With Elli

Photo By With Elli The word “trauma” is often used to describe painful experiences, but in psychology—especially in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) —it has a very specific meaning. In this context, trauma refers to an experience that involves actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence . It is the core of what professionals call Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders , such as PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder) and ASD (Acute Stress Disorder). What Counts as a Traumatic Experience? A person can be affected by trauma in a few different ways: Directly experiencing something life-threatening or violent. Witnessing such an event happening to someone else. Learning that a close family member or friend experienced a violent or accidental death or serious harm. Repeated exposure to very disturbing details of trauma (like rescue workers, police, or emergency staff). Watching upsetting things on TV or social media doesn’t...

Photo by With Elli I feel a bit embarrassed to admit this, but I’m 32 years old and I’ve never really understood what PMS is. I knew the concept, of course — I’ve heard people talk about it all my life — but I never got it. So I decided to find out. 🌙 What Is PMS? Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a disruptive set of emotional and physical symptoms that appear before menstruation. The exact cause of PMS isn’t fully understood by researchers, but it’s believed to be linked to changes in hormone levels throughout the menstrual cycle. While PMS is mostly associated with the luteal phase (the time between ovulation and the start of menstruation), its causes are complex and may involve several interconnected factors. 🌸 Why Do We Have It? Although the cause is still uncertain, scientific studies suggest that PMS arises from the way our bodies and brains respond to hormonal fluctuations. Cyclic Changes in Hormones: The main theory is that PMS is related to the natural drop in est...

Photo by Theo Crazzolara on Unsplash As December deepens, the world feels wrapped in a quiet glow. Candles flicker in windows, lights shimmer across darkened streets, and the cold breath of winter invites us to pause and look inward. Christmas, with its rich layering of traditions, is not only a celebration of birth and renewal but also a weaving of ancient rituals into our present lives. 🌌 The Solstice Connection Just days before Christmas, the Winter Solstice marks the longest night of the year. Ancient cultures saw this as a threshold: the moment when darkness reaches its depth, and light is reborn. Fires, candles, and evergreen boughs were more than decorations—they were symbols of resilience, carrying the promise of return, of life beyond the cold. Today, when we light our Advent candles or gather around a Christmas tree, we echo these same gestures of hope. What was once ritual beneath starlit skies continues as a quiet thread in our own celebrations. 👉 This beautiful vi...

Photo by With Elli I’ve never really had a religion. At some point, I stopped believing in anything specific and leaned more toward a godless, deterministic way of thinking. But the truth is, I never truly committed to one belief or another — I didn’t want to belong to a group that tells you how to think, how to live, or how to build your moral code. Still, as I grow older, I find it harder to go through life without something to hold on to. Something greater than me — wiser, kinder — a superhuman presence that can offer comfort. Especially when I think about death, I feel a kind of relief imagining that I might see the people I love again. I know it's just a story my mind tells me because it cannot comprehend the void. But it helps. It soothes the part of me that longs for connection, continuity, and peace. So, I started diving into the many different religious and mystical traditions out there. I’m fascinated by the systems humans have created — not just for belief, but for heal...

 — Reflections on Safety, Healing & the Long Shadow of Drug Use —  I remember a time when the light felt different. The way the sun touched my skin — not just warm, but welcoming . The soft heat of the beach sand under my feet. The summer wind from the sea gently brushing against my face. That was my safe space. My safe feeling. Sometimes I still go back there in my mind. Sometimes, I wish I could help others find their version of that — That space where healing becomes possible. That place where difficult thoughts, emotions, and memories don’t feel so loud. Where you finally feel safe enough to begin. We all carry things that are hard to face. For some, it's pain, trauma, or memories they can't put into words. For others, it's regret — for choices made, or paths taken too early. And for many, those difficult things are wrapped up with substances — drugs, alcohol, escape. Drugs can make us feel things we long to feel: Connection. Stillness. Relief. Especi...

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash 🌸Hymen and Virginity Many people grow up hearing things about the hymen and virginity that are not true. These ideas can make people feel ashamed, afraid, or judged. So let’s talk about what the hymen really is — and what it’s not. You deserve to know the truth about your body.  🔍 What Is the Hymen? The hymen is a small, soft piece of skin just inside the vagina. It’s not a “seal” that covers the whole opening. Most people are born with a hole in their hymen — that’s how blood comes out during your period. Some people are born with very little hymen at all , and that’s normal too. Every body is different. 💡 Can the Hymen Break? The hymen can stretch or tear , but not only because of sex . It can change when someone: Rides a bike or horse Does sports or dancing Uses a tampon or menstrual cup Masturbates or uses sex toys Has a medical exam Sometimes this causes bleeding or pain — but not always. Some people don...

A Heartfelt Reflection on Love, Responsibility & Self-Awareness In my family, we always had dogs. My mom and dad both loved them—and my mom also adored cats. I always imagined having a dog of my own one day, but when it finally happened, it came in the most unexpected way. My brother found her. She had followed him home one day, probably because his friend was eating a meat sandwich. That little dog—Fouska, we named her (which means “bubble” in Greek)—came into our lives like a spark of light. The moment I saw her, I fell in love with her sweet little face. I had no idea what it meant to be responsible for another life. The good moments, the hard ones. But I did it. And I’d do it all over again. She passed away in July 2021. I miss her every single day. I remember her like it was yesterday. Losing her felt like losing my best friend, my child, a piece of myself. 💭 But What If You’re Not Ready? Lately, I’ve been thinking about a deeper question—one I wish more people would ...

A Summer Solstice Reflection on Light, Ritual & Belonging in the Cosmic Wheel   Today, the sun lingers a little longer. The shadows stretch gently. And the world hums in golden stillness. The Summer Solstice — the longest day of the year — is a quiet turning point in the great dance between Earth and sky. It’s when light reaches its peak before beginning the slow spiral inward. A pause. A breath. A sacred exhale. In the Northern Hemisphere, this moment usually arrives around June 21st . But it’s not just a date. It’s a threshold — woven with symbolism, ancient memory, and the soft invitation to realign with life’s rhythm. 🌾 Remembering the Old Ways Long before clocks or calendars, people watched the sky. They built stone circles, earth mounds, and temples that kissed the light on this very day: Stonehenge , where sunbeams slip perfectly between stones. Chaco Canyon , where spirals of sun trace ancestral knowledge. Nabta Playa , older than both, listening to the star...

Geomythology —the study of myths that encode real geological events—is full of wonders, and Greece is one of its richest sources. In ancient Greek culture, natural disasters and dramatic landscapes weren’t just random acts of nature—they were woven into epic tales, divine battles, and transformations. These stories weren’t only beautiful—they may also preserve real memories of volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and other natural events passed down through generations. Let’s explore some amazing Greek geomyths that still echo today! 🌊 Atlantis: The Lost City Beneath the Waves Myth : The philosopher Plato wrote about Atlantis, a powerful island kingdom that sank into the sea “in a single day and night.” Geomyth link : Many believe Atlantis might be a memory of the massive eruption of the volcano at Thera (Santorini) around 1600 BCE. This event caused tsunamis and ash clouds, devastating parts of the Minoan civilization—and inspiring legends of a sunken, once-great world. 🌋 Typhon and ...

Attachment theory is one of the most powerful and compassionate frameworks we have for understanding human relationships. It explains why we behave the way we do in love, friendship, conflict, and connection —and how our early experiences shape the stories we tell ourselves about safety, intimacy, and worth. 🌱 What Is Attachment Theory? Attachment theory was developed in the 1950s by John Bowlby , a British psychoanalyst deeply influenced by evolutionary biology and his clinical work with children. He proposed that: “Humans are biologically wired to seek closeness and safety in relationships—especially in times of stress or uncertainty.” This idea became the foundation of attachment theory: that our early relationships with caregivers literally shape the blueprint for how we connect with others . 👶 Where It All Begins: The Infant–Caregiver Bond Babies are born entirely dependent on caregivers for both physical survival and emotional regulation . When a caregiver responds co...