Focused Concentration, LLC

11/18/2025

Some thoughts for the day.

If a person came into your life right now that was
kind, respectful, attractive, devoted, emotionally available, genuinely adoring you, you’d probably feel it at first as everything you’ve ever wanted.

The dream.

The love you’ve been manifesting.

The proof that good people exist.

But then something strange might happen.

Instead of relaxing into it, you might feel anxious. Uncomfortable.

You’d could start overthinking.

You’d feel this subtle pull to create distance. To question it. To test it. To find the flaw.

Because when someone finally treats you like you deserve to be treated, it wakes up every old wound that told you, you weren’t worthy of that kind of care.

Your fear of not being good enough. Your fear of being too much. Your fear of being truly seen, and then abandoned. They all flare up.

Because this kind of person isn’t just love. They are evidence. Evidence that every person who overlooked you, betrayed you, or made you feel small was wrong.

And that truth is almost unbearable when you’ve spent years believing it was your fault.

So instead of letting yourself receive it, your mind starts finding reasons to keep them at arm’s length.

They are “too nice.”

You “just don’t feel the spark.”

You may start picking at small things that don’t really matter, or you withdraw to protect yourself from being hurt.

Because deep down, losing a person like that would feel like losing your last chance at love. And that’s terrifying.

The tragedy is that you may not consciously push them away. You’ll do it subtly. Emotionally. A tone. A delay in affection. A lack of openness. And when the person eventually senses it and steps back, it’ll confirm the story: “See? Even they didn’t stay.”

But they didn’t leave because you weren’t lovable. They left because you couldn’t yet believe you were.

Bottom line!!!! Until you learn to sit with the discomfort of being loved well, to feel safe in peace, to let gentleness in without suspicion, you’ll keep repeating the same story, no matter how good the other is.

Real love doesn’t test how deeply you can give.

It tests how deeply you can receive.

11/14/2025

My Heart Starts to Race at Night - Gwyneth Paltrow Admits She’s Struggling With Anxiety and Hormonal Changes

Gwyneth Paltrow is opening up about her struggles with anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and what she believes might be undiagnosed Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).

The Oscar-winning actress, 53, revealed on her latest Goop podcast episode that despite decades of intense wellness practices, she now finds herself trying to relearn how to regulate both her mind and body.

“I would like to be more intentional about how I spend my time,” she shared candidly. “I think I have a bit of ADD and I can really get pulled in lots of directions. I would love to try to not do that so much and feel more grounded throughout the day.”

Paltrow admitted that her nervous system has been “messed up” by years of stress, hormonal changes, and life in the spotlight. For the first time, she says, anxiety has become a real part of her daily life.

“I've lived a very intense life in the public eye for a really, really long time,” she reflected.

“Whenever we're at the mercy of people's opinions and all the energy behind the opinions, it kind of frays my nervous system.”

The Iron Man star went on to say that her new anxiety may be linked to hormonal shifts.

“I have a lot of anxiety for the first time in my life, which is a symptom of hormonal changes. I think it's an estrogen dominance thing,” she said.

“It makes you really anxious. So part of it is physiological, part psychological, part emotional, and part public life.”

She described nights where she feels completely exhausted but still can’t relax. “I’ll get in bed exhausted and my heart will start to race,” she said.

“Then I’ll have intrusive thoughts, which I’ve never had in my life ever. Sometimes I wake up first thing in the morning filled with dread.”

Paltrow revealed that she’s currently working with professionals to manage her symptoms. “I have two therapists. One is a nervous system specialist,” she shared.

“I have amazing friends, amazing women in my life, whom I can call if I need help. And I get a lot of healing from my family, my kids and my husband. If we’re all under one roof, my nervous system calms down.”

The Goop founder admitted that even small work-related issues can feel overwhelming.

“Sometimes I’ll get an email or some work thing or there’s a problem, and I really take it like it’s a slap in the face,” she confessed. “I’d really like to rewire myself so that medium or bad news doesn’t feel so terrible.”

While she has never publicly said she personally struggles with ADD before, Paltrow previously discussed how ADHD in women is often misdiagnosed or dismissed as stress or hormonal imbalance.

The mother of two, who shares daughter Apple, 21, and son Moses, 19, with her ex-husband Chris Martin, is also stepmother to her husband Brad Falchuk’s two children.

And though she built her brand around strict wellness practices, she admitted she’s learning to loosen her rules.

“I recently have actually started being less strict with my anti-inflammatory diet, which I had to be for a few years,” she said.

“But it feels really good to relax a little, to have a drink once in a while, to enjoy a hot fudge sundae once in a while. That’s been kind of great.”

Through all the changes, Gwyneth seems to be embracing a new chapter, one that prioritizes balance over perfection, and self-compassion over control.

11/09/2025

Couples who 'truly trust' each other regularly use these 7 phrases, says Harvard-trained psychologist—they're 'relationship goals.' Find the link in the comments. ⬇️

11/08/2025

November is Nations Men's Health Awareness Month and it is time to focus on men's health issues, including the crucial aspect of mental health, which is often overlooked by men.
Did you know that men are less likely to seek medical help than women? Check on the men in your life and let them know they are not alone.

11/08/2025

Your peace matters. Your mental health matters. 💛 In a world that constantly demands your energy, remember to pour some of it back into yourself. You are not just valuable for what you do—you are valuable simply because you exist. Take moments to rest, breathe, and realign with what truly matters.

Choose gentleness with yourself. Love the parts of you that are still healing, and embrace the people who see your light even when you forget it’s there. 🌿 The future you dream of is already being built through the care you give yourself today.

You are allowed to slow down. You are allowed to feel. You are allowed to prioritize you. Because when you nurture your mind and your heart, your light doesn’t just return—it shines brighter than ever. ✨

11/07/2025

09/05/2025

The WORST feeling that a person can have in a relationship is when they try to have a conversation about the others BEHAVIOR that hurts them every day, but instead of listening, the other person gets ANGRY and turns the situation around on them.

It’s a feeling that cuts deep—a mix of frustration, sadness, and emotional abandonment.

They gather the courage to speak up, not to argue, not to attack, but because there is love and they want to make things better. The person speaks from a place of pain and hope, hoping that maybe this time, they will really hear them, that the other will understand the weight they have been silently carrying.

But instead of leaning in, the other person raises their defenses.

Instead of acknowledging feelings, they deflect, they try to fix.

They get loud, or cold, or sarcastic. They shift the blame, twisting concerns into accusations against character, tone, timing.

Suddenly, the conversation becomes about how the person brought it up in the first place instead of what that person brought up. And just like that, the pain gets buried under the anger.

And it’s not just the argument that hurts—it’s the message underneath it all:

Your feelings don’t matter. Your pain is inconvenient. Your voice is too much. That moment becomes a silent wound, another scar added to the emotional pile that person had been trying so hard to suppress for the sake of peace.

But peace without understanding isn’t peace—it’s silence. It’s pretending. It’s walking on eggshells while slowly losing pieces of themselves just to keep things from falling apart.

What’s worse is that after enough of these moments, they start to question. “Maybe I am too sensitive.” “Maybe I should just let it go.” “Maybe it’s not a big deal.” But deep down, the person knows it is. They know what respect, empathy, and love should feel like—and this isn’t it.

When a person reaches out to address something that hurts, it’s a gift. It’s them saying, I still care enough to fix this. It’s a chance for connection, healing, and growth. But when that moment is met with anger or blame, it pushes them further away. Not just emotionally—but spiritually. Because nothing is more damaging to a persons spirit than constantly being made to feel wrong for wanting to be treated right.

Understand these dynamics and practice surrounding yourself with genuine others that see, hear, and comfort you without the fear of emotionally abusive repercussions.

Have a great weekend. 😍

Dr Stella Fernandez

08/29/2025

Reclaim your confidence and find peace within ✨ Dear Friend— Our co-founder Michelle’s new book—is your daily thrive guide and companion in your self-care routine 💌 Pre-order now at https://amzn.to/3IG59MB

Make a list of the things that bring you joy and make you feel connected. Like calling a friend, walk in nature, taking a bath, reading a good book, watching a funny movie, or doing some stretching exercises.

Often when we move the body we feel better instantly.
Use this list when you begin to feel lonely.

Remember feelings come and go, they do not last unless you feed them with negative, false thoughts that end up making them grow bigger than needed. Feel the feeling of loneliness, ask yourself what could help you in the moment, take out your list and do one of those things. Often the feeling will pass.

Never reach back to a person who has caused you suffering, and ultimately you ended up losing yourself in the relationship.

If you connect with the "poisonous person" you may feel a very brief temporary relief, and then a deeper loneliness will set in, and you will ultimately feel very angry with yourself.

Have a go-to list when loneliness creeps in. Be prepared. ~xoxo Michelle & Barb

(Don't let getting lonely make you reconnect with toxic people. You shouldn't drink poison just because you're thirsty.-unknown)

08/18/2025

A REAL RELATIONSHIP: "A real relationship requires bravery from both sides. It requires us to be vulnerable enough to allow ourselves to be seen. It requires curiosity and vision to fully take in who the person is. To really see them. To accept their on-camera selves, and their hidden behind-the-scenes mess. To view their worst parts with acceptance and generosity, not contempt. And to have enough faith and strength to trust the other person to offer the same latitude to our darker sides. On top of all of this, it requires two people who actually have a vision for where they want the relationship to go, and the daily ex*****on to move towards that vision. Exceptional relationships are not found. They're built." ~~~~ Matthew Hussey