Julie Hines

Breaking Free from Toxic Relationships: Recognizing the Signs of Control Toxic relationships often leave us feeling emotionally drained, isolated, and unsure of ourselves. One of the most difficult aspects of these relationships is recognizing when control is being subtly (or overtly) exerted over our lives. Sometimes, the controlling behaviors are disguised as preferences or small compromises, but over time, they can become oppressive and damaging to your mental and emotional well-being. One clear sign of control is when your partner dictates what you can or cannot do, particularly in your own home. For example, imagine waking up each morning to be told that you can't do anything because it disturbs your partner. Whether it's something as simple as getting up early to start your day, exercising, or preparing breakfast, this type of restriction is designed to suppress your autonomy. Over time, you may feel as though you're walking on eggshells, living your life on their ter...

Unbecoming to Become:  A Journey to Authentic Self In a world that constantly tells us who we should be and how we should act, the journey to our true selves often feels more like an unending quest to add layers, accomplishments, and labels to our identity. We are encouraged to become something—someone who fits the mold, meets expectations, and aligns with societal standards. But what if the journey isn't about becoming anything at all? What if it's about unbecoming everything that isn't truly us, so we can finally embrace who we were meant to be in the first place? The Illusion of Becoming From a young age, we are taught to strive for something greater, to climb the ladder of success, and to become someone of worth. This pursuit is often driven by external influences—family expectations, cultural norms, societal pressures. We start to layer these influences onto our core selves, creating an identity that aligns more with what others want from us rather than what we truly d...