Written by Desiree Holmes Scherini, Master Hypnotherapist and Coach Desiree Holmes Scherini is an Award Winning, Board Certified, Master Transpersonal Hypnotherapist, Life Coach, Author and Intuitive. She helps others through personal intuition, spiritual exploration, and paths toward personal transformation, using Hypnosis and several other modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral, Mindfulness, Psychic Intuitive, and Art therapy. Do you feel like Christmas isn’t for you? Do you feel distant from the whole thing? Maybe you would like to enjoy the season and celebration, but you believe it has nothing to do with your beliefs. What if you could have a whole new view that frees you from having to “believe” in anything to embrace the spirit of the season? For most people, when they hear the word Christ, they equate it with Jesus. Unfortunately, for many, that can be a reason to dismiss anything associated with the word. Many have had negative experiences through organized religion or feel that “Christ” has nothing to do with their own faith. In this article, I would like to offer a fresh interpretation that allows and encourages everyone to enjoy and appreciate the Christ Spirit. What does Christ really mean? Let’s start with a simple explanation of what “Christ” meant before the advent of Christianity and Jesus. The early definition of “Christ” was a title, meaning “the Anointed One,” from the Greek word Christos. This was often performed ceremonially with oil, just as the word implies. However, what is important beyond the pomp, circumstance, and tradition is the traits that were attributed to the “Christ.” What are the universal Christ qualities? The significance of “the Anointed One” was extraordinary qualities, such as prophecy, or fulfilling prophecy, possessing an ideal consciousness of love, truth, and perfection, and exhibiting selfless leadership, moral purity, and wisdom. “Christ” also refers to the divine principle of the human being, that which is the spiritual being within each of us. Kings, priests, and prophets were all anointed as a sign of their divine commission and authority in their time. Jesus followed in this way and is believed by Christians to be the divinely chosen King and Savior promised in Jewish prophecy. Judaism, however, recognizes him as a prophet, not the anticipated Christ. Islam also recognizes him as a prophet. Other world religions may or may not recognize him at all. Essentially, every religion and spiritual teaching recognizes the qualities of the Christ as valuable and as traits to strive for. Christ is a way of being The traits of the Christ are not exclusive to a religion or faith. They are universally esteemed qualities that benefit us individually and serve humanity as a whole. While Christmas specifically celebrates the birth of Jesus, the season also offers each of us the opportunity to embrace the qualities of the Anointed One. Regardless of our religious beliefs, we can strive to live in a way that is Christlike, making choices that enrich our lives and the lives of those around us. Christ is not just for Christmas. By choosing to express yourself through love, forgiveness, selflessness, kindness, and wisdom every day, you can have your own personal Christ experience. Visit my YouTube episode , “Celebrating the Christ Spirit at Christmastime,” on Intuitive Journey with Desiree, where I share further thoughts on the Christ Spirit and Christmas. The episode is also available on most podcast platforms. Follow me on Facebook , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Desiree Holmes Scherini Desiree Holmes Scherini, Master Hypnotherapist and Coach Desiree Holmes Scherini is an Award Winning, Board Certified, Master Transpersonal Hypnotherapist, Life Coach, Author and Intuitive. She helps others through personal intuition, spiritual exploration, and paths toward personal transformation, using Hypnosis and several other modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral, Mindfulness, Psychic Intuitive, and Art therapy. As an International Speaker and workshop leader, she presents on wellness and metaphysical topics to various groups. She is the host of YouTube and Podcast show “Intuitive Journey with Desiree” and the Author of “Journey to Joy-The Written Path”. You can find more about Desiree through these links.

Written by Sylwia Krawczyszyn, Subconscious Healing Guid e Sylwia Krawczyszyn went from creating illusions on screens as a VFX Artist, to dismantling illusory limiting beliefs as a Subconscious Healing Guide. She helps others access the innate genius technology they already carry, so they can dissolve the root causes keeping them stuck in a life they don’t love. Want your intention to land? Don’t repeat it into submission. When your body says “no”, get curious, that’s where the real work begins and where results finally stick. Do affirmations work? Ask my colourful vision boards and miracle journal from five years ago. Something in me was resisting, and I didn’t yet have language for it. Why did my careful optimism keep handing me the same old day? For a while, the gap between what I “affirmed” and how I felt made me wonder if I was forever broken or just bad at healing. After all, even science seemed to suggest they should work. Quantum physics, especially John A. Wheeler’s idea of the “participator,” is often read as a hint that observation matters. With a growing body of research in quantum biology, it’s reasonable to suspect that our thoughts shape our lived experience more than we realise. I explore this bridge between physics and consciousness more deeply in another piece. Words, of course, are one precise way to aim those thoughts, which might be why affirmations (also known as intentions) are so incredibly popular, a modern prayer of sorts. Unfortunately, many people who use them fail to experience tangible or long-standing results. I was one of them for quite some time. How they didn’t work for me Affirmations played a significant role in my journey back to health. I followed manifestation and “positivity” teachings religiously, weekly intention setting, miracle circles, vision boards, Dr Joe Dispenza’s mind movies. Yet the results were mediocre at best, especially with what I wanted most. I wanted to feel beautiful despite severe skin issues and to feel comfortable and healthy. That became the central focus of my healing journey. Some days, repeating “I am beautiful” over a face that hurt to touch didn’t feel empowering. It felt like gaslighting myself. What finally shifted things was seeing failed affirmations as a means to surface what was resisting them. The sentence is not just a wish, it’s a litmus test. But let’s start from the beginning. Why do affirmations so often fall flat? Three things to avoid 1. Future tense equals future results Phrase your intention as later, and your system keeps it later. “I want to…” or “I will…” file themselves under not yet. The third person does something similar by pushing you outside the scene, as if you’re watching someone else’s life unfold. Say it as now, in first person, for example “I sleep deeply and wake restored.” or “I am enjoying my career as a prolific, well-paid artist.” Notice how these lines place you inside the picture rather than at a distance. A tiny tweak helps, swap will/should/want to for am/feel/choose, read it once, and watch what shifts. 2. If you can’t feel it, you won’t believe it Flat lines don’t anchor, they skid off. Belief tends to land through sensation first. When a sentence carries no charge, no warmth, softening, excitement, not even a clean ache or scepticism, nothing in you has moved yet, so reality rarely follows. As a 10-second somatic check, say the line once, breathe four times, and name one sensation, such as “jaw tight”, “chest warm”, “eyes wet”, or even “numb.” Numbness counts, it often means a protective part is pressing the brakes. Similar with cringe, this might be your inner critic protectively judging you as undeserving. Simply observe where this lives in your body. To make a sentence more feelable, trade vagueness for micro-pictures. Instead of “I am confident”, try “I hold eye contact for three breaths.” Tiny and doable, the doing backfills belief. It also makes the result more predictable. Otherwise, you may be very surprised at how creative the Universe can be. 3. Mantra spam is not progress If you drown out discomfort, you rehearse denial. Fifty repeats can numb the one signal that would actually help you, the flinch. Over-repetition trains attention to step over the wire instead of noticing where it is. Rule of thumb? Repeat to notice the flinch, not to override it. One clean repetition is plenty if you listen to the response. If you're feeling some resistance, that is not a failure, it’s useful data. What to do instead 4. Use the affirmation as a diagnostic phrase This changes everything, what if your intention isn’t a magic spell but a resonance check? Say it once and watch what answers back. That response is the map, not the enemy. Micro-protocol (about 3 minutes): Say the line once. Close your eyes for half a minute. Where does the body react (tight jaw, fluttery belly, flatness)? Name the dominant feeling (sad / angry / scared / ashamed / numb). Believability 1-10: What number is it right now? Write one sentence from the resistant part: “I don’t feel safe because…” or “If we believe this, then…” Treat every dissonant signal as information, not a problem to fix. A tiny log (date plus sentence plus score plus one body note) keeps it honest. If nothing shows up, that’s data too, often a sign of protective numbness. Be gentle with yourself. If you're getting close to 10 and only warm, expansive feelings around it, congratulations, your wish (or something even better) might just be around the corner! You can gently supercharge this state by feeling grateful for it as if it were already yours. 5. Meet the wounded aspects with love For years, I wondered why some intentions landed instantly while others stalled. It only clicked when I realised the sceptical, sad, or frightened parts were protecting me under old rules. They didn’t want “beauty” or “comfort” because those words were linked with risk. Once they could state their reason and were taken seriously, something shifted quietly. The same sentence sounded different, the body loosened, and daily life began to tune to it. This will look different for different people, there is no right or wrong way. What creates the major shifts for me is setting time aside to sit with those aspects with full presence, patience, and compassion. Personally, I don't even use affirmations anymore. Unless I need a precise diagnostic tool, I usually go straight to the dissonant feeling. You don’t need complicated protocols for this. A simple intention to connect with the fragmented parts, and a willingness to stay lovingly present with their discomfort, is enough. This is where the pure gold lies. Resistance can dissolve only when you allow it to exist. Closing note If this topic resonates but you’re unsure how to go about it, I’d be honoured to hold a safe and focused space for your self-healing process. I work with Compassion Key®, a method centred on precise compassion statements to transform protective patterns living deep in the subconscious. You’ll find details and resources via email . Wish to read more of my musings? Subscribe on Substack to receive them straight to your inbox, or check my existing articles on spiritual bypassing , limits of mental understanding in healing ,  and the science of consciousness . Follow me on  Instagram ,  LinkedIn , and visit my  website  for more info! Read more from Sylwia Krawczyszyn Sylwia Krawczyszyn, Subconscious Healing Guide Sylwia Krawczyszyn is a Certified Subconscious Healing Guide and Energy Healing Practitioner. Her severe chronic eczema and TSW struggles led her through conventional medicine, diets, affirmations, natural therapies, and manifestation techniques, eventually revealing the profound innate self-healing technology we all share. Through her writing and artwork, she loves exploring the meeting point of science and spirituality, including noetic sciences, hermetic philosophy, grounded mysticism, and these insights subtly inform her 1:1 session work. She focuses on two alternative healing modalities that brought her the deepest relief in her own journey: Compassion Key® and Quantum-Touch®.

Written by Jess Lapachinski, Mental Performance Consultant Jess Lapachinski is a mental performance consultant, writer, and founder of Victory Lap Mindset. She partners with athletes, coaches, and leaders to build the psychological skills needed for high-level performance. Confidence is the most coveted competitive advantage in sport. Athletes chase it. Coaches reward it. Parents are constantly concerned about it. But as important as confidence is to performance, we continue to misunderstand what truly builds it. Today’s athletes face a level of pressure that older generations never experienced. They compete under the microscope of society. They have immediate and never-ending access to recruiting rankings, highlight reels, and the scrutiny of social media. This always-on comparison trap supports increased feelings of self-doubt and performance anxiety. As a result, the current sports landscape often leaves coaches wondering how they can help their athletes feel more confident while not adding pressure to the pile. When leaders shift away from old-school, outcome-driven coaching to a more psychologically informed approach, they can encourage lasting confidence from the inside. Here are five mental performance strategies coaches can use to develop mentally resilient, high-performing athletes. 1. Confidence starts with clarity Many athletes think confidence is something they are supposed to feel before they perform well, but it does not work that way. Confidence is not magic. It is built through clarity and preparation. When athletes know their role, understand what is expected of them, and see a clear path for improvement, they naturally compete with more conviction. Confidence tends to break down in uncertainty. When athletes are not sure what the coach wants or how they are being evaluated, they start second-guessing their performance. They question their decisions, tighten up, and play with hesitation. Clear direction is one of the most underrated tools a coach has in their toolkit. In practice, this means getting specific. Clearly define roles, especially for athletes who move between positions or experience inconsistent playing time. Give simple, direct performance goals that offer repeatable cues they can anchor to. Replace vague feedback with actionable instructions they can use right away. Clarity does not just improve execution. It creates psychological safety. Athletes feel informed and supported, and when they feel safe, they compete with a lot more freedom and confidence. 2. Praise behaviors, not identity Coaches tend to motivate and acknowledge players by praising talent or outcomes. While well-intentioned, this type of feedback creates fragile confidence. If an athlete’s identity and sense of self are built on being the most talented, what happens when they begin to struggle? Research is clear. When athletes tie their confidence to success or talent, they become more afraid of failure and more likely to tighten up under pressure. If their identity is built on perfect performance, every mistake feels like a threat. Coaches who build real confidence shift the focus toward behaviors and actions, such as effort, habits, communication, and decision-making. These are things athletes can control and rely on regardless of the scoreboard. So instead of highlighting talent or ability, highlight what they do well, what they are committed to. Rather than telling an athlete they are the best defender on the team, you might point out how well they communicate or how consistently they stay locked in on their assignment. Instead of praising someone for being naturally gifted, you can reinforce the quality of their repetitions and the dedication and commitment that led to it. This shift teaches athletes that confidence comes from what they practice every day, not from outcomes or wins. It also reinforces a purpose-based identity. I am someone who competes with focus, effort, and intention, rather than I am only valuable when I perform well. When athletes build their identity around purpose instead of performance, they become more resilient, more psychologically flexible, and far more capable of meeting the moment with confidence. 3. Normalize nerves and failure Coaches cannot build confident athletes by trying to protect them from discomfort or difficult situations. Real confidence comes from learning how to compete with nerves, not trying to get rid of them. One of the biggest misconceptions in sport psychology is that confident athletes feel calm and relaxed. They do not. Confident athletes simply understand that nerves are a normal component of competition, and they have tools to handle them. Some coaches send the opposite message without realizing it. When they tell players to relax or be confident, athletes learn to believe that their nerves and anxiety are unnatural. They think something is wrong with them and that they should feel a different way than they do. That belief creates more tension and more self-doubt. Coaches who build long-lasting confidence normalize nerves in their athletes. They let players know that nerves are part of the deal, that pressure means the moment matters, and that athletes can feel anxious and still perform well. When athletes stop treating nerves as a problem to fix and start seeing them as something they can work with, they stop fighting their emotions and start focusing on meeting the moment. 4. Build reset routines that anchor Across every sport, the best performers share one skill. They know how to reset. You see it everywhere, tennis players between points, golfers before a shot, basketball players at the free-throw line, pitchers on the mound. A reset routine becomes their psychological anchor. It helps them refocus following a mistake and interrupt patterns of overthinking. Reset routines bring athletes back to the present moment. Without this skill, it is easy for athletes to spiral. One moment of doubt turns into a complete confidence crash. Coaches play an essential role in helping athletes develop and practice these routines. The key is repetition. Reset routines must be trained intentionally. When athletes practice them consistently, the mental reset becomes accessible under pressure. In turn, athletes become more resilient, and confidence becomes something they can tap into when things get hard. 5. Create an environment where athletes can be brave Confidence does not show up without courage, the courage to compete without any guarantee of success. But athletes cannot play with freedom when the environment punishes mistakes or makes them afraid to take risks. Confidence grows in spaces where athletes feel psychologically safe enough to try, fail, and try again. Coaches who foster that level of confidence create a culture built on trust, communication, and consistency. Trust means athletes believe mistakes are part of growth, not something that will cost them playing time or respect. Communication means feedback is direct and grounded, not emotional or demeaning. Consistency means athletes know what version of you they are getting every day. When coaching is steady, athletes become steady. When athletes feel safe, they stop playing to avoid mistakes. They start playing to win. Closing thoughts At the end of the day, confidence is not something coaches talk athletes into. It is something they help athletes build through intentional leadership. When we shift from outcome-driven coaching to a more psychologically informed approach, we create environments where athletes compete with courage and learn through struggle. That is the kind of impact great coaches have, not just on performance, but on the people they lead. If you are a coach who wants to build athletes who compete with confidence, I would love to connect. At Victory Lap, we partner with programs, coaches, and teams to develop the mental skills that elevate performance under pressure. Reach out to learn how we can support your athletes, your staff, and your team culture. Visit victorylapmindset.com or contact me directly to start the conversation. Follow me on Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website  for more info! Read more from Jess Lapachinski Jess Lapachinski, Mental Performance Consultant Jess Lapachinski is a mental performance consultant and founder of Victory Lap Mindset. After years in collegiate and independent school athletics, she recognized the growing need for psychological skills training that meets the rising pressures of modern sport. With advanced degrees in sport psychology and sport leadership, she blends research-backed methods with the practical insight of a former coach and athletic administrator. Jess helps high-performing athletes move beyond overthinking and performance anxiety by building confidence and psychological flexibility. She also partners with coaches and athletic programs to create environments where athletes feel supported and empowered to perform their best.

Written by Tanisha Taylor, Financial & Life Coach Tanisha Taylor is an inspirational leader in financial, life, and ministry wellness. Her journey, sparked by a childhood money encounter with her grandfather, has led her to a profound understanding of the impact of money on individuals' lives. A motivational inspiration article for young adults, with jokes, truth, and that little spark you didn’t know you needed. So, family life? Already? Look, nobody wakes up at 22 like, “Ah yes, today feels like the perfect day to become emotionally mature, keep plants alive, and break generational cycles.” Family life, whether that means your parents, your siblings, the future fam you might build, or the “I chose these people” crew, can be confusing, loud, messy, and weirdly magical. And even though adulting feels like a group project you didn’t ask to join, you’re doing way better than you think. Family is where you learn your first life skills, also known as how to survive chaos Growing up in a family teaches you things no textbook can. How to negotiate (“If I give you the last slice, you owe me your whole life.”) How to communicate (“Why are you breathing like that?”) How to read vibes like a psychic detective (“Mom slammed the cabinet… everybody hide.”) Family is your first classroom, your first comedy show, your first heartbreak, and your first cheer squad, sometimes all in the same afternoon. Real talk: Family isn’t perfect, and neither are you Your family is not supposed to feel like a Hallmark movie. Some days it is more like a sitcom. Other days, a telenovela. Occasionally, a full-blown Marvel origin story. But the purpose of family isn’t perfection. It is growth. It is learning how to: forgive communicate better than your parents did set boundaries love people who are human and messy build something healthier than what you experienced. You are allowed to evolve. You are allowed to change the script. You are allowed to say, “We are doing this differently.” The funny thing about family life Families do the wildest things but somehow you still love them. Your aunt thinks every cough is “something you need tea for.” Your little cousin tells your business like they are under contract with TMZ. Somebody in the house always loses the remote but swears they set it “right here.” And there is always one family member who prays the longest over food, knowing everybody is already starving. But through all that, these are your people. And you are one of theirs. Young adults: You are building your future family now, even if you don’t realise it Every decision you make right now, how you speak how you love how you handle conflict how you heal how you treat yourself how you dream big all of it shapes the future family you will lead someday. Yep, even if you still eat cereal for dinner sometimes. You are laying the foundation for something real, something meaningful, something better. You get to rewrite the story Maybe you come from love. Maybe you come from drama. Maybe you come from a little bit of both, like the rest of us. But here is the truth. You are not trapped in your past. You are training for your future. Every time you choose growth over comfort, communication over silence, and healing over repeating the cycle, you are rewriting what family looks like for you and the people who will look up to you. That is powerful. Like, superhero-level powerful. Let’s end with this Family life isn’t about having it all figured out. It is about showing up, trying again, laughing at the madness, and loving people back to life. You do not need a perfect family to build a beautiful one. You just need intention, heart, humour, and the guts to grow. And baby, you have got all of that. Now go out there and build a life, and a family, worth laughing about, loving through, and living for. You got this. Follow me on  Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website  for more info! Read more from Tanisha Taylor Tanisha Taylor, Financial & Life Coach Tanisha Taylor is an inspirational leader in financial, life, and ministry wellness. Her journey, sparked by a childhood money encounter with her grandfather, has led her to a profound understanding of the impact of money on individuals' lives. Her mission, 'Control your money relationship, 'is a testament to her dedication to helping others create healthy and sustainable relationships with money and business.

Written by Alesha Marie Lange, Transformational Healing Coach Alesha Lange is a recognized leader in the healing and self-development space and co-founder of Divine Time Healing, a heart-centered wellness business. She uses her clairvoyant gifts to channel messages from clients' spirit teams, helping them gain clarity and reconnect with their true selves. For centuries, people have debated the legitimacy of psychics, often labeling them as deceivers, manipulators, or “ungodly.” Yet, when we study the spiritual roots of prophecy and intuitive insight, we find that psychics and prophets share far more similarities than differences. Both receive divine messages. Both serve as vessels of communication between Spirit and humanity. The only true difference lies in perspective, and in how society has been taught to perceive spiritual connection. The common stereotype that psychics “speak with demons” or operate outside of divine authority has long distorted the essence of what intuitive work truly is. In reality, both prophecy and psychic insight are simply ways that divine truth flows through a willing heart. Prophecy and intuition: Two expressions of one source Across many faith traditions, prophecy has been honored as sacred communication from God, messages revealed through dreams, visions, or inner knowing. Prophets were not chosen because they were more divine than others, they were open. They listened deeply and trusted what they heard. Psychics, at their core, do the same. The word psychic comes from the Greek “psyche,” meaning “soul.” To be psychic is to be attuned to the soul, both one’s own and others’. The intuitive information that comes through is not dark or demonic, it is vibrational. It is the reading of energy, emotion, and spiritual truth that exists in and around us. Whether you call it divine inspiration, spiritual discernment, or energetic perception, the process is the same. It is tuning in to a frequency higher than the human mind can fully understand. Both prophets and psychics translate that frequency into words, images, or sensations that others can grasp. The fear around psychic work The fear surrounding psychic gifts largely stems from misunderstanding. Many people are taught to believe that divine communication can only occur through one channel or religious structure. Anything outside of that framework feels threatening or wrong. But the divine cannot be confined to one path. Spirit communicates through countless languages, through intuition, emotion, nature, and even silence. To claim that only certain people can hear or interpret divine guidance is to limit the infinite nature of God. As a psychic and healer, I approach every session through prayer and divine intention. I ask to receive only what serves the client’s highest good, never to control, but to clarify. My work is rooted in the belief that God speaks through us, not just to us. The intuitive insights I share are extensions of that same light, filtered through compassion, faith, and trust in divine timing. The prophet and the psychic are mirrors If you strip away the labels, both prophets and psychics act as mirrors, reflecting divine truth back to those who seek it. A prophet may receive a vision or revelation to guide a community. A psychic may receive intuitive impressions to help an individual heal or realign their life. Both are spiritual messengers, helping others see what they cannot yet see themselves. In my practice, I have witnessed countless moments where clients experience clarity that feels almost prophetic, not because I claim to foresee the future, but because divine guidance reveals the patterns, emotions, and energy already at play. The goal is never prediction. It is illumination. Prophecy and psychic insight are both forms of spiritual translation. The prophet may call it revelation. The psychic may call it intuition. But both come from the same source, divine wisdom expressing itself through the language each of us is meant to understand. The sacred responsibility of a messenger To receive intuitive messages is not a performance, it is a sacred responsibility. Whether you identify as a prophet, psychic, or intuitive, the heart of the work must always be service. When I read for clients, I understand that the insight I share has the power to influence how they see themselves and their path. That awareness requires humility, integrity, and discernment. The message is not mine, it belongs to Spirit. My role is to deliver it with clarity and compassion, ensuring that it empowers, not frightens. True intuitive work always aligns with love. It uplifts. It never manipulates or instills fear. When the divine speaks, it calls us to remember our strength, not surrender it. Bridging faith and intuition The truth is, intuition and faith are deeply intertwined. Faith is trusting what you cannot see. Intuition is feeling what you cannot yet explain. Both require surrender and connection to something greater than yourself. For many, psychic development is simply another way of cultivating faith, learning to listen, trust, and respond to divine nudges. It is an ongoing practice of discernment, distinguishing the voice of ego from the whisper of the soul. When we release the fear-based separation between prophets and psychics, we begin to see that both are threads in the same divine tapestry. Both bring humanity closer to understanding the unseen, the realm where Spirit, energy, and creation all intertwine. Closing reflection Psychic or prophet, both are messengers of light. Both receive divine insight and share it with the intention of helping others grow, heal, and reconnect with their purpose. The difference is not in the source, but in the perception. And as humanity continues to awaken spiritually, the labels begin to dissolve. What remains is the truth, that divine communication exists within us all. You do not have to be a prophet to hear God. You do not have to be a psychic to feel Spirit. You simply have to be open, willing to listen, trust, and act in love. Because in the end, prophecy and intuition are not separate gifts. They are two expressions of the same eternal voice, the voice of the Divine within. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Alesha Marie Lange Alesha Marie Lange, Transformational Healing Coach Raised in a challenging and often chaotic household, Alesha Lange experienced parental divorce at a young age and grew up with emotionally immature parenting. She faced childhood bullying, neglect, and trauma, including deep feelings of abandonment, and later encountered narcissistic abuse in both family and romantic relationships. As a neurodivergent individual, she has navigated life with CPTSD, depression, BPD, and anxiety. Today, Alesha is dedicated to breaking generational trauma cycles and transforming her pain into purpose. Her journey of healing has inspired her to help others reclaim their power and live more authentic, liberated lives.

Written by Jessica Almonte, The Seaweed Homeopath Jessica Almonte, The Seaweed Homeopath, is a homeschooling mother and practitioner who combines her love of the ocean with expertise in homeopathy, kinesiology and seaweed therapeutics. Living by the sea on Vancouver Island, she forages seaweed, cares for patients at Intuitive Movement Clinic, and advocates for the healing potential of seaweed. I live on Vancouver Island’s west coast, where I forage seaweed, consult with patients at Intuitive Movement Clinic, and research seaweed’s therapeutic potential. Recently, I presented this very topic at the British Columbia Association of Homeopaths conference at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, where I shared how seaweed remedies may represent one of the most underexplored frontiers in homeopathy. There are approximately 10,500 species of seaweed worldwide,[1] yet only Fucus vesiculosus (bladderwrack) and Laminaria digitata (kelp) have been adopted into our homeopathic materia medica. Their biological signatures reveal both the promise and the gaps in our understanding of ocean remedies. “With thousands of species of seaweed in the ocean, why are only two used in homeopathy?” A pharmacy beneath the waves Homeopathy has long embraced ocean remedies. Sepia (cuttlefish ink) addresses hormonal cycles. Spongia tosta (roasted sea sponge) supports thyroid and respiratory conditions. Corallium rubrum (red coral) relieves spasmodic coughs. Ambra grisea (ambergris) soothes sensitivity and anxiety, and Murex addresses sexual and emotional imbalance.[2] [3] [4] Oceanic remedies also resonate with the mineral realm. Natrum muriaticum speaks to grief, tears, and silent suffering, while Calcarea carbonica embodies protection, stability, and the struggle against overwhelm.[2] [3] Our materia medica is a living body that is growing, evolving, and waiting for new remedies to be added. The ocean, holding plants, minerals, and animals alike, remains vastly underrepresented. Mineral richness: Nature’s multivitamin Modern soils are depleted, and our vegetables and grains no longer hold the same mineral density. Seaweed bypasses this limitation by drawing directly from seawater, concentrating minerals at levels far beyond land plants.[8] Iodine supports thyroid regulation, metabolism, anchoring, and fear of betrayal. Some seaweed contains 20,000 times more iodine than seawater.[8] Calcium supports bone strength, security, and stability. Laminaria species contain more calcium than milk.[8] Sodium supports fluid balance, grief, and emotional boundaries. Magnesium supports relaxation, resilience, and nervous system calm. Phosphorus supports vitality, sensitivity, and light. Vitamin C and B vitamins support immunity and recovery. Nori species contain more vitamin C than oranges.[8] Traditionally, seaweed has been used for obesity, thyroid dysfunction, arthritis, and gallstones.[8] Beyond nutrition, its role as a trophorestorative gives it deeper significance in homeopathy. Bioactives: Three colors, three medicines Seaweeds fall into three color families, each with distinct compounds and profound effects on human health. Browns (Phaeophyceae) contain fucoidan, which is immunomodulating, anti-cancer, and anti-allergy. They also contain fucoxanthin, which supports antioxidant activity and fat metabolism, laminarin for prebiotic gut support, alginates for toxin binding, including heavy metals and radiation, and iodine for thyroid and brain health.[8] Reds (Rhodophyta) contain galactans, which are antiviral and supportive in STI prevention, and phycobilins, which support immune, neurological, and liver protection. They also have naturally lower iodine levels, which can be useful in hyperthyroid states.[8] Greens (Chlorophyta) contain ulvans, which support anti-tumor, antiviral, and cardiovascular health, chlorophyll for detoxification and wound healing, and abundant minerals that are 10 to 20 times higher than land plants.[8] Systems benefitting from seaweed Seaweed’s influence spans nearly every bodily system.[8] Nervous system: magnesium, iodine, essential fatty acids, which support calm, focus, mood Cardiovascular: antioxidants, lignans, potassium improve circulation and blood pressure Digestive: prebiotics, laminarins, alginates regulate elimination and protect the colon Endocrine: iodine balances thyroid and metabolism, minerals support adrenal and reproductive glands. Immune: polysaccharides modulate immunity like medicinal mushrooms Integumentary & Musculoskeletal: minerals, chlorophyll, laminarins aid skin healing, bone strength, muscle recovery Respiratory: moistening polysaccharides soothes the lungs and resists infection Cancer & Detoxification: fucoidan and pigments are chemoprotective, alginates and iodine bind and eliminate heavy metals, radiation, and xenoestrogens Other uses: diabetes, STIs, stress recovery, vegan diets, deficiency states You can see why I have passionately built my practice around seaweed, as it is nutritive, protective, balancing, and restorative across nearly every system. Introduction to homeopathy: From similia to nanomedicine Homeopathy is a therapeutic system founded in the late 18th century by Samuel Hahnemann. It is built on two core principles, like cures like, meaning a substance that produces symptoms in healthy individuals can, in highly diluted form, treat similar symptoms in the sick, and potentization, which involves serial dilution combined with succussion, or shaking. While skeptics often question how remedies work when diluted beyond Avogadro’s number, meaning no molecules of the original substance remain, recent scientific inquiry offers plausible models rooted in nanoscience, hormesis, and adaptive network theory.[10] [11] [12] [13] Nanoparticles and homeopathic remedies Studies have shown that homeopathic preparations can contain source nanoparticles or silica nanoparticles with adsorbed source material, even at high dilutions.[10] The NPCAS model proposes that these nanoparticles act as low-level stressors that stimulate adaptive networks via hormesis and cross-adaptation.[11] Another model, the Nanoparticle Exclusion Zone Shell model, suggests that water structuring around nanoparticles retains information from the source substance.[12] Recent reviews propose that homeopathy may be understood as a form of nanopharmacology.[13] Biological mechanisms and adaptive response Unlike conventional drugs that act locally, homeopathic nanoparticles appear to engage system-wide regulatory networks.[11] [13] Effects are nonlinear and biphasic, meaning very low doses can trigger amplified adaptive responses.[13] Two individuals may respond differently due to differing sensitivities and histories.[11] In summary, modern scientific models suggest that homeopathic remedies behave like nanoparticles. They may activate endogenous regulatory systems and provoke self-correcting responses across the body’s networks. For newcomers, think of homeopathy not as microdose drugs, but as a subtle nanoscale signal inviting the body to heal itself. Fucus vesiculosus (bladderwrack) The homeopathic understanding of Fucus vesiculosus begins with its formal proving conducted in 1995 by Schwabe Germany. Under the direction of David Riley, 24 healthy provers took Fucus vesiculosus 12CH to document its full symptom profile. This proving remains the primary foundation for its therapeutic picture in modern materia medica.[7] Proving findings (1995) Appetite fluctuations, increase or decrease Exhaustion and morning weakness Headaches in the temples radiating into the neck, sore, pressing, or shooting, better with moist heat or brushing the hair Evening sore throat, scratchy pain, mucus sensitivity Gastrointestinal disturbances, nausea, cramping, vomiting, alternating constipation and diarrhea, flatulence, bloating Female system, heavy menses with clots, yellow leucorrhea, uterine and ovarian pain, premenstrual distension Male system, increased sexual desire Emotional symptoms, irritability, rudeness, sudden tears, impulses to bite, dreams of violence, betrayal, or bears Back pain in the scapular and lumbar regions, worse when bending forward. Classical materia medica Boericke: obesity, non-toxic goitre, sluggish digestion, and iron band headache.[4] Clarke: tissue remedy comparable to iodine, useful for corpulence, dyspepsia, and thyroid enlargement.[3] Anshutz: obesity with flabby fat, young women with goitre, vascular tone support, and urinary relief.[3] Modern science Extracts inhibit alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase, reducing carbohydrate absorption.[9] Animal studies show improved lipid profiles, improved insulin sensitivity, and reduced inflammation.[9] Cellular studies demonstrate modulation of cholesterol transport proteins, supporting cholesterol-lowering potential.[9] Laminaria digitata (kelp) Though less proven, Laminaria digitata offers a striking remedy profile. Key themes: depletion, chronic exhaustion, glandular fatigue.[8] Energetics: better by sea, evening, darkness Mental/emotional: exhausted, insecure, seeking anchoring Clinical indications: hypothyroidism, menopausal depletion, eczema by the sea, insomnia, anxiety.[8] Historical use for cervical dilation suggests uterine affinity.[8] Energetics and miasmatic links Seaweed remedies mirror human experiences of being rootless yet anchored. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, seaweed has been used since at least 659 AD, known as Kun Bu.[8] Classified as cooling and moistening, it dissolves phlegm, clears accumulations, softens hardness, and supports the stomach, liver, and kidney meridians.[8] Miasmatically, seaweed aligns with the radiation miasm, offering protection from radioactive strontium and electromagnetic fields, and the syco syphilitic miasm, reflecting fixation, vulnerability, and degeneration.[1] The case for research Seaweed remedies align with modern epidemics and ecological urgency. Challenges include limited funding for proving and sustainability. However, collaboration could open a new chapter in integrative medicine. Closing reflection “Seaweeds live at the margins, between sea and land, continually adapting to the tides. In this, they symbolize the human soul’s struggle to find anchoring while surrendering to the greater rhythms of life”.[2] By listening to the ocean, homeopathy can rediscover not only remedies for the body, but also medicine for the human soul. Follow me on Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website  for more info! Read more from Jessica Almonte Jessica Almonte, The Seaweed Homeopath Jessica Almonte founded "The Seaweed Homeopath" out of her passion for the ocean and her desire to create unique, nature-centered healing experiences. As a homeschooling mother, she integrates the nourishment and ancient wisdom of seaweed into both her work and personal life, supporting hormonal balance, digestive health and overall vitality. Based in Sooke, BC, Jessica enjoys snorkelling, harvesting seaweed, teaching cyanotype art and treating patients at Intuitive Movement Clinic. She holds a Homeopathy and Health Sciences Diploma, Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Sivananda Yoga Teacher Training, and Seaweed Therapeutics Certification. She presented at the 2025 International Seaweed Symposium on the therapeutic potential of seaweed. References: [1] Adam, G. (n.d.). Sea Remedies Project . [2] Berkowsky, B. (2006). Synthesis Materia Medica Spiritualis of Essential Oils. Joseph Ben Hil Meyer Research. [3] Clarke, J.H., and Allen, T.F. (n.d.). Anshutz, E.P. (1913). Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica, New, Old, and Forgotten Remedies. [4] Boericke, W. (1927). Pocket Manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica. [5] Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine. (2021). Case series: Fucus vesiculosus and hypertriglyceridemia. [6] Pandey, D., and Rahman, F.J. (2024). A comparative study of Fucus vesiculosus and Phytolacca berry mother tincture in the management of obesity. International Journal of Homoeopathic Sciences, 8(1), 101 to 106. [7] Riley, D. (2012). Materia Medica of New and Old Homoeopathic Medicines. Springer Verlag GmbH, pp. 77 to 79. [8] Seaweed Therapeutics Course. Harmonic Arts. [9] Scientific reviews. Extracts of Fucus vesiculosus and Ascophyllum nodosum inhibit alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase and are supportive in metabolic syndrome. NCBI and PMC, 2020 to 2023. [10] Chikramane, P.S., Suresh, A.K., Bellare, J.R., and Kane, S.G. (2012). Extreme homeopathic dilutions retain starting materials, a nanoparticulate perspective. Homeopathy, 101(3), 165 to 170. [11] Bell, I.R., and Koithan, M. (2012). A model for homeopathic remedy effects, nanoparticle allostatic cross adaptation sensitization. Integrative Medicine Insights , 7, 25 to 35. [12] Bell, I.R., Schwartz, G.E., Boyer, N.N., and Koithan, M. (2021). Nanoparticle Exclusion Zone Shell model, a new model for ultra high dilutions and homeopathy. Dose Response , 19(3), 1 to 15. [13] Souter, K., and Bell, I.R. (2021). Exploring possible mechanisms of hormesis and homeopathy in the light of nanopharmacology and ultra high dilutions. Homeopathy , 110(3), 172 to 182.

Written by Arleen Tyndall, Conscious Parenting & Life Coach Arleen Tyndall spent 25 years as a trauma-informed clinical HIV pharmacist, now turned Conscious Parenting Coach trained by Oprah's favorite parenting expert, Dr.Shefali. A global speaker and co-author of the number 1 international bestseller The Perfectly Imperfect Family, she guides mothers to break generational patterns and heal family connections. I wanted a happy family, the perfect, loving kind I had wished for as a child. Instead, I struggled as a parent, feeling alone and isolated. I found myself overwhelmed with anger, sadness, and resentment. Why was this so hard? What was I doing wrong? Becoming a mother was a deliberate choice, having to use IVF to get pregnant. The process was drawn out and intentional. As a clinical HIV pharmacist, I leaned on my research skills and studious personality to prepare for the conception, arrival, and care of a child. What I wasn’t prepared for was how my perfectionism became the undoing of the happy family I had dreamt of. What is perfectionism? “Perfectionism is a self-destructive and addictive belief system that fuels this primary thought: If I look perfect, live perfectly, and do everything perfectly, I can avoid or minimize the painful feelings of shame, judgment, and blame.” – Brené Brown Why does perfectionism lead to burnout? I believed that happiness was achievable by doing everything perfectly, a belief reinforced by watching TV as a child in the 80s. Today’s social media is television on steroids, creating extra pressure to be “perfect” with curated posts of society’s success stories. As if a mother’s own upbringing in a colonial and patriarchal environment weren’t enough, social media posts by women aimed at women stimulate comparison anxiety, affecting maternal mental health by spreading intense ideologies on how to be a mother.[1] Fathers don’t seem to absorb this societal pressure for perfection in their parenting role. A gender difference between mothers and fathers has been shown, women take on perfectionism more than men.[2] Perfectionism leads to increased risk of parental burnout, stress, and maternal gatekeeping, which I fully engaged in.[3] Believing that I had higher standards for childcare than my husband led me to not trust him. I would take control of most parenting or household responsibilities because it seemed easier to just do it myself rather than try to teach him how to “do it right.” Naturally, this led to exhaustion and resentment. Years went by as I juggled a pharmacy career, motherhood, a marriage, household logistics, and social activities. I showed up at work smiling and happy, never showing signs of unraveling behind a mask of competence and productivity. Working at the hospital during COVID, with a husband hospitalized for almost a month after a mountain biking accident, we sold our home, planning to move overseas the next year. Overwhelmed with stress and anxiety, each day I walked on eggshells, fearful of another family blowup triggered by our son’s challenging behavior. This problem became the misdirected focus of my fixing. How does perfectionism negatively affect family relationships? Born with sensitive nervous systems, children attach to a parent for survival as they learn from their surroundings, absorbing our energy and watching how we cope, or don’t. The 2024 U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Parents, entitled Parents Under Pressure,[4] reported a direct link between the mental health of children and that of their parents. Parental stress can increase behavioral problems in kids, which in turn increases parental stress, this exhausting cycle feeding itself.[5] My urgent need for self-awareness arose when my child mirrored back my pain with his aggressive behaviors. My son became my awakener. I was now the adult who had to break the cycle. Perfectionism shows up as a wedge in the closest relationships we have with our children and partners. I share my personal examples that disconnected me from my loved ones. While trying to do everything right, I made everyone else feel wrong. Being highly critical: Rooted in self-criticism, I was always scanning for mistakes and constantly finding or giving unsolicited solutions to “fix” their problems. This fed an idea that they were never good enough, broken, or wrong. All-or-nothing thinking: Searching for the “best” of anything, hotels, restaurants, recipes, purchases, directions, methods, because nothing is “good enough” otherwise. Fear of failure: I perceived making mistakes as a form of failing, which sparked my inner shame. This led to an inability to apologize because making a mistake and taking accountability meant admitting failure. I then fought to always be right. Seeking validation: Overpleasing, overworking, overindulging, constantly meeting the needs of others, most often unconsciously, seeking their approval and validation, even from my child. This short-term dopamine hit creates a never-ending cycle leading to burnout and resentment. Thoughts arose like, Why do I have to do everything? Why doesn’t anyone appreciate all I do? Why is no one taking care of me? This negative internal dialogue became the greatest sign that the relationship most affected was the one I had with myself. With feelings of inadequacy as a mother and the inability to emotionally self-regulate, I spiralled when triggered by my son, adding more weight to my shame. This cycle between never feeling good enough and striving for perfection has been shown to negatively affect the emotional and mental health of women, especially in early motherhood.[6] How did we learn to become perfectionists? From a young age, I remember the positive feelings that arose within me when my math answers were all correct, achieving A+ grades on my report card. I felt smart and empowered. I was finally seen, my worth validated through the teacher’s approving nods as she handed out test results and the proud smile of my father when I brought them home. Getting everything right then became my internal compass. This was in stark contrast to the daily feelings of powerlessness and shame when my mother’s biting words, spanking hands, and explosive anger flew like shrapnel at the drop of a plate, a vomiting accident, or an unfinished meal. An only child for nine years, with my father always at work providing for the immigrant family’s suburban dream life, I was the focus of my mother’s triggered pain. Conflict-avoidant and emotionally unavailable, my father’s absence left me feeling abandoned and helpless. Unable to make sense of my mother’s unpredictable rage and lack of affection, like any child, I blamed myself for being bad and therefore unlovable. I silently carried this story into adulthood. Vowing never to become my mother, I believed that being “perfect” and not hitting my son was the answer. What I missed seeing was my own version of triggered pain that mirrored what I witnessed growing up, unpredictable and instantaneous reactions of yelling, shaming, and guilting when there was a mess or non-compliance. I had learned it from my mother and was now passing it on to my son. His rage and aggression were mirrored back to me as he perceived that making mistakes made him less worthy of my love. Releasing the illusion of perfect At 52, I am finally releasing my perfectionism. Why does it take aging to finally bring us acceptance and self-compassion? Perhaps it’s the accumulation of experiences over time from which lessons arise, teaching us to look inward rather than outside ourselves, where we have no control. One such transformative experience was my sabbatical year in Bali, Indonesia, where my self-understanding began to grow. Removed from the daily grind of a pharmacy career rooted in perfectionism and the social matrix of being busy, opportunities for stillness arose. Eastern spiritual practices like meditation, breathwork, and sound healing are abundant in Bali. My unseeing eyes never saw their deeper benefits in the yoga studios of Canada. Exposed to new ways of thinking and being through people I met in the community, my journey of self-discovery could not have happened without others. When I stood at The Bridge, the Green School’s parent hub, presenting on “Why Trauma-Informed Care Matters,” my unexpected tears brought forth mothers who accepted me by sharing the secrets of their own healing journeys. The transformative connections I made did not arise because of my pharmacist-perfected PowerPoint presentation with brain-filling knowledge. It was my imperfect authenticity and vulnerability that spoke to their hearts. Initiating a Trauma-Informed Parenting movement, later renamed for greater appeal as Conscious Parenting, along with Dr. Shefali’s founding principles, I facilitated collective growth through sharing my difficult experiences. Releasing the shame I once felt and accepting myself can be seen as an antidote to perfectionism.[7] Since childhood, I carried the fear of imperfection, believing it to be evidence of being defective and unlovable. As an adult, I am learning self-compassion to embrace my perfectly imperfect self, understanding that mistakes are part of our human experience, allowing for positive personal growth.[8] After 25 years, I finally left my pharmacy career to train with Dr. Shefali to become a certified Conscious Parenting and Life Coach. This was the manifestation of my passion to help break generational patterns and support mothers in their own healing journeys. Returning to Bali to expand in the mind-body-spirit practice of Somatic Alignment, my guidance helps shift a mother’s constant doing to being. By advocating for our children to grow unhindered by our emotional baggage, future generations can see through eyes of love instead of fear, if we model how. Find me  here , where you can request a copy of the number one International Bestselling Book, The Perfectly Imperfect Family, and read my chapter, Chapter 14, A Mirror of Inherited Pain, describing the moment with my son that broke me open. I offer individual and group coaching sessions or workshops, both in person and online, not only for parents but also for educators and health professionals. Testimonials are available on my website, affirming the positive transformations parents have made in their families, because as one father wrote, “Once you know, you can’t unknow.” Follow me on Facebook , Instagram ,   and visit my LinkedIn  for more info! Read more from Arleen Tyndall Arleen Tyndall, Conscious Parenting & Life Coach Arleen Tyndall served marginalized communities challenged by addictions for 25 years as a trauma-informed clinical HIV pharmacist. After recognizing her own struggles in motherhood with perfectionism and inherited pain, she trained with Oprah's favorite parenting expert, Dr. Shefali. Her spiritual awakening and ancestral learnings in her mother's birthplace of Bali led her to launch a Conscious Parenting movement at The Green School and train in Somatic Alignment. A co-author of the #1 international bestseller The Perfectly Imperfect Family and a global speaker, she helps mothers reconnect to themselves and see their children as awakeners through vulnerable storytelling and practical tools that nurture self-compassion. References: [1] Padoa, Berle & Roberts (2018), Tate (2023) [2] Zimmermann G, Antonietti JP, Nunes CE, Van Petegem S (2024) [3] Meeussen, Van Laar (2018) [4] Department of Health and Human Services (US), 2024 [5] Neece, Green & Baker (2012) [6] Saint Denny, Doba, Storme & Nandrino (2025) [7] Greenspon (2014) [8] Umandap & Teh (2020)

Written by Elizabeth Huang, Life Coach & Death Doula Elizabeth Huang is a certified life coach, grief educator, and death doula. Her work emphasizes enhancing emotional literacy, fostering social and emotional learning, and supporting affective development in a world that is becoming increasingly reliant on technology. In a world that constantly pushes us to optimize everything, self-care has become another tool for productivity. This article explores how wellness trends, like meditation apps and sleep tracking, often disguise the true essence of self-care. It offers alternative practices focused on presence, emotional honesty, and true restoration to help you reconnect with yourself. What to do instead for real results Everywhere we look, we’re told to optimize: our time, our habits, even our downtime. Self-care, once a radical act of rest and restoration, has increasingly been co-opted by hustle culture. Many of today’s “wellness hacks” promise better focus, higher output, and sharper performance. In other words, productivity disguised as self-care. Think about it: Meditation apps that advertise “get more done in less time.” Journaling prompts framed as “clarity to crush your goals.” Sleep tracking is marketed as “boosting your efficiency.” These aren’t inherently harmful practices, but the why behind them matters. When the goal is simply to become a more efficient worker, parent, or partner, we lose the essence of what self-care is meant to be: tending to our nervous system, our emotions, and our whole being. Why productivity disguised as self-care falls short It keeps us in survival mode. Instead of “being,” we stay wired to “do more, be more.” It overlooks emotions. True wellness means being able to fully experience your grief, stress, joy, and complexity, not bypassing them. It leaves us unfulfilled. No amount of “optimized rest” can meet our deeper need for connection, creativity, and presence. What to do instead for real results Here are a few ways to reclaim self-care as something nourishing, not another performance metric: Shift from performance to presence. Meditate not to focus better at work, but to notice how your body feels today and take appropriate action. Redefine productivity. Ask, “What restores me?” instead of “What makes me better?” A nap, a walk, or even doing nothing can be profoundly productive for your nervous system. Welcome emotional honesty. Journaling doesn’t have to be about goals, try writing what feels messy, tender, or unresolved. Prioritize restoration. Choose activities that calm, comfort, or connect you to yourself and others, rather than fuel your output. The bottom line Wellness is not a means to an end; it is the end. When self-care becomes another item on the to-do list, we miss its power to heal and sustain us. The invitation is simple: let your practices be less about who you think you should be, and more about how you want to feel. That’s where real results, resilience, wholeness, and genuine well-being begin. Ready for deeper support? If this resonates with you and you’re ready to explore a more authentic, nourishing approach to wellness, I’d love to support you. As a life coach and grief guide, I help people soften emotional heaviness, reconnect with themselves, and create a life that feels grounded and real. You can book a free clarity session with me here . Follow me on Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website  for more info! Read more from Elizabeth Huang Elizabeth Huang, Life Coach & Death Doula Elizabeth Huang is a certified life coach, grief educator, and death doula dedicated to helping individuals navigate life’s transitions with greater emotional awareness and resilience. Born and raised in California, she was deeply influenced by the American culture’s discomfort with grief and avoidance of death. This inspired her to explore a more intentional and holistic approach to life, loss, and the emotions that shape our experiences. Through her work, Elizabeth guides individuals in processing grief – whether it stems from death, identity shifts, career changes, or other major life transitions.

Written by Eldin Basic, Yacht Charter Manager Eldin is a well-known yacht charter broker, arranging private yachts for sailing holidays in all the main sailing destinations, with a specific expertise in long-term yacht charters and luxury yacht charters in particular. Yacht charter and sailing holidays are widely accepted as one of, if not the best, type of vacation. At the top of the tree in this aspect are yachting vacations during the festive period. Luxury sailing over Christmas and New Year is the pinnacle of yachting season, and experiential travel does not come much better than when sailing in a major sailing destination during these specific festivities. Jetting away during this period is as prestigious as it gets, and if you can make it a regular trip, you can say that you have achieved it.  This is where you get the chance to replace boring hometown parties, crowded lobbies, and set-menu celebrations with warm winds, colourful bays, and possibly a crewed yacht dedicated entirely to you, your loved one, or even your closest friends or family. Instead of fitting your plans around the opening times of local shops, or even a resort timetable if you have gotten away, on board a boat, your chosen vessel moves with you, following the sun, the breeze, and your family’s rhythm. Thus, if you are among those considering or ready to charter during the primary holiday season, even at full peak-season rates, the key is knowing where to go, what to expect, and which yachts truly deliver during this high-demand window. I invite you to read, plan, and execute this type of holiday at least once in your lifetime, or, if you are already doing so regularly, to review your current preferences and update them with any appropriate advice. Why spend Christmas and New Year at sea? A festive yacht charter is about more than luxury, it is about celebrating past years' achievements, privacy and being present in one of the most exclusive locations on the planet. You decide whether Christmas morning starts with a healthy breakfast or a champagne brunch on deck, a dive on a coral reef, or a tender ride to a beach where children open gifts under a different kind of tree, maybe a palm tree. New Year’s Eve can be as theatrical or as intimate as you wish. From front-row fireworks in a celebrity hotspot such as the St Barths, to a quiet anchorage with only starlight and the sound of the water against the hull, Tobago Cays in the Grenadines come to mind, all are usually selected by your captain on a last-minute basis when the weather patterns are clear, and the best location is evident.  From a yacht charter broker’s perspective, the guests who get the most from a festive charter are those who value shared experiences over spectacle. We see the yacht as a platform for connection: long dinners under the bimini, teenagers disappearing to paddleboard at sunset, grandpa enjoying the view from the flybridge, and a chef who quietly adapts to everyone’s preferences without you needing to ask twice. We at A2A Yachting  can plan all this with you, selecting the crew, choosing the right boat within your budget, and advising on the most suitable sailing itinerary for the festive days. Where to go: Picking your festive playground This can be entirely your choice, based on the previous experiences or long-awaited realisation of a dream come true. On the other hand, it can be a choice based on the most suitable yacht available for your dates, or on local events or accessibility. To start, different regions deliver very different moods over Christmas and the New Year. The right choice depends on whether you crave a buzzing social scene, casual and barefoot simplicity, or near-total privacy. The BVIs, St Barths, or Antigua may be ideal for the first experience, the Seychelles or the Grenadines for the second. At the same time, Fiji, the Maldives, or one of the other Windward or Leeward islands in the East Caribbean, can be the latter choice, with the Bahamas fitting all of the above. We can arrange suitable yachts in all these locations, it will only take a brief discussion, a few email exchanges and a couple of specific offers to get there. Caribbean classics – BVI, St Barths, Antigua, Bahamas  British Virgin Islands (BVI) Known as probably the best sailing destination in the world, the BVI are the easiest choice for festive sailing, short, line-of-sight hops, well-protected anchorages, and an excellent selection of beach bars, beach clubs, swimming options, even fishing experiences, and most of all snorkelling spots. They are also perfect for first-time charterers and multi-generation families with different expectations. While you can avoid crowds, you are also always very near a buzzing anchorage. One day, you can wake in a calm bay off the awe-inspiring granite boulders and their sheltered pools at Virgin Gorda, snorkel before breakfast around islands such as the Norman or Peter, then make an adventurous sail to Anegada and fabulous Conch Mounds that look like sand dunes in the sea, or a relaxing one to Jost Van Dyke for a barefoot Christmas Day lunch ashore, returning to the yacht for dessert and quiet, star-gazing time on deck. The most popular yachts here are 50ft catamarans, such as Smiley, whose rates start from 14,000 EUR per week, and power catamarans, such as Atlas, that charge from 35,900 EUR per week, while Feadship’s sublime 96.6 metre Sophia will ask for 1.7 million EUR for each week booked. While a few luxury sailing yachts from 50-120ft, in particular new models such as Oyster 805, can also be found here, it’s worth mentioning that legendary Christina O may also be visiting regularly and charges from 700,000 EUR per week, while exceptional Loon, a 67.5m mega yacht by Icon Yachts, accepts charters from 470,000 EUR/week.  St Barths and the Leeward Islands Fireworks, parties, glamour? If New Year’s Eve is the focus, St Barths should be the epicentre of your yacht charter vacation. The capital Gustavia turns into a floating red carpet of superyachts and megayachts, and almost every stern platform becomes its own private party. A smart superyacht charter itinerary balances this glamour with calmer days in smaller neighbour islands, or as far as peaceful Anguilla or St Kitts, where you can dip into the scene and then retreat to peace. These islands suit clients who enjoy designer boutiques, chic restaurants, and high-energy nights, offset by relaxed days at anchor, with optional escapes to remote parts of the islands, such as Anguilla, or smaller ones, such as the Ille Fourchue or Ille Tintamarre off Saint Martin. Most yachts cruising the BVI’s, as suggested above, will also accept charters in St Martin and St Barths, although at times with a delivery fee added on top. Antigua or the Grenadines British clients will always prefer Antigua as the first choice, as it offers history, sailing regatta culture, and a strong marine infrastructure, making it a reliable base for Christmas week. On the other hand, the Grenadines, with iconic names like Mustique and the Tobago Cays, feel more barefoot and understated: perfect for active adventures, such as kitesurfing, sailing, and swimming, reading, and repeating the same every day. Both island countries are an excellent match if you want the so-called “old-school Caribbean” without sacrificing anything. Antigua or the Grenadines may not be as exclusive as the Bahamas or the Virgin Islands. Yet, they will attract all the best superyachts of the world too, with the usual bareboat charter fleet offering weekly rentals from as low as 2,000 EUR per week. Bahamas (Exumas & Abacos)  A destination in its own right, the Bahamas, together with the outer islands in the Exumas or the secluded Abacos, fulfils everyone's dream in most cases. Once here, think sandbars, shallow turquoise banks, and long, bright days where the yachts’ tenders and toys see as much action as the sails or powerful engines of your motor yacht. The Bahamas are tailor-made for active families: water skis, e-foils, underwater scooters, jet skis, Seabobs, sandbank picnics. Many other surprises can be explored by a kayak or even by an inexperienced paddleboarder alone. If your idea of Christmas and New Year is less about dressing up and more about playing all day, this is a strong contender for the dream yacht charter destination during the festive holidays.  Regardless of where you go in the Caribbean, the choice of yachts is usually very good, and unless you are seeking something specific, SuperSailYachts  will likely be able to meet your requirements easily. If you are keen on specific new models and want to use your festive luxury yacht charter also to test a suitable yacht, booking more than 6 months in advance is, however, advisable. Having just landed in Miami, Florida, one of the most exclusive superyachts in the world ever built, the Feadship’s 118.8 metres Breakthrough, which charges 3,5 million Euros per week, is likely to accept the Bahamas during the festive season. The most exclusive sailing yachts, Maltese Falcon, will charge 490,000 EUR per week, while Hemisphere, the 44.2 metre catamaran, only 222,000 EUR per week. That said, the most popular exclusive catamarans are those such as Endless Horizon, with rates from 92,000 EUR per week. The most popular boats, such as Lagoon 50 or BALI 5.4, usually charge well below 20,000 EUR per week without any crew. Smaller 40ft yachts can cost as low as 3,000 EUR per week. Indian Ocean Escapes – Maldives & Seychelles  Maldives  When it comes to alternative destinations, as the Caribbean remains the first choice, the Indian Ocean keeps calling. Festive superyacht charters in the Maldives feel like having a private-island resort that moves for you. The islands can be seen as the ultimate escape for the well-heeled or new money makers. Here, you can combine quiet atoll anchorages, world-class snorkelling and diving, spa-style wellness on board, and occasional evenings at a five-star resort if you wish. The choice of luxury yachts is limited, and in some price ranges, it is very limited, thus, booking 12 months in advance is highly recommended. The Maldives are also ideal for couples and smaller families who want privacy and pampering in equal measure, with the yacht serving as your central sanctuary. Despite limited choice, exclusive superyachts such as Elements offer weekly charters from 800,000 EUR, while newly launched Alfa, Benetti’s latest 70-metre megayacht, demands 598,000 EUR per week as a minimum. More popular boats, such as Lagoon 50, are available from as low as 9,400 EUR per week, yet securing their availability is difficult. There are almost no bareboat yachts available here, thus, the best value or cheapest options are local cruises on typical wooden boats built in the Maldives, such as Dhoni Stella 2, which charge as low as 6,500 EUR per week. Seychelles  It’s not the ideal location for the December charters, but it's a good alternative for luxury yachting experiences during the major holidays, for sure. Here, dramatic granite islands, lush rainforest, and nature reserves take centre stage, and all are best explored from a platform of your own luxury yacht, rather than in a resort, with a fortnight of sailing an ideal duration. Yacht charter guests can mix hiking and viewing wildlife with snorkelling, beach time, and adventurous sailing between islands. The Seychelles are particularly appealing if you want a sense of discovery alongside comfort, think local markets, Creole cuisine, and birdsong at anchor rather than nightlife and shopping. Visits to Sainte Anne Marine Park, Baie Ternay Marine Park, the Moyenne Island Tour, and maybe the La Digue Transparent Kayak experience are a must when sailing in Seychelles. For the most adventurous, a longer-term charter here, with the option to visit the unique Les Amirantes or even the Chagos Islands under certain circumstances, can also be arranged on one of our yachts. One of those sailing the region regularly is the sublime Lagoon 77 Spirit of Ponant, available from 54,000 EUR per week, or a 138ft superyacht Song OF Songs, which charges from 165,000 EUR per week, with the most expensive yacht available in charter, the Flying Fox also reportedly cruising the area at times with a price tag of 3 million EUR per week. On the other end, the charter rates on smaller 40ft yachts start from as low as 3,000 EUR per week. What are cooler-weather or other alternatives For a smaller group of clients, the draw is not tropical heat but atmosphere: Christmas markets in Palma de Mallorca, a crisp sail along a Mediterranean coastline, or pairing a shorter yacht charter with a ski trip, even a Northern Lights experience in the Arctic Circle can be arranged. In these cases, the yacht functions more like a fully serviced villa, a warm, elegant base from which to explore winter landscapes without losing any comfort. De-luxe gullet charters in the East Med, in particular around Barcelona, Dubrovnik, or Bodrum, may also appeal, and this could, in particular, be true for larger groups of 16-30 persons, where we can arrange a unique cruise-style yachting vacation that would be amazing too. One-way charters from Miami to New York for Christmas and New Year are an amazing achievement too. South Pacific For most people, this is a very remote sailing destination, and as a result, the choice of yachts is smaller. Fiji and Tahiti, as well as Sydney and the East Coast of Australia, or the Whitsundays, can be seen as a great alternative, though. If you are keen to enjoy a longer-term charter that may last several weeks or even months, maybe even a full 12 months' sabbatical, we are best placed to arrange this type of exclusive yacht charter too. Festive holidays on board a luxury yacht in these destinations is a dream come true for many. Will you be one who makes it come true for yourself? What to expect on board during peak season At Christmas and New Year, a well-managed crewed charter yacht runs like a tightly choreographed boutique hotel with the flexibility of a private home. The best crews anticipate needs before you voice them, in other words. Planning well ahead is recommended, especially to ensure any food requirements are met, to avoid risky allergy scenarios, and to plan an alternative itinerary carefully, in case of any bad weather patches.  Crewed, or bareboat? At the luxury crewed level, you are not just “renting a boat”, you are hiring a professional crewed yachting platform. The captain decides on safe, weather-appropriate routes, while the stewards provide seamless dining and drinks service, decoration, and housekeeping. The chef designs menus around your chosen preferences, tastes, and traditions. Deckhands and Engineers oversee toys, safety, and fun on (and in) the water. They are always on hand to ensure that all facilities run smoothly and that engines, generators, solar panels, and watermakers operate when needed. If you like to sail independently, however, all these destinations also have a fantastic choice of yachts that can be chartered on a bareboat basis, without any crew. The cost of such yachts is also much lower, starting at 2,000 Euros per week for those from 34ft onwards. Festive touches tailored to you Well-organised crews will ask in advance about your daily habits or rituals: preferred meal times, special dishes, religious observances, and how you like to exchange gifts. They may set up a decorated tree, plan a treasure hunt for children, or stage New Year’s cocktails on the bow with canapés and live music via Bluetooth. The yacht becomes a canvas for your version of the holidays, not the other way round.  Activities and downtime in balance  A peak-season charter can be incredibly active, with swimming, wakeboarding, e-foiling, and island hikes, but it should also allow for some built-in breathing space. A good broker and captain will design an itinerary that alternates busy days with quieter anchorages, allowing everyone to reset before the next big moment, whether that is Christmas lunch or New Year’s Eve in a buzzing harbour. And for those who may be seeking such services or are always interested in them, we can also offer LoveYourOwn.Life type self-development yacht charters, where changing your habits, influencing your subconscious thought processes, or working on conscious breathwork and yoga sessions are added benefits, too. Which yachts to consider, and for whom The most suitable yacht depends less on length and more on how you want to live aboard and who is travelling with you. As a broker, the first question we usually ask is: What type of yacht (sail, motor, catamaran)? How many guests in total? What are the planned or exact dates? Are there any children, babies, or special dates such as birthdays to consider? Any other specific requirements?  The most suitable yachts: large sailing catamarans (50-80+ ft) For Christmas and New Year, you can sail on smaller 40-45ft yachts at rates of well below 10,000 EUR per week, with a few smaller 35-40ft costing even less. That said, large crewed catamarans have become the most popular yachts of the luxury end of the market, especially in the BVI, Bahamas, and Indian Ocean.  They offer huge volume for their length, with wide saloons, large cockpit,s and flybridges that feel like outdoor lounges.  The stability is excellent at anchor, which is reassuring for guests new to yachting and for older family members.  Cabins are usually similar in size and comfort, which helps avoid “who gets the master” politics, this especially at a level beyond 70ft where superyacht levels of luxury on catamarans are a given. Well-known examples include High-end 70-80ft sailing catamarans from builders like Sunreef come with 4-5 guest cabins, a generous crew, and a strong emphasis on toys, wellness, and design. In terms of budget, you need to plan to spend around 100,000 US$, and on some boats, even more, as those boats will cost at least 80,000 US$ per week, even outside of those peak dates, and can cost more during the specific dates. By adding further expenses for flights, transfers, and any special requests, higher-end boats here can easily cost 120,000 US$. Some of those may also request a minimum 10-day booking, so the rate can be closer to 150,000 US$ per sailing holiday during the festive season. Such boats will rarely accommodate 12 guests, but will mostly accept 8 or 10 adults. When it comes to 60-70ft models from brands such as Fountaine Pajot and Lagoon, these are also very luxurious, but slightly more intimate and often excellent value compared with a motor yacht of similar guest capacity. They may lack the volume, exclusivity, and prestige of those 80ft boats, yet they certainly don’t lack luxuries, added value, or crew professionalism. You should plan to spend around 60,000 US$ on some higher-end boats, maybe up to 80,000 US$ for one week. These are perfect if you imagine barefoot living, lots of time at anchor, and a relaxed, social atmosphere where the yacht feels more like a modern beach house than a formal cruise ship. In any case, at this level, boats will rarely request a 10-day booking as a minimum, so they can offer fantastic value during peak-season festivities. They usually accommodate 6-10 guests maximum. Typical boats at this level are Sunreef 60s, Moon 60, Lagoon 65, and Alegria 67, amongst others. Smaller 50-59ft catamarans are also seen as luxury boats and, with crew, can provide an exceptional sailing experience during the festive season. Their rates tend to start at around 30,000 US$ per week, but can go as high as 50,000 US$ per week depending on their launch date, number of crew, and location. In any case, some nice 50ft catamarans, with added captain and chef/hostess, can also provide an exceptional sailing vacation during the Christmas or New Year at rates just below 30,000 US$, allowing for 6 to 12 guests on board. Typical boats that fall into this category are well-managed Lagoon 55s, Bali 5.4s, Leopard 50s, and the latest models, such as Bali 5.8s, as well as some older, well-maintained models. Luxury sailing yachts (80-120 ft) Just a decade ago, sailing yachts were much more popular. The development and launch of many new multihull models put these fantastic vessels into a niche market. That said, performance-oriented monohulls or luxury sailing yachts suit yacht charter clients who love the idea of genuine sailing and arriving in Christmas and the New Year, not just being carried but actively involved in sailing itself. In terms of budget, rates can be as low as 20,000 Euros per week and up to 150,000 Euros on some boats. These boats deliver a powerful presence yet elegant experience underway, heeling gently on a reach, crossing blue water under a full main and headsail.  Interiors tend to feel warm and refined, with rich woods and classic detailing, like a private members’ club at sea.  Guest capacity is usually smaller, often 6-8 guests maximum, which works well for close-knit families or couples sharing.  Choose this type if the romance of sail and time on deck matter more to you than sheer interior volume, and if your group is happy with a more traditional, yachting-centric lifestyle.  35-60m motor yachts and 125-280ft sailing yachts To enjoy yachting in its most spectacular way, especially in “trophy” locations like St Barths at New Year or the Maldives, these yachts are often the platform of choice. These are genuine superyachts, those newer models above 50 metres can also qualify as mega yachts. You need to plan with a budget of around 80,000 - 350,000 EUR per week, though. They all have:  Multiple decks allow you to separate spaces: quiet reading corners, children’s play areas, a formal dining room, and an open-air sundeck with bar and jacuzzi.  Cabins are larger and more lavish, and the master suite often feels like a high-end hotel apartment.  Toy garages hold a full arsenal of jet skis, tenders, inflatables, dive gear, and increasingly modern e-toys such as foiling boards and electric surfboards.  This category is ideal if you want to entertain, host corporate guests, or simply enjoy the most “complete” version of the superyacht lifestyle over the holidays, with white-glove service and the option to be as visible or as discreet as you like. Most importantly, the fuel consumption of these boats can be very high, sometimes close to 1000 litres per hour on some motor yachts, thus, the final expenses must be carefully considered before booking. Mega yachts from 60 metres onwards While there is no accepted definition, we at SuperSailYachts.com   see giga yachts as superyachts or megayachts that cost more than 1 million US$ per week to hire. While mega yachts over 60 metres do not fit this definition, many will cost close to 1 million US$ per week when all charter costs are added. The fuel bill alone can be in 10’s of thousands, for example. Total APA costs for food, fuel, marina fees, and drinks or other special requests can themselves reach several hundred thousand, especially if a lot of expensive wines, caviar, and champagne are consumed daily. The boat may also remain moored in a prime location, where a berth can cost a fortune every day after many hours of cruising. In any case, these types of luxury yachts require a concierge service and 24-hour access to your yacht broker to ensure seamless delivery of all expected services. The average cost of these yachts starts at around 500,000 US$ per week. When surcharges for peak season and a potential 10-day minimum charter upgrade are added, the 1 million US$ becomes very realistic. When 35% additional costs (fuel, marina fees, etc.) are added, the 1 million US$ becomes even more realistic. Giga yachts that cost 1 million US$ per week There are only a few such yachts around, and they tend to be booked at least 1 year in advance. The total cost, with added expenses, can be much higher, closer to 2 million US$ than to 1 million, yet at this level, the total cost may become a footnote. The yacht charter clients who look for such yachts are not necessarily concerned with the total cost, but with the success of the project, an anniversary, a special occasion, or indeed a festive holiday, as all others are at any level. Latest 118.8 metre Breakthrough and already established 136 metre Flying Fox by Luerssen are the best examples of giga yachts on the market at the moment, while 95.1 metre O’Pari or 122 metre Kismet are the best-known ones. Booking at full peak rates: Does it make sense Peak-season charters come at a high cost and can be seen as a significant investment. To make sense, they need to be justified, either by your desire to spend a fantastic time away from home or simply because that’s what you do, and it should be special. In any case, in order to extract full value when paying Christmas and New Year rates, the following approach may help:  Last-minute deals for 2025 – We can still arrange a special deal on some boats, yet you have to have complete flexibility, both in terms of location as well as type of boat or level of service required. While you can be very specific, and we, as a yacht charter brokerage, aim to fit all your requirements into reality, this may not always be possible. Booking last minute can be exciting though, as spontaneous decisions are at times best when it comes to enjoying yourselves at the spur of the moment, so why not give it a try in 2025? Book early – That said, the best yachts in the most sought-after locations are often booked a year in advance, or as soon as the actual holiday season ends, or at times even up to 18 months ahead. Early enquiry lets us, as brokers, hold key options before they disappear, rather than trying to patch something together during the summer peak season.  Be specific about your plans and group – Tell us about your ultimate idea, plan, and desires. The more we know, the better we can serve. If you also share ages, interests, mobility needs, and any dietary or cultural requirements, we can source the most suitable boats and advise on the best destinations or any special deals. This is also the crew's plan and preparation for your arrival.  Choose destination and yacht together – Some yachts are optimised for shallow, island-hopping waters (Bahamas, BVI), others for longer passages and open-sea comfort (Indian Ocean, open Caribbean). Think of the destination and the platform as a matched pair, not separate decisions. In other words, a sailing catamaran may be best for the Virgin Islands and Abacos or Outer Bahamas, yet if you are keen to experience a performance sailing yacht, sailing the Grenadines or Windward islands of the East Caribbean may be a good chance to do so. Luxury motor yachts or mega yachts are a separate issue, and while they can be recommended in locations such as the Maldives or St Barths, they are usually chosen as a type of holiday, rather than based on location. They will carry at least 1, if not 2, suitable superyacht tenders, and with these, you will have access to any bay, beach or location, even if your main boat remains anchored hundreds of meters away in deep waters. Embrace the “experience mindset”. Instead of focusing only on length or brand of the yacht, you can look at what the yacht enables: diving off deck maybe, or night dives, sunrise yoga on deck, chef’s tastings or special menu’s (Japanese or Mediterranean), stargazing far from light pollution (we can offer Northern Lights experience in Arctic Circle even during these festive days for example). At this level, you are paying for a carefully orchestrated experience, not just a vessel, thus you can plan not only details but the whole package.  Let’s sail, Christmas & New Year are just around For those willing to invest in a Christmas or New Year charter at full peak pricing, the reward is a holiday that feels entirely your own: no fixed check-in times, no resort noise bleeding through the walls, no strangers at the following table, only sea, sky, your chosen people and a crew whose sole purpose is to make this particular festive season unforgettable. By booking 10 days or ideally a fortnight or 2 weeks, you also avoid crowds at the airport and potential delays, traffic jams, and significant issues with berth bookings. You can also enjoy an exclusive sailing holiday during the peak periods from as low as 5,000 EUR for a full 2 weeks of sailing in one of these major sailing destinations in the Caribbean. If your budget stretches further, you can plan to spend as little as possible while maximising the exclusivity of the destination or the amenities on board. For those with high-end budgets, we can organise a spectacular yacht charter vacation where extended family or friends can be part of, and even special events and occasions such as anniversaries of marriage or weddings can be organised too. I therefore invite you to consider a sailing vacation during the festive season, as it may change your life, improve your well-being, and patch up a relationship with your loved ones. You can also inspire some to do something special as a next step in their life or be part of something amazing, something that only a small minority of people get to experience.  Follow me on  LinkedIn and visit my website for more info! Read more from Eldin Basic Eldin Basic, Yacht Charter Manager Eldin is the Charter & Sales manager at A2A Yachting ( SuperSailYachts.com ) , where he overseas all aspects of business & marketing operations. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Eldin brings a wealth of expertise and insight to this role. He holds a degree from the University College Birmingham, supplemented by leadership training from Harvard Business School and ThePowerMBA, giving him a solid foundation in strategic management. Known for his talent in developing innovative Blue Ocean Strategies, Eldin is also a certified breathwork practitioner & an active supporter of various charitable initiatives. Passionate about helping others, he is committed to turning dreams into reality & inspiring all to live more fulfilling lives.

Written by Anna Kuyumcuoglu, Licensed Psychotherapist Anna Kuyumcuoglu is well-known for her somatic psychotherapies. She is the founder and CEO of Wall Street Therapy, a private practice in the heart of New York's financial district. Healing attachment trauma begins with a quiet but life-altering moment, the moment you stop pretending that unsafe or one-sided relationships are enough. As the mask drops, grief, guilt, fear, and profound relief rise to the surface, revealing the patterns your body learned long before you had language for them. This article explores the first stages of attachment trauma resolution and what truly unfolds when you stop performing closeness and start choosing authenticity, safety, and self-respect. Part I: The stages of attachment trauma resolution There comes a moment in healing when you realize you can no longer pretend. You stop forcing the closeness that was never safe, never mutual, never nurturing. And when you stop faking it, the truth comes up fast and raw: You feel the grief of what you never received. You feel the discomfort of stepping out of old roles. You feel guilt for choosing yourself. You feel fear that they’ll be hurt, or that you’ll be punished. You feel relief, because your body finally stops lying. This is not rejection. This is attachment trauma resolution, the moment when your nervous system stops collapsing into old patterns and begins choosing authenticity over survival. For many adults in NYC who grew up with emotional neglect, criticism, or parentification, the body learned to stay connected by pretending: Smiling through discomfort Minimizing pain Staying small Holding the peace Performing “good child” roles Hiding the truth to avoid conflict When you stop faking closeness, your system is actually saying: “I’m ready for relationships that don’t require self-abandonment.” In somatic therapy and Internal Family Systems (IFS), we help the nervous system unlearn those survival strategies and create a new internal template for connection, one built on safety, truth, and self-respect. This is how attachment trauma begins to resolve, your body stops bracing, your protectors soften, and the parts of you that were unseen finally come forward. If you’re in this place, you are not “breaking the family”, you’re breaking a generational pattern. Book a consultation in the Lower Manhattan / Wall Street area. Part II: The hidden burden — Parentification, emotional neglect & the body’s response Why the body breaks down when you stop carrying what was never yours, and how healing begins when you recognize the invisible labor of your childhood. Many adults live with exhaustion, hyper-independence, high-functioning anxiety, chronic shame, or difficulty trusting closeness without realizing these patterns began in childhood, not through overt trauma, but through parentification and emotional neglect. These are the silent wounds: You became the emotional adult in a home where the real adults were overwhelmed, absent, unpredictable, or emotionally unavailable. The child in you learned to: anticipate needs maintain the peace soothe dysregulated caregivers suppress your own needs grow up too quickly This sets the stage for attachment trauma, and later, the profound unraveling that happens when you finally stop playing those roles. This article explores what happens next, the layers underneath the unmasking process. 1. The invisible contract: Becoming “the strong one” too early Parentified children never get to be children. Your nervous system learned to stay hypervigilant, monitoring moods, silencing your needs, and stabilizing the environment. This survival role often becomes your identity: “I can handle everything.” “I don’t need help.” “My feelings don’t matter.” “Others come first.” These are not beliefs, they are physiological adaptations. 2. Emotional neglect: The trauma with no story Unlike overt abuse, emotional neglect leaves no narrative, only patterns: numbness self-doubt low self-worth chronic loneliness confusion around closeness collapsing or shutting down in relationships The wound is not what happened. It’s what never happened, attunement, comfort, co-regulation, and emotional presence. This is why adults often report: “I don’t know why I feel this empty.” “I had a good childhood, so why am I struggling?” “My body reacts, but I can’t find a memory.” The body remembers the absence. 3. When you stop carrying the load: The system starts to shake When you finally let go of the role you played, the responsible one, the emotional caretaker, the peacemaker, the nervous system destabilizes. You might feel: guilt grief disorientation irritability fatigue disgust fear of backlash the urge to disappear or isolate This is not regression. This is the body undoing decades of emotional labor. 4. Meeting the protector system: The parts that kept you alive In Internal Family Systems (IFS), these are the protectors that formed around emotional neglect: The Numb One The Strong One The Invisible One The Pleaser The Hyper-Responsible One The Lone Wolf The Detached or Shut-Down One The Competent, Overachieving One These protectors are not problems, they are solutions. They were the best attempt of a child to stabilize a system that lacked stability. Healing begins when we befriend them, not bypass them. 5. Why this is attachment trauma: The missing blueprint Children need attuned caregivers to form secure attachment. When that is absent, the nervous system develops a survival attachment connection based on performance, compliance, or hyper-independence. In adulthood, this creates: difficulty trusting fear of dependency fear of engulfment chronic shame avoidance or anxious pursuit inability to rest in relationships self-abandonment as a default This is not a personality flaw. It is the imprint of emotional absence. Conclusion Parentification and emotional neglect shape the nervous system in profound, lifelong ways. But healing is absolutely possible. The next article in this series explores what happens after the unmasking the phase where individuals begin to reclaim their internal space and finally feel the first sensations of liberation. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Anna Kuyumcuoglu Anna Kuyumcuoglu, Licensed Psychotherapist Anna Kuyumcuoglu is a trauma-informed licensed psychotherapist specializing in body-based somatic psychotherapy. With a deep understanding of attachment and nervous system regulation, she helps individuals move beyond adaptive survival strategies toward secure, embodied connection. Committed to creating a safe and attuned therapeutic space, Anna supports clients in strengthening their capacity for co-regulation, self-trust, and relational intimacy. Grounded in a compassionate, integrative approach, she empowers individuals to reclaim their resilience and experience more authentic, fulfilling relationships with both themselves and others.

Written by Jingying Xu, Founder of Meditate Into Prosperity Jingying Xu, Ph.D., is the founder of Meditate Into Prosperity, guiding professionals and leaders to transform inner power into outward presence through meditation, energy healing, and personal growth coaching. A former Research Scientist at the University of Oxford, she blends scientific rigor with Eastern wisdom for lasting transformation. Pain, whether physical or emotional, acute or chronic, touches all of us at some point. It’s not just about the body. Pain seeps into our nervous system, our sleep, our mood, even our sense of possibility. Most people are handed pills, coping mechanisms, or told to "just deal with it." But what if relief didn’t require escaping your body, but returning to it? What if healing could begin with a breath? A personal story and the most unexpected transformation In October 2025, my father was diagnosed with early-stage cancer. He’s turning 69 in January 2026. A practical man with a fast-paced lifestyle and deep skepticism of anything “alternative”, he had never believed in meditation, let alone energy healing. When I left my Research Scientist position at the University of Oxford in 2022 to pursue meditation professionally, while navigating divorce and raising two small children (ages 3 and 5), my parents, 6,300 miles away from me in China, thought I had lost my mind. To them, I was giving up a secure, respected life to pursue something unmeasurable, unreliable. It was also a time I was rebuilding life from the ground up emotionally, financially, and professionally. But something shifted. This time, when he received the diagnosis, he told me immediately, normally my parents would hide worrying news. Maybe, just maybe, a part of him was open to what I might be able to help. He was scheduled for surgery. I didn’t give him a grand plan. I offered him one simple suggestion, start with ten conscious breaths in the morning and ten at night, feet on the ground. Nothing complicated. No pressure. Just presence. No expectations. He agreed and started posting his practice updates in our family WeChat group after each session. A few days later, he extended it to five minutes. The following week, ten. I never pushed. He saw results, so he continued. He began noticing subtle shifts in his breath, his body, his mind. After surgery, he couldn’t exhale through his nose due to the scar’s pain. So he breathed through his mouth. But this discomfort led him to a profound realisation, our breath reflects the state of our body. When we tune into it, we gain insight. Weeks passed. Then one morning, I received a message: “After the breathing exercise, I opened my eyes, and everything looked brighter.” Another day: “I can breathe through my nose again. After the 10 minutes of breathing, I feel calm and a little sleepy. But peaceful.” As I write this, it’s been five weeks. Five weeks of him meditating daily. His recovery accelerated. He became noticeably more relaxed, more emotionally stable, more positive. His nervous system had changed. His mindset shifted. He wasn’t spiraling into worst-case scenarios anymore. I also supported him energetically from afar, offering Rahanni healing during the New and Full Moon to help clear and harmonise his energy field. The changes were unmistakable. What touched me most wasn’t just his healing but the fact that this time, it was my father. Sometimes it's easier to help strangers, clients, or even friends. But your own parents? That's another level. You can't force change. You can only invite it. Why meditation eases pain: The science Pain is not just physical. It’s a whole-body experience, deeply tied to your nervous system. When you’re in chronic pain, your body is often in a sympathetic state, the “fight or flight” mode. Your muscles tighten. Your mind races. You brace. This loop keeps the pain alive. Meditation, especially when combined with breathing and somatic awareness, helps the body transition into the parasympathetic state, “rest and restore.” In this space, healing becomes possible. Scientific studies confirm: Meditation decreases activation in pain-processing brain regions. It activates areas linked to emotion regulation and attention control. It improves vagal tone, increasing resilience and relaxation. Long-term meditation is linked to reduced inflammation and stronger neural regulation. Meditation doesn’t deny pain. It changes your relationship to it. You feel safer, softer, more open. That’s when healing can begin. Why the Jingying Method works so fast Not all meditation is created equal. The Jingying Method is the world’s first meditation brand to integrate science, sound healing, aesthetic design, and consciousness into one immersive system. It’s not just a practice. It’s a precision-crafted experience that speaks to your whole being. Developed over 18 years of research, practice, and refinement, The Jingying Method combines: Neuroscience-informed guidance, to support nervous system regulation. Voice resonance and pacing, to influence subconscious patterns. Soundscapes and breathing, to ground the body and reset the mind. Energetic design and frequency field work, to open deeper layers of release and coherence. Each session is carefully crafted to create an immersive sensory journey. It’s designed to meet you where you are and lift you gently to where you want to be. Clients often ask me. “Why do I feel calm in just a few minutes?” The answer: because every layer has been designed for transformation. This is more than relaxation. It’s frequency alignment. It’s embodied regulation. It’s deep, holistic healing. Featured practice: Pain relief with energy healing Premium series: The Jingying Method This 14-minute guided meditation is specifically created to support pain relief through nervous system softening and energetic support. Set to a 417 Hz soundscape known for cellular healing and emotional clearing, this meditation gently guides your system into a restorative state. It is also infused with Rahanni energy healing to create a field of safety and soft presence. You’ll be invited to: Encourage parasympathetic activation Release muscular gripping and energetic tension Feel held, relaxed, and inwardly spacious Whether you're recovering from surgery, managing chronic pain, or holding onto emotional tightness, this practice offers you an easy, non-invasive way to feel better from the inside out. No pressure. No striving. Just gentle release. Available in both video and downloadable audio formats. Ready to experience it? If you're living with pain, tension, or simply feel disconnected from ease, I invite you to try. Just start with 10 conscious breaths. Then a few more. Let your body show you what's possible. Or join me for a more guided experience with The Jingying Method. Explore The Jingying Method: Pain Relief with Energy Healing , which includes a 120-second preview. Explore the 15-Day Introductory Meditation Course , just 5 minutes a day can create a real shift in your well-being. Sign up for my newsletter and receive 30% off your first guided meditation purchase Final word Healing doesn’t have to be dramatic. It doesn’t require years or gurus. It just has to begin. Start with your breath. Start with your awareness. Let your nervous system soften. Let life feel a little lighter. For more info, follow me on Instagram  and visit her website . Read more from Jingying Xu Jingying Xu, Founder of Meditate Into Prosperity Jingying Xu (Ph.D., DipBSoM) is the founder of Meditate Into Prosperity, guiding professionals and leaders to transform inner power into outward presence through meditation, energy healing, and personal growth coaching. A certified Level-3 Meditation Teacher with the British School of Meditation and former Research Scientist at the University of Oxford, she combines scientific rigor with 18 years of practice. Blending Eastern wisdom with Western science, Jingying empowers clients to realign within, expand clarity and presence, and lead with authentic impact.

Written by Dr. Nadia and Dr. Debora D'Iuso, Psychologists, Founders Of Crosstown Psychology & Wellness Clinic Dr. Nadia D'Iuso and Dr. Debora D'Iuso are the co-founders and psychologists at Crosstown Psychology and Wellness Clinic. Their combined 25 years of experience as licensed psychologists and helping hundreds of clients have taught them one central truth-meaningful change starts with strong and trusting relationships. The holiday season is often seen as a time of joy, family, and celebration. But for many, it is a period that can feel heavy with loneliness, stress, and unmet expectations. Whether you are navigating difficult family relationships, financial pressures, or the darker days of winter, the holidays can bring unique emotional challenges. At Crosstown Psychology and Wellness Clinic, we see this as one of the busiest times of the year because so many people are struggling. The good news is that it is possible to find comfort, connection, and meaning during this time, on your own terms. By focusing on what this time of year means to you, not what Hallmark says it should be, you can redefine the holidays as a season that aligns with your values, needs, and well-being. Why the holidays can be emotionally challenging Recognizing these challenges is the first step in addressing them. By acknowledging the difficulties, you can take proactive steps to find connection and care for your emotional well-being. Some common difficulties include: Complex family dynamics If your family relationships are not strong, or you are not in contact with family at all, the holidays can amplify feelings of loneliness and isolation. Even for those with good relationships, the heightened focus on togetherness can bring anxiety and pressure to meet expectations. Financial strain The holiday season often comes with added financial stress. Gift-giving, social events, and other holiday expenses can make it feel like celebrating is tied to spending, which can be overwhelming or impossible for some. Seasonal changes and mood shifts December is one of the darkest months of the year, and the lack of sunlight can affect mood, particularly for those already vulnerable to mental health struggles. The festive energy of the season can feel at odds with how you are actually feeling, creating a sense of disconnection or sadness. High expectations There is a societal expectation that the holidays are a time of pure happiness, joy, and togetherness. If you are not experiencing that, it can create a “contrast effect,” where you might think, “What’s wrong with me?” The truth is that many people struggle this time of year. You are not alone. Checking in with yourself: What does this season mean to you? Instead of focusing on what the holidays “should” be, take a moment to reflect on what you need this year. Ask yourself: What does this time of year mean to me right now? How am I feeling physically, emotionally, and mentally? What would help me feel more balanced and supported this season? Acknowledging where you are and meeting yourself with kindness is an important step in caring for your emotional well-being. Building your circle of connection The holiday season often comes with societal expectations of joy, togetherness, and elaborate celebrations, but connection does not have to follow these scripts. For many, the holidays are a time to redefine what connection and celebration mean on their own terms. It is not about perfection or meeting external standards. It is about finding what feels meaningful and fulfilling to you. Connection does not have to look like a picture-perfect holiday gathering. It is about surrounding yourself with the people and energy that feel good to you. This can look like: Starting with yourself Reflect on what this time means to you this year. Is it a chance to rest and recharge? A time to focus on personal growth? A moment to celebrate small joys? Use this season to create rituals that bring you comfort, whether journaling, going for a walk on a snowy morning, or enjoying a quiet cup of tea. Involving your chosen family If you are not connected to your biological family, or prefer to keep some distance, lean on the family you have chosen. Host a potluck with friends, plan a movie night, or spend time with those who uplift you. Redefining what “celebrating” means Holidays do not have to involve big gatherings or expensive gifts. They can be as simple as creating a playlist of your favourite songs, baking a treat for yourself, or volunteering for a cause you care about. Being open to change Traditions do not have to last forever. Each year can bring something new, and the rituals you create today can evolve into something completely different down the road. What matters is that they reflect what you need right now. You do not have to face these challenges alone. Surround yourself with those who understand and uplift you, and remember that it is okay to take this season one step at a time. This is an important time to reach out for support, whether from a therapist or the supportive relationships in your life. You are not alone in this journey, and there is always a way forward. Together, we can find moments of connection, even in the hardest times. Follow me on Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website  for more info! Read more from Dr. Nadia and Dr. Debora D'Iuso Dr. Nadia and Dr. Debora D'Iuso, Psychologists, Founders Of Crosstown Psychology & Wellness Clinic Meet Dr. Nadia and Dr. Debora D'Iuso, sisters, psychologists, and founders of Crosstown Psychology and Wellness Clinic. As a sister team, we bring both professional expertise and a deep sense of empathy to our work. We believe effective therapy starts with genuine connection, care, and actionable strategies. Our mission? To offer compassionate, evidence-informed care that is deeply rooted in the therapeutic relationship. We know how important it is for clients to feel safe, seen, and supported in their journey.