Surviving the Quarter Life Crisis: How To Make It Out Alive

If you read Part 1 of this series, you are now aware that the quarter-life crisis is in fact a very real thing that affects many people in their 20’s and early 30’s. While there may not be an exact “cure” for the quarter-life crisis, here are a few tips to help you keep your head above water and make this a successful time in your life.

Surviving the Quarter Life Crisis: Warning Signs

The struggle is real. Not only is the average twenty-something most likely working a job they merely tolerate, they are also trying to define themselves, determine the direction of their adult lives, live up to their parents expectations, and pay those first few bills that seem completely overwhelming (cable costs HOW much?!). Navigating through your 20’s and early 30’s can be extremely difficult while at the same time be some of the best years of your life. One day you feel as if you can conquer the world and the very next you’re positive that your life is going nowhere.

Caring for Someone with a Mood Disorder: How NOT to Go Crazy

Whether you have just found out or have known for several years, living with and loving someone who has mood disorder is difficult even in the best situation. In the course of any given day, you can feel hopeless, helpless, overwhelmed, confused, hurt, angry, frustrated, and/or resentful. If not dealt with, these feelings can lead to guilt, shame, sadness, exhaustion, fear, and isolation. Know that there isn’t a right or wrong way to feel. Learning how to handle negative emotions is what is most important.

The Benefits of a Relationship Check-Up

Typically a “check-up” is considered to be a medical evaluation to examine the status of one’s physical health. Many individuals have an annual check-up scheduled on their calendars as a routine method of prevention or awareness of health concerns. A relationship check-up can be viewed in a very similar way.

New Year’s Resolution: Two Steps Forward or One Step Back?

January is almost half over. How are you doing on your New Year’s resolutions? If you’re like most people, you’re probably feeling like you took two steps forward and one step back. You decided to make positive changes in the New Year and within a few days or even hours, you slip up and revert to your old way of doing things.

The Most Important New Year’s Resolution

Eat better, work less, make more money, lose that dreaded 15 pounds you just gained, run a 5k, travel to somewhere exotic… Most of us find it pretty easy to fill up several pages with ideas of things we want to do differently in the next year. What matters most to you though? Of all the things you fill up your list with, what will be the most significant?

Shame or Guilt: The Effects

In the first part of this series, we talked about distinguishing the differences between true guilt, false guilt, and shame. Now, let’s look at the effects of shame and guilt and how to overcome them.

Shame or Guilt: What Is The Difference?

Many people say they feel guilty about various things they have said or done in the past. They may even feel guilty when saying ‘no’ or standing up for themselves. There are misconceptions between what is actual guilt and what is false guilt. Furthermore, what someone may actually be feeling is actually shame.

Weathering an Emotional Storm: Healing & Moving Forward (Part 3)

During the period immediately following the crisis, your intense feelings of fear, panic, and anger begin to de-escalate. It may be difficult to resume your previous level of emotional or physical functioning due to feelings of uncertainty. You’ll start to notice certain words or situations are now triggers, reminding you of the traumatic event.

Weathering An Emotional Storm: You Have Choices (Part 1)

I use the term “emotional storm” metaphorically to represent times of emotional crisis in your life where you need to seek shelter in safety, connection with others, love and calmness, not just a physical shelter. An “emotional storm” can arise suddenly and consist of intense fear, chaos, anger, and a sense of unknowing.