Growing With Peculiar

   Is Christmas Celebration Already Exhausting You? Everyone says Christmas is supposed to be joyful. But what if, instead of excitement, you’re already feeling tired, overwhelmed, or emotionally drained ? If you’re counting down the days until it’s over rather than enjoying it, you’re not ungrateful, you’re human. Why Does Christmas Feel More Draining Than Joyful for Some People? Christmas comes with unspoken pressure : To be happy To show up everywhere To give, spend, attend, host, and smile For many people, the season becomes less about rest and more about performance . Emotional exhaustion often builds when expectations are higher than capacity. Are You Feeling the Pressure to Be “Okay” During the Holidays? One of the hardest parts of Christmas is the belief that: “Everyone else is happy, so I should be too.” This mindset silences real emotions, grief, loneliness, financial stress, relationship tension, or burnout. When feelings are suppressed, exhaust...

  Why do you overthink so much in relationships? Overthinking in relationships often comes from a deep desire to feel safe, loved, and emotionally secure . When feelings are involved, your mind naturally tries to protect you from getting hurt. You may find yourself replaying conversations, overanalyzing text messages , or assuming that silence means something is wrong. This doesn’t mean you are too much. It means relationships activate emotional memories, fears, and attachment patterns that live deep within you. Is overthinking a sign of love or fear? Many people believe overthinking means they care deeply. In reality, overthinking is usually driven by fear, not love. Love allows space and trust. Fear looks for constant reassurance. When fear takes over, your mind starts asking painful questions like: What if I said the wrong thing? What if they are losing interest? What if I am not enough? Instead of clarity, these thoughts create anxiety and emotional tension. How doe...

  How Can We Communicate Better in Our Relationships? Season’s Greetings as We Near the End of the Year, As the year draws to a close, this season invites us to slow down and reflect, not only on our achievements, but on our relationships. Many couples and partners discover that the real damage didn’t come from arguments, but from the long stretches of silence that followed them. Communication, or the lack of it, often becomes the silent breaker of relationships and marriages. Healthy communication is not about speaking more, it’s about speaking with clarity, honesty, and care . Whether it’s a romantic relationship, marriage, friendship, family bond, or even workplace connection, communication improves when we first become aware of how we communicate, not just what we say. Here are gentle but effective ways to communicate better in any relationship: Start by speaking from your feelings , not accusations. Instead of saying, “You never listen,” try, “I feel unheard when thi...

What Are Assumptions in Relationships?   Season’s greetings as we approach the end of the year. This reflective season often brings clarity, and exposes the quiet habits, like assumptions , that slowly affect our relationships . Assumptions are conclusions we reach without confirmation. They sound like: “They should already know how I feel.” “If they cared, they wouldn’t do that.” “I know exactly what they meant.” “Their silence says everything.” Assumptions feel protective. They save us from asking difficult questions or risking vulnerability. But over time, they replace communication and relationships begin to suffer quietly. Why Do We Assume Instead of Asking Questions? Because assuming feels safer than being exposed. Many people assume because they fear: Rejection Conflict Looking needy Being misunderstood So instead of asking, we interpret. Instead of clarifying, we conclude. Instead of expressing needs, we expect mind-reading . Assumptions...

Why Does Love Feel More Complicated When You’re Healing?   Season’s Greetings, buddies, As we approach the end of the year, may you find warmth, clarity, and gentle love, within yourself and around you. You deserve relationships that feel safe, steady, and kind. Healing changes you. It opens your eyes, softens your heart, and teaches you what you once tolerated out of survival. So when love begins to feel harder, it’s not because something is wrong with you, it’s because you are no longer willing to abandon yourself to keep a connection. Growth can feel lonely before it feels peaceful. Why Do Old Relationship Patterns Start to Feel Uncomfortable? What once felt exciting may now feel draining. What once felt familiar may now feel unsafe. This discomfort is not regression, it’s awareness. Healing pulls you out of patterns that were built on fear, silence, and emotional hunger . You are not difficult. You are becoming aligned. Is It Normal to Want Love but Also Protect Your ...

Why Do Emotionally Unavailable People Feel So Familiar?  Sometimes we are drawn to what feels familiar, not what feels healthy. If you grew up being the strong one, or the one holding everything together, emotionally unavailable partners can feel like “home” because they recreate old emotional patterns, even if those patterns hurt you. You don’t choose them because you want pain. You choose them because your heart recognizes the role it has always played: the giver, the rescuer, the patient one, the one who understands. Healing begins when you allow yourself to step out of roles you never asked for. Is It Because You’re Always the “Safe Place”? People who struggle with emotional availability are often attracted to warm, stable, emotionally grounded people. You become their safe space… even while they struggle to be yours. If you’ve always been the nurturing one, the listener, the healer, the one who forgives too quickly, you might unconsciously attract those who take comfo...

  How Can You Make a Real Difference for Victims of Domestic Violence During the 16 Days of Activism? Domestic violence (DV) is a global issue that affects millions every year, yet it often remains hidden behind closed doors. According to the World Health Organization , 1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, most of which occurs at the hands of an intimate partner. The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence , observed from November 25 to December 10 , is a period dedicated to raising awareness, advocating for prevention, and providing support for victims and survivors. As we approach the end of this campaign, it is important to reflect on how we can actively contribute to change .  Recognize the Signs of Domestic Violence Domestic violence isn’t always visible. It can be: Physical : hitting, slapping, or restraining Emotional or psychological : insults, humiliation, constant criticism, or manipulation Fina...

 Why Is the 16 Days of Activism So Important Right Now? Season’s Greetings: Wishing you warmth, safety, and emotional renewal this Christmas season. As we honor the 16 Days of Activism Against Domestic Violence , we remain committed to speaking up and supporting victims and survivors, especially as the global campaign wraps up tomorrow, December 10th. Every year, from November 25th to December 10th , the world marks the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence ,  a global movement amplifying voices, raising awareness, and demanding change. But beyond the hashtags and campaigns, the truth remains: Domestic violence happens quietly. It happens to people who look strong. It happens behind smiles. It happens behind closed doors. This campaign matters because it forces the world to pause and say: “No one deserves fear in the place they should feel safest.” What Makes Domestic Violence So Silently Harmful? Domestic violence is not always physical. Sometimes it sh...