Toxic relationships are more than just emotionally draining. They can have a lasting impact on your mental, emotional, and even physical well-being. I know, as I have first-hand experience of being in a toxic relationship.

Resentment is a heavy burden. It’s like carrying a bag of stones, each one representing a past hurt, betrayal, or disappointment. Over time, this weight drains our energy, keeps us stuck in the past, and prevents us from fully embracing our future.

You’ve finally moved on. You’ve done the hard work to heal, let go, and step into your power—only to receive a random “Hey stranger” text from the person who caused the most confusion in your life. You freeze. You wonder: Should I respond? What does this mean?

Have you ever met someone, maybe through a friend or a dating app, and wondered if they were really interested in you?  Perhaps you start texting each other and meet up a few times for coffee or dinner.

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM)—a time dedicated to shining a light on the reality of unhealthy relationships among teens and empowering young people to build safe, respectful partnerships. This issue is more prevalent than many realize, and raising awareness is the first step toward change.

A recent article by U.S. News & World Report confirms what many of us many suspect – many Americans are experiencing loneliness.  Here is a quick look at their results: “About one in three U.S. adults say they feel lonely at least once a week while 30% of those responding from ages 18-24 say they feel lonely every day or several times a week.”[1]

In the complex world of relationships, both personal and professional, certain negative behaviors can arise that are important to recognize. Two such behaviors are "gaslighting" and "ghosting," each distinct in its nature but equally damaging. Understanding these terms and how they work can help us identify and protect ourselves from these toxic dynamics.

Having been subjected to gaslighting myself where I have written two books on the subject, I wondered if someone could be gaslighted unintentionally.  The answer is “yes”.  So, if the answer is “yes”, how and when can gaslighting be unintentional?  Let’s look at what this is.  Unintentional gaslighting often arises when individuals, without malicious intent, invalidate or dismiss another's feelings or experiences due to their own biases, misunderstandings, or lack of awareness. It can occur in various settings, including personal relationships, workplaces, or social interactions. Here are a few examples:

As we head into a new year, I wanted to take a minute and talk about self-esteem and spotting signs when your relationship might need a tune-up. Let's break it down with five must-know signs to keep your self-esteem soaring!

While my last several blogs have focused on the red flags of gaslighting and domestic abuse, I thought I would change and write about creating and maintaining positive relationships. While researching, I came across this website – www.twodrifters.us- offering a 30-day relationship challenge.

Recently I took up ballroom dancing as it has been on my vision board for a couple of years and something I have wanted to do for a long time. Now that Covid restrictions have significantly lifted, ballrooms are now open and ready for dancing. I admit that I didn’t know what to expect. But I will tell you that I am having a ball – pun intended! My dad had tried to teach me many years ago and that didn’t fare well. I seemed to either step on his feet or try and take the lead!  I now realize that he was teaching me from the leader’s perspective and not the followers.  It makes a difference!