Micaela Magazzu-Alaman, LMFT

Holding the Weight of Awareness

paper labeled ‘politics’ pinned to a globe

On Systems, Overwhelm, & Resisting Resignation

Every day brings a new global crisis: climate change, political unrest, economic strain, and production outpacing basic needs. For many, this is exhausting, leaving us stuck in a loop of “What’s the point?” or “None of this matters.”

Over time, overwhelm can begin to turn into disconnection, or rather a form of quiet defeat, where people find themselves settling into the belief that they have no choice or influence over what happens in their communities, their country, or the world around them. It is worth considering whether this is simply a matter of individual preference and capacity. Or could this also be part of a larger systemic phenomenon? Many of us are experiencing an intense collective crisis, and people are strained by daily life and the effects it has on our mental well-being. It’s understandable that most of us are seeking relief.

In Heavy Times, We Reach for Whimsy

person running through a green field in the rain, expressing movement and freedom

Something is Shifting

There has been a lot of language around creating a whimsical life and “embracing the whimsy”, specifically online, signaling toward a shift we are experiencing in heavy times. Times of collapse and despair are on many of our hearts and minds. Leaning into the whimsy and romanticizing our lives may seem like a trend, but this could suggest something much deeper on a cultural and individual level. Why are we now seeing this emergence to be more whimsical?

Returning to the Trees

Before I Had Words

The sound of jumprope hitting against the asphalt along with children’s laughter. The students playing soccer, others seeing how high they could swing on the swing set. There she was, in the middle of it all: the old playground tree with her deeply furrowed bark, almost as if she were watching over us all. I found myself under this tree every day during recess in kindergarten. Not a day went by that I didn’t sit with her…

Nature’s Lessons: Slowing Down in January

The Tension of January

The holiday season comes to a close, and the familiar “New Year, New Me” pressures begin to flood in. Maybe it was the cozy New Year’s Eve festivities, the comfort and indulgence, or the disruption of holiday travel and routine, but once January first arrives, we’re told a clean slate is ahead of us and that we should make the most of it.

While the desire to grow and improve can be genuine, New Year’s resolutions often bring a sense of heaviness, shame, or pressure that feels forced. The world tells us it’s time to work harder, reset, get back to the gym, and map out quarterly goals.

But on a deeper level, many of us feel tired, overwhelmed, or craving even more rest after the intensity of the holiday season. The world demands acceleration at the exact moment nature is asking us to slow down. Winter is asking us to turn inward and move more gently, meaning it’s often not the ideal season for starting brand-new habits.

What if you didn’t fail last year’s resolutions at all?
What if your body, mind, and nervous system were doing exactly what they needed to survive a year shaped by exhaustion, instability, and collapse?