Opting Out of the Holiday Stress Olympics
Every November, like clockwork, my inbox fills with articles about “surviving” the holidays. Social media feeds explode with memes about toxic family dinners and...
The Past Explains You, But It Doesn’t Define You
One cannot read a book or watch a movie these days without encountering a revelation of past trauma. In the New Yorker, Parul Sehgal...
The Leaf Blower Mindset
Last weekend, I watched my neighbor meticulously blow every leaf from his driveway, directly onto mine. As I stood there amid a swirling cloud...
Sorry, Pessimism Isn’t Wisdom
Sarah prides herself on being realistic. “Look, I’m clear eyed about how the world works. It’s a dangerous place filled with dangerous people.” She plans for...
A Simple Rule to Shift Your Perspective
Growing up, I was not allowed to use the word "hate." It was considered a four-letter word in our house. "Dislike" was perfectly fine,...
Stop Making Such a Big Deal About Going Back to School
Every August, the same ritual begins. Parents frantically Google "back-to-school anxiety tips." Schools send home preparation checklists. Mental health experts publish articles about the "inevitable"...