I see you, whirlwind romance planning, love filling, excitement flowing wedding planner of a bride, you. Well, I am seeing many of you! I am seeing bridal events, wedding planning, and love and celebrations flowing like champagne bubbles! While these huge life events are worth celebrating, this article will be addressing the side of wedding planning that is often not talked about.

With the holiday season now behind us and entering into the new year, we are often left with the residual crumbs of joy, happiness, change and new beginnings. It is often romanticized and celebrated with family, love, growth and rebirth. While we often focus and (respectfully) acknowledge the emotional toll women experience during this time, it is important to recognize that men also experience an invisible emotional toll into the new year. From societal expectations to financial pressures, the holidays and new year can bring about stress and emotional strain that so often isn't talked about. In this post, I will direct your attention to the invisible emotional toll men experience. I will provide five helpful tips to manage stress following the festive season. In addition, I will be introducing you to the concept of MIMS: Make It Make Sense.  While we all can most likely understand the tips below, in order to figure out how to actually apply them we have to make it make sense. Let's ensure you have ways to use the information following this read.

Right now, mothers everywhere are rushing around the city, checking off lists, picking up last minute items, sending decorative cards and buying extra gifts... all while carrying the mental load of others. Having a dozen things to accomplish, feeling the pressure of societal expectations and smiling through it all. That's a lot. - In this post we discuss valuable tips on how to navigate the holiday season as a mother.

Addressing a very common and often unspoken experience had by one of the most high functioning, high achieving types of individuals we know. - Mothers and Perinatal (Birth) Trauma How Accelerated Resolution Therapy might just be the best route to resolution and relief.

Mental Health Services with Mind Body approach service Madison Wisconsin for the best therapy retreat with holistic healing.

The Greek philosopher Heraclitus said that, “change is the only constant in life.” It means that the world is always changing and so are people. Not only is change always happening, but it is also unavoidable. So, what do we do when our mood changes with it?

You are a professional and can handle it...until you can't.

Whoa. Look. At. You. At this level of success, the consequences of slowing pace or making a mistake are clearly understood. No one understands the high stress and high pressure expectations better than you. Even so, in the midst of a busy day or at the tail end of a deadline, when everyone is looking to you for leadership, mentorship and answers… what makes you so qualified? If that last sentence stirred something in you, keep reading…you’re in the right place. In this very important post, we will begin exploring the imposter syndrome. It is a term widely used, but many aren’t familiar with its origin. Here, we will highlight what it looks like, why it happens and what to do next. In addition, you will notice links to resources sprinkled throughout for further insight. So, let’s get into it! What is it? The “imposter phenomenon” was first truly studied by Dr. Pauline Clance ( Clance, 1985 ). It was during these clinical observations that she identified individuals experiencing very specific symptoms of anxiety, self-doubt, fear of failure, and overall decreased quality of life. Symptoms surrounding the fear and worry of being “found out” as an intellectual fraud and imposter are often spurred by achievement related tasks or assignments. This initiates the cycle of anxious and fear related symptoms. When symptoms arise, people often implore maladaptive behaviors such as procrastination, over preparation, dismissal of positive feedback and the ultimate denial of one’s own success. When maladaptive behaviors are used, our perspective of outcome shifts and our success and belief in self continues to be minimized and dismissed. This is is where we see a shift in perspective: The procrastinator’s success is contrived through luck. The over-preparer’s success is the result of hard work. The minimizer will dismiss any acknowledgement because, “it’s really nothing, anyone could have done it.” Relief following the conclusion of the project or task can be rewarding, but brief. Soon a new goal, another task or the next assignment is created and thus begins the ongoing cycle of self-doubt, fear and anxiety. Why is this important? I mposter syndrome is not the phenomenon of being humble nor does it ever truly benefit the individual. Research suggests over 70 percent of all adults experience imposter syndrome at some point . Imposter syndrome is widely experienced by men and women of all ages and all occupational and educational backgrounds. The maladaptive behaviors and internal dialogue of failure grows and strengthens with continued use. It can seep into all areas of life including one’s personal life and hobbies. The distress experienced within the imposter phenomenon cycle decreases quality of life and ultimately prohibits future success. What do we do about it? While imposter syndrome is not an official diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), it is very real. It can limit a person’s potential, interfere with wellbeing, and be very difficult to overcome. The thought alone of initiating yet another task to address the very issue relating to tasks is overwhelming (see what I did, there?). When looking for a place to start, three strategies come to mind: First, dive deeper into individual thought patterns. Exploring cognitive distortions allow us the opportunity to identify the very internal dialogue prohibiting us from growth, delve deeper into its meaning and allow the opportunity to consciously choose more realistic, better aligned thought patterns. Secondly, figure out what success means to you. Increasing insight into one’s own beliefs of success can create a roadmap for change. Who first taught you its definition? What does it feel like? What should it feel like? When is success ok and when is it not? Click here for additional perspective into success. Lastly, we mention one of the most challenging yet helpful strategies to overcome symptoms of imposter syndrome. Just. Sit. With. It. Leaning into the negative emotions without immediately implementing behaviors to cope with the feelings. It is here we must lean into the discomfort of our emotions without responding to them. Acknowledging the ongoing beliefs, thoughts and feelings in the moment. It is a skill to sit with an uncomfortable emotion without responding to it. By doing this, we can proceed to the next step of consciously choosing how to respond instead of continuing along the cycle of maladaptive behaviors. Experiencing imposter syndrome is common, real and normal. These strategies and many others can be accomplished with the help of a skilled therapist. Remember, this content is strictly for informational purposes only and nothing can substitute for mental health care. This article barely touches the surface of all things imposter syndrome, but hopefully provides enough content to start the conversation. In the future, we will dive into more details and practical tips. Interested in exploring more? Leave a comment below!

A Path to Emotional Strength and Well-being