Over the years, I've heard countless variations of the phrase, "that doesn't work for me." Usually, it's said with a touch of frustration, a sense of disappointment, or even embarrassment. And yes, I've definitely said it to myself—more than once.

Many moons ago, I joined Weight Watchers. Despite dreading the weekly weigh-ins and the questionable-tasting "approved" foods (who knew cardboard had calories?), I committed fully.

Ten years ago, I found myself grappling with a question that quietly changed my life: "Who have you not given yourself the chance to be?" In other words, in what ways had I unconsciously written myself off, without genuinely exploring whether these self-imposed limits were true?

If you're anything like me, you’ve probably pre-decided many times that certain activities, experiences, or roles simply weren't "you"—without ever truly verifying if that was accurate. In 2015, the label I’d firmly applied to myself

A few years ago, I was at a farewell party for a colleague, mingling and making conversation. Since I find small talk tiring, I asked a question I was truly curious to learn more about:

“What are you excited about in your life right now?”

I posed it to a doctor I knew, expecting a spark of enthusiasm. Instead, she paused… a long pause. I could see it in her face: she was scanning her life, searching for an answer.

Gratitude isn't the problem, but how we're using can be.

Real gratitude - that’s beautiful. I’m talking about the fake kind we throw on top of hard emotions to make them more "acceptable."

You know the drill:

“It’s hard, but I’m lucky…”

“At least it’s not worse.”

“On the bright side…”

We rush to tidy up the emotional mess — not for us, but for whoever is listening. Like our sadness or anger is too much. Like we’re too much.

Being from Scotland, I always love to hear a Scottish accent, and this version of Hard Times Come No More by Cammy Barnes is the best I’ve heard.

This song feels as relevant today as it was when written by Stephen Foster in 1854. It is a heartfelt plea for compassion and mercy for those who suffer, and that those suffering would experience peace.

What does “Truth Begins Within” really mean?

We spend a lot of time thinking about telling the truth to others.
But the real work?
It's being honest with ourselves.

Noticing the lies that we tell ourselves.
The ones that sound like hope, responsibility, or “being realistic” — but underneath, they're keeping us stuck.

Here are a few greatest hits women tell themselves:

"She's Got to Be" by Amy Ray honors the work of self-acceptance. Here are some lyrics that capture the essence of that journey.

She is the one that stills the sea

Finds the truth of this anarchy

Dives the depths of every age

Keeps this body and knows the shape

I will love and I will protect this love

A Ted Talk about friendship. 

Rhaina Cohen explores: Why friendship can be just as meaningful as romantic love?

For many (me included) it is. As Raina Cohen says:

"We're all better off recognizing there's more than one kind of significant other."