Wellness & Courage

08/30/2026

Here are a few signs of codependency you might want to explore:

✨ You feel guilty when you prioritize yourself.
✨ You struggle to say no or set boundaries.
✨ You often take on the role of fixer, rescuer, or caretaker.
✨ Someone else's mood strongly determines your own.
✨ You feel responsible for keeping the peace.
✨ You lose sight of your own needs in relationships.

Healing from codependent patterns doesn’t mean you have to be selfish, distant, or stop caring.

It can mean learning how to love someone without losing yourself in the process.

You can be supportive without always needing to rescue others.
You can care about others without feeling like you have to carry all their problems.
You can set boundaries and still be a loving person.

💛 Take a moment to reflect: Are there places in your life where you’re taking on responsibility that isn’t really yours?

08/28/2026

August is often a time of change. As summer routines fade, school and work schedules shift, and many of us start to settle into something new. Even good changes can be tiring, so it’s normal if it takes a while to feel comfortable. This month, try to give yourself space to adjust instead of expecting to have it all together right away. Take things at your own pace, pay attention to what this season brings, and remember that we often grow by moving through change with flexibility, curiosity, and kindness.

https://www.wellnessandcourage.com/blog/august2026newsletter

Photo courtesy of Wesley Hitt Photography

This month, try to give yourself space to adjust instead of expecting to have it all together right away. Take things at your own pace, pay attention to what this season brings, and remember that we often grow by moving through change with flexibility, curiosity, and kindness.

08/28/2026

Many people think codependency just means caring too much or being very close to someone, but it's more than that.

The real issue isn't caring for others.

Codependency happens when we start to feel too responsible for someone else's emotions, choices, needs, or well-being. Sometimes, this means we ignore our own needs.

You might notice thoughts like these:

💭 “If they're upset, I need to fix it.”

💭 “I can't say no because I don't want to disappoint them.”

💭 “I know what they need better than I know what I need.”

💭 “If I could just do more, maybe everything would be okay.”

💭 “Their happiness feels like my responsibility.”

Over time, codependent habits can make it hard to notice our own needs, set boundaries, handle someone else's disappointment, or tell the difference between helping someone and taking on their problems.

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08/26/2026

Remembering wisdom from Dolly Parton today:

“I make a point to appreciate all of the little things in my life. I go out and smell the air after a good, hard rain. These small actions help remind me that there are so many great glorious pieces of good in the world.”

Maybe today we can take a moment to do the same.

Let’s pause for the things we usually rush past. Notice the fresh air, the warmth of the sun, a familiar song, a good cup of coffee, or a conversation with someone we love. These small moments remind us there is still beauty, connection, and goodness around us. 🦋

08/25/2026

August often feels like a time of change.

Summer routines change, school starts, and schedules get busier. Before we realize it, we find ourselves settling into a new routine.

If you want to take a moment to pause and reflect, try one of these prompts:

✍️ What has this season been teaching me about myself?

✍️ What am I beginning to outgrow?

✍️ What has been taking more energy from me than I realized?

✍️ When do I feel most like myself?

✍️ What do I need more of as my routines begin to shift?

✍️ What am I ready to be more honest with myself about?

✍️ If I trusted myself a little more, what might I do differently?

You don’t need to answer every question.

Pick the prompt that makes you stop and think, the one that feels interesting, or even the one you feel like skipping.

🌿 Self-reflection isn’t about looking for something to fix. It’s about giving yourself space to listen, notice, and learn.

📸 Wesley Hitt

08/23/2026

With the new school year, here are some ways we can help the teachers in our communities:

✨ Assume positive intent. Teachers are often balancing far more behind the scenes than we realize.

✨ Show appreciation. Sending a kind email, writing a note, or just saying “thank you” can mean a lot.

✨ Be curious when you communicate. If you have concerns, try to talk things through as partners instead of assuming someone made a mistake.

✨ Remember they have emotional capacity, too. Teachers aren't expected to be endlessly patient, energetic, and available every moment of every day.

✨ Support their boundaries. Respecting communication hours and personal time helps teachers have space to rest and recharge.

✨ Remember teachers are people, too. They deserve care, understanding, and support just like anyone else.

When teachers feel supported, it makes a real difference in the classroom. But teachers deserve support not just for what they do, but because they matter, too.

💛 To all the teachers in our community: thank you for your care, energy, patience, and heart. We appreciate you.

08/22/2026

Meet Farmington Clinician Makenna Crawford, LPC! ✨

Makenna offers a caring and supportive environment for adolescents and adults dealing with anxiety, depression, grief and loss, caregiver stress, life changes, self-esteem issues, and the everyday struggles that can sometimes feel overwhelming.

She takes a collaborative, person-centered approach, working with clients to find their strengths, build useful coping skills, grow self-awareness, and move toward the life they want.

Makenna uses ACT, CBT, and DBT, and adapts therapy to fit each client’s needs and goals. She cares deeply about helping clients face life’s challenges with more confidence, self-compassion, and flexibility.

We’re thankful to have her warmth, knowledge, and care on our Farmington team.

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08/21/2026

The first day of school gets a lot of attention, but the transition continues long after that first day.

Now that we’re a couple of weeks into the school year, your child might be settling in, or they could still be getting used to early mornings, new routines, homework, social changes, and the effort it takes to stay focused all day.

Parents are also going through their own adjustment.

Here are a few things to keep in mind during this time:

✨ It's okay if your routine isn't perfect yet.
It takes time for everyone to find their rhythm.

✨ Big feelings after school don't necessarily mean something is wrong.
Children often hold it together during the day and release their emotions when they return to a place that feels safe.

✨ Connecting with your child can be more important than having the perfect answer.
Sometimes just offering a snack, sharing a quiet car ride, spending a few minutes together, or saying “I'm glad you're home” is all it takes.

✨ Your child doesn't need to love every part of school to be doing well.
Adjusting can bring excitement, nervousness, frustration, and tiredness, sometimes all at once.

✨ Remember, it's okay for you to be adjusting too.
Managing the logistics, schedules, expectations, and emotions of a new school year can feel overwhelming

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08/19/2026

When it gets hotter, our bodies work harder to keep us cool. Heat can lead to feeling tired, irritable, having trouble sleeping, getting dehydrated, and feeling uncomfortable. All of this can make it tougher to manage our emotions.

You might notice that you are:

✨ More easily irritated or overwhelmed
✨ Having a harder time concentrating
✨ Feeling more tired or unmotivated
✨ More sensitive to stress
✨ Struggling to sleep well
✨ Finding that your usual coping strategies feel harder to access

Caring for your mental health also means noticing your surroundings and listening to what your body needs.

This summer, remember that resting is not lazy, and taking it slow in the heat is a way to care for yourself. 

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08/18/2026

Growth isn’t just about having fewer tough days. Sometimes, it means you handle those tough days in a new way.

Here are three ways you might be making more progress than you think:

✨ 1. You notice your patterns sooner.
You notice when you start to feel overwhelmed, try to please others, shut down, overthink, or fall back into old habits. Being aware gives you a chance to make a different choice.

✨ 2. You recover differently.
You still have tough moments and get upset. But maybe you don’t stay stuck as long, you know what helps you feel better, or you can be kind to yourself instead of being critical.

✨ 3. You're becoming more honest with yourself.
You’re getting better at seeing what you need, what isn’t working, where your boundaries are, and what you really want, even when it’s not easy to admit.

What’s one way you’ve seen yourself grow lately?

Wesley Hitt