When Helping Hurts
I’ve always loved helping. I’d jump in to make someone’s work easier, help their party go smoothly, or even try to boost their self-esteem. It felt good to be the person who set aside my own needs to be of service. But when I really looked at it, I started to see it wasn’t all […]
Don’t Run Away
Sometimes I feel like running away. That feeling is always a signal, a heads-up that something is wrong. Usually, it happens because I’m running on fumes—depleted of basic things like food, sleep, or fun. Other times, I start thinking about everything I need to do for the day, and the sheer size of the list […]
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 […]
Do Scary Things
The scariest moment I’ve ever had on a bike was the first time I tried to ride a two-wheeler. The uncertainty of not knowing what I was doing while trying to figure it out on the move was terrifying. The whole experience felt overwhelming, and I was scared. The second scariest ride came after my […]
How I Stop the Worry Cycle
It’d be nice not to get pissed when someone casually says, “Don’t worry about it.” What does that even mean? Isn’t worry supposed to help us think long and hard about solving problems? I’m starting to think it’s not. I’d love to eliminate worry from my mind. Wouldn’t you? When I worry, my brain starts […]
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 […]
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, […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
