My Favorite Season
Christmas seasons after betrayal became quiet markers of grief, survival, and slow rebuilding, shifting the holiday from something lost to something redefined. Love and joy now come from presence, honesty, and a steadiness earned through pain.
The Not-So-Happy Holidays
After betrayal, the holidays can be a challenge. Here are a few tips that might help you get through the next couple of weeks.
The Apology Casserole
Attempts to help, to heal, to apologize… they don’t need to be perfect. They just need to be sincere.
Healing My Nervous System
Rising Phoenix’s body began healing only after she named her Complex PTSD, reclaimed her boundaries, and stopped abandoning herself to feel safe in relationships. The real recovery turned survival into stability, and self-protection into self-trust.
When Narcissism Hides in Plain Sight: A Conversation with Annette Chesney
A summary fo my conversation with Annette Chesney in the podcast episode: Married to a Narcissist.
The Anniversary that Wasn’t
After his affair, he forgot their anniversary. On purpose.
The Bird Theory
The Bird Theory and The Bird Test online are based on the discoveries of John Gottman. In this video, Dr. Gottman explains precisely what the bird theory is.
What If They Do It Again?
Rising Phoenix considers the fear of giving someone another chance after betrayal, how forgiveness doesn’t erase distrust, and how transparency alone can’t rebuild safety. Real healing begins when the focus shifts from monitoring them to reclaiming yourself.
Do Bored Wives Cheat?
Looking at the stories of four women who cheated to better understand their experience.
VIDEO: Why Venting Anger Doesn’t Help
Does venting actually help you cool off, or does it just add fuel to the fire? Social psychologist Jennifer Parlamis busts common myths about anger.
The “Why” Was Never About Her
Rising Phoenix sees the affair as a symptom of deeper, unaddressed pain and emotional avoidance rather than a relationship with another person. The true shift comes when she stops comparing, faces the truth, and begins rebuilding from the inside out.
Finding Thanksgiving in the Struggle
Is there room for gratitude in the middle of suffering?