From This Side of the Couch…
A collection of writings from a therapist / mom / veteran / human
It’s Not About the Dishes: How Small Moments Erode Relationships Over Time
It’s rarely about what happened. It’s about what it starts to mean- and what those meanings quietly build over time.
The Mental Load in Relationships: Why “I’ll Just Do It Myself” Happens
She’s not just doing more. She’s thinking more. Planning more. Holding more.
This is what the mental load actually looks like in relationships — and why “I’ll just do it myself” isn’t a personality trait, it’s a pattern.
The Myth of the “Low-Maintenance” Partner
Many people pride themselves on being the “low-maintenance” partner in relationships — easygoing, agreeable, and not asking for much. But over time, constantly minimizing your own needs can quietly lead to resentment and disconnection. This article explores how the idea of being low-maintenance develops, why it often backfires, and what healthier relational honesty actually looks like.
The Work of Understanding Our Past Selves
Growth doesn’t erase who we used to be. Sometimes the real work is learning to understand our past selves with curiosity instead of shame.
Rethinking Relationships: Monogamy, Polyamory, and the Stories We Tell About Love
Modern culture often assumes there’s one “correct” way to do relationships. This article explores monogamy, polyamory, and the cultural stories that shape how we think about love.