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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
I met The Nicest Strangers and Had Social Anxiety
Ever since the pandemic, my social behavior has shifted. Due to some health issues, I isolated for a couple of years. Although I kept in touch with friends and had a very social job, it was all digital. I had control over who I invited into my world with just a click, and with another […]
What Do I Do with These Feelings?
Before I had tools, I often felt lost, lonely, and anxious, though I didn’t think these feelings needed to be addressed because I also experienced happiness, motivation, and love. I would often flip-flop between these emotions. Feeling a range of emotions isn’t bad, but they would often dictate my actions and override logic, making life […]
Tricking Myself into Motivation
One of my secrets to staying motivated is that I trick myself every day. My morning routine, daily schedule, and night routine are full of tricks designed to keep me on track. Here are some examples: I bought the easiest and best espresso and foam maker for my home, which helps me stop spending hundreds […]
Check My Nails. Baby How You Feelin’?
I can tell a lot about how I’m doing just by looking at my nails. It might sound strange, but they’re a pretty reliable indicator of how well I’m taking care of myself. When my nails are uneven, chipped, or my cuticles are a mess, it’s usually because I’ve neglected them. Maybe a nail broke […]
This is The Year… AGAIN!
When I was a kid, I would start every school year with the best of intentions. I’d tell myself, This is the year I’ll be organized and disciplined. I’d buy all the right tools—fresh notebooks, post-its, label-makers—and convince myself that the new me would follow. But what I wasn’t doing was building the habit of […]
