As young school children, we are taught to ask the teacher for support and receive feedback to help us learn. That feedback was often in the form of a grade that we interpreted as either good or bad. As adults, giving feedback to one another can evoke a strong defensive reaction. We know this defensive […]
It may sound like a lot to accept the idea of welcoming all your emotions. It’s great to feel happy and joyful, but how about the uncomfortable emotions like anger, sadness, and frustration? For most of us, it is not easy to be comfortable with these heavier emotions. With the pandemic and disruptions everywhere, you […]
One of the faster ways to put yourself into a drama relationship with yourself and others is to pretend you know something when you don’t. If you pretend you know how to fix your computer after it crashes, rather than ask for help from a computer professional, you will only cause yourself frustration. Pretending you […]
What words come to mind when you hear the phrase “people-pleaser?” The title is usually associated with people who are kind and helpful. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a people-pleasing person as someone who has an emotional need to please others, often at the expense of his or her own needs or desires. In the Dreaded […]
A few years ago, I (Donna) took a cross-country trip with my three adult children. The last night of our trip, my son enjoyed a night out with friends, feasting on hot wings and a few beverages. As the family headed to the airport early the next morning, it was obvious that he had a […]