I always wanted to volunteer in my late teens and early twenties but felt like life was so chaotic that trying to support anyone else was probably too much. So instead, I spent several years waiting for the “perfect time” for life to calm down. Once I arrived at a…
Journaling is a powerful tool. It serves as an outlet, allowing us to express our emotions and process our thoughts without fear of judgment — there is no need or temptation to censor ourselves when we’re writing to and for nobody but ourselves. What a gift. And yet, for some,…
A California woman decided to donate one of her kidneys without specifying who would receive the transplant. A male stranger subsequently benefited from her healthy organ. The woman, who was a writer, was definitely not seeking anonymity. She chronicled her “nondirected donation” through a special Facebook group. Then she confronted…
When I first met my now-husband’s friends, we all went out to dinner. When we were eating dessert, one of the wives said, “I have known several girlfriends through the years, and he never shares his dessert with anyone. He must really like you!” I laughed, thinking she was kidding….
Click here to schedule online counseling at Thriveworks. Hi, my name is Stacey Jaundoo and I am a clinician at Thriveworks Counseling in the Bethesda, Maryland area. And I wanted to just talk with you a little bit about how the Coronavirus is really impacting a lot of our lives…
A materialist is someone whose life is centered around acquiring more goods. Materialists correlate their happiness with their possessions. They claim that these products are the key source of their life fulfillment and a representation of their success in life. The question, “Would owning more things make me happier?” is…
During the holiday season, there’s a distinct emphasis on giving thanks for all that we’re fortunate enough to have. But in trying to make the season festive, we often put unnecessary stress on ourselves and each other. As a result, we might not feel as merry as we could. That’s…
Gratitude is all about showing your appreciation for the good things in your life; and engaging in gratitude practices is incredibly beneficial to your health. Some scientifically proven benefits of practicing gratitude include a boost in self-esteem, improved quality of sleep, and enriched relationships. One gratitude practice in specific can…
It’s easy to get down on ourselves and feel a little unlucky or unfortunate; but the reality is, we all have something to be grateful for. Take, for example, your very existence! The chances of you being, well, you are slim to none; therefore, you should celebrate even being alive….
Many of us celebrate Thanksgiving by helping ourselves to a plate stacked high with turkey, potatoes, green beans, and pumpkin pie—but the holiday isn’t just for eating delicious food! The whole point of Thanksgiving is to give thanks for all of your fortunes such as the incredible people in your…
How often do you say, “This is the worst day ever,” or maybe even, “I hate my life”? Probably every now and then. A lot of us are easily disheartened when things don’t quite go our way, and we quickly engage in these irrational thoughts. Sure, doing so is only…
The hustle and bustle of Christmas is officially over. You know what that means—it’s just about the new year! Just a few weeks ago, you were writing down inspired resolutions for this very occasion. But now that the new year is on your doorstep, you’re just not sure how to…