Have you ever had one of those days where you pause mid-tea sip and think, “What if I just started over?” Not a dramatic burn-it-all-down sort of start over (although that has its flair), but a curious, open-hearted, intentional life redesign — the kind where you get to be the architect, the artist, the dreamer, and the doer.

There’s a place many survivors of abuse know intimately, though it doesn’t always have a name. It comes after the leaving, after the chaos, after the immediate danger has passed. On paper, you’re free. But inside, you feel frozen. Exhausted. Lost. This place is called the void.

In today’s self-help and social media-saturated world, it's never been easier to find a name for every experience, reaction, and wound. Empath. Highly sensitive person. Trauma-bonded. Codependent. Victim of narcissistic abuse. Inner child. Attachment style. Love language. While these labels can offer comfort and clarity, there’s a fine line between using a label to understand yourself—and hiding behind one to avoid healing.

The internet is overflowing with content about narcissism. There are grandiose narcissists, covert ones, malignant, communal, somatic, cerebral—even spiritual and parental narcissists. It seems like every time you scroll, there’s a new subtype to watch out for. Check out my extensive list of narcissism types HERE

As the internet has exploded with resources on narcissism, so too has the list of supposed narcissistic "types." From grandiose and covert to spiritual and parental narcissists, we’re now flooded with labels—each one carrying its own characteristics, red flags, and horror stories.

The journey to healing after an abusive relationship often involves redefining freedom in one’s life. Two distinct but complementary types of freedom, freedom to and freedom from, can help reshape one’s path forward. While "freedom from" focuses on liberation from past limitations, "freedom to" highlights the newly opened doors for personal growth and self-expression. In a post-abuse context, these two freedoms offer different but equally empowering opportunities.

Low self-esteem can create patterns of behaviour that sabotage relationships, making it difficult to experience healthy love and connection. In this article, I’ll explore ten common mistakes people with low self-esteem make in relationships and offer two journal prompts with each to foster healing and self-awareness.

Abuse is not always obvious, especially in intimate relationships where manipulation and emotional tactics are often at play. To break free from the confusion that abuse creates, it can be helpful to understand what drives the abuser's actions. At their core, many abusive behaviours stem from three fundamental needs: the need to feed their ego, the need to feed their narcissism, and the need to maintain control. Recognising these needs in your partner’s behaviour can offer clarity and help you realise that what you are experiencing is not love—it is abuse.

In the journey of life, we absorb ideas, beliefs, and behaviours from the people and environments we encounter. But not all of these influences serve us well. Some subtly creep in, shaping the way we view ourselves, others, and the world. Over time, these negative influences can become heavy burdens, quietly driving decisions and reinforcing unhelpful patterns. The question we must ask ourselves is: Are we intentionally living life on our terms, or are we letting negative influences shape the path we walk?

When a woman leaves an abusive relationship, her journey to healing is both courageous and complex. However, one of the most insidious obstacles many women face during recovery is victim blaming—the harmful belief that the victim is somehow responsible for the abuse she experienced. Victim blaming not only adds unnecessary shame and guilt but can also stall or derail the healing process, making it harder for survivors to rebuild their self-worth. This article explores the damaging effects of victim blaming and offers practical advice on how women can reject these attacks, reclaim their narratives, and embrace healing unapologetically.

When I married my abuser, he promised me amazing celebrations for our anniversary and my birthday, convincing me to get married the day after my birthday. I thought it would be the perfect way to celebrate the two biggest milestones in my life, all wrapped into one beautiful package. But instead of joy, he stole that celebration from me, taking his girlfriend on our honeymoon trip to Paris.

After leaving an abusive relationship—whether with a partner, family member, or friend—many survivors face an emotional challenge that isn't often discussed: toxic nostalgia. This is when the abuser reappears, often through hoovering or love-bombing, attempting to sweep you back into their control with affection, promises, or manipulated memories of “better times.” They create a haze around the very real reasons you walked away, trying to lure you back into the cycle of abuse. Here's how to recognize toxic nostalgia and stay strong in your resolve to maintain your freedom and peace.