Learning to Manage Triggers
What happens when someone triggers you? I get really annoyed. It’s hard to believe that someone else can affect me so deeply. It bothers me because it feels like someone, other than myself, has control over how my day goes. Who is this person that isn’t me, yet they can make me react? It’s embarrassingly […]
Struggling to Start
“The secret to getting ahead is getting started.” – Mark Twain Getting started can feel like one of the hardest tasks in life. Whether it’s starting the day, meal prep, a project—anything. When we’re just beginning, we’re the furthest away from the end. The task feels heavy and endless, and it seems pointless to try […]
A Walk into the Unknown
Today, I’m joining a Philly social group that invites people to take walks together. I’ll be going by myself, not knowing a single person in this new group or this new city. It might be a terrible idea—and I’m really glad I’m doing it anyway. Even if it turns out to be boring, lonely, or […]
Facing Life’s Tough Moments
Today’s going to be tough. How do I know? Every day has its own struggles. The weight of responsibility is real. Years ago, if you’d asked me if I struggled, I would have smiled and said, “Not at all.” That’s because I was ignoring everything I didn’t want to deal with. Bad relationships, taxes, even […]
Stop Worrying
My mind used to slip into relentless loops of repetitive thoughts—about my workload, family worries, and all the other “bla bla bla” of life. But with practice, I’ve learned that I actually have the ability to decide where my thoughts go and what I think about throughout the day. It didn’t happen overnight, though. It […]
How I’m Tackling Loneliness in a New City
I’ve been feeling lonely lately. That feeling can easily overwhelm me with discomfort and sadness, but since I’ve been learning to manage my emotions, I try to react with logic. I’ve come to understand that when everything is new, it means I have to try new things to adapt. Right now, I’m in a new, […]
How I Unleash by Yelling on Paper
It sounds easy but it took time and practice to write openly about the things I didn’t want to feel or acknowledge within myself. Anger, fear, or resentful thoughts felt like they needed to be ignored until they disappeared. I didn’t want to identify as someone who was unkind or angry. But that’s not how […]
My Obsession with Self-Help Books
Every morning, I read a few pages from a book. The book is usually about habits, behaviors, and thought patterns. I’ve been reading these kinds of books for years. For the most part, they share similar information, with new perspectives like people’s experiences, a new way to phrase something, or sometimes even new ideas for […]
Why I’ve Been Embarrassed to Be Myself
I’m a pretty excitable, emotional person. That used to be really embarrassing. I would make my reactions smaller or hide them altogether. Like when I see a friend I haven’t seen in a while, it fills me with joy. And even as I write the word “joy,” I can feel some people cringe like I […]
Mindset and Kindergarten Lessons
For years, I’ve been researching ways to improve my life. I’ve discovered tools and techniques that help me accomplish necessary tasks, navigate difficult times, and maintain productivity. Much of the information I’ve learned isn’t novel—like you, I’d probably encountered it before in various forms. Simple concepts like, “Say what you mean. Mean what you say. […]
