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.

The word narcissist gets used a lot these days, not just for exes or family members, but to describe celebrities, influencers, and political figures who crave attention, cause harm and/ or avoid accountability. Having language for harmful behavior can be empowering, but the overuse of the term also creates confusion.