Do you ever find yourself saying “yes” when you really mean “no”? Have you stayed quiet during a conversation where someone crossed a line, then spent hours afterward replaying what you wished you’d said? If this sounds familiar, you’re definitely not alone. We hear a lot about building individual resilience and that inner strength to …
You know how some people seem to roll with life’s punches while others get knocked down for weeks? We’ve all got that friend who loses their job and somehow bounces back with an even better opportunity, or that colleague who handles family drama like it’s no big deal. You might think they’re just naturally tougher …
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’ve spent time thinking about what matters to you. You may have even identified your core values and understand how your brain responds when choices align with those values. But you’re still spending hours spinning on decisions, second-guessing yourself, or choosing paths that leave you feeling off course. Knowing your values is just the starting …
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 …
When life knocks the wind out of you, it can feel like you do not recognize yourself. Burnout, trauma, loss, or sudden change can scramble the roles and routines that once made life make sense. That disorientation is not a failure. It is your nervous system saying, “The old way stopped working.” You can steady …
You wake up one morning and nothing feels familiar, even though you’re in the same bed you’ve slept in for years. A new job, divorce, becoming a parent, retirement, or moving across town can shake the routines that once defined you. When the old structure falls away, it’s common to feel untethered and to ask, …
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 …
Do you ever feel like you’re waiting for the perfect moment to change your life? Maybe you second-guess yourself, afraid of making the wrong choice. Or perhaps you’ve been listening to other people’s opinions for so long that you’re unsure what you really want. The truth is that creating a life you love isn’t about …