Knowing what you want out of dating before the apps ask

Abby K.

For most of my life, I didn’t really know what it meant to date in a healthy, intentional way. I was misdiagnosed with anxiety throughout childhood, when in reality I had OCD and Tourette’s—things that deeply affected how I viewed myself and interacted with others. For a long time, I placed a lot of my self-worth in being chosen or loved back, especially after falling hard for a best friend in college who didn’t feel the same. That experience shook my confidence, and I spent years trying to prove my value through relationships. Starting in 2020, I began dating a lot—over 50 first dates—and with each one, I learned something new about what I really wanted, how to communicate my boundaries, and how to feel whole no matter the outcome. I realized I didn’t need to mold myself to be who someone else wanted; I could be me, fully, and still be loved. Now I support others who are learning to date from a place of curiosity, confidence, and self-respect. Whether you're new to dating, feeling stuck, or trying to rediscover yourself in the process, I’m here to listen and help you find your way.

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.

Overcoming avoidant personality disorder and finding your voice

Adrienne R.

Growing up, I was often overshadowed by my mother’s depression. I learned to suppress my own feelings to avoid conflict, which led to a lot of shyness and struggles with my self-esteem. Therapy became a constant part of my life, but it wasn't until I pursued my Master's in psychology that I realized I had avoidant personality disorder. This revelation was a turning point. For years, I had been pleasing others at the expense of my own needs. But once I understood what was happening, I began to make changes. I’ve learned how to assert myself, trust others, and open up about my feelings. Today, I’m proud of the person I’ve become: someone who is authentic, has deep friendships, and truly enjoys being part of a community. I now embrace life with confidence, knowing that it's okay to be vulnerable and that my voice matters. I hope to share my journey with others who may be struggling with similar challenges.

Dating again in your 30s after burnout and situationships

Alison P.

I spent eight years dating in New York City, and for much of that time, I felt like I was stuck in a loop of one situationship after another, always hoping the next person would be different. I’d find myself exhausted, questioning my self-worth, and wondering if a real connection was even possible. I took breaks when I felt burned out, but kept coming back to dating apps because, well, that’s how people meet now. Eventually, I hit a point where I knew I had to stop and really reflect on the kinds of partners I was choosing, on what I actually wanted, and on the patterns I kept repeating. That shift changed everything. Now, I’m in a healthy relationship with someone who’s been through their own journey too, and it’s the kind of connection I used to think wasn’t out there. I also became a therapist and now run a dating group for women in their 30s, helping them explore what might be holding them back and how to date with more clarity and confidence. It brings me so much joy to support people through the messiness of dating, because I’ve been there and I know it can feel really lonely when you're trying to start over again.

Rebuilding after an emotionally abusive relationship

Alison T.

Leaving an emotionally abusive relationship can feel disorienting. Like stepping out of a fog and realizing you don’t quite recognize your own reflection. I know the shame, self-doubt, and slow unraveling that can follow, even when you know you did the right thing. I also know how hard it can be to explain what you went through when there were no bruises, only invisible cuts to your self-worth. Whether you’ve just left, are still untangling yourself, or have been out for years but still feel haunted, I offer a space where you don’t have to justify or downplay what you lived through. We can talk about the aftermath: identity loss, loneliness, even lingering connection, honestly and gently, at your pace.

Recovery, rebuilding your life after addiction, and finding hope again

Amanda L.

Hi, I’m a 42-year-old woman living a new and full life after battling alcohol addiction. I spent years caught in a cycle of drinking, convincing myself I'd change "tomorrow," until my health collapsed and I needed a life-saving liver transplant. That terrifying moment became my turning point. With the support of my husband, an amazing addiction therapist, and a commitment to the 12 steps, I found my way to lasting sobriety. In the process, I also healed from the effects of growing up with a mother who struggled with her own mental health. Today, I’m over three years sober, pursuing my Master’s degree to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor specializing in substance abuse, and working toward adopting a child with my husband. I believe that life after addiction can be filled with more joy, connection, and purpose than we ever imagined. I'm here to share hope, tools, and encouragement with anyone walking a similar path.

Loving someone with bipolar disorder

Amanda M.

I was married to someone with bipolar disorder I, and for years, I struggled to understand the unpredictable shifts in mood, behavior, and energy that came with it. There were times of deep connection, laughter, and love—and then times when it felt like everything crumbled under the weight of his illness and his infidelity issues. I tried to fix things, to support him, to make our life feel stable, but I often ended up drained, confused, and overwhelmed. I felt torn between compassion for his struggles and the deep need to protect my own emotional well-being. The emotional toll was heavy, and our relationship eventually ended, but the experience taught me more about boundaries, resilience, and the importance of separating the person from the illness. I’ve done deep healing work—spiritually and emotionally—to release the guilt and anger I once carried. I now support others navigating similar paths with empathy and without judgment. Loving someone with a mental illness is complex, and you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Finding your way out of toxic relationships

Amanda P.

Growing up, I always struggled with making and maintaining healthy connections, whether it was with friends, family, or romantic partners. I often felt isolated and lonely, which took a toll on my mental health and led to depression, anxiety, and toxic mindsets that shaped how I saw myself and others. Things began to shift when I started consistently attending therapy, especially Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). It taught me practical skills for emotional regulation, setting boundaries, and understanding my own worth. I also watched people close to me, like my sister, go through harmful relationships, and I became someone they leaned on for support. It wasn’t always easy, but helping others through their healing helped me heal, too. Today, I’m proud of the deep connections I’ve built and the life I’ve created. I know firsthand how overwhelming it can feel when you're stuck in unhealthy relationships, but I also know there’s a way out—and I’d love to help you find it.

Self advocacy

Amber H.

For a long time, I was told how to feel, how to dress, how any original idea I had was wrong. I got programmed into believing that I didn’t know what was best for me and that I sounded ignorant whenever I tried to voice my opinion. When I finally broke free of the toxicity of that relationship, I found it difficult to express myself to doctors and therapists, even friends and family, because I was so full of self doubt. I couldn’t even order food at a restaurant because it filled me with crippling anxiety. Finding my own voice has been challenging and not without setbacks. My first step in advocating for myself was learning that most people are forgiving and supportive when they are given the opportunity to be. This has helped me to gain the confidence I needed to be able to ask for help, let the person know what kind of help I do need and, most importantly, what I’d like to order from the menu:)

Living with mindfulness and worth

Ambika M.

Through years of mental rewiring, I practice mindful living. This comes with the often loud voice of self-awareness, as well as presence and acceptance. Mindfulness is the difference between mindlessly binge watching tv that harms your sleep to numb against upset, versus enjoying one cookie. And I obviously still struggle! Acceptance also involves loving your true self and knowing your worth. I'd love to share tips and challenges as we go on a mindful journey together.

Uncoupling your self-worth from romantic relationships

Amelia H.

I spent a long time believing that my worth was tied to the relationships I was in. When things were going well, I felt good about myself. But when a relationship ended or became difficult, I felt worthless and lost. It wasn’t until I went through a painful breakup that I realized I had been depending on my partner’s approval to feel okay about myself. I started reflecting on my own needs and recognizing how much I had neglected myself in the process of trying to please others. I began putting myself first, focusing on self-care, and learning to trust myself instead of relying on external validation. I also realized I was using alcohol as a way to numb the emotional pain, which only kept me stuck. As I worked on healing and strengthening my relationship with myself, I came to understand that my self-worth doesn’t depend on anyone else, no matter the circumstances of my relationships. Now, I feel more connected to myself and more grounded in who I am. If you’ve ever felt like your worth is tied to how someone else treats you, I’d love to help you work through that and come back to yourself.

Navigate neurodivergence in the workplace with strength and self-trust

Angela V.

Being neurodivergent in a traditional work environment can feel like constantly trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. I’ve masked my ADHD for years—writing everything down, overpreparing, and pretending things didn’t overwhelm me when they absolutely did. It was exhausting. Eventually, I stopped trying to ‘fix’ myself and started leaning into what actually worked for me. I found ways to advocate for my needs, build systems that supported my brain, and let go of shame around doing things differently. If you’re navigating a similar path, I see you. There’s no one-size-fits-all way to succeed—and your brain is not broken. Let’s talk about how to own your strengths and thrive authentically.

Moving from self-doubt to self-belief with confidence

Angela V.

I’ve had seasons where my confidence felt unshakable—and others where it felt like it disappeared overnight. I’ve questioned my worth in rooms I had every right to be in. I’ve second-guessed myself after rejection, after mistakes, after silence that left me wondering if I was enough. What I’ve learned is this: confidence isn’t about being perfect or fearless. It’s about trusting yourself anyway. It’s about showing up, even when your voice shakes. It’s built through small, brave choices—and yes, sometimes it's borrowed from someone who sees your light when you forget how to find it. I’ve had people reflect back to me a version of myself I couldn’t yet believe in. That changed everything. Now, I love holding up the mirror for others, helping them remember what makes them powerful, resilient, and worthy—especially when life, trauma, or doubt has clouded that truth. If you’re struggling to believe in yourself right now, let’s talk. Not with toxic positivity or surface-level hype—but with real, honest encouragement that’s rooted in who you already are.

Navigating dating with confidence and clarity

Angela V.

I’ve dated with my heart wide open—and I’ve also dated with walls up so high, no one could reach me. I’ve fallen fast, I’ve healed slow, and I’ve made choices from both clarity and confusion. Over the years, I’ve learned that dating isn’t just about finding the right person—it’s about staying rooted in who you are while navigating connection, chemistry, and sometimes, disappointment. For a long time, I thought I had to shape-shift to be more likable, more agreeable, less ‘too much.’ But the best relationships I’ve experienced came when I stopped performing and started showing up as my whole self—quirks, scars, dreams and all. Dating can be vulnerable, especially when you’ve been hurt. But it can also be joyful, empowering, and deeply clarifying when you date with intention. Whether you’re newly single, exhausted by the apps, or just trying to figure out what healthy love even looks like for you, I’ve been there. Let’s talk about dating without losing your mind—or your magic.

Learning to become your own best friend

Angelo F.

For years, I was my own worst critic. I judged myself harshly, compared myself to others, and silenced my inner voice with substances. I didn’t realize how deep my self-abandonment ran until I began the healing process. The turning point came when I learned that no one else could give me the love I was starving for—not in a lasting way. I had to learn how to offer it to myself first. In recovery, I began treating myself like someone I actually cared about. I practiced speaking kindly to myself. I explored therapeutic art, forgiveness practices, and daily rituals to reconnect with the parts of me that had been ignored or shamed. Slowly, I began to like myself—and eventually, I became my own best friend. This wasn’t just a mindset shift—it was a full transformation in how I related to myself. I stopped abandoning myself when things got hard. I stood by myself in the storm, and that’s what helped me thrive.

How to regain confidence after addiction

Angelo F.

Addiction took a toll not just on my health, but on how I saw myself. At my lowest, I felt like a shell of the person I used to be—ashamed, doubtful, and afraid I had lost my potential for good. Even after I started my recovery journey, I struggled with self-doubt. I wondered if I could be trusted again, if I could rebuild what I’d broken, or if others would ever see me differently. But what I learned is that confidence isn’t something you either have or don’t—it’s something you can rebuild. Little by little, I started making choices that aligned with the person I wanted to be, not the person I was in the midst of addiction. I celebrated small wins, acknowledged my growth, and started taking up space again in my own life. Confidence, for me, came from doing hard things, showing up anyway, and realizing I didn’t have to be perfect to be worthy. It’s still a practice—but one that’s now grounded in truth, not fear.

Managing lifelong anxiety without self-medicating or prescription meds

Angelo F.

Since I can remember I’ve been very sensitive, energetic and full of excitement for life, especially as a child, where I can recall this transforming into crippling anxiety and panic, causing me to suffer endless panic attacks to the point that it was my reality and had no idea until age eighteen that I had panic attacks and general anxiety disorder, with agoraphobia stemming from ADHD, which I put together on my own in 2022. After many years of drinking after work to relax my nerves, then slowly weening myself off it completely in my mid-thirties, I became open to the idea of being on the spectrum of neurodivergence, which my therapist later told me she felt I was on, with my ADHD plus more traits she noticed. Having been validated and gaining more perspective on these findings, I was able to forgive myself and others for being so hard on me, or for being hard on myself all those years while feeling different. I now know that I am not defined by ADHD and I can now use this knowledge to serve me as I’ve hacked how my brain works and can achieve flow state easily now. It’s taken me many years of self-improvement, self-love, vulnerability and openness to become more whole and complete, feeling more comfortable in my own skin, which I’ve very proud of! I was able to overcome my addiction to drinking and smoking week years prior to putting it all together, so I can really be proud of myself for sticking with sobriety even while still learning why I was self-medicating and anxious all my life. Gaining that needed perspective and confidence has been the game changer and has helped me to attain years of lasting deep inner-peace and a knowing that everything will be ok no matter what! I’m happy to say I’ve harnessed and transmuted that excitement and passion for life I had a child back after a spiritual awakening in 2014, that’s been ongoing, with many challenges, but mostly wonderful new opportunities to grow and explore, which I’m more open too now, as I see life as fun game to experience and shape the way that I feel is working and I’ve learned to focus on goals, dreams and projects in alignment with who I am now!

Going through a breakup in college

Annalisa A.

Breaking up with someone in college hits differently. You’re juggling school, figuring out who you are, and trying to hold it all together while your heart feels like it’s falling apart. I’ve been through that (more than once) and I remember feeling like I had no one to really talk to. I didn’t want to burden my friends, and sometimes I even questioned whether what I was feeling was “that big of a deal.” But it was. That pain pushed me toward something more meaningful. I started volunteering for a crisis text line, and over time I’ve supported hundreds of people. Many of them were students just like me, trying to make sense of love, heartbreak, and everything in between. I listened as they cried over situations that felt impossible. I helped them find words for their feelings, breathe through the anxiety, and take small steps toward feeling whole again. Now, as I study behavioral health and counseling, I’m more certain than ever that breakups aren’t just about relationships ending, they’re about rediscovering who you are and what you deserve. I’m here to talk with anyone feeling stuck, confused, or heartbroken, because I know how healing it can be to have someone just listen and get it.

Healing after a breakup that shook your whole world

Artem K.

I fell in love for the first time at 29, after spending 13 years in a relationship that I now realize wasn’t truly love. When that new relationship ended, it hit me harder than I ever could’ve imagined—my body physically reacted with uncontrollable shaking and spasms. It felt like the pain had seeped into every corner of my being. We broke up twice, and each time I found myself caught in a spiral of obsession, insecurity, and self-doubt. But eventually, something shifted. I realized I had to choose myself if I ever wanted to feel whole again. I went inward, examining my patterns, my wounds, and the ways I was abandoning myself in relationships. Through deep inner work, I reclaimed my power, found purpose, and transformed heartbreak into one of the most meaningful chapters of my life. Now, as a licensed coach, I help others move through these dark moments toward clarity, resilience, and genuine emotional freedom.

Shifting your self-identity to break free from pornography addiction

Ben E.

Addiction can feel like a part of you that’s impossible to shake. For years, I turned to pornography to cope with deeper insecurities. It started as a way to escape, but it soon became a prison. I realized that to truly break free, I had to stop seeing myself as someone who “needed” the addiction. The turning point came when I reached out to my parents and my bishop, and I took the bold step to join a recovery group. With the help of a therapist, I started to rebuild my life. I learned that true freedom comes not just from breaking the habit but from changing the way you view yourself. I had to believe that I was worthy of love, success, and freedom without relying on the addiction. This shift in self-identity was the key to my recovery, and I’ve helped others do the same. By coaching people through this process, I guide them to understand that their identity isn’t defined by their addiction, and that they have the power to create a new, healthier narrative about who they are.