OPTIMIZE EVERYDAY
The Best Therapy Might Be Your Best Friend
This weekend brought devastating news from two corners of the world. At Brown University, two students were killed and nine injured during finals week....
The Antidote to Rage Bait
Oxford Dictionary just named “rage bait” its Word of the Year for 2025, which feels about right for a time when outrage has become the internet’s favorite...
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"...
How Psychobabble Is Ruining Our Relationships
Sarah sits across from me, visibly frustrated. "I've been setting boundaries with my mom like everyone says I should," she explains, "but now she...
I’m Not Anti-therapy. I Am Anti-therapy Culture.
If you live in New York City, it is not unusual to meet someone who has been in talk therapy for over a decade....
LATEST
Even Better Than Chocolate? Little Acts of Love
Valentine’s Day will arrive soon with its familiar rituals: flowers, chocolates, and heart-shaped everything. These visible gestures of affection have their place but what...
Aging Without Raging: The Secret Sauce of Longevity
I have a January birthday so aging is on my mind. There is a lot of advice out there about how to live long...
Doing Less Might Be Exactly What You Need Right Now
It’s mid-January, and if you’re feeling the weight of these dark days, you’re not alone. About 40% of Americans report their mood declining during...
Stop Asking “Am I Happy?” — Here’s The Question That Actually Matters
We’ve been taught to treat happiness like a vital sign—something to constantly check, measure, and optimize. Open Instagram and you’ll find a thousand gurus...
The Best Therapy Might Be Your Best Friend
This weekend brought devastating news from two corners of the world. At Brown University, two students were killed and nine injured during finals week....
