One is the descent — the deep, internal work of getting to know the landscape of your soul. The other is the ascent — the remembering that you are part of a web of interconnectedness with all other living beings here on Earth.
To me, to heal is to be able to stand in the present moment, holding both of these dimensions at the same time – the stories that make you uniquely who you are, and your undeniable belonging in the family of everything – without needing to change anything.
Read MoreFor many neurodivergent teens, daytime is a cacophony of sounds, stimulation, and neurotypical societal demands. On the other hand, nighttime may be the only time they feel calm, in control, and able to focus. It offers a sense of privacy and autonomy, and a time when they aren’t being watched, judged, or expected to perform. Night is also when some of their peers, especially other neurodivergent teens, are most active. This can make nighttime a prime time to socialize within neurodivergent or “neurokin” communities.
Read MoreAdolescence is a time of individuation. As kids grow into teenagers, so grows their desire for independence and control over their lives. If you’re a parent of a teen or pre-teen, you may notice increasing conflict with your child. They might seem more defiant, more likely to talk back, and more likely to push you away. Often, this conflict lies in the tension between your child’s desire for control and your own.
Read MorePeer pressure and jealousy can also create tension in teenage friendships. The desire to belong can be so strong that it can cause teens to consider going against their own values to fit in. They may also be jealous of others who seem to fit in more easily. On top of all of this, as a teen, you are still exploring who you are. Your values likely aren’t fully developed, and you might not even really know who you want to be friends with. This can lead to confusion and self-betrayal as the desire to fit in clashes with the desire to be uniquely and authentically you.
Read MoreAdolescence is a ripe period of self-exploration and growth. As a teenager, you are rapidly developing – physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially – exploring and learning about who you are, what you care about, what you like and don’t like, and how you relate to the world. This can be dense, confusing, and challenging – and it can also be exciting, explorative, and playful with the right support.
Read MoreBeing a teenager is hard enough. Add a layer of mixed cultural identity, and the challenges can quickly compound. I've been there. Your parents just don't seem to understand you. You feel like they choose to see the worst in you and fail to recognize that your experience is uniquely different from theirs. Maybe you're often grounded, or reprimanded for things that you feel are normal. The values of your home don't mirror the values you experience at school. It feels like you are living a double life, expected to chameleon your personality depending on where you are, and nobody at school or home seems to fully understand. You know you don't deserve to be punished for just being you. You feel trapped, alone, and angry.
Read MoreYou love your child so deeply, but more days than not, you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by this tiny human who seems to bring out the worst in you. You’ve read all the books and asked all the questions in your parenting communities. Yet somehow you’re still struggling to understand how to care for your child in a way that doesn’t feel so hard all of the time. You find yourself getting stuck in the guilt and shame cycle because you feel you “should” know better, but what you’re doing just isn’t working. And, at the end of the day, it’s not just your kid who’s had the meltdown, but you’re having them too.
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