It’s been said that expectation is the thief of joy. Certainly, if your expectations are well-worn and rigid, when reality comes along, it just might not fit the bill. Many times in life, people become disappointed and frustrated because what they expected out of situations or other people didn’t pan out. Placing heavy expectations on yourself can also stifle creativity or increase your stress levels too. All this isn’t to say that expectations are altogether bad or unhealthy. However, [...]
Recovering from codependency is possible, but it’s not always easy. We remain locked into codependent relationships for many reasons, even when we know how they are damaging us. Being so closely tangled up with another person who relies on us, and on whom we can rely, is like having dopamine on tap. We have quick access to a feel-good emotional drug, and that can be addictive. The term “codependency” was first used in the context of Alcoholics Anonymous to [...]
Communication is a skill that all humans need to navigate life and relationships. There are conditions in our lives that can hijack our communication and hold us hostage to a mindset that disrupts connection instead of facilitating it. We see this when exploring the nature of codependency. Codependency is the state of being mutually reliant. For example, a relationship between two individuals who are emotionally dependent on one another. Codependent relationships are often characterized by dysfunction in which one [...]
Do you feel overwhelmed by too much to do and not enough time to do it? Are you dealing with a difficult situation at home or work? Do you have unexplained aches and pains, and/or feel tired all the time? Are you feeling all stressed out? If your answer to any of these questions is yes, this article on ways to manage stress may provide you with some much-needed encouragement and hope. Stress is that gap that is [...]
We all struggle with feelings of low self-worth from time to time. Even the people who appear confident and self-assured are often covering up for feeling “not good enough.” Things like past traumatic experiences, emotional abuse in a relationship, or poor parenting are some of the things that impact our self-esteem. Sometimes, though, we say negative things about ourselves, and that fuels our feelings of low self-esteem. In this article, we'll look at some positive tips for building self-esteem. [...]
Some things are just way more fun when you do them with another person. Hiking, dancing, watching a movie, getting a good workout in, making a meal, going thrifting – these and many other activities can be fun when you do them with someone else. This isn’t to say you can’t do them alone, or that they lack something as a solo activity. Rather, if you do them with a like-minded person who’s up for it, it can be [...]
Self-growth is a term often used alongside personal development. It is discovering and understanding your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It is learning to grow stronger in every area: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It is developing skills that will help you pursue your dreams and goals. It is growing marketable skills to land a better-paying job or position. Even if you work a full-time job, you can develop your self-growth by making minor tweaks to your morning routine. Tips [...]
Shame is one of the most toxic mental and emotional states that we as humans can encounter. It may be no surprise why the enemy uses this against God’s people to persuade us into believing less than what God says. It differs from the guilt that provokes remorse when we do wrong. Shame seeks to imprint itself on our identity, thus evoking a sense of being inherently wrong or bad. As a virulent enemy, shame damages our self-perception, and [...]
If you have ever had to work your way out of debt, especially if it is a large amount that takes time, you have probably felt a little hopeless at some point. It can be an overwhelming feeling when the credit score just sits and sits in the same spot or even worse, takes a dip because we’re focusing on paying off other bills or we have an emergency come up. What can you do to work your way [...]
Are you a person who finds yourself tired at the end of the day because you seem to have battled thoughts of how to maintain perfection? Do you find that you get lost in making something look perfect and never complete the project? It can be exhausting not only physically but mentally as well. You find yourself in a battle for perfection even with things that you realize that no one else will ever see. When you are struggling [...]
Boundaries are physical, mental, and emotional limits that determine how you care for yourself, interact with others, and allow others to treat you. They enable you to stay in control of your life. Professional boundaries in the workplace are especially important when you face the challenging task of trying to balance work obligations with personal time and responsibilities. Establishing professional boundaries in the workplace enables you to maintain a healthy balance between your personal and professional life so that [...]
Therapists are asked on a routine basis about the best personal development books to help people in their therapy journey. The recommendations are as varied as the counselors are because different books speak to different counselors. Each counselor will have a book that speaks to their heart, especially in the Christian counseling field. There are thousands of books about psychology, self-improvement, self-help, personal development, and every issue you can imagine from ADHD to Zelophobia (the fear of jealousy). While [...]
