Do your thoughts often run on autopilot? Do you assume you know what people mean when they say something that makes you feel anxious? If so, you are not alone! Having automatic thinking drives our actions and our reactions without much conscious consideration. The phrase "Catch It, Check It, Change It" serves as a powerful mantra, urging us to break free from the cycle of automatic thinking and helps us to [...]

Staying Calm and Focused During the Hectic Christmas Season Christmas is right around the corner! The Christmas season, with all its cheerful and joyous celebrations, can also bring about a sense of chaos and stress. The pressure to create perfect moments and meet various obligations can be overwhelming. However, maintaining a sense of calm and focus is essential for truly enjoying the holiday season. Here are a few strategies to help [...]

Healthy relationships thrive on mutual respect, open communication, and a balance between individual autonomy and shared connection. However, there are instances when relationships can become entangled in patterns of codependency, a dynamic that can be detrimental to the well-being of those involved. This article aims to provide you a set of questions to help assess whether you might be in a codependent relationship. By asking these questions and reflecting on your [...]

In today's world of social media and instant gratification, it's easy to fall into the trap of victimhood without even realizing it. A victim mentality is a mindset that can hinder personal growth, damage relationships, and prevent you from achieving your goals. But how can you identify if you have a victim mentality? In this article, I will explore ten telltale signs to help you self-reflect and break free from this [...]

Do you ever wonder why you sometimes feel that people are taking advantage of you? Do you have trouble saying no to people? Maybe your personal boundaries aren’t exactly where they should be in order for you to be empowered. Here is a quick questionnaire for understanding where your boundaries are strong and where they are lacking. 1. Are you comfortable saying "no" when you need to? (1) Always (2) Sometimes [...]

The fear of making the wrong choice can leave us stuck in a perpetual state of limbo. This stagnation can lead to increased stress and a sense of helplessness. Indecision often arises from a desire to avoid mistakes or the fear of facing the unknown. The longer we remain undecided, the heavier the burden becomes. This mental and emotional weight can lead to heightened stress levels, impacting your overall well-being and [...]

I had a client once tell me they wanted to think like me. I asked them what exactly they meant. They said I always seem so positive and I always can see the silver linings in situations. While I was flattered by my client’s appraisal of me, I let them know that this is not a resiliency I was born with but one that I have purposefully and carefully created and [...]

Overthinking falls into two categories: ruminating (rehashing the past) and worrying (making often catastrophic predictions about the future). Overthinking interferes with sleep and threatens one's mental health. One way to avoid overthinking is to focus on active solutions instead of focusing on the problem. Rehashing the past: - Why did I say that today? Now I feel like an idiot! - Why did I spend so much money? I am not [...]

Psychology Today lists 10 reasons why journaling can be beneficial to your health. These reasons include: helps reduce anxiety and stress, enhances creativity, improves memory, boosts self-awareness, good for your mental health, provides motivation, gives you a sense of accomplishment, strengthens your relationships, helps your productivity and leaves a legacy! Sounds great right? It really is great to journal but sometimes the words don’t come easily. This is where journal prompts [...]

Merriam Webster definition of the word triggered: A : occurring in response to a stimulus typically perceived as negative or harmful Triggered reactions can be intense and unpleasant, and may even overtake our consciousness, as with a flashback experienced by a war veteran.—Kate Manne As the body moves quickly, the heart rate and breath speed up, which also occurs during a triggered "fight or flight" reaction.—Lindsey Pearson B : caused to [...]