Unhealthy relationships

As a freshman in college – my first real time out from under the constant and very watchful eye of my family, I fell head over heels with the guy I met while eating cafeteria chicken tenders alone in my building’s Common Room.  He was the first guy I met who also thought the Shrek […]

The spring/summer cusp is an exciting time of year: long days, less schoolwork, highly anticipated events like prom and graduation right around the corner. Maybe finals exams and dream vacations are the only thing on your mind; or maybe, just maybe you’re considering a prom-posal or summer romance.   You’re not going to want to hear […]

Prom season is upon us and millions of high school students are thinking about the big night. Some are sweating over what to wear. Others are figuring out pre- and after-party plans. But for most everyone, the biggest stressor revolves around who they are going to prom with.   Teens have long learned about romance (and […]

You did it. You ended your unhealthy relationship. You grieved. You celebrated. You spent time healing and growing in new directions. You started a new, healthier relationship. Suddenly, familiar feelings reminiscent of your past relationship begin bubbling to the surface, permeating your experience like an unwelcome guest.   Trauma is complex. It can lay dormant […]

Do you feel that you completely lose yourself when you are in a relationship? The person you are with becomes the center of your universe? You skip out on extracurricular activities and break plans with friends because your entire day is scheduled around them? You rarely speak up and never voice your own needs and […]

Spring has sprung and it’s time to talk butterflies. No, not the beautiful flying insects that were recently caterpillars. I’m talking about the warm, fluttery feeling you get around that special someone new. The way you know you’re excited to continue getting to know someone and are hopeful about where things may go. THOSE butterflies. […]

“What did you do to provoke them?”  “Was there alcohol involved?”  “Why haven’t you left yet?”   * These questions are commonly referred to as victim blaming – when a friend, colleague, or acquaintance says things to imply that you might have done something to deserve the abuse. These perspectives and mindsets are harmful on a […]

For many, February means Valentine’s Day, a time to celebrate loved ones and relationships — romantic, platonic, and familial. There’s truly no limitation on who you can give a heart-shaped box of chocolate to.   February also marks Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, a time when we are reminded that unhealthy relationships and […]

Written by Writer’s Corps member Natasha Barraqué To create the healthy relationships we crave, a deep understanding of what constitutes a healthy relationship is needed. The first relationship that we will need to adjust is the one that we have with ourselves.  One vital part of creating healthy relationships that is often overlooked is authenticity. […]