Musings From A Therapist

Letting Go of the “Shoulds”: The Permission Moms Give Themselves to Say No
MacKenzie Bradke, LCSW MacKenzie Bradke, LCSW

Letting Go of the “Shoulds”: The Permission Moms Give Themselves to Say No

As moms, we carry the weight of an endless to-do list. From the laundry pile that never seems to shrink to the emails flagged for "later" that haunt us, there’s a nagging pressure to keep pushing through, to handle it all, and to do it perfectly. But what happens when our energy runs dry? When the mental and emotional load feels insurmountable, yet our inner dialogue whispers, "You should just power through"?

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The Power of A Girl’s Weekend Getaway
MacKenzie Bradke, LCSW MacKenzie Bradke, LCSW

The Power of A Girl’s Weekend Getaway

I cannot begin to tell you how wonderful it was to be away Sun-Tues this week. If anything good came from Covid, it was the start of Girl’s Weekend.

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Having Courageous Conversations About Your Self-Care Needs: A Guide For Stressed Moms
MacKenzie Bradke, LCSW MacKenzie Bradke, LCSW

Having Courageous Conversations About Your Self-Care Needs: A Guide For Stressed Moms

Asking for support is never easy, especially when you're asking your partner for something you know will add stress to their life. You care about your partner deeply, and as a wife and mother, your instinct is to be the pillar of strength, not to add more weight to their load. The challenge of expressing your own needs becomes an intimidating task; an unexplored territory in your daily role of providing support and care to others.

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(Re)Defining Self-Care in a World of Buzzwords
MacKenzie Bradke, LCSW MacKenzie Bradke, LCSW

(Re)Defining Self-Care in a World of Buzzwords

Let's be real - self-care has become a buzzword, a trend, and often, an overused cliche. You can't scroll through social media, browse a lifestyle magazine, or have a casual conversation without encountering the term self-care. But beneath the glittering facade of scented candles, bubble baths, and social media hashtags, lies a deeper, more authentic conversation about what self-care truly means.

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Laughing Through the Tears: The Similarities Between Motherhood and Depression
MacKenzie Bradke, LCSW MacKenzie Bradke, LCSW

Laughing Through the Tears: The Similarities Between Motherhood and Depression

At first glance, motherhood and depression might seem worlds apart. However, when you look closely, you'll find that both experiences share some commonalities. For instance, both can be incredibly isolating. As a new mother, it's easy to feel like you're alone in your struggles, just as a person battling depression often feels misunderstood and alone.

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