By: Laura Soukkavong For seven years, I lived with something I never thought would become my life: Domestic Violence. We met in 2007. What began as a relationship eventually became seven years of verbal, mental, and physical abuse. Alcohol was a constant part of our lives. He drank every day, often two or three 40-ounce … Continue reading Breaking my Silence: My Seven Years of Fear & Survival

Stress affects everyone differently. Some people become anxious and restless. Some become irritable or emotionally reactive. Others throw themselves deeper into work and responsibilities to avoid thinking about how overwhelmed they actually feel. But for many people, stress creates a different response entirely: They shut down. Messages go unanswered.Motivation disappears.Small tasks start feeling impossible.People withdraw … Continue reading Real Life Talk: How to Handle Stress Without Shutting Down

Most people grow up believing life will follow a relatively clear path. Work hard in school.Set goals.Make responsible decisions.Build a career.Create stability.Follow the plan. And while planning, discipline, and hard work absolutely matter, one of the biggest realities adulthood eventually teaches people is this: Life rarely unfolds exactly the way anyone expects it to. No … Continue reading Real Life Talk: Why Life Rarely Goes According to Plan