Not all kindness is created equal. In this blog, we unpack the “Nice Guy” trope—where seemingly respectful behavior masks hidden expectations, entitlement, and resentment. Using dynamics from popular media such as Love Is Blind and beyond, we explore how this pattern shows up in modern dating and why it’s not actually about being nice at all. If you’ve ever been confused by mixed messages, friend-zone frustration, or the emotional undercurrent behind “being a good guy,” this one’s for you.

In the hustle of modern life, physical intimacy can quietly fade into the background of relationships. Whether it's due to stress, mismatched desire, performance anxiety, or simply falling into a routine, many couples find themselves feeling disconnected—not just sexually, but emotionally. That’s where Sensate Focus comes in: a gentle, structured way to rebuild intimacy from the ground up.

It can be difficult to distinguish the subtle nuances in common terminology, especially when certain words are frequently used interchangeably. Sometimes, those nuances don’t matter much. But in this case, they do—understanding the distinction between being sexualized and being sexual is critical in developing a healthy relationship with our sexuality, bodies, and sense of self.

The colder weather is finally here and fall scents are wafting through the air. That could only mean one thing…cuffing season is here! It seems like this once funny term has snowballed into another holiday this season that can bring up pressure, anxiety, or other heightened emotions, in the hopes that we “do it right”. Where do you stand this current cuffing season? If you are feeling a similar urge to find a connection in time, then this blog may help ease the pressure while you’re on the hunt.

What even is intimacy and how do we know if we’re doing it right? With all its amazing benefits and the natural human desire to want this form of connection, you would think we would have figured it out by now right? Read a blog written by our relationship therapist, Zoe Stallings on why we might be struggling to develop intimacy in our relationships and some great tips for moving forward!

The "Four Horsemen” is a metaphor used by Dr. John and Julie Gottman (relationship therapists/ experts) to describe four communication styles that can be particularly damaging to relationships. When we look at why the Gottman’s chose to name these communication styles, it brings us back to biblical times. The four horsemen of the apocalypse originated through the New Testament in which the bible refers to four components of final destruction of the world through Conquest, War, Famine, and Death. Now, while this isn’t a biblical piece- I think the value and the weight of naming these components this way shows how truly damaging the Gottman’s perceive these communication styles. While they are not the signs of destruction of the world or existence, they are signs of the potential destruction of a romantic relationship (which to many people is a very important piece of their world). Now, what are the four horsemen, how did we get there, and how can we find a new course of direction?

I had been managing a diagnosis of endometriosis for almost 20 years and was exploring a hysterectomy for suspected adenomyosis. Endometriosis occurs when endometrial-like tissue is found outside of the uterus. Adenomyosis occurs when endometrial tissue is found within the uterine wall. Endometriosis is chronic and does not have a definitive cure, adenomyosis can be cured with a hysterectomy.

I have such a vivid memory of waking up after the surgery and feeling the void in my abdomen where my uterus once lived. I could almost picture the emptiness. It was as if a physical (and mental) weight had immediately been lifted. In that moment, I felt relieved. Which then transitioned to grief. And back to relief. And then pity. And then an overwhelming sense of “oh shit, what did I do?” And to be completely honest, all of those emotions are still present today. Some more so than others, but the process has never been, nor will ever be, linear. There is no emotional state to be achieved and attained. They are simply to be acknowledged and recognized, validated and understood. They ebb, they flow, and they exist on the spectrum together. And you better believe I still routinely fear that I have bled through my pants in public because some teenage horror stories never die.

Masturbation is often seen as such a tongue-in-cheek topic, but why? Even though it is a natural part of the human experience, it is seen as only acceptable to think about in the darkness of our bedrooms. The experience can look different for everyone, but the benefits are universally abundant! There is much more to masturbation than what we are socialized to accept. Whether it is a regular part of your living routine or saved for special occasions- how comfortable are you with exploring your self-pleasure journey?