Category: Mental Health
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Toxic Masculinity And Its Consequences In Fiction
(Photo by Afta Putta Gunawan) Unpacking Toxic Masculinity in How to Understand Him: How It Shapes Characters and Relationships Toxic masculinity—a set of cultural expectations that pressures men to conform to rigid notions of dominance, emotional suppression, and traditional gender roles—is a central theme in How to Understand Him. In this post, we’ll be exploring…
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5 Powerful Books on Mental Health That Saved My Life and Transformed My Writing
As a writer and a counsellor, I’m always seeking books that deepen my understanding of the human psyche and inspire my storytelling. Over the years, certain books about mental health have profoundly shaped my personal journey and influenced the characters and themes in my work. These 5 powerful books not only changed my life but…
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How to Recognise and Overcome Manipulation
What Duncan Teaches Us About Navigating Manipulation In How to Understand Him, Duncan finds himself torn between two very different relationships: one with Tristan, a controlling and emotionally manipulative older man, and the other with Aron, a lively co-worker who encourages him to embrace his true self. Duncan’s journey highlights how manipulation works, how it…
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Understanding Internalised Homophobia: Its Impact and How to Heal
Internalised Homophobia: A Silent Struggle Let’s talk about something that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves: internalised homophobia. It’s sneaky, it’s persistent, and it can be one of the toughest battles an LGBTQ+ person faces. At its core, internalised homophobia is when we absorb society’s prejudices and turn them inward, leading to feelings of…
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Why Writing Vulnerability is the Key to Authentic Storytelling
The Emotional Impact of Writing About Vulnerability Vulnerability is at the heart of powerful storytelling. When we write about our characters’ deepest fears, joys, and insecurities, we open a window to their humanity. We create something real. Something that resonates. But writing about vulnerability isn’t just about the characters; it’s about us as writers, too.…