This month has stretched my capacity for adaptability in ways I couldn’t have planned if I tried. The universe seemed to align a perfect storm: major boat repairs and a haul out, the launch and migration of our new EHR, Therapist Genie, inside a very full practice, all layered on top of a full caseload, business responsibilities, and family life that we’ve honestly not had nearly enough time with. It’s been one of those seasons where everything matters at once, and none of it can be postponed.
In the middle of all that motion and noise, I’ve been reminding myself that adaptability doesn’t mean pushing through at all costs. It also means choosing moments of self-care, even when they’re imperfect and brief. Slowing down just enough to breathe, move my body, read a few pages, or be fully present for a conversation has felt less like a luxury and more like an anchor.
One of the unexpected gifts this month was getting to hear Ryan Holiday speak at UC San Diego. Sitting in that room reignited my love of Stoic principles and sent me back into reading with fresh curiosity and motivation. It felt like a quiet but powerful reminder that while we don’t control the circumstances, we do get to choose how we meet them.
As I slow down enough to reflect, I’m reminded of a practice I started last year which was to allow myself that time and space to reflect on all that has been accomplished, overcome, or worth celebrating from the past year. There is so much to be proud and to celebrate! My mom is independently thriving and continues to get stronger and healthier every day. She’s even joined us in the “1% better every day for 100 days” journey. I trained three more cohorts in EMDR therapy. I began lifting heavier weights and feeling stronger in my body. After nearly two years in the making, we officially launched Therapist Genie for company use, but soon to be commercial use, a project that represents so much persistence, learning, and collaboration from some very key members of our team. If you’re curious, you can check it out at www.therapistgenie.com.
There have been sweet family moments too. We hosted our two oldest granddaughters for two weeks while they attended sailing camp for the first time, creating memories I’ll hold onto for a long time! I can’t wait to have them again this summer! Our pup Sammy is in full recovery mode and steadily regaining her strength. And Adaptable is closing in on 95,000 subscribers on YouTube, with the milestone of becoming a paid YouTube Partner now behind us.
If this season has felt full or overwhelming for you too, I hope this newsletter offers a gentle reminder: adaptability isn’t about doing more. Sometimes it’s about noticing what’s already working, honoring what’s hard, and choosing the next small, steady step forward.
Much love,
Kelly
Check out my latest article: Stoicism and the Trauma Brain: When Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Neurobiology
We often talk about “working on the relationship,” but what happens when the distance creeps in quietly, when conversations shrink, tension lingers, and you start to feel more like roommates than partners?
The truth is that emotional disconnection rarely happens overnight. It builds through unmet needs, unspoken hurts, and patterns that once protected us but now keep us apart. Rebuilding closeness isn’t about blaming or forcing intimacy, it’s about understanding what went missing and learning how to find each other again.
In this episode, we explore why emotional distance happens, how resentment can quietly take root, and what it truly takes to reconnect in a way that feels safe and sustainable. We break down the cycles that create disconnection and share practical, research-informed steps couples can use to restore emotional safety, intimacy, and partnership. From rebuilding trust through small moments to shifting communication patterns that open doors instead of closing them, this conversation centers compassion over criticism.
Whether you’re a therapist supporting couples or someone longing to feel close again in your own marriage, this episode is a reminder that reconnection is possible. Closeness doesn’t come from doing more, it comes from turning toward each other, with curiosity and care.
🎧 Listen below for a grounded, hopeful conversation on rebuilding connection and finding your way back to “us.”
