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Welcome to Brain vs Me

Welcome to Brain vs Me

Welcome to Brain vs Me

Joshua Ericson

Mar 161 min read

A person stands in a bright store aisle, staring at a protein bar with a dazed, slightly overwhelmed expression. The moment captures the unexpected emotional flood that can come with healing and self-awareness.

A person stands in a bright store aisle, staring at a protein bar with a dazed, slightly overwhelmed expression. The moment captures the unexpected emotional flood that can come with healing and self-awareness.

I thought therapy would fix me. It just made me feel everything.

Therapy & Mental Health

Joshua Ericson

May 292 min read

A person stands confidently with a relaxed but firm expression, arms gently crossed. Their posture communicates self-assurance and clarity, reflecting the strength of saying “no” without over-explaining.

A person stands confidently with a relaxed but firm expression, arms gently crossed. Their posture communicates self-assurance and clarity, reflecting the strength of saying “no” without over-explaining.

No is a complete sentence. And also, not an apology

Emotional Labor & Boundaries

Joshua Ericson

May 262 min read

A person sits at a table during a conversation, smiling faintly but with a distant, tired expression—hands gently folded in front of them. The mood is subdued, reflecting the quiet emotional cost of unspoken boundaries.

A person sits at a table during a conversation, smiling faintly but with a distant, tired expression—hands gently folded in front of them. The mood is subdued, reflecting the quiet emotional cost of unspoken boundaries.

The tiny ways we betray ourselves to keep the peace

Emotional Labor & Boundaries

Joshua Ericson

May 222 min read

A person stands still with eyes closed and a calm expression, taking a deep breath while the world around them blurs in motion. The scene symbolizes finding emotional regulation and grounding amidst chaos.

A person stands still with eyes closed and a calm expression, taking a deep breath while the world around them blurs in motion. The scene symbolizes finding emotional regulation and grounding amidst chaos.

Emotional regulation isn't suppression. It's trust.

Therapy & Mental Health

Joshua Ericson

May 191 min read

An overworked person sits at a cluttered desk, visibly tired and mid-thought, surrounded by empty coffee cups, unread messages, and a forgotten snack. The image reflects the overlooked role of basic needs in emotional regulation.

An overworked person sits at a cluttered desk, visibly tired and mid-thought, surrounded by empty coffee cups, unread messages, and a forgotten snack. The image reflects the overlooked role of basic needs in emotional regulation.

Am I angry or just hungry? A case study in emotional regulation

Joshua Ericson

May 162 min read

A person gazes into a mirror, but their reflection appears smaller or faded, symbolizing distorted self-perception shaped by shame. A soft, warm light begins to enter the room, suggesting a turn toward self-compassion and healing.

A person gazes into a mirror, but their reflection appears smaller or faded, symbolizing distorted self-perception shaped by shame. A soft, warm light begins to enter the room, suggesting a turn toward self-compassion and healing.

Shame isn't a signal you're bad. It's a signal you're human.

Emotional Healing

Joshua Ericson

May 152 min read

A person sits alone in a dimly lit room, surrounded by swirling shadows shaped like critical thoughts. A soft light begins to break through a window, hinting at clarity and hope. The scene represents the quiet weight of shame and the beginning of self-awareness.

A person sits alone in a dimly lit room, surrounded by swirling shadows shaped like critical thoughts. A soft light begins to break through a window, hinting at clarity and hope. The scene represents the quiet weight of shame and the beginning of self-awareness.

I thought I was broken. Turns out, I just had shame.

Therapy & Mental Health

Joshua Ericson

May 122 min read

A person stands calmly in front of a partially crumbled stone wall, with warm sunlight streaming through the broken sections. Behind the wall, a peaceful landscape stretches out, symbolizing healing and personal growth.

A person stands calmly in front of a partially crumbled stone wall, with warm sunlight streaming through the broken sections. Behind the wall, a peaceful landscape stretches out, symbolizing healing and personal growth.

Therapy isn't magic, but it did wreck my favorite coping strategy.

Therapy & Mental Health

Joshua Ericson

May 82 min read

A person sits alone in a shadowy room, half their face hidden in darkness, symbolizing emotional avoidance and guarded vulnerability.

A person sits alone in a shadowy room, half their face hidden in darkness, symbolizing emotional avoidance and guarded vulnerability.

Yes, I Talked Around the Real Issue for 6 Weeks

Therapy & Mental Health

Joshua Ericson

May 52 min read

An anxious client sits on a therapy couch with hands clasped tightly, looking down, while the therapist listens calmly across from them.

An anxious client sits on a therapy couch with hands clasped tightly, looking down, while the therapist listens calmly across from them.

Am I Too Much in Therapy?

Therapy & Mental Health

Joshua Ericson

Apr 302 min read

That Text Was Totally About Me… Right?

That Text Was Totally About Me… Right?

That Text Was Totally About Me… Right?

Therapy & Mental Health

Joshua Ericson

Apr 292 min read

Parenting Through the Awkward Stuff

Parenting Through the Awkward Stuff

Parenting Through the Awkward Stuff

Parenting & Family

Joshua Ericson

Apr 282 min read

A person sits alone at a quiet bus stop at night under a glowing streetlight, head down, wrapped in a coat—capturing the quiet heaviness of burnout and the need for rest.

A person sits alone at a quiet bus stop at night under a glowing streetlight, head down, wrapped in a coat—capturing the quiet heaviness of burnout and the need for rest.

Take the Break Before the Break Takes You

Joshua Ericson

Apr 273 min read

Build the Dream Without Breaking Your Family

Build the Dream Without Breaking Your Family

Build the Dream Without Breaking Your Family

Joshua Ericson

Apr 263 min read

A person sits quietly in a dimly lit room, soft light from a nearby window illuminating their face. A mask rests in their lap, symbolizing the emotional weight of hiding their true self and the vulnerability of beginning to open up.

A person sits quietly in a dimly lit room, soft light from a nearby window illuminating their face. A mask rests in their lap, symbolizing the emotional weight of hiding their true self and the vulnerability of beginning to open up.

Silence Isn’t Strength If It’s Hiding Who You Are

Therapy & Mental Health

Joshua Ericson

Apr 253 min read

The Hustle Doesn’t Care If You Burn Out

The Hustle Doesn’t Care If You Burn Out

The Hustle Doesn’t Care If You Burn Out

Joshua Ericson

Apr 243 min read

A person sits on the edge of their bed at night, staring into the distance while their laptop sits open nearby—capturing the quiet weight of burnout and the pressure to keep functioning.

A person sits on the edge of their bed at night, staring into the distance while their laptop sits open nearby—capturing the quiet weight of burnout and the pressure to keep functioning.

The Lie of “I’m Fine”

Joshua Ericson

Apr 232 min read

I Need a Break (But I’m Scared I’ll Disappear)

I Need a Break (But I’m Scared I’ll Disappear)

I Need a Break (But I’m Scared I’ll Disappear)

Emotional Resilience

Joshua Ericson

Apr 221 min read

A person sits in a therapy session, looking emotional and vulnerable, while their therapist offers quiet support from across the room.

A person sits in a therapy session, looking emotional and vulnerable, while their therapist offers quiet support from across the room.

I Didn’t Mean to Trauma-Bond with My Therapist

Therapy & Mental Health

Joshua Ericson

Apr 212 min read

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