Helpful tips and personal stories. Exploring relationships and connecting with others when you’re feeling socially anxious, shy and not good enough. You are not alone.
Sometimes, a new connection arrives unexpectedly – a friendship or relationship that feels suddenly deep and full of promise. You find yourself sharing parts of yourself sooner than usual, feeling seen and important in someone else’s world. There’s warmth, attentiveness, maybe even a sense of consistency and care that feels grounding. It might feel like…
We long for gentle relationships. To feel safe and seen with others, and to offer that same safety in return. Whether it’s a partner, a friend, or a colleague, we hope for connection that feels kind, consistent, and nourishing. But even when that desire is strong, we might still find ourselves showing up in a…
The experience of menstruation unfolds in rhythms often unseen and unspoken. Quietly, yet powerfully, our menstrual cycles influence how we feel, think, and show up in the world. And for those of us who identify as quieter, more sensitive, or who experience social anxiety, these changes can feel particularly profound. This is not just about…
Relationships aren’t built on perfection—they are built on repair. No matter how close we are to someone, moments of disconnection happen. A misunderstanding, a sharp tone, a missed bid for connection—these small ruptures can make us feel distant or uncertain. But they don’t have to be the end of the story. In fact, how we…
Valentine’s Day can bring up mixed emotions. While it’s often associated with love and connection, it can also highlight feelings of loneliness or self-doubt. When surrounded by messages of romance, we may find ourselves questioning our worth or feeling as though meaningful connection is just out of reach. Looking back, I can see how much…
Have you ever wanted to reach out to someone but hesitated because you weren’t sure if they’d want to hear from you? Maybe you assumed they were too busy or already had enough friends. Perhaps you worried you’d be interrupting or imposing. So, instead of sending the message or making the call, you told yourself,…
It’s not uncommon to find that we’ve “fallen” into a relationship, perhaps with someone we work with or someone who happens to be close by, without intentionally seeking a partner who truly aligns with who we are and what we need. Quiet people, in particular, may find this scenario familiar. But why does this happen,…
Sometimes we find ourselves holding on to a relationship that we know, deep down, is hurting us. It’s not easy to let go, especially when we care deeply about someone. We might cling to the hope that things will change, that the relationship will become what we need it to be, and that the person…
In our interactions with others, it’s natural to want to protect ourselves when we feel threatened or misunderstood, which often manifests as defensiveness -a reaction that can create barriers in communication and relationships. For those of us who are with quieter natures it might already make it difficult to express ourselves openly, and defensiveness can…
Attachment styles are ways we naturally connect and build relationships with others, often shaped by our earliest experiences. Understanding your attachment style can help you make sense of how you relate to those around you, offering insights into the patterns that might feel familiar in your connections. It’s a gentle tool for self-awareness, not a…
In any relationship, communication is the lifeline that keeps the connection strong and healthy. Yet, there are times when one partner may be left feeling unheard or misunderstood because the other avoids having a necessary conversation or doesn’t grasp the depth of an issue. But, when something significant remains unresolved, it can have profound effects…
Silent treatment, also known as stonewalling, is a common behaviour in relationships where one partner withdraws from communication, refusing to engage or acknowledge the other. This can leave the affected partner feeling isolated, ignored, and powerless. To truly understand the dynamics of silent treatment, we must explore its relationship with influence and power in the…