It is disheartening to acknowledge that, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health and wellness, for many of us, has taken a beating. Perhaps you have been struggling with a condition that has been intensified as of late; maybe you’re experiencing the onset of a type of mental illness because of the pandemic … More The importance of mental health check-ins
We all know it isn’t necessarily the best practice to make assumptions, but in terms of high probability in this particular context, I think it is safe to assume that all of us are familiar with the notion of avoiding internalizing emotions. We are told that it isn’t the best practice to avoid discussing how … More Finding relief through conversation
Kindness is an interesting concept. We are all aware of what kindness is and what it stands for, but I would argue a lot of us struggle to practice its meaning on a day-to-day basis, especially lately thanks to the whole pandemic and all. Because of the state of the world right now, I thought … More Be kind
Fighting with loved ones sucks. It is difficult to battle it out with someone you love and to hear and dish out hurtful words, and even more so when that particular person is an immediate family member. A couple of nights ago, my family and I got into it with each other. The argument, at … More Working through familial conflict
The coronavirus outbreak that has plagued the globe throughout 2020 has garnered a lot of anger and hate. Many of us are scared, anxious and concerned about the state of our future considering the damage this virus has done to our world already, and I can’t say that these emotions are unwarranted. Despite the shittiness … More It’s time to seize the day
I firmly believe that jealousy in an inevitable concept in a majority of relationships. When you are in love with a person, it is normal to feel threatened or insecure when you believe someone else is trying to earn their attention. What isn’t so normal, however, is when healthy jealousy turns into toxic jealousy and … More Healthy jealousy vs. toxic jealousy in relationships
The sensation of feeling as though we are inferior to someone or something in any given context isn’t a nice one. Yet, despite the shitiness of feeling undervalued, I would argue it’s somewhat inevitable among many of us at some point in our lives. Rather than discuss how much it sucks to be made to … More How to grapple with feeling insignificant
Not too long ago, my sister and I, being a little bored with limited entertaining options in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, thought we would play a game together. We googled some games to play with two people and came across a series of pretty deep questions to ask each other, and I have … More Get to know yourself better with these questions
As we are all more than aware, the state of the world right now is questionable. Negative news seems to be coming at us from all angles, and with the amount of unfortunate news seemingly increasing with each passing day, it is easy to understand how and why we might be feeling a bit down … More Finding positives amidst chaos
I’m sitting down to write this after a rather chaotic day at work. By chaotic, I mean absolutely batshit crazy. Because of how nuts my shift was, I thought I would take the opportunity to delve into the topic of maintaining our cool when poop hits the fan, at least to the best of our … More Here’s how to keep your cool under pressure
The idea of giving someone criticism isn’t exactly something that brings most of us comfort. At least, I would hope it doesn’t. Being critical of someone can be kind of awkward, and, depending on who the person is that you’re criticizing, it can be a little tense, too. But, constructive criticism is something all of … More Giving constructive criticism: a how-to guide
Communication is an inevitable component of daily life. Whether we’re at Tim Hortons ordering a coffee, paying for some groceries at No Frills, or seeing our doctor for our routine checkup, it’s nearly impossible to avoid communication when we’re out and about in a public setting. For a lot of us, communication is second nature. … More The importance of maintaining communication with your partner
There is a belief that suggests bartenders are some of the best free counselors in existence, and since becoming a bartender at my current job, I can say with complete certainty that I support this belief. I’ve been bartending for a couple of months now, and it is somewhat mind-blowing to consider the amount of … More Making the most of everyday life
I would argue that social constructions and influences have manipulated us into believing that being single is a bad thing. Why this is, I’m not sure, but I do know that it truly bothers me. We’re constantly inundated with notions of being in a relationship. We see posts on social media, advertisements for dating websites, … More Being single isn’t a disadvantage
My family and I have become great friends with some neighbors that moved into our area a few years ago. Over time, we have gotten to know their family (they have two adorable boys), and in a way, they’ve sort of become a part of our own family. This neighbor stopped in to see me … More The beauty of judgement-free conversation
Planning a wedding is no simple task. As exciting and wonderful as weddings are, they’re also simultaneously challenging to organize, and if you’ve been involved with wedding planning in any regard you’re arguably aware of the stress that can present itself in trying to keep things under control. Mine and my fiance’s wedding isn’t until … More Planning a wedding? Use Pinterest
I had a conversation with my manager at work not too long ago regarding affection and how people perceive it differently. He is not a tremendous fan of affection, and on this particular day it was his birthday, therefore he was the recipient of a handful of rather touching messages. Although he may sound like … More Affection: yes or no?
Death is a pretty gloomy topic. Understandably, we associate death with loss, absence, pain and anguish, and it certainly isn’t something we yearn for when it comes to ourselves or our loved ones. Unfortunately, though, death in this life is inevitable, and despite its certainty, many of us have tremendous difficulty when it comes to … More How to process and deal with a death
New Year’s Eve is an exciting time for everyone. It signifies new beginnings, a fresh start, and a celebratory approach to a new calendar year. For me, though, this past New Year’s Eve was extra exciting. My boyfriend informed me that we were going to have a relatively low key New Years Eve – he … More Ringing in the New Year (literally)
I would argue that just about every couple on planet earth has found themselves face-to-face with the age-old dilemma of their partner hogging the blankets. Maybe it happens seldom, or perhaps it’s a daily occurrence, but either way, waking up shivering only to discover all of the blankets are cocooned around your partner is a … More Tired of fighting for the blankets with your partner? This bed could be the answer
I’m really not a big fan of Dr. Phil, but if there’s nothing else remotely appealing on television, I’ll tune in to the show from time to time. I was watching an episode the other day, and the young girl it focused on really got me thinking about relationships in today’s day and age. The … More This is why mobile phones are ruining relationships
I should likely start this post by stating that while the title indicates that my advice pertaining to this topic is absolute, it certainly isn’t. I’m no therapist or counsellor, but perhaps my approach to the topic can help someone who is struggling. Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s begin, shall … More Coping with bad news: a how-to guide
You’ve arguably heard the phrase “mind your business.” It’s a concept that’s instilled in us from a young age due to its logic, and for the most part, I like to think most of us abide by its teachings. In addition to minding our own business, it’s worth recognizing the effectiveness of minding our own … More Mind your problems
What comes to mind when you contemplate the concept of communication? Arguably, we all interpret the meaning of the term differently, depending on how we ourselves exercise communication on a daily basis. For some of us, communication comes easily, while for others, it’s something we struggle with. Having an understanding of how we personally navigate … More Communication and relationships: a pivotal pair
The thought of working alongside family members is, for some people, terrifying. I’ve spoken with numerous individuals who positively refute the concept of working with family, their reluctance to do so typically being a result of their fear of clashing with their loved ones. If I’m being realistic, working with your family can get a … More The reality of working with family
I strongly feel as though the depiction of long-term relationships in contemporary society is a wee bit inaccurate. Okay, not a wee bit. A lot. It’s a lot a bit inaccurate. And, in addition to being inaccurate, add misleading to the list. It’s important to note that not all current-day portrayals of long-term relationships are … More The reality of long-term relations
I made mention of Morgan Harper Nichols, a wonderfully talented woman, not too long ago in a post. Because she is a poetic genius, I thought I would compose another post with some more of her work. Depending on the reception I get from these posts, this could become a regular occurrence, so let me … More Words of wisdom from Morgan Harper Nichols
Confidence is something a lot of us struggle with. We’re aware that being, looking, and feeling confident are all advantageous characteristics to demonstrate, but for some of us, it doesn’t come easily. And that’s perfectly okay, within reason. Some of us tend to be more shy, whereas some of us like to be the centre … More How to look confident (even when you don’t feel it)
I like to think I’m a relatively optimistic person. I’m usually in a good mood, unless something occurs to alter my mood, and I try my best to generate positivity. A few days ago, I came home from work in a pretty miserable mood. Nothing happened at work to prompt the emotion, but I just … More It’s okay to have bad days
Happiness, for many of us, is a vague term. What constitutes happiness? Is it something that can be defined objectively, or does it exceed categorizations and operates as its own entity based on each person? Personally, I believe happiness to be entirely subjective, meaning it differs for everyone. What makes me happy may not necessarily … More Are you as happy as you could be?
