Byron Katie is a best-selling author and thought leader famous for her methodology of working with difficult emotions, which she calls “The Work”. She is most famous for this practice, which helps folks who are struggling or seeking greater mental wellbeing identify the root of what is bothering them. In a climate where many people […]
Life Coaching
Why We Grieve People We’ve Never Met
The death of a beloved celebrity or public figure often brings with it intimate outpourings of grief— often from people who never met the departed. This begs interesting questions about the psychological impact of idol worship, public figures and relationships writ large, as well as our personal sense of wellbeing in the world. In the […]
Why Your Partner Shouldn’t Be Your Therapist
After one of our posts went viral on Instagram, we figured it was best to expound on the thread that Sandra from Twitter, below, so thoughtfully started. Why is it, exactly, that your partner shouldn’t be your therapist? The idea here is tempting. You can save money on therapy, allow yourself to be vulnerable and […]
The Art of Listening Better in 3 Easy Mantras
If you follow me on Instagram you know that I’ve been on this kick recently of really trying to be a better listener. What follows is a parable that sums up why. A few weeks ago, I heard a conversation between critically-acclaimed psychologist Harriet Lerner and shame researcher Brené Brown that piqued my interest with […]
12 Things That Are Better Predictors of Happiness Than Money, “Success”, or Accolades
If happiness is all that matters at the end of the day, then why obsess over money & success when everything you need to be happy is already within your control? This is the premise of what I call the “Dirty Dozen” of Happiness: 12 key attributes, circumstances, and personal qualities that are better predictors […]
Understanding Black Stress: Read Fast Company’s Sobering Article
Fast Company recently published a short, powerful article on the gap of black stress that’s worth reading– especially if you want to be a better mental health ally. “We’re in a terrible position because we don’t control what is necessary to change the circumstances that will alleviate our own stress,” Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones […]
Sarah Blondin’s “Honoring Life Meditation” is A Thing of Beauty
As we previously wrote in our guide to the Best Free Meditation Apps & Podcasts, we adore Sarah Blondin’s poetic, beautifully-written meditations, which the writer and meditation teacher puts out for free on her Live Awake Podcast. Recently, we came across Blondin’s “Honoring Life” meditation, which strikes us as a perfect meditation for our current, […]
Boost Your Mood By Creating a “Brag File”
Building confidence is an active pursuit that requires regular effort, which is why creating a so-called “brag file” can help. It’s an easy way to boost your mood when times get tough, or if you’re feeling down, jealous, or exceedingly self-conscious. Making a brag file is easy. Keep a running list of things that you […]
Michelle Obama Is Dealing with “Low Grade Depression,” Too
In the latest episode of the new Michelle Obama Podcast, the former First Lady said she is currently battling “some form of low grade depression.” “Not just because of quarantine, but because of the racial strife, and just seeing this administration, watching the hypocrisy of it, day in and day out, is dispiriting,” she said […]
5 Ways to Stop Emotional Eating, According to Experts
Emotional eating and impulse control is an aspect of feeding ourselves that is almost solely psychological. It’s a broadly-interpreted term that means many different things. Boredom eating qualifies as emotional eating, as does stress eating and eating when you’re sad or scared. “Emotional eating is basically just eating for any reason other than physical hunger,” […]