The coffee maker beeps. You pour one cup instead of three. In the quiet morning kitchen, you notice the absence of backpack sounds, rushed breakfast conversations, and the chaotic energy that filled this space for years. Your child moved out last month. College, maybe, or their first apartment. You’re proud. You’re relieved they’re thriving. And …
You’re at dinner with friends when someone makes a comment that stings. You laugh it off, but you’re still replaying the moment hours later, wishing you’d said something. Or maybe you’re the person who always says “yes” when your schedule is screaming “no,” then resents everyone for taking up your time. These moments aren’t just …
You know someone who seems unshakeable. Maybe your coworker gets passed over for a promotion and bounces back with a better opportunity. Or your friend who handles family drama without falling apart. You might think they were born with thicker skin. But brain science tells a different story. Some people handle stress better than others …
Do you feel like you’re someone everyone counts on, never to give up? The one who pushes through when others would quit, who sees projects to completion no matter what? If that sounds like you, this might be a difficult thought to hold: Your persistence could be working against you. We’ve all been taught that …
Do you feel emotions much more intensely than the people around you? Perhaps you’ve been told you’re “too sensitive” or that you need to “toughen up.” We need to challenge what society teaches us about feeling. Acknowledging your feelings isn’t a weakness; it’s a core component of emotional intelligence. In fact, people who experience emotions …
Your friend Sarah just texted to say that dinner plans have been canceled. Do you start spiraling about your ruined evening, or do you think, “Great, now I can try that new recipe I’ve wanted to make”? That difference? It’s called cognitive (or psychological) flexibility, which might be the most important mental skill you didn’t …
You spent an hour on Sunday mapping out your values. You read articles, journaled, and maybe even talked with a friend about what matters most. You identified your top five. You felt clear, even energized. Then Monday hit. Your boss asked if you could take on another project. Someone invited you to serve on a …
Values are not just nice words on a wall. Your brain uses them as shortcuts for choices, motivation, and self-control. When a decision matches what matters to you, the parts of the brain that track “this fits me” and “this feels rewarding” light up. When you live out of sync with your values, stress rises …
You used to know who you were. Now you stand in the grocery store, staring at cereal boxes, unable to make a simple decision. The you from two years ago had opinions about everything. This version of you can barely remember what you like for breakfast. Or maybe it shows up differently. You snap at …
You wake up one morning and nothing feels familiar, even though you’re in the same bed you’ve slept in for years. The divorce papers are signed. Your youngest just left for college. You retired last month. You moved across the country for a fresh start. Suddenly, the routines that once defined you have fallen away. …
Your personal values are like an internal compass. When you align with them, decisions become clearer and your day flows more steadily. You feel “off when you drift,” even if you can’t explain why. Here’s what makes values work challenging: You’ve probably absorbed other people’s “shoulds” your whole life. Parents, culture, Instagram, your industry; everyone …
Feeling drained, foggy, or like your spark at work has fizzled? You’re not alone. Many high achievers hit this wall and assume they’ve lost their work ethic. Burnout is really your body’s warning light: stress has emptied the tank. Seeing it this way reduces shame and opens the door to actual healing. What Is Burnout, …
Hypervigilance is often associated with trauma responses. It shows up in those moments when the nervous system kicks into high alert, scanning your surroundings for danger, even when none is immediately present. While we typically think of this in the context of personal safety, hypervigilance can also quietly infiltrate the workplace, affecting performance, relationships, and …
Friendship is often felt as a safe harbor, a place where we can rest, be seen, and feel understood. But for many of us who carry histories of trauma, abuse, or betrayal, even the safest shores can feel unpredictable. Hypervigilance, a typical trauma response, can shape how we approach relationships, leaving us caught between craving …
Most of us brush past thoughts of our own mortality while we’re busy living life. I know I have—and still do. But I’ve also found a sense of empowerment in embracing the reality that life is finite. What Would You Do With Two Years? Several years ago, I came across an article called The Nun …
Loneliness is often viewed as something to escape. But what if we could adapt to loneliness in ways that build resilience, deepen self-awareness, and even improve our health? In a world where more than one-third of adults report feeling lonely (CDC, 2023), learning to adapt to loneliness isn’t just helpful — it’s essential. Here are …
Have you ever had a stranger pay for your coffee? Found a kind note tucked inside a library book? Maybe someone let you go ahead of them in line at the grocery store, or you received a handwritten letter from a loved one when you needed it most. These random acts of kindness may seem …
Life rarely unfolds exactly as we plan. Just when we think we’re on a steady path, something unexpected happens—a job loss, a relationship ending, or a sudden shift in priorities. These moments can feel overwhelming, but they also present an opportunity: the chance to choose how we respond and, in doing so, shape our future. …
Do you ever second-guess yourself, even when you know the right choice deep down? Maybe you replay conversations in your head, wondering if you were too sensitive or took something the wrong way. As a highly sensitive person (HSP), your empathy and deep perception are gifts, but without self-trust, they can feel more like a …
In recent years, self-compassion has become a hot topic in mental health research. Dr. Kristin Neff, a leading expert in this field, has shown that self-compassion can significantly boost happiness and emotional resilience. Her research, published in Annual Reviews, highlights the importance of treating yourself with kindness and understanding. Studies by other researchers, like Lee …