The decorations come down. The guests go home. And suddenly, you're sitting across from your partner wondering: when did we become strangers? Research shows 43% of breakups happen in December and January. But the holidays didn't cause the problem—they just made it impossible to ignore. What you're feeling isn't failure. It's clarity trying to break through. Whether you stay and rebuild or leave and start over, the bravest thing you can do is tell the truth—first to yourself,

Dating today can feel like a maze of mixed signals and emotional games. From negging and breadcrumbing to lovebombing and gaslighting, emotional manipulation can leave you questioning your worth and reality. In this post, therapist Odile McKenzie, LCSW, breaks down each behavior, shares real examples, and helps you learn how to spot these red flags early—so you can protect your peace and date from a place of self-worth.

Dating with avoidant attachment can feel like a constant tug-of-war—wanting love, but fearing you’ll lose yourself or get hurt in the process. For women, especially Black women, the pressure to be emotionally available adds another layer. This blog explores how fear of intimacy, lack of trust, and self-protection show up in dating—and offers guidance for healing, setting boundaries, and building safe, secure relationships.