Dr. Nicole Taylor

People often talk about reaching an age where they stop worrying so much about what others think. In American culture, we often call this a midlife crisis. But what if it's something else? This article explores the freedom and grief that can accompany midlife, the many transitions that often converge during this stage of life, and how different cultural perspectives may offer a more compassionate understanding of growing older.

Many people think of pets as companions, something that brings comfort, joy, or routine. They often offer regulation, connection and care in people's daily lives. But in my work, and in my own experience of having pets since childhood, I often see how relationships with animals can support our mental health in deeper ways that aren’t always named.

The ways anxiety can show up as irritation, control, and distance, especially for people of color.