There are so many benefits to cleanliness and organization. You may not have control over everything going on in your life, but this is one thing you can control. This space is YOURS. Also, like I briefly mentioned earlier, physical clutter can add to mental clutter and make it harder to focus. Each messy item is just reminding you of all the other things you have to do. Peace comes with putting everything in its place. Lastly, a clean space can also promote healthier choices. In one study, when participants were placed in either a messy or clean room - the ones in the clean room chose healthier snacks and were more generous (Madormo, 2021). 

When you better understand your own body’s response to different weather situations, you can find a good rhythm for balancing rest and activity and making the most of what each day brings. Whether that is a brisk walk in the fall while you enjoy the changing colors of the leaves, or a rainy day in spring where you take the time to rest and be thankful for new growth, in each and every season, there are unique ways to rest. Going along with these natural changes can bring out the best in you while also increasing your appreciation for what each new day brings.

One of the very best things about chess is the way it requires those who play it to consider the board from the other player’s perspective. You’ll never be a very good chess player if you can’t see the moves your opponent might make. A great game of chess requires two players who are actively aware of the possibilities before each of them and how those possibilities change with every move on the board. This is wonderful for a number of reasons, the most apparent being that it challenges those who play to develop and deepen their theory of mind, an integral part of having empathy (Stanborough, 2020).

Around 21 million adults in the U.S. had at least one major depressive episode based on SAMHSA data from 2020 - this is about 8.4% of all adults. The prevalence of a depressive episode was almost 2x higher in women than men, and 18-25 year olds were the most affected. 

I think each of us could likely use a visit from the Ghost of Christmas Past at some point in our lives. Life is hard and complicated. It surely challenges each of us in ways we never could have dreamed. But rather than waste wishful thinking on a visit from a fictional character, we can examine our own lives, our choices, and be brave enough to see where they’ve led us. Then we have the choice, and the power, to change course if we want to. No ghosts required.

It’s tempting to fall prey to the idea that it’s good to surround yourselves only with people who look like you, agree with your beliefs or your religion, or are in the same financial bracket as you, etc. That can feel good at first because it’s so easy. We like to see ourselves reflected in others, to have what we already think affirmed or find that we share interests or opinions with someone else. These are all natural ways of bonding. The trouble starts when we begin to exclude anyone who falls outside those cozy formulas.

Have you ever been in the middle of your own crisis when someone tried to lean on you for support or looked to you for their own guidance and emotional balance? If you’ve experienced this, then you know what the usual response is: a wide eyed, blank stare that essentially says: What?!? I can’t help you right now! I’m barely capable of helping myself! This is a far more common situation than you might imagine. For many, hardship and trials lead them to lean on anyone who happens to be close enough to grab, even if that person is up to their neck in their own problems. When this happens within families, it can lead to really explosive interactions!

Sometimes letting go of a goal is not the bad thing we think it will be. Instead, it provides us with the space and time for other things that we may not have been able to make priorities if we had stuck to the original goal. Also, it may mean that now is just not the season for us to pursue a certain goal if the motivation, passion, and determination is just not there no matter how hard we try to convince ourselves we can do it. 

Did you know that we each have a blind spot in life? It’s true! Referred to as the “bias blind spot”, this term was coined by three colleagues at Princeton University in a paper titled, “The Bias Blind Spot: Perceptions of Bias in Self Versus Others.” Here’s how it works.

What would you say if I told you that fishing is one of the healthiest, easiest hobbies out there? Don’t believe me? Let’s see if I can convince you! 

When you hear “gray matter” and “white matter,” this is referring to different areas of the brain. Gray matter is the darker, outer portion and is mostly in charge of processing and interpreting information.

Of all the personality tools I’ve ever dived into, none has been as helpful and insightful for my daily life as the Enneagram. Haven’t heard of the Enneagram?

Before you write me off as crazy, let me explain. I’ve believed in taking myself on dates since I was a child, but back then, I didn’t know that was what I was doing.

Did you know that here in America 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men will experience sexual violence at some point during the course of their life?

Think back again to the mountain analogy. Not many hikers set out to just reach the summit without stopping. Instead, they plan for breaks along the way. They pack snacks and take breaks, enjoying the beauty around them as they climb.

When you see someone who looks really fit at the gym, the last thing you are likely to consider is that they may be engaged in addictive behavior right in front of your eyes.

I recently met a new friend who moved to the United States with her family from Chile. She had been living here less than a year when we were first introduced, and the language barrier is a challenge for both of us.

During an argument, I’m usually the quieter one. Sometimes, it looks like I’ve shut down. However, I may not have a lot to say verbally in the moment, but my mind is running at 90 miles/hour processing what’s going on.

What she described is called “dissociation,” and it’s defined as “a mental process where a person disconnects from their thoughts, feelings, memories or sense of identity” (BHC, 2012). You may also hear it referred to as “depersonalization.”

It’s clear that dating apps are here to stay, and there are some unanticipated upsides to looking for love online. Of course, there’s always more to the story.