
The Blog
Welcome! This is a blog about manhood, mental health, and personal growth.
A Note on Well-Being from Mike Garrison:
While I share generalized information, insights, and experiences here don’t forget that your journey is unique. These writings do not replace personalized, professional guidance. If something you read here resonates but raises concerns, please reach out to a qualified provider. Your mental, physical, and emotional health matter. Don't wait to get the support you need.
Invest in yourself…you’re worth it!
Welcome to honest conversations about modern manhood...

8 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Anxiety
Anxiety isn’t just about feeling nervous or overthinking—it’s actually a full-body response that starts in your brain. Here’s how therapy can help.

New Year but No New You (Yet)?
As men we often approach New Year’s Resolutions like we're planning a military operation – all or nothing, full steam ahead, no room for error. Failure is not an option. Let's talk about why this matters for your mental health.

Brick by Brick: Six Quotes to Change Your Perspective
Shift your perspective, overcome fear, and stay motivated. Six curated quotes to help you gain insight on handling struggles and considering different paths forward. These words might just inspire you to think with a fresh perspective.

How to Move Forward When You’re Feeling Stuck
Feeling stuck? This article explores the internal friction we all face when juggling the desire for change with the comfort of familiarity—and offers three powerful mindset shifts to break free.

A New Year’s Reflection: Embracing Change
Ready to start the new year with a fresh perspective? Explore the universal struggles we all face and the hopeful truth that change is always possible. It’s an inspiring reminder that growth can happen one step at a time.

Taming Your Inner Critic: How to Challenge the Voice That Holds You Back
Struggling with that harsh voice in your head that constantly points out your flaws and mistakes? You're not alone, and while your inner critic might seem like your worst enemy, it’s actually trying to protect you. In this article, we explore how to challenge your inner critic, cultivate a more supportive inner voice, and transform self-doubt into self-compassion.

The Magic of 20 Pages: How a Tiny Habit Transformed My Reading Life
With a little math and a lot of curiosity, you’ll see how a small daily commitment can lead to finishing 36 books a year—without sacrificing your schedule or sanity. Ready to turn the page on a new chapter of learning?

Relationships: The Art of Rupture and Repair
Conflict is a normal part of being human. The real issue arises when the focus is stuck on the ruptures—the things that go wrong—while neglecting the repairs—the ways you make it right. While rupture is inevitable, repair is a choice.

Shift Your Thinking: Embracing the Growth Mindset
Your mindset shapes how you approach nearly everything—your career, relationships, hobbies, and even your health. Imagine you’re learning to play guitar. With a growth mindset, you understand that even Jimi Hendrix didn’t wake up one day shredding solos.

Stronger Together: How to Cultivate Secure Attachment in Relationships
Developing a more secure attachment in your relationships is one of the most valuable investments you can make in your emotional well-being. Here’s a quick guide to attachment styles, how they may influence your most important relationships, and practical ways to move toward secure behavior.

Quiet the Critic, Hear the Hero: Building Self-Compassion
The inner critic and the inner voice are both part of the human experience. But you have the power to decide which one you’ll listen to more often. While the inner critic may never fully disappear, you can quiet its influence by regularly choosing to engage with your inner voice—the voice that empowers, supports, and encourages your growth.

Recognizing and Coping with Depression: A Guide for Men
Depression isn't just about feeling down or having a bad day (or even a bad week). It’s deeper than that. So, how do you know when it’s more than just a rough patch?

What a Classic Book from 1936 Can Teach Men About Making Friends Today
For most guys, navigating social situations is a mixed bag. This is where Dale Carnegie’s classic book, How to Win Friends and Influence People, comes in.

Healing a Broken Heart: A Guide for Men
Heartbreak is one of the toughest emotional experiences anyone can go through. As men, we’re often told to “suck it up” and to “get back out there” without acknowledging the hurt. But a broken heart isn't something we can just will away. Healing takes time.

Stop Counting Sheep: 5 Strategies to Outsmart Insomnia
Insomnia is common, especially if you're depressed, anxious, or stressed out. Here are five strategies to try when you're lying awake and counting sheep is just not cutting it.

Why More Men Are Saying ‘Yes’ to Therapy
Historically, men faced a lot of stigma around seeking therapy, as if asking for help meant you were weak or couldn’t handle life’s challenges. But that outdated mindset is finally starting to shift.

After the Breakup: Navigating Shared Friendships
Breakups are tough. But what happens when the dust starts to settle, and you realize that you and your ex share the same friend group?

Managing Political Differences with Family and Friends
Navigating political differences with family and friends doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right approach, you can keep conversations respectful, lighthearted, and enjoyable—even when you don’t see eye to eye.

After Graduation: How Young Men Can Make and Keep Friends in the Working World
One key to navigating adult friendships is realizing that, unlike in school, friendships won’t just “happen” by proximity. You have to show up differently. Here are a few ways to keep your social life active.

Building Self-Esteem Through Therapy: The Hero’s Journey
When it comes to self-esteem, many of us feel like we’re stuck in the origin story part of a superhero’s journey—where things haven’t quite clicked yet, and we’re still waiting for that big moment to shine.