Why Are We Stuck on Repeat?
Sometimes we seem to keep doing the same things over and over again: experiencing the same feelings, thinking the same thoughts, circling in the same relationships. This can become a problem if you get stuck rehashing the same negative thoughts, the same anxieties, or the same disappointments with other people, with no sense of making…
Read MoreAre You Sure You Are Taking Care of Yourself?
Are You Seeing the Full You or Just a Small Glimpse? Some of our first milestones in life are to develop regular relationships with eating and sleeping. We might not remember, but parents rejoice when they see us settle into a pattern that matches what we need. As we get older, though, we do not…
Read MoreHow to Escape the Social Anxiety Paradox
We can all feel insecure sometimes at parties or when meeting new people in general. And there are some of us who prefer to socialize a lot less than others. This is quite different from the intense self-consciousness and fear that is typical of Social Anxiety Disorder. Struggling with this condition means that these intense…
Read MoreDestination Unknown: Fear of Moving Forward
We all want to be happier people, right? Yes and no. Sometimes just as you are beginning to feel better, your outlook changes. Instead of being filled only with hope and excitement, there are strong feelings of fear mixed in there too. Many people are shocked when this happens in counseling. They might reach a…
Read MoreThe Power of Ritual (to Heal and to Harm)
Rituals can play a dual role in our lives. On the one hand, they can provide the structure we rely on to move about our days doing the things we need to do, whether at work, school, or play, in our relationships, and in our thoughts. Without ritual, life can feel chaotic, making it harder…
Read MoreProcrastination and Cheating Your Future Self
We seem to have a love/hate relationship with procrastination. In the moment, it offers a welcome escape from our more tedious but clearly more responsible duties. We reflexively turn to our televisions to watch one more episode, and to our phones to check that new email or update our Facebook. We endlessly rationalize ways to…
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