Have you ever considered the lasting effects of childhood trauma and how they extend into adulthood? How we are raised profoundly impacts how we see and interact with the world well into our later years. Neglect and other traumatic events can deeply influence adult behavior and lifestyle, in some ways that are more noticeable than …

Dreams are a mysterious and complicated part of the human experience that come with many theories behind their origin and meaning. The things our brains can come up with while sleeping unveil just how complex our psyche truly is. Dreams can contain signs, emotions, and memories that defy logic. One common type of dream is …

The last time I was the topic of a grapevine, I didn’t know what to do besides cry in my bathroom and “unfollow” people in real life. Someone took something I said to her totally out of context, added hot pepper, and passed it around, and it made enough rounds to get back to me …

If you’ve ever felt like winter drapes you in a fog you can’t shake off, you’re not alone. Sometimes, as autumn gives way to winter, it is not just your wardrobe that needs adjusting—your mood might need a little extra attention, too. Experts say Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) isn’t just about feeling down when the …

We raise kids to be independent and happy so that when they can leave the nest, they’ll be their own people (and not invade our refrigerators every weekend). A sense of independence is a characteristic many of us value. It signifies strength, self-reliance, and resilience. However, there can always be too much of a good …

You may have seen this scenario: a toddler belly-down in the toy aisle, shrieking and rolling on the floor because Mom said “no” to another Bluey toy. Maybe you’ve been unlucky enough to be the mom in this scenario. Staying calm during a tantrum is no easy feat, and no amount of coffee is enough …

Outgoing, high-energy, and communicative are some core characteristics of extroverted people. However, there are also many misconceptions and assumptions about extroverts. Some claim that extroverts tend to be bad listeners, don’t like alone time, or are shallow conversationalists, but those couldn’t be further from the truth. Stereotypes often obscure one’s judgment towards extroverts, so you …

It’s way too easy to let people walk all over you if you aren’t careful. And once they think you’re a pushover, it can be hard to reclaim that respect. This makes it important to stand up for yourself and assert your boundaries, but that’s usually easier said than done for certain personalities (those who …

Do you ever find yourself on autopilot, going through the motions but with a sinking feeling of unease and a sense that there’s something more you’re missing out on? Like the background music of your life is a gloomy tune you can’t quite switch off? It’s not that you are necessarily unhappy or depressed, but …

Everyone has complained about the state of things occasionally. It’s normal to have a “Why me?” reaction when things don’t go as planned. However, playing the victim is a behavioral pattern that can be incredibly destructive, both to the individual engaging in it and to those around them. What does victim mentality look like? People …