Lianne Perry, MA, MSc., RCC The way you see yourself is not always the full story. When you start talking about your inner critic, I am not just listening to the words. I am listening to the tone. The speed. The tightness in your jaw. The way your shoulders subtly rise. Sometimes the critic sounds loud and harsh. Sometimes it sounds calm and reasonable. Sometimes it sounds exactly like you believe it. But here is what I am quietly paying attention to. 1. How Old You Sound Thi

Lianne Perry, MA, MSc., RCC Sometimes shutting down is not about avoidance. It is your nervous system trying to protect you. Have you ever been in the middle of a conversation and suddenly felt like…you disappeared? Your partner is talking. The tone shifts. Something feels tense. And then it happens. Your chest tightens.Your mind goes blank. You cannot find your words. You just want it to stop. Later, you might think,“Why couldn’t I just say what I meant?”“Why do I always shu

Lianne Perry, MA, MSc., RCC Late winter on the water. Calm on the surface, slower underneath. Not every season moves ahead at full speed. There is a particular kind of tired that shows up at the end of winter. It is not dramatic. It is not crisis level. It is just heavier. You are functioning. You are working. You are replying to messages. You are doing what needs to be done. But everything feels like it costs more. More effort. More patience. More emotional bandwidth. If you