Life & Love

I am a trained professional that will elevate your relationships and enrich your life. Embrace the path to happiness and fulfillment with valuable insights and practical tips.

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Doing It Differently With No One to Show You How
Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

Doing It Differently With No One to Show You How

Millennial and Gen Z parents are breaking generational trauma cycles, healing childhood wounds, surviving record financial pressure, and raising emotionally healthy kids — all at the same time. You are not failing. You are the turning point.

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Why You Feel Stuck — And Exactly What to Do About It
Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

Why You Feel Stuck — And Exactly What to Do About It

You know what you should be doing. You're just not doing it. If you've been saying "I'll start soon" for longer than you'd like to admit — this one's for you. Michelle breaks down the 5 real reasons people get stuck and gives you a clear, actionable strategy to finally move forward.

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Feeling Stuck: Why It Happens and What to Actually Do About It
Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

Feeling Stuck: Why It Happens and What to Actually Do About It

Feeling stuck isn't laziness, weakness, or lack of motivation — it's a specific psychological and neurological state with real causes. This post explains what's actually happening and gives you the honest framework for getting out.

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They Were Your Drug: Why You Stay Addicted to Toxic People
Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

They Were Your Drug: Why You Stay Addicted to Toxic People

Leaving a toxic person isn't a matter of willpower — it's a matter of brain chemistry. This post breaks down the neuroscience of why toxic relationships are so addictive, and what it actually takes to get free.

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Breaking Generational Trauma: How to End the Cycle for Good
Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

Breaking Generational Trauma: How to End the Cycle for Good

Generational trauma is not just a concept — it is a pattern living inside your body, your relationships, and your responses to the world. This post breaks down what it actually is, what the science says, and exactly how to stop passing it down.

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Done Being Tired: How to Combat Fatigue and Beat It for Good
Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

Done Being Tired: How to Combat Fatigue and Beat It for Good

Tired of being tired? Chronic fatigue has deeper roots than most people realize — and coffee is not the answer. A science-backed guide to what is actually draining you and how to rebuild real, lasting energy from the inside out.

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Long Marriage, Lost Connection — What Now?
Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

Long Marriage, Lost Connection — What Now?

You already know something needs to change — in your relationship, your life, or both. The answers you have been looking for are not found in generic advice or empty reassurance. They are found in honest, clear, experience-backed insight from someone who has worked with thousands of people in exactly your situation. Start reading and start shifting.

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Love is Blind: An Ohio Experiment Through a Couples Counselor's Eyes (Episodes 1-6)
Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

Love is Blind: An Ohio Experiment Through a Couples Counselor's Eyes (Episodes 1-6)

As a couples counselor, I've seen it all – the beautiful beginnings, the challenging middles, and sometimes, the heartbreaking ends of relationships. When Netflix’s Love is Blind landed in my own backyard with the Ohio season, I couldn't resist putting on my professional hat to dissect what really happened in those pods and beyond. Join me as I break down the science of attraction, the crucial conversations often missed.

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The God Gene? Exploring the Biological Roots of Belief
Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

The God Gene? Exploring the Biological Roots of Belief

Is faith a choice, or is it hardwired into our DNA? While culture and upbringing play massive roles, modern science suggests that our genetic makeup and brain chemistry might tilt the scales. Drawing on insights from Robert Sapolsky’s Behave, we dive into the fascinating neurobiology that separates the devout from the skeptical. Explore the evolutionary advantages and disadvantages of our genetic predisposition towards (or away from) religious belief.

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Micro-Moments That Strengthen Marriage
Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

Micro-Moments That Strengthen Marriage

Discover how micro-gestures and shared experiences strengthen long-term marriage by creating deeper connection through everyday moments. Research shows that consistent, small acts of attention, care, and presence—rather than occasional grand gestures—play a critical role in building trust, emotional intimacy, and lasting satisfaction over time. By focusing on thoughtful daily practices and shared experiences, couples can nurture closeness, reinforce emotional safety, and sustain a meaningful partnership throughout the many seasons of marriage.

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Beyond Dry January: Embracing a Mostly Sober Lifestyle
Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

Beyond Dry January: Embracing a Mostly Sober Lifestyle

Over time, living intentionally with alcohol transforms more than just your drinking habits. It cultivates a lifestyle centered on choice, awareness, and purpose. You develop the freedom to enjoy life fully without relying on intoxication, and you learn to find joy, connection, and fulfillment in everyday moments rather than through substances. By prioritizing health, relationships, and personal growth, a mostly sober lifestyle can lead to long-term satisfaction, deeper emotional bonds, and a life lived with balance, clarity, and intentionality.

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Dry January: Reset Your Health and Relationships
Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

Dry January: Reset Your Health and Relationships

I’m happy to say that Dry January — the month-long challenge of abstaining from alcohol at the start of the year — has grown into a global phenomenon, offering people a chance to reset habits, improve health, and rethink their relationship with alcohol. Millions participate annually, gaining physical benefits, mental clarity, and a fresh perspective on drinking.

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