Dear Transplanted But Not Taking Root, Oh honey, you're describing what psychologists call "relocation depression," and it's as real as the Spanish moss hanging from those Southern trees. After a year, feeling lonely and missing your roots isn't a character flaw—it's your heart doing precisely what hearts do when transplanted to new soil. Here's what the research tells us: relocation depression affects your sleep, appetite, concentration, and ability to connect with others, a

Dear Hidden Chapter, First, let me say how brave and hopeful it is that you and your boyfriend are ready to share your happiness with the world, even as his family is still navigating the waves of grief. Introducing a new relationship into a family mourning a significant loss is like introducing a new species into a delicate ecosystem. Success depends on patience, gentleness, and attentive observation. Remember, patience is not just a virtue; it's a necessity in this delicat

Dear Next Chapter, Is feeling jealous of a late spouse normal? Sometimes, I think I'm competing with a ghost! ~ Haunted by Comparison. Dear Haunted by Comparison: Absolutely normal! You're not alone. People in new relationships with widowers or widows feel like they're auditioning for a role that's already been cast. It's easy to wonder if you're competing with a memory, especially since the late spouse often gets remembered as a saint ...

By Deborah Holmen, M.Ed., NBCT, Published in The Good Men Project, and Change Becomes You Photo by Aaron Burden  on Unsplash I, Mother...

Guiding loved ones who may be stuck in their grief. By Deborah Holmen, M.Ed, NBCT Photo by Sandy Millar Grief can be a complicated and...