Sage Hill Counseling Blog

When most people hear the word “addiction,” they picture the extremes—the person who’s lost everything to alcohol, the gambler who can’t stop, the friend whose life unraveled because of drugs. But addiction doesn’t always look like rock bottom.

You wake up early, hit the gym, grab a coffee, and dive into work. You power through meetings, answer emails, and push yourself to stay ahead. After work, maybe you grab drinks with friends, scroll your phone, or binge a show before crashing into bed—only to do it all over again tomorrow.

Do you remember the days when you hung out with friends and lost track of time doing something you loved? Maybe you were playing a sport, engaging in a creative game, exploring your neighborhood, or just wandering around the mall with no agenda.

As the holiday season gets closer, it's easy to get swept up in the hustle and bustle, often leading to increased stress and overwhelming feelings. Amidst the chaos, incorporating mindfulness practices into your daily routine can be a powerful tool for promoting well-being, reducing stress, and fostering present moment awareness.

The holiday season often brings families and friends together, providing opportunities for meaningful conversations, but it can also lead to discussions about sensitive topics. By incorporating healthy communication strategies and active listening techniques, you can navigate disagreements and promote understanding during your gatherings.

Parenting can often feel like a roller coaster of emotions - joy, love, frustration, and anger. But as parents, when we understand our own emotions, we can better guide our children through theirs. 

Following your passion is like following a great river. Sometimes it’s wide, inviting, and calm. Other times it’s narrow, wild, and thrilling. And occasionally there are inevitable moments where we find ourselves approaching the precipice of a great falls. In these moments, we understandably become afraid, unsure, and doubtful.

The more we intentionally anchor our life in and cultivate these three areas, the more meaningful, fulfilling, and verdant it will be. It’s in the realm of this trinity that life’s potency is derived. (It’s worth considering if anything meaningful exists outside of these.)

Have you ever heard someone talk about "listening to their body" and wondered what it means? Listening to our bodies is a transformative practice that leads to healing, personal growth, and self-discovery.

Therapeutic journaling is all about jotting down what’s on your mind and heart, especially when it comes to personal experiences. It’s different from just keeping a diary about your daily happenings.