“Relax!,” “You’re so tense,” “It’s not that big of a deal, let it go!” – sounds like a stressful situation, right? For someone with anxiety, these phrases get thrown at you on a daily basis, and they’re more embarrassing and painful than you’d ever imagine. I have always been an anxious person. My parents could … [Read more…]
One of my earliest posts dealt with the issue of gossiping and the role that talking about others has in friendships. But there is another function of this that I did not address, and one that I think can be rather illuminating. Do you ever find yourself repeatedly complaining to and confiding in a friend … [Read more…]
At the tail end of my friendship with my middle school clique, I first experienced the downsides to social media and the impact it can have on our wellbeing and relationships. I was in 9th grade and was away for the weekend with my parents, after my friend’s mother declined my mother’s request for me … [Read more…]
There are several correlations I’ve found between my undergrad training as an actor, and my experiences now as a social worker. But both careers rely heavily on a good self-care regimen. Both roles require the “player” to give and reveal so much of who they are, and absorb the emotions of others in a way … [Read more…]
Having distance from my experiences with girl bullying and a stronger sense of who I am has allowed me to revisit these memories with clarity, rather than emotion. However, I’m reminded every day of the impact those girls had on how I view and approach relationships; I often feel desperate when making plans with friends … [Read more…]
I have always taken issue with the term “best friends” – this initially stemmed from the fact that I myself did not have a true best friend until the end of high school. But even after claiming the experience myself, I consider the implications and expectations of that expression to be ultimately detrimental to how … [Read more…]
Being nice should be just that – nice. Growing up, we’re taught that if you’re nice, good things and people will come to you and you will ultimately be rewarded. But throughout my life, there have been several instances where being the “nice” one kept me from getting what I wanted and being perceived the … [Read more…]