Communication

Q:  This is probably more common than I realize, but some of my family members have different political views from me. The fact that we disagree isn’t so much of an issue for me, but if at any point I share my beliefs and viewpoints, it feels like I’m instantly…

Q: My girlfriend of three years is starting to bother me. We’ve had our share of ups and downs, but we’ve always managed to talk things through whenever there’s been a disagreement. Except for one issue: She doesn’t trust me when I’m out and about with other people, specifically my…

Q: I’ve been on Bumble and Hinge for a few months now, and I’ve matched with several people that I liked. We always talk for a while, and it seems like things are going well, until out of nowhere, they stop responding. I’m usually too embarrassed to shoot them another…

It’s probably safe to assume that everyone would like to be viewed as competent, confident, and engaged at work. When we’re writing an important email, we might draft and re-read it several times before pressing “send.” It’s also not uncommon for us to add an emoji in a chat message…

Many men are expected to be strong—no matter what. They wear a suit of armor at all times to deflect difficult emotions and to avoid being labeled as sensitive or effeminate. If this armor “fails” though, they may resort to hiding what breaks through their defenses, often by keeping their…

Glancing at our phones when we hear that familiar “ding” or vibration is muscle memory; after all, we’re curious. It’s also just as common to see what the notification is—and then to put our phone down and wait to respond until, well, we feel like it. From switching off our…

In the midst of tragedy — or an event that causes great suffering and distress — parents have the difficult job of talking to their children about it.  While the topic should often be avoided with kids under 7 years of age who are too young to understand tragedy, it…

Any family can tell you: There’s no such thing as a perfect relationship. Friction between relatives is unavoidable—but having nosy parents takes it to another level. Having your feelings of independence and freedom cut down by invasive questioning and over-the-top pushiness can get on your nerves. But it’s not as…

Have you ever walked into a crowded room and sensed negative energy? Do you feel uncomfortable being around someone in a bad mood? Do you avoid certain people because they emit weird vibes? Do you ever cancel plans with friends because “the vibes are off”? What exactly are you picking…

Learning to accept criticism may not be high on your bucket list, but psychologically speaking, it should probably be recognized as an advanced art form that takes years to master. Because it’s hard. When we hear criticism from others, depending on our self-worth and the nature of the comment, we…

During election season, headlines and ads about candidates fill our feeds. Emails about voter registration swarm our inboxes. Political opinions dominate our conversations. Arguments flood our social media accounts and more importantly, our relationships. And whether we like it or not, politics are on our minds. There are some people…

Dealing with stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges can feel overwhelming. And the thought of talking to someone — especially your mom, dad, or another primary caregiver — about those challenges can feel overwhelming, too. But in most cases, opening up about how you’re feeling and what you’re experiencing…