[this article was originally written for Puttylike] They say “comparison is the thief of joy.” But, unfortunately, comparison can’t steal other people’s joy. Believe me, I’ve tried. Most of the time, I’m happy when others do well. I even try to love and support my fellow writers unconditionally, retweeting their work, sending encouragement, and wishing […]
Category: Brains
The Bright Side of Getting Distracted
[this article was originally written for Puttylike] As a child I was confused by a story about a kid torturing himself by trying not to think about orange penguins. The intended moral was that it’s impossible to not think about something. But I never understood why you wouldn’t want to think about orange penguins. They […]
Untying the Knot of Anxiety, One Strand at a Time
Each attempt to fix my anxiety only unearthed more problems… but it IS possible to get anxiety under control.
Feeling Scared as Lockdown Ends? An Anxious Human Explores Some Feelings
It’s June, 2020, and here in the UK the coronavirus lockdown is relaxing. (Actually, it’s not at all relaxing, it’s extremely stress-inducing, but you know what I mean.) Like most people, I’ve struggled with isolation and stress during these early stages of the pandemic but now that some aspects of daily life are returning to […]
Nostalgia, Regret and the Coronavirus Lockdown
As I write, it’s day fifty-one of not seeing any other humans. And, just in case you’re reading from the future, I should stress that that’s not purely by choice. We’re in lockdown to avoid spreading a deadly disease. During lockdown, I’ve experienced many feelings. I’ve been through the ups and downs, the spurts of […]
What Your Low Mood May Be Telling You
[this article was originally written for Puttylike] Have you ever entered the doldrums? Not the literal doldrums—the tedious places at sea where winds are few and sailors struggled to escape. I mean those times in life when nothing at all feels interesting. During these times, I listlessly ignore that stack of books waiting to be […]
Making Good Choices
[this article was originally written for Puttylike] Making good choices is hard. In fact, there’s only one thing I hate more than not having any choice, and that’s having to make one at all. I feel trapped when I have too few options, and overwhelmed when I have too many. Why are choices so difficult?
How to Tolerate Uncertainty When Waiting
[this article was originally written for Puttylike] Ding. You’ve Got Mail. Later, you will think, “I really ought to turn off that notification. It’s not 1997.” But right now, other things are on your mind. Your throat is tight, your heart is thumping, and you’re nervously staring at that bold subject line which has appeared […]
A Simple Trick to Sidestep Self-Criticism
[this article was originally written for Puttylike] Sometimes I’m ashamed to share my work. You might think that’s understandable (particularly if you’ve been exposed to many of my posts before!) but this isn’t just a healthy sense of shame at my evident limitations. Often, it’s fear of my own unoriginality. That inner voice of shame […]
Self-Esteem, Self-Confidence and Anxiety
There’s a difference between self-esteem and self-confidence.