Gossiping is something most of us do at one point or another. Whether it's a casual chat with friends or a workplace discussion, it's easy to slip into gossiping without realizing it. It doesn’t take getting “caught” gossiping or someone’s feelings getting hurt to feel icky about gossip. If you feel that you’ve been gossiping too much and want to make a change, it’s totally possible to break the habit with intention and self-awareness. Cutting down on gossiping can improve your relationships, boost your reputation, and help you cultivate a more positive environment.

YouTube has become one of the most engaging platforms on the internet, keeping millions of users glued to their screens for hours. Whether it’s educational content, entertainment, or just mindless scrolling, YouTube has a unique ability to capture and hold attention. But what makes it so addictive? Let’s check out some of the psychological and technological factors that are the likely culprits in keeping us hooked.

If you spend 20 hours or 60 hours a week at work; if you’ve been in an office, hybrid, or at home and suddenly ordered back to a cubicle; if you work in a customer-facing role or hide out in the back the building; work can be a tremendous source of anxiety. In this blog, we’ll take a look at work anxiety and coping strategies that can help.

Starting a project is exciting, but not every idea will lead to success. Knowing when to let go of a project can save time, energy, and resources that could be better invested elsewhere. But how do you determine whether it’s time to move on? Here are key signs that it might be time to give up on a project.

Friendships can be an incredible part of life, for introverts, extroverts, and everyone in between. Friendship can offer support, companionship, and shared experiences. However, not all friendships are meant to last forever. Sometimes, ending a friendship is necessary for personal growth and well-being. But how do you know when it's time to walk away? Here are some key signs that a friendship may have run its course.

Yes, of course it’s anxiety-inducing: climate change is a serious global issue, and it's natural to feel overwhelmed, anxious, or even hopeless. Acknowledging your emotions is the first step toward addressing them in a healthy way. Instead of suppressing your feelings, recognize that they are a valid response to a significant challenge. Consider talking to friends, family, or a mental health professional about your concerns.

Even if you have never seen HAL go sideways in the Kubrick flick, 2001: A Space Odyssey, you may be having some grave misgivings about how Artificial intelligence (AI) is exploding into our lives and transforming the world at a rapid pace, bringing advancements in technology, healthcare, business, and everyday life. However, this rapid progress can also spark fear and anxiety about job displacement, privacy concerns, and ethical dilemmas. Managing anxiety about AI involves understanding its impact, developing a balanced perspective, and focusing on positive engagement with technology.

Consumerism, the culture of prioritizing the acquisition of goods and services, has become deeply embedded in modern society. While it promises convenience, status, and gratification, it can also have profound effects on mental health. From feelings of inadequacy to chronic stress, consumerism’s psychological toll is worth exploring. Below, we delve into how consumerism impacts mental health and ways to mitigate its negative effects.

Emotional avoidance is a coping mechanism in which individuals try to evade uncomfortable feelings, thoughts, or emotions. It often involves suppressing, ignoring, or distracting oneself from emotional experiences rather than confronting or processing them. While it might seem like a useful strategy in the short term, emotional avoidance can lead to long-term negative consequences for mental health, relationships, and overall well-being.

When we avoid emotions, we miss opportunities to understand ourselves better and to address the root causes of our distress. This tendency can manifest in various ways, such as staying excessively busy, using substances like alcohol or drugs, or withdrawing from people and situations that might trigger certain emotions. Below, we’ll explore the key signs of emotional avoidance, why it happens, and how to address it.

Everyone makes mistakes, but watching a friend repeatedly make bad choices can be challenging. You might feel frustrated, concerned, or even helpless as you see them face the consequences of their actions. However, your support can make a meaningful difference. Here are some thoughtful ways to help a friend who’s struggling with poor decision-making while maintaining healthy boundaries.

Being assertive is a valuable skill that allows you to express your needs, set boundaries, and communicate effectively while respecting others. However, many people struggle with assertiveness due to a variety of personal, emotional, and environmental factors. If you find it hard to stand up for yourself or voice your opinions, you’re not alone. Understanding the root causes of this struggle is the first step toward building confidence and assertive communication skills.

Pettiness often describes behavior or actions that focus on trivial matters, usually to the detriment of harmony and goodwill. It involves giving undue importance to minor details or offenses, often accompanied by an exaggerated response. Being petty can lead to unnecessary conflict, strained relationships, and a reputation for being overly sensitive or difficult. Pettiness can be difficult to identify in part because what counts as petty is based on subjective judgement. Below are some key traits and examples of what is generally considered pettiness.

Compulsive buying, often referred to as shopping addiction, is a behavior that many people use to cope with emotional distress. For some, it’s a way to fill a void or distract from difficult emotions. But is this habit truly a coping mechanism? Let’s explore the psychology behind compulsive buying and the reasons it might serve as a temporary escape from life’s challenges.

Deciding to leave a job is a big step, and it can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. The signs that it might be time to move on aren’t always obvious, and many people struggle with knowing when to take the leap. If you’re feeling unsure, it’s essential to reflect on your current situation and identify whether your job is still serving your personal and professional goals; or perhaps if it’s the best option for your current context and needs. Below are key indicators to help you recognize when it might be time to seriously consider a change, and some very helpful insights about trying to make informed decisions without real information.

Mental health is a growing topic of concern in today’s society, with headlines often suggesting that issues like anxiety, depression, and stress are on the rise. Diagnosis like “Bipolar Disorder” or “Borderline” are often used casually in the popular vocabulary to describe someone’s observed behavioral pattern, without any medical diagnostic evidence. But is this truly the case? Let’s explore the factors contributing to this perception, whether it aligns with reality, and what it means for individuals and communities.

In a world full of distractions, mindfulness has emerged as a powerful tool to help us navigate life with clarity and balance. But what exactly is mindfulness, and why has it become so popular? Many people assume that mindfulness is long periods of meditation sitting pretending to have patience and pretending that it’s going well. Not so. Mindfulness is a broad concept that encompasses many kinds of activities, and even if you’ve had frustrating experiences with meditative practices in the past, it’s highly likely there’s a mindfulness practice that will fit your personality and prefences and present you with the opportunity to have a great experience and all the benefits of the practice.

Holding on to past hurt can feel like carrying a heavy weight everywhere you go. Whether it's the pain of a broken relationship, a betrayal, or a difficult life experience, clinging to old wounds can prevent you from fully embracing the present and moving forward. Letting go of past hurt is not about forgetting or minimizing what happened—it's about freeing yourself from the emotional chains that keep you stuck in a cycle of pain. Here are practical steps to help you begin the journey of letting go and reclaiming your emotional freedom.

Caring about what others think is a natural human tendency. We all seek validation, approval, and acceptance in some form. However, when the fear of judgment or criticism starts to dictate your actions, decisions, and self-worth, it can become a limiting force in your life. Constantly worrying about others' opinions can prevent you from fully embracing who you are, pursuing your goals, and living authentically. It can keep you on a miserable mental hamster wheel of trying-to-keep-up-with the tsunami wave of input we are hit with every minute about what everyone else is doing. So the question is: how can you stop caring so much about what others think, or, can you notice when it’s happening and get off the mental, physical, and financial hamster wheel? YES. It is possible to shift your mindset and develop the confidence to prioritize your own beliefs and values over external judgment.

Comparison is a natural part of human behavior. We often compare ourselves to others to gauge our progress, understand where we stand, and motivate ourselves to improve. However, when comparison becomes excessive or harmful, it can lead to what is known as "toxic comparison." This form of comparison can erode self-esteem, increase feelings of inadequacy, and even foster resentment toward others. Understanding what toxic comparison is and how it manifests can help us avoid its negative effects and focus on building a more positive and self-compassionate mindset.

Frustration is a natural emotion that everyone experiences from time to time. However, some people find it especially challenging to cope with it, even when faced with relatively small setbacks. If you’re one of those individuals who often struggles to deal with frustration, you're not alone. Understanding the root causes of this difficulty can help you manage your emotions more effectively and reduce the negative impact frustration has on your life.