Letting Go: Grieving the Old to Embrace the New 
Lauren Steffes Lauren Steffes

Letting Go: Grieving the Old to Embrace the New 

When Nothing Feels the Same

The holidays have never been the same since my mom passed away in 2020.

My father, a true man’s man, did not even know how to do a load of laundry after she died. The house I grew up in, once full of holiday memories, now resembles a hoarder’s den.

Due to logistical challenges, I haven’t been home for the holidays in several years. But if I’m being honest, the real reason is I simply can’t bear to face the remnant of the home my mother devoted her life to building in its current degenerate state.

Stepping inside feels like confronting everything I’ve lost.

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Still Figuring It Out
Justine Biondi Justine Biondi

Still Figuring It Out

When I was younger, I imagined that by the time I reached my twenties, I would have it all figured out. To my six-year-old self, the mid-to-late twenties seemed like a distant, almost magical time. It felt so far away, and at the time, so grown-up. I was sure by then I would have everything figured out. I would have a thriving career, a beautiful home, a life-long partner and maybe even a child or two. Now, here I am, at 27, feeling as lost and confused as ever.

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Gratitude in Chaos: November, Thanksgiving, and Your Mental Health 
Kim Ureno Kim Ureno

Gratitude in Chaos: November, Thanksgiving, and Your Mental Health 

As November arrives, the days get cooler, the leaves turn, and Thanksgiving edges closer. For many, this season stirs a mix of excitement and stress. The holidays can bring unique pressures—family gatherings, financial planning, and questions about the future in our careers and our lives. Amidst all this is a great opportunity to practice much-needed gratitude and care for our mental well-being. 

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Staying Bright: How to Fight Off Seasonal Depression as Daylight Saving Time Ends 
Lauren Steffes Lauren Steffes

Staying Bright: How to Fight Off Seasonal Depression as Daylight Saving Time Ends 

Last night, I attended a wedding and drank way too much coffee.  

I’m used to my apartment’s club room coffee that tastes like muddy water, so I was quick to overindulge in the luxurious craft drip coffee, featuring chocolate and cherry flavor nodes, complete with Hawaiian syrup options that were to die for. But it came with a cost: I was wired. At 10pm on a Saturday night. 

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Take a Look, It’s in a Book?
Brittni Barcase Brittni Barcase

Take a Look, It’s in a Book?

After I graduated from college with my undergraduate degree, I quickly jumped into continuing my education with a 200-hour yoga teacher training that started just a few months later. Both endeavors required a lot of dense reading that was sometimes really hard to get through. Since every single book was assigned, reading became a chore with a deadline attached.

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What if YOU are the Bully?
A 'The Mental Well' Contributor A 'The Mental Well' Contributor

What if YOU are the Bully?

We live in a world drenched in snark. Online comments, sarcastic texts, snippy emails, and witty comebacks have become part of our daily routine. Most of us have been on the receiving end of these sharp remarks, but let’s be honest—sometimes we're the ones dishing it out.

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The Quiet Power of Persistence in Mental Health
Kim Ureno Kim Ureno

The Quiet Power of Persistence in Mental Health

Persistence is a quality we would all like to have, but one that we rarely feel like we possess. We hear stories about how others overcame challenges, kept going through hard times and came out stronger, and think, Wow, they’re so resilient. I wish I could be like that. But having that persistence in our own lives, especially when dealing with mental health, can feel impossible.

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Honoring the Milestones through a Mother’s Grief and Joy  
Lauren Hatch Pokhrel Lauren Hatch Pokhrel

Honoring the Milestones through a Mother’s Grief and Joy  

September is here, and during the last few weeks, many of us rushed to Target, buying school supplies and clean sneakers for our children’s upcoming school year. Some of us sent our toddlers to daycare for the first time, while others nervously prepared for the first day of high school and beyond.  

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How to Change a Habit
A 'The Mental Well' Contributor A 'The Mental Well' Contributor

How to Change a Habit

Our lives are comprised of a series of habits. These habits are daily patterns that can positively or negatively influence how we think, act, and feel. We are often unaware of our habits; they have become second-nature to us because we have been doing them for so long.

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Embracing the Now 
Kim Ureno Kim Ureno

Embracing the Now 

It's the beginning of August, a time when many of us are just getting into the swing of back-to-school preparations. Parents and children are adjusting to new routines, stocking up on school supplies, and savoring the last days of summer. Yet, as you walk through stores, you might notice something curious (and honestly a bit annoying): Halloween decorations already filling the shelves.

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Celebrating The Milestones
A 'The Mental Well' Contributor A 'The Mental Well' Contributor

Celebrating The Milestones

Ah, remember being in school when you were little and after every school year there was this feeling of accomplishment and freedom? What happened to that feeling? Can we get it back at other significant moments in our lives? It’s worth a shot. Pat yourself on the back. So you did something great! Yay! You got the degree, the job, the house. Or maybe you made your last car payment or ran a marathon. Congrats! You’ve earned a treat.

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Keeping Your Cool: Mental Health Tips in the Hot Summer Months 
Kim Ureno Kim Ureno

Keeping Your Cool: Mental Health Tips in the Hot Summer Months 

Summer is a season of sun, fun, and adventure, but it can also bring unique challenges for mental health, especially those navigating busy lives. As the temperatures rise, it’s important to keep your cool—both physically and mentally. Here are some easy tips to help you stay balanced and happy during the hot summer months.

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The Mental Well Community Connections: Kyleigh Blain
Kyleigh Blain Kyleigh Blain

The Mental Well Community Connections: Kyleigh Blain

My name is Kyleigh B., I am 29 years old, my birthday is July 12th (Cancerian baby!), I work as an Executive Assistant and I studied Community Health at George Mason University right here in Fairfax, VA – Go Patriots! I grew up living in a few different parts of the DC, Maryland, Virginia (DMV) area with my parents and two siblings (one older brother and one older sister).

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Embracing Our Vulnerabilities: A Call to Shift Perspectives
A 'The Mental Well' Contributor A 'The Mental Well' Contributor

Embracing Our Vulnerabilities: A Call to Shift Perspectives

In our society, vulnerability often carries the connotation of weakness. Even the dictionary defines vulnerability as being "susceptible to physical or emotional injury or attack." Social norms, gender expectations, and the fear of rejection all contribute to our reluctance to embrace vulnerability, both within ourselves and with others.

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Why "Trauma Dumping" Isn't Helpful
Kim Ureno Kim Ureno

Why "Trauma Dumping" Isn't Helpful

In recent times, the term "trauma dumping" has entered discussions about mental health and emotional support. Coined to describe instances where individuals share their traumatic experiences without considering the listener's well-being, this concept has sparked debates in therapeutic circles and online forums. While acknowledging the need for boundaries and self-care, it's crucial to avoid labeling such expressions as "dumping," which oversimplifies the complexities of trauma and human connection. 

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Stress
Allan Calica Allan Calica

Stress

What immediately crosses your mind at the mention of the word "stress"? Personally, the mere mention of the term makes me tense up and feel stressed. However, it's important to recognize that not all stress is alike.

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Becoming A Beauty Hunter
Brittni Barcase Brittni Barcase

Becoming A Beauty Hunter

If you search the internet for “beautiful” photos, literally every perfect image out there appears — images of flowers perfectly arranged, people with perfect make-up, lighting that seems too good to be true, ocean views and perfect beaches, the list goes on. But what about the kind of beautiful you have to dig for, the kind you literally need to squint to see?⁣

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