding of the ones they love. Let’s be honest, though. Relationships can also be difficult, exhausting, and straining when things don’t seem to be working. Participating in Prepare & Enrich allows individuals with their own specific fears and insecurities work together to support and compliment their partners in ways that match each person’s strengths and weaknesses. Whether a person’s relationships are healthy or unhealthy makes a huge impact on their overall health and well-being.

 

Why Communication and Trust Matter

Beginning a relationship with a commitment to understanding one another, supporting one another, and coming together in a cohesive way sets the stage for a relationship filled with growth, love, and confidence instead of fear, isolation, and resentment. Prepare & Enrich is a great way to approach relationships from a place of curiosity instead of judgment.

My name is Sam Wilson, and I would love to be a part of your journey toward a healthy relationship with Prepare & Enrich.

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THE CONTENT OF THIS BLOG IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR A THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP.


A Tiny Experiment: Moments of Quiet

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I’m back with week three of my tiny experiment – writing about one thing each week that inspires me. Writing from my heart and my gut, and without using the help of ChatGPT. This isn’t anything against AI, it’s so helpful, but I want to commit to practicing using only my brain without the help of our lovely robot overlords. 

I have to say, I’ve been enjoying this tiny experiment, and so far it’s been a beneficial practice in letting my thoughts flow authentically. I had no idea what I was going to write until about five minutes ago, and loosening a tight grip of control on a very scheduled life feels like liberation. For now, I’m going to keep it up. 

This week I was inspired by silence. By not only a few intentional moments of quiet where I could really tune into myself and connect to something larger; but also those gaps between questions asked to my clients that may feel awkward for a moment, but often result in a robust insight versus a rushed answer. There were a few times driving my car this week where I didn’t listen to music, the news, or a podcast, and simply just noticed the ambient air around me. I noticed what it felt like not to have my brain working for a few minutes – it sort of felt like floating on your back with your ears under water, where you feel completely, if only momentarily, immune from the chaos happening above the water. It felt freeing. 

I experienced a different type of noise cancellation today after I realized I was fresh out of contact lenses, only for my left eye somehow, which has a drastically worse prescription than my right. So, I popped on my glasses, which is great, but not so great for doing hot yoga where they slip right off. Without any corrective lenses I am pretty much limited to seeing blobs of people and objects that are any further than 3 feet away from me. I was forced to focus only on what was within the perimeter of my mat. Without being able to compare myself to others (am I doing this right? Should I do what that person is doing? I’ll never be able to do a headstand…) look to the teacher to see what was the “right” pose, I was able to follow along but do my own thing. This meant really tuning out of my head, tuning into my body, and moving however I felt aligned in that moment. The noise cancellation of unconscious comparison and self criticism was a heavenly sensation that I can only describe as feeling like home. There are so many lessons to glean from the power of silence, and it’s another practice I want to intentionally commit to. Maybe another tiny experiment to add to the list.  When we went into savasana at the end of the hour, the instructor reminded us that this moment of stillness and quiet is what the practice led up to for the entire hour, and if you skip it, you’re sort of missing the point. Quiet isn’t the end of the story, it’s the climax.   

 

THE CONTENT OF THIS BLOG IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR A THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP.

A Tiny Experiment: Winter Storm Resources

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Last week I wrote about a new concept I am trying out, a Tiny Experiment. I am a little late on my goal of once a week, but this week has been flipped upside down a few times, so I’m giving myself grace and am going to keep the goal the same – I’m going to write about something that inspires me once a week, maybe more. 

Finding inspiration this week was easy. After the winter storm that Mayor O’Connell described as “the worst destruction from a natural disaster that I’ve seen the city face in my lifetime,” Nashville came to a standstill. Hundreds of thousands of people were left without power, searching for warmth, trying to keep their families safe, and sitting with the anxiety that comes with so much uncertainty.

After a few days of very minimal communication outside of my street, cell service returned and was I flooded with news of people in Nashville stepping up to help each other. Restaurants like Edley’s BBQ, Prince’s Hot Chicken, and Brown’s Diner offered free food to anyone in need, no questions asked. Waldo’s provided food for lineworkers working around the clock to restore power. Non profit organizations like Second Harvest food bank sent thousands of free meals to warming centers across the city. Neighbors opened their doors to people they knew, and people they didn’t–at one point my own neighbors opened their doors to share their home with roughly thirteen people, two dogs, one cat, and a bearded dragon. I was part of numerous group text threads where people invited anyone to their homes to take a hot shower or eat a home made meal. 

There is something special about this city, particularly in the way that the community shows up for each other. We have been faced with some tough events in the last 5 years, and every time I am in awe of how everyone takes care of each other. It is a feeling of camaraderie that is irreplaceable and indescribable, and I am so very grateful to be a part of it. 

In an effort to continue to support our community, I also want to share these helpful resources that are available to Nashvillians right now. Things change quickly, but following some of these organizations on social media (if you have cell service) is a really helpful way to stay up to date. 

Stay safe, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. 💙 

 

Mental Health

  • Signs of disaster-related stress can include:
    • Difficulty sleeping
    • Disorientation, confusion, loss of appetite
    • Feelings of hopelessness or depression
  • Disaster Distress Helpline. It’s normal to feel anxiety after a storm like this. Trained crisis counselors are ready to help in English, Spanish, or American Sign Language (videophone available). Call 1-800-985-5990
  • Tips for Coping with Grief after a Natural Disaster.
  • The Happy Hour. This is not a sales pitch, we are just really ready to help in person or virtually. We also have a Grief Circle coming up at the end of February if you are seeking to process in community.

 

Ways to Help

  • If you are in a position to donate funds, The Volunteer Organizations in Active Disaster, United Way Greater Nashville, and Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee have announced the Winter Weather Relief Fund for those affected by the storm to apply for relief. If you need to apply for relief, you can find more information here.
  • One Generation Away is looking for volunteers this Saturday, January 31st to help with food distribution at Centennial High School in Franklin. All ages are welcome to help, bring the whole family.
  • Keep checking on your neighbors! And keep talking to each other. Your feelings are valid and important!

 

Food and Nutrition, Life and Safety Resources

A Tiny Experiment

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I’m starting a tiny experiment.

The idea came to me through a book recommendation shared by a friend in my women’s business group. The book is called Tiny Experiments: How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed World. The premise immediately caught my attention, mostly because it challenges something we’re so deeply conditioned to believe.

We live in a world that loves goals. SMART goals. Measurable goals. Stretch goals. We’re taught to decide exactly what we want, map out the steps, and push until we get there. And if we don’t? We tend to blame ourselves. We didn’t want it badly enough. We didn’t try hard enough. We failed.

I’ve lived this way for years. And to be fair, there is an upside. Setting goals this way has forced me to confront my relationship with failure. It’s helped me toughen up, learn resilience, and understand that not everything works out the way I plan it. You don’t “succeed” at everything — and learning how to recover from that does matter.

But this book flips the idea of success entirely on its head. This book focuses on the process, the how, and not just the outcome. I have found in myself how dangerous being only achievement-focused can become. We tend to overidentify with achievement instead of our values and authenticity, and when we hit the mark, we often don’t feel fulfilled in the way we thought we would. And the goal post continues to move. 

Instead of defining success as achieving the outcome you set out to reach, Tiny Experiments defines success as learning something new.

That stopped me in my tracks.

What if success isn’t about hitting the mark, but about noticing what happens when you try? What if curiosity replaces shame? What if forward motion matters more than precision?

 

So here’s my tiny experiment:

I’m committing to writing about something that inspires me — formally — at least once a week. Maybe more. But I’m trying to take my own advice here and start small. And per author Anne-Laure Le Cunff’s process, I’m going to 1) set a doable duration of one month, then 2) check back in to assess how I felt during the experiment, and 3) decide if I want to continue, adjust or stop.

And I’m taking you along with me.

Today, I’m inspired by the concept of tiny experiments themselves.

In an age of constant busyness — and increasingly, AI — I want to make sure I’m still exercising my own mind in ways that feel meaningful to me. Writing has always been a place where I process, connect dots, and find presence and peace. This feels like a way to stay awake to my own inner life.

My hope is that these small sparks of inspiration might spark something in you, too.

Some of what inspires me that you might see coming down the pike:

  • Books — I’ve fallen back in love with reading over the last year, and I’d forgotten how much peace and presence it brings me. And concepts like this expand my mind.
  • My clients — always with privacy and ethics intact — but inspired daily by the courage, honesty, and growth I get to witness.
  • My kids — who constantly give me a beginner’s mindset and remind me of what’s important.
  • People doing good in the world — often quietly, often imperfectly, often without applause.

That said, I’m open to where this takes me, and excited to see where I may become inspired. This isn’t about perfection. It’s not about consistency for consistency’s sake. It’s not about building a brand or proving anything.

It’s just a tiny experiment.

And if all I learn is something new along the way? Then, by this definition, it’s already a success.

 

P.S. if you are interested in the concept, but don’t have time to read the book, check out this podcast episode where Le Cunff explains the idea of Tiny Experiments. 

 

THE CONTENT OF THIS BLOG IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR A THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP.

Filter Decisions Through Your Why: Letting Purpose Lead This New Season

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This time of year often arrives with a quiet kind of pressure.

New goals, habits, and decisions about who we’re becoming and how we want the year to unfold. There’s an unspoken expectation to move quickly, to be clear, confident, and decisive.

This is something I see often, both personally and with others: when life shifts, the pressure to “figure it out” can feel overwhelming. Last year brought change that invited me to look honestly at what was truly making me happy and what was draining me. I realized I had been going through the motions of a life that left me feeling depleted.

As I moved through these changes, even small decisions began to feel loaded, what to say yes to, what to release, what deserved my time, energy, and heart. And what I’ve learned is this: when decisions start to feel heavy, it’s usually a sign that clarity, not more effort, is what’s needed.

I noticed that when I tried to think my way forward, I felt scattered and unsure. But when I paused and returned to my why, how I want to live, feel, and show up, everything softened. Purpose didn’t give me a perfect plan; it gave me a filter.

Purpose doesn’t have to be a grand life mission or a polished statement.

Often, it’s simply clarity around what matters most right now and how you want your life to feel. This is where decision-making becomes less about pressure and more about alignment.

Filtering decisions through your why means gently asking:

  • Does this support the life I’m intentionally creating?
  • Does this align with my values, energy, and capacity right now?
  • Am I choosing this from alignment or from momentum, fear, or expectation?

When purpose becomes the filter, decisions don’t magically become easy, but they do become clearer. You stop forcing answers and start noticing what fits. Purpose becomes an anchor. An internal compass that helps you move forward with confidence, one intentional decision at a time. This approach also offers permission, to slow down, to change your mind, and to choose differently than you have before. Purpose isn’t asking for perfection; it’s inviting honesty.

As you move through this year, you don’t need all the answers. What often matters more is a willingness to pause before the yes. To listen inward. To let your why guide your choices.

If you’re navigating a new season, you might explore this through reflection:

  • What truly matters to me right now?
  • What do I want my decisions to support?
  • What would it look like to choose alignment over expectation?

Purpose has a way of meeting you exactly where you are, and leading you forward, one aligned decision at a time.

 

THE CONTENT OF THIS BLOG IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR A THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP.

Want to work with Erin?

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