A low mood can feel like depression, but they aren’t the same. A depressed mood is often temporary and connected to life events, while depression is a mental health condition that affects daily functioning and lasts longer. Understanding the difference can help you recognize what you’re experiencing and know when to seek support.

This fall mental health update reflects on my summer of adapting after moving countries, the lessons I learned, and what’s ahead for Depression Awareness Month.

Sometimes we don't realize how much we've healed until we meet someone who remembers who we used to be. I want to share something that happened today that I never thought I'd be ready for. After seven years, I finally spoke to someone from my past.

The past month has been full of unexpected challenges, important lessons, and personal growth. I wanted to share some of those experiences with you in the hope that they might help you reflect on your own journey.

Spring is well on its way, summer is approaching, and this is usually when the pressure starts to build, the feeling that we need to become the person we want to be before the calendar turns to June. But becoming who you want to be shouldn’t be based on a date.

Have you ever noticed that when you start to feel better mentally and emotionally…you also feel a bit overwhelmed Like you’re starting to feel like yourself again, but not completely. You have more energy, but you’re still tired. I know I’ve felt this way many times, and I’m currently going through it now. This is what it feels like to come out of survival mode.

Every time spring rolls around, many of us start to reflect and feel the urge to clean. The famous spring cleaning becomes a hot topic among friends, family, and acquaintances. Especially if you live in a colder region, it’s the time to start putting away winter clothes and bringing out the summer ones. However, we often forget to do an emotional cleaning. In fact, I’m willing to bet that many people haven’t even heard of emotional cleaning. So, what exactly is emotional clea

Spring is just around the corner, and with it comes the pressure of the “spring glow-up.” You know, the formation of new habits, the rush to get in shape in time for summer, the need to think differently and become almost unrecognizable. In theory, it sounds motivating. In reality, it feels like a lot of pressure, especially when you realize there are only three months before summer arrives.

Have you ever decided to do something you were genuinely excited about, only to feel a wave of dread and self-doubt a few days (or even hours) later? And once those feelings show up, you end up not doing the thing you set out to do in the first place?

Emotional overwhelm isn’t just “feeling too much.” It’s your nervous system signaling that it’s reached capacity. Understanding why it happens and where it comes from is the first step toward healing and reclaiming your authentic self.

Hey there, and welcome to my blog! I’m Dariana, an integrative mental health coach and creator of Reclaim & Become. This is a space built for people who want real, practical ways to improve their mental health without judgment and without a huge price tag. My passion for this work comes from my own experience. When I desperately needed support, I struggled to find affordable, accessible care. That led me to become certified as an integrative mental health coach. My goal now i