When you love someone, the best thing you can offer is your presence. How can you love if you are not there?  Thich Nhat Hanh offers a truth many of us forget. Not being heard is painful, but being pretended to be heard is a deeper sting. The slight nod, the distracted “mm-hmm,” the vague sound that implies attention but lacks substance. We have all done it, and we have all felt it. I still remember a dinner with friends from a few years ago. It was meant to be joyful. We lau

As the final full moon of the year rises into the longest nights of winter, the Cold Moon appears like a mirror to the soul. It arrives when the world grows quiet, when darkness stretches across the evening and our inner world becomes easier to hear. This moon asks us to pause, to breathe, to feel, to reflect. Under the Cold Moon, we are offered a spiritual closing of the year — a gentle exhale before stepping into a new chapter of growth. The Cold Moon has traditionally been

Happiness is something we all strive toward, alongside health, success, and meaningful connections. Yet despite its importance, many people find happiness surprisingly difficult to sustain. Its fleeting nature and the pressures of modern life can make the pursuit feel overwhelming. In this article, we explore what happiness really is, why chasing it often makes it harder to find, and six simple steps you can take to cultivate a deeper, more enduring sense of wellbeing. What I

“Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If, in our heart, we still cling to anything such as anger, guilt or possessions, we cannot be free.” Thich Nhat Hanh When I lost him because of the decisions I had made, I remembered what he had once asked me. The guilt that followed from that day was overwhelming. Guilt is an emotion almost every one of us has felt. It appears in many forms. It may stem from something small, such as breaking a di

Friendships are central to happiness. Yet a new study suggests that who  you are friends with matters just as much as how many  friends you have. At a time when wellbeing is declining, stress is rising and loneliness is at an all-time high, nurturing meaningful connections is more important than ever. Recent findings show that having friends who differ from you in age, race, income or educational background can significantly boost life satisfaction. Diversity in relationships

Underemployment and identity.Research shows that underemployment – working for fewer hours, less pay, or beneath one’s educational/skill level – may be as harmful to mental health than being completely without paid work. [1] Why might that be? Certainly a decrease in income can be stressful. But being completely unemployed would probably produce even more financial stress, meaning it should be even more stressful. So that doesn’t explain it. Maybe working fewer hours than you

The sky shifts again as we move toward one of the most powerful energetic resets of the year. The New Moon in Libra on 21 October 2025  opens a new emotional chapter that centres on balance, relationships and personal truth. Libra is the sign ruled by Venus, the planet of harmony, connection, beauty and emotional refinement. This New Moon arrives with the unmistakable message that equilibrium is not something we find by chance. It is something we consciously choose, restore a

At some point or another, life tears even the best people apart and it’s not always malicious or intentional. It’s just the way things happen. Television lied to us about adulthood. Most of us grew up watching “F.R.I.E.N.D.S.,” “How I Met Your Mother,” or, more recently, “New Girl.” And these shows promised big things for our twenties and thirties. We were supposed to move to a new city, stumble into the closest bar and suddenly find ourselves wrapped up in a group of goofy c

While the stress of losing a job can seem overwhelming, there are supportive steps you can take to regain a sense of stability, rebuild your confidence, and move forward with clarity. The Stress of Losing a Job Whether you have been laid off, downsized, forced into early retirement, or impacted by shrinking contract opportunities, losing work is one of life’s most stressful experiences. Beyond financial pressure, unemployment can deeply affect your mental, emotional, and rela

This form of grief can bring the trauma trifecta—relief, sadness, and guilt. Key points: The grief that comes with losing an abusive person is complex. It is normal to feel a range of emotions and feelings when an abusive person passes. Relief, sadness, and even guilt are common, but some survivors experience other emotions—all are normal. Sheila hung up the phone, her face displaying the feelings she felt unable to express aloud. Her wife stood at the sink, dish only partial

A loved one's suicide can be emotionally devastating. Use healthy coping strategies — such as seeking support — to begin the journey to healing and acceptance. When a loved one dies by suicide, emotions can overwhelm you. Your grief might be heart-wrenching. At the same time, you might be consumed by guilt — wondering if you could have done something to prevent your loved one's death. As you face life after a loved one's suicide, remember that you don't have to go through it

The Full Moon in Taurus invites steadiness. It calls us back to the body, to patience, to simple pleasures that nourish rather than numb. Taurus is ruled by Venus, so themes of values, self-worth, comfort, beauty and the five senses come to the fore. This is a moment to slow down, to stabilise your nervous system, and to choose what truly supports your wellbeing. When life feels loud, Taurus reminds us to make it small and kind. Eat slowly. Step outside and feel the evening a