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Authentic Connections, Boundaries, and Relationships
Dear Dr. Julie: I haven't spoken to my best friend in a couple of years because before she was married she slept with my boyfriend. I haven't spoken to either of them since I found out. I miss my best friend and I want to be friends with her again but I can't forgive her for what she did. How do I f...
Dear Dr. Julie: Hi, I've been going through a hard time recently. My mom was diagnosed with a terminal illness and I'm feeling overwhelmed and depressed. To make things worse my best friend has completely abandoned me. I can't believe she did this and it's making things even harder because I don't k...
Have you ever been told you are selfish when just trying to set a boundary? Do you worry that others think you're selfish? If you’re a people-pleaser, this label can feel like a nightmare—often enough to make you question if setting boundaries is even worth it.
But the truth is that boundaries are ...
Have you ever walked away from a conversation with a sinking feeling, like something wasn’t right? Maybe you felt taken advantage of or manipulated but couldn't pinpoint why. This feeling can hit especially hard if you tend to give people the benefit of the doubt, trust easily, or avoid conflict. If...
We’ve all been there—caught in a frustrating situation, feeling emotions bubbling up to the surface and not knowing how to handle them. Whether it’s road rage in traffic, a stressful conversation at work, or an argument with a loved one, emotions can sometimes take over, leaving us reacting in ways ...
The inner critic—those persistent, nagging thoughts that tell you "you're not good enough," "this is all your fault," or "you’ll never succeed"—isn’t a voice you were born with. Instead, it develops over time, often rooted in the experiences and environments we grow up in.
Where Does Your Inner Cri...
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