<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Spilled Milk]]></title><description><![CDATA[Spilled Milk]]></description><link>https://www.spilledmilktherapy.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Sun, 04 Oct 2026 00:35:41 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.spilledmilktherapy.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[             A Eulogy for My Living Dad]]></title><description><![CDATA[My dad is, simply put, my rock. He’s the person I can be completely, unapologetically myself around. No performance, no pressure, no need to filter or explain. Just me. And that kind of safety? It’s not something I take for granted.  It ’s something he built. Not perfectly. But intentionally. And with a kind of quiet strength that I didn’t fully understand until I got older. When I was 16, my life changed forever. Losing my mom didn’t just create grief, it reshaped everything. And while I was...]]></description><link>https://www.spilledmilktherapy.com/post/a-eulogy-for-my-dad-while-he-s-still-here</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69cd2477011a766e716ab17c</guid><pubDate>Sun, 05 Apr 2026 22:13:48 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/935b58_95c1c5ed18c04799a2e66b5453fa2be3~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol Ann Murphy</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Truth About Self-Care: Why It’s Failing You &#38; What Works Instead]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you’re like many of my clients, you’ve spent years trying to make self-care “work.” You schedule bubble baths, yoga sessions, coffee breaks, or a quick meditation, and still feel like it’s not enough. You’re tired. Overwhelmed. And maybe even frustrated with yourself for not “getting it right.” The problem? Most of the self-care advice floating around today isn’t designed for real life. Instagram-worthy rituals and Pinterest-perfect ideas look relaxing, but they often aren’t practical,...]]></description><link>https://www.spilledmilktherapy.com/post/the-truth-about-self-care-why-it-s-failing-you-what-works-instead</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6977f641d87a588901635e5c</guid><pubDate>Mon, 26 Jan 2026 23:30:17 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b88fd419f8554115b6666bf06653919b.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol Ann Murphy</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why Reflection Matters More Than Resolutions]]></title><description><![CDATA[Before You Rush Into “New Year, New You” 	As the year comes to a close, there’s a familiar pressure that starts to creep in. New goals. New habits. A better version of yourself. Messages everywhere telling you who you should  be next year and what you should  fix. 	But before we rush forward, I want to gently invite you to push pause. 	This past year has been hard for so many people. Not just “busy” hard, but emotionally heavy, exhausting, and at times overwhelming. For some, it brought loss....]]></description><link>https://www.spilledmilktherapy.com/post/why-reflection-matters-more-than-resolutions</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69547944299c372795fabc9e</guid><pubDate>Wed, 31 Dec 2025 01:25:33 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a497591e2b7640cca3b7c5bf04aeb516.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol Ann Murphy</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Finding My Home: Why My New Office Means More Than Just a Move]]></title><description><![CDATA[There are certain places, and certain people, that just feel like home . Not because they’re perfect. Not because they’re fancy. But because something inside your body softens the minute you step into them. Your shoulders drop. Your breath deepens. You feel… settled. For me, office space has always been more than four walls and a Wi-Fi  password. It’ s where people come to be vulnerable. Where they cry, laugh, heal, grieve, rage, rebuild. It’s where stories are held and where nervous systems...]]></description><link>https://www.spilledmilktherapy.com/post/finding-my-home-why-my-new-office-means-more-than-just-a-move</link><guid isPermaLink="false">692cba7dbdf3aa73170e3059</guid><pubDate>Sun, 30 Nov 2025 21:57:28 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/935b58_f42450bc81854c9eae69b98fdbb76413~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol Ann Murphy</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Boundaries 101: Learning the Art of Disappointing People to Protect Your Mental Health]]></title><description><![CDATA[Have you ever felt like you’re carrying everyone else’s emotional baggage but when it comes to your own feelings, there’s no room left?...]]></description><link>https://www.spilledmilktherapy.com/post/boundaries-101-learning-the-art-of-disappointing-people-to-protect-your-mental-health</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6896e23d1d10c5f61f48e95a</guid><pubDate>Sat, 09 Aug 2025 06:02:30 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_74685732736b2d36343645~mv2_d_3632_5456_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol Ann Murphy</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Less Chaos, More Calm: The Power of a Good Routine]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Power of Routine: How Structure Supports Mental Health In a world that often feels chaotic and unpredictable, one of the simplest...]]></description><link>https://www.spilledmilktherapy.com/post/less-chaos-more-calm-the-power-of-a-good-routine</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6851b7f9355e04d3497a3d71</guid><pubDate>Tue, 17 Jun 2025 18:51:28 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_36a4a5bf03cb416d9e0db30c55614a1d~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol Ann Murphy</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Loneliness Epidemic: Why You Feel This Way ]]></title><description><![CDATA[As a therapist, I’ve lost count of how many times someone has sat across from me and said, “I just feel… alone.” And I don’t mean they...]]></description><link>https://www.spilledmilktherapy.com/post/the-loneliness-epidemic-why-you-feel-this-way</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68195a011ad005b317168a4e</guid><pubDate>Mon, 19 May 2025 11:39:04 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_f118448aa3a64ac19f283e3e10405178~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol Ann Murphy</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[       Loud, Proud, and Still Holding Space for You]]></title><description><![CDATA[How Therapy Can Feel Safe, Even in a Politically Divided World — Yes, Even With an Activist Therapist If you follow me online, you...]]></description><link>https://www.spilledmilktherapy.com/post/loud-proud-and-still-holding-space-for-you</link><guid isPermaLink="false">681954cae5d16b2dff9ecfd4</guid><pubDate>Tue, 06 May 2025 00:26:24 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_549e1c43b48f4dc2b9a3e3f285c8ba5a~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol Ann Murphy</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Art of Challenging verses Changing Someone]]></title><description><![CDATA[One of the most powerful realizations I’ve had in my career as a therapist is this: it’s not my job to change  my clients. It’s not even...]]></description><link>https://www.spilledmilktherapy.com/post/the-art-of-challenging-verses-changing-someone</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67fc3df0c9ecd448414154b2</guid><pubDate>Sun, 13 Apr 2025 22:49:53 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b72ccf185f0f4efbbc68ce6fd092eeb2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol Ann Murphy</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Grief Has No Rulebook: Understanding Loss in All Its Forms]]></title><description><![CDATA[Grief is often associated with death, but the truth is, we grieve many things in life.  The loss of a relationship, a job, a sense of...]]></description><link>https://www.spilledmilktherapy.com/post/grief-has-no-rulebook-understanding-loss-in-all-its-forms</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67de1c515a47b47069a8f64b</guid><pubDate>Mon, 24 Mar 2025 12:30:08 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_14abba57eea74d668267ed52e6a02720~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol Ann Murphy</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Choice to Grow: Why “That’s Just Who I Am” Isn’t Enough]]></title><description><![CDATA[I believe that as human beings, we are constantly learning, evolving, and shaping the way we interact with the world around us. Life...]]></description><link>https://www.spilledmilktherapy.com/post/the-choice-to-grow-why-that-s-just-who-i-am-isn-t-enough</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67a28a0d5b810ca457d55512</guid><pubDate>Mon, 03 Mar 2025 11:49:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_208ef5aa334e4abca6f4fccfc3dfa69e~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol Ann Murphy</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Take Her Freakin Picture]]></title><description><![CDATA[When a baby is born, the focus often lands squarely on the newborn. Family and friends flock to take selfies with the baby, snap pictures...]]></description><link>https://www.spilledmilktherapy.com/post/take-her-freakin-picture</link><guid isPermaLink="false">63447dc83c0bf36b788ea8e7</guid><pubDate>Mon, 24 Feb 2025 14:00:28 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/435c0786781a4a86ad02ad1a76e8b15b.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol Ann Murphy</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How to Choose the Right Therapist: 7 Questions to Ask in Your First Session]]></title><description><![CDATA[Finding the right therapist can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re unsure about what to expect or where to begin. Therapy is a...]]></description><link>https://www.spilledmilktherapy.com/post/how-to-choose-the-right-therapist-7-questions-to-ask-in-your-first-session</link><guid isPermaLink="false">679594cbd0d2f00ad9db27be</guid><pubDate>Mon, 03 Feb 2025 14:00:31 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_f816306e8f5a4294bad259455959efb9~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol Ann Murphy</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Is 'High-Functioning Anxiety' Just Another Buzzword? Let's Dig Deeper into What It Really Means]]></title><description><![CDATA[Anxiety is often misunderstood, and high-functioning anxiety adds to that confusion. Contrary to the common idea that anxiety leaves...]]></description><link>https://www.spilledmilktherapy.com/post/is-high-functioning-anxiety-just-another-buzzword-let-s-dig-deeper-into-what-it-really-means</link><guid isPermaLink="false">679590ab4b4f21d5ea03b60e</guid><pubDate>Mon, 27 Jan 2025 14:00:23 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/935b58_f92e19cfb759459880d3c3d023cd8469~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol Ann Murphy</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Breaking Barriers: A Guide to Men’s Mental Health]]></title><description><![CDATA[Men’s mental health is often a silent struggle, overshadowed by cultural expectations and societal norms. Phrases like “man up” or “boys...]]></description><link>https://www.spilledmilktherapy.com/post/breaking-barriers-a-guide-to-men-s-mental-health</link><guid isPermaLink="false">676d86a19536c7bcf51fb08a</guid><pubDate>Mon, 06 Jan 2025 15:00:25 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/23c6ed3f5e614c09b28a14d774acf206.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol Ann Murphy</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Christmas Magic]]></title><description><![CDATA[The holiday season is often synonymous with joy, togetherness, and a touch of magic. But for many moms, it can also bring immense...]]></description><link>https://www.spilledmilktherapy.com/post/christmas-magic</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6768a1d1d361a658c7090928</guid><pubDate>Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:00:15 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/935b58_66f841dd82324dbeb17b702473c5dd48~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol Ann Murphy</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[To My Best Friend on Her 40th Birthday]]></title><description><![CDATA[Dear Melissa, Today is a monumental day—your 40th birthday. I couldn’t let this milestone pass without taking a moment to celebrate you...]]></description><link>https://www.spilledmilktherapy.com/post/to-my-best-friend-on-her-40th-birthday</link><guid isPermaLink="false">675f771d12873a7dbe608755</guid><pubDate>Mon, 16 Dec 2024 13:00:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/935b58_5a9435c740c24f92b9258f69c0e4aa73~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_865,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol Ann Murphy</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Merry Without the Madness: A Holiday Survival Guide for Moms]]></title><description><![CDATA[Last year, I found myself deep in the trenches of holiday burnout. I poured so much physical and emotional energy into making Christmas...]]></description><link>https://www.spilledmilktherapy.com/post/merry-without-the-madness-a-holiday-survival-guide-for-moms</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6740dcd7357fd0625bfa339b</guid><pubDate>Tue, 03 Dec 2024 14:00:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_3712262700894ab6b684185f6fe66b5e~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol Ann Murphy</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Selfish vs. Self-Centered ]]></title><description><![CDATA[One of my favorite “a-ha” moments with clients often comes when we discuss the difference between being selfish and being self-centered....]]></description><link>https://www.spilledmilktherapy.com/post/selfish-vs-self-centered</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6716bb297e226ea8ddd73aa7</guid><pubDate>Mon, 21 Oct 2024 20:39:31 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/02a1cfc4e5aa405694e88c8a225938a1.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol Ann Murphy</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Growth Begins Where Comfort Ends: Embracing Discomfort for Real Change]]></title><description><![CDATA[It’s human nature to seek comfort when things feel uncertain or overwhelming. Whether it's reaching for a drink, impulsively shopping, or...]]></description><link>https://www.spilledmilktherapy.com/post/growth-begins-where-comfort-ends-embracing-discomfort-for-real-change</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66e0bf64230139f24f17377d</guid><pubDate>Tue, 17 Sep 2024 10:00:17 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_3e7b4d95a2204123aedbae5913a5c164~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Carol Ann Murphy</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>