Get Unstuck in One Minute
I rolled my eyes the first time someone suggested I make a gratitude list. Meditation seemed like a waste of productive time, and yoga? That was for hippies. It took me a while to realize that I was responding out of ignorance—rejecting things I’d never sincerely tried. Nothing keeps me more locked into ignorance than […]
Recovering from a Mistake
The other day, I lost all my work by hitting the wrong button and forgetting to turn on my backup. I hate making mistakes. It feels like such a setback. Trying again after a mistake is frustrating, sometimes even more challenging than the first time. It’s scarier, more draining, and often requires new ideas or […]
Comparing is Dangerous
I was watching a documentary about poverty and homelessness in the U.S., and I got curious about the comments. A lot of people were saying things like, “I thought I had it bad, but now I know to be grateful.” One person even shared an old saying: “I felt bad for myself because I had […]
Getting Unstuck
If you’re struggling today, I get it. I don’t always want to do the things I know I need to do either. And, I don’t usually want a pep talk about it. When I’m stuck, I want to lean into the struggle and use it as an excuse to avoid the tasks at hand. But […]
Learning From Trashy TV?
I’ve recently added some reality shows to my daily screen time. For the past few years, I’ve mostly been watching, reading, and listening to helpful, self-improving content, so it was a bit surprising to suddenly find myself hooked on something different. Lately, it’s been **Financial Audit** with Caleb Hammer. He invites guests on to review […]
Craving Chaos
What happens when you feel the itch for a dopamine hit? Sometimes I’ll be working for a while, getting things done, and suddenly it feels like the satisfaction meter is running low. I catch myself wanting more than the quiet contentment of a job well done—I need something *different*. That’s when I start feeling drawn […]
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 […]
Coping with Boredom
How exciting is today? Not at all. And that bugs me. I can get pretty agitated when things are mundane. When I feel that way I get an urge to force a feeling, like I’m begging life for something—anything—other than this dull, slow moment. That’s when things get tricky. When I start wishing for anything […]
Baby Steps to Adulting
I never liked the idea of talking to myself like a child. It feels like I’m shrinking myself down. But the reality is, it’s so effective! We’re so gentle with children. When they’re scared, we take the time to ask why, figure out what’s behind the fear, and we reassure them. If they’re in HALT […]
That’s What You Get
There are many beliefs about being a good person and living a virtuous life, and one popular idea is that when you do good for others, good things will come back to you—what some people believe is the essence of karma. But I don’t see it that way. I don’t think life rewards us with […]
