Surviving life with depression

Adley H.

Depression has been a silent shadow in my life. Sometimes heavy, sometimes barely visible, but always there. It’s the weight in my chest, the fog in my mind, the ache in my bones. It’s the exhaustion that sleep won’t fix, and the hollow feeling even when everything should feel okay. It’s more than sadness. It’s numbness. It’s guilt for not being able to “snap out of it.” It’s the quiet wondering if you’re ever going to feel like yourself again, or if you ever did. But here’s what I know now. Depression lies. It tells you you’re lazy, unlovable, or broken. But none of that is true. Through years of unraveling shame, surviving bad days, and holding on by the thinnest threads, I’ve come to know depression intimately. Not as a moral failure, but as a wound in need of care. If you’re tired, if you’re hurting, if you’re barely hanging on, I get it. I’m not here to push you toward false positivity. I’m here to sit with you in the real.

Rediscovering purpose and identity in midlife

Alex H.

My midlife moment didn’t arrive all at once. The first jolt came when I had a heart attack at 39 — a wake-up call that forced me to confront mortality earlier than I expected. But in some ways, the more jarring shift happened almost a decade later, when I began aging in a way I couldn’t ignore. I had looked 35 until nearly 50, and then—seemingly overnight—I started seeing someone different in the mirror. It wasn’t just about appearance; it was about identity. I felt like I was grieving the version of myself I had been for so long: the youthful guy whose age always surprised people. Suddenly, I wasn’t him anymore. At the same time, I was recommitting to my passion for acting after over a decade in a corporate career. But that brought its own challenges. I worried I was now past the age for the roles I once longed to play. The dream hadn’t died — but the terms had changed. I found myself reckoning with feelings of failure, burnout, and the question of whether I had anything meaningful to show for all the years I’d been chasing this path. The journey since then hasn’t been linear. But now in my 50's with time, reflection, and some truly fulfilling projects under my belt, I’ve begun to make peace with what midlife means for me. I still have goals, but I no longer define success by rigid milestones or external validation. I’ve discovered the beauty of aging into new kinds of roles — on stage, in life, and in community. I’ve also come to see purpose not as a destination, but as a way of being: evolving, internal, and intimately mine. That shift has made space for acceptance, clarity, and even joy in the person I’m becoming.

Finding comfort in not having it all figured out

Katy W.

I spend a lot of time thinking about the things people usually avoid: meaning, purpose, death, the big “why.” It messes with my head in the best and worst ways. Sometimes I spiral into it at 3am and everything feels pointless. Other times I find profound meaning in the way light hits my coffee cup and just shrug at the mystery of it all. Both responses are part of the same beautifully weird picture. I find a weird comfort in not knowing, strange relief in admitting I’m completely winging it, and oddly satisfying meaning in moments that make zero logical sense. That feels more real than pretending I have it all figured out. That’s exactly what I bring to this space: permission to be beautifully lost, to find strange comfort in uncertainty, and to talk about the weird shit that keeps you up at night. If you're the type of person who resonates with this, we might be fit. I see you.

Finding your way after a bipolar disorder diagnosis

Megan E.

I was studying psychology in college and dreamed of becoming a psychologist. But before I even graduated, I began experiencing delusions and deep emotional swings I couldn’t explain. I was eventually diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and everything shifted. My diagnosis made it feel like my career goals slipped out of reach, and I lost my footing. I turned to substances like weed, alcohol, psychedelics to cope. I found myself in a string of chaotic and toxic relationships, including one that turned physically abusive. I overstayed, not trusting myself to leave, until I finally reached a breaking point. Medication helped, but so did having people in my life who reminded me I was still worthy of love and healing. Meeting my now-husband helped me believe in my future again. I got sober in 2023, and even though I still live with bipolar disorder, it no longer defines what I can’t do, it helps me know exactly what I need to thrive. If you’re navigating life after diagnosis, I want you to know you’re not alone. There is a path forward, and it gets clearer with time and support.

Exploring philosophical growth and embracing imperfection

Mike C.

Can't tell you how often I chased a broken idea of self-improvement; trying to eliminate "flaws," and constantly striving for an ideal version of myself that felt out of reach. The more I pushed toward that impossible standard, the more disconnected I felt. But growth isn’t about perfection—it’s about exploration. We evolve not by erasing the parts of us we struggle with, but by understanding them, accepting them, and finding authentic ways to move forward. Philosophy has played a huge role in reshaping how I approach self-development, helping me see life less as a rigid path. It can be hard to navigate the tension between self-acceptance and wanting to grow—breaking free from unrealistic expectations and exploring self-reflection in a way that actually feels fulfilling. If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt or felt like you’re "not enough," let’s take a step back. It doesn’t have to be about fixing—it can be about understanding and embracing the complexity of who you are.

The search for meaning when purpose feels lost

Mike C.

There were times in my life when I felt completely untethered, unsure of where I was headed, doubting whether I had anything meaningful to offer the world. I went through phases of chasing achievements, external validation, or whatever seemed like the ‘right’ next step, hoping it would give me a sense of purpose. But it never felt quite right. Eventually, I realized purpose isn’t something you stumble upon in a single moment—it’s something that evolves, shifts, and grows with you. It’s about understanding your values, what truly resonates with you, and how you want to engage with the world. And sometimes, the first step is simply allowing yourself the space to ask questions without pressure to have all the answers right away. Through peer support, I’ve helped others explore what purpose means to them—not as an obligation, but as a process of discovery. If you’re feeling stuck, uncertain, or lost in the "what’s next?" of life, I get it. Let’s take the time to navigate it together.

Self-awareness & getting to know yourself

Nina D.

As an artist, much of my life can feel like reinvention and rebirth, but at the center of all my iterations are a set of core values that is unshakeable and provides a thread through all of my stories, projects, aesthetic changes, relationships, and interests. It's been invaluable to feel grounded by my beliefs, even as goals shift. I'd love the opportunity to help you define those for yourself; to give you a sense of unshakable structure that you can use for all kinds of decisions: Does this new romantic partner share my values? Does this potential new gig line up with what I want to support? Does buying this new outfit/gadget/decoration reflect my innermost desires? Let's chat and find what anchors you to be able to make each move with confidence.

How to change how you talk to ( and see) yourself

Nuran S.

For much of my life, I struggled with anger, believing it was a part of who I was and that change was impossible. I lived trapped in frustration, thinking the world and others were to blame for my unhappiness. But one day, I realized I could change. That small shift—understanding I didn’t have to stay stuck—was the beginning of my transformation. By acknowledging my anger and choosing to let go of things beyond my control, I began to cultivate peace within myself. It wasn’t an instant fix, but small, consistent changes—practicing mindfulness, gratitude, and self-acceptance—led to a more peaceful, balanced life. Today, I’m living proof that change is possible. Life is still full of challenges, but I’ve learned that peace comes from within. You can change too, and it starts with believing in your own ability to choose a different path.

Being in your 20s and wondering, “what am I even doing with my life?”

Sami C.

When I was in college, I thought I had to have everything figured out—career, relationships, calling, identity. The truth? I didn’t. And that pressure almost crushed me, leading me to graduate high school at 16, college at 20 and then go on to earn my MA at 22. Now, after decades of experience as a professor, coach, and mentor to young women navigating these same questions, I’ve learned that clarity doesn’t come from forcing a five-year plan—it comes from learning to listen inward and upward. I love helping young women who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of their next step rediscover who they are and how to move forward with purpose and peace.