When it comes to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, there’s what you see, there’s what you hear, and after taking it all in, there’s how it all makes you feel. There is no denying that there is an overwhelming amount of changes happening right now. You’re being asked to stay home as much as possible. Restaurants are taking to-go orders only. Bars are closed. Schools are closed. You turn on the news and coronavirus is there. You scroll through your social feed and it’s there, too. It’s a lot to take in, and if you’re feeling overwhelmed, stressed or panicked – […]
As a bit of a control freak myself, I may be a little biased here, but being a control freak isn’t all bad! Another way to look at it is you’re super competent, efficient, have high standards, and a go-getter. You get things done right the first time. Plus, when things are spiraling, a little extra control can be a healthy way of coping. It took me awhile to make the connection, but I realized that when the world makes me feel small and helpless, I cope by finding something in my life that I can control. But of course, […]
Being an avid gym-goer, I see many faces at the gym. For the most part, everyone keeps to themselves, but you start to recognize more faces than others after a while. Naturally, it is only a matter of time before other gym “regulars” become acquaintances and those acquaintances slowly move towards friendships. Recently, I achieved something incredible: I actually made a new friend at the gym! Now, while I recognize that describing this seemingly trivial event as “incredible” seems a tad lame, I stick by what I said. Making friends as an adult is NO small feat. In fact, loneliness […]
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner! We’re starting to see chocolate boxes and flowers on display at stores. Hearts and Cupid silhouettes are adorning the windows and hanging from the ceilings. For some couples, it’s time to start thinking of fancy dinner plans and extravagant gifts. Other couples treat it as just another day to quietly show their continued love and commitment in simpler, yet meaningful gestures. How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day? When we got married, my husband and I decided to reserve big gifts for anniversaries and birthdays, and instead, we opt for a fancy homemade dinner […]
As glorious and convenient as it is to have the entire world at our fingertips, Americans now spend an average of 3-4 hours a day on their mobile phones. For most of us, that includes nearly 2 hours a day on Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat, Instagram, and Twitter. This is bad news for intimate partner relationships, and just about everyone is starting to notice by now. This phenomenon has even coined up a new term – “phubbing”- which is a mashup between “phone” and “snubbing.” Phubbing is when someone you’re with is so involved with their smartphone that you feel they’re […]
Happy 2020, readers! Not only are we entering a new year, but we are entering a new decade. Reflect for a moment and envision what you want this next chapter of your life to look like. If you’ve struggled with finding your voice and confidently speaking your mind in the past, you may be looking to become more assertive. “But wait,” you say, “What if I don’t have a very dominant or aggressive personality?” No problem! The word “assertive” gets a bad rep because it often gets mixed up with the above terms, but the truth is, you don’t need […]
Holidays Can Work with an Interfaith Couple The holidays are a wonderful time of celebration, giving, and spending time with family. However, for some they’re also a time of great stress; especially when you don’t see eye-to-eye with your and you practice a different set of beliefs all together. Being an interfaith couple already presents challenges, but it’s even tougher this time of year. I have personally navigated the tricky waters of an interfaith relationship: I am a Catholic-Christian and my husband is Buddhist. Although we celebrate different sets of holidays and traditions, we respect each other’s beliefs and are […]
Now that the holidays are in full swing, everyone is definitely feeling a little more festive, merrier, and happier. Let’s be honest, it’s a LOT easier to show gratitude and appreciation during this time of year, right? (It’s OK – a lot of people feel the same way!) What I want to talk to you about in today’s blog is how to carry on that warm, appreciative state of mind within your marriage for the other remaining 10 months of the year. Fight getting lost in life’s daily routine by actively choosing to express gratitude for your spouse. Take the […]
Back to School… Pursuing higher education is stressful, but sometimes, it’s a plunge you just have to take – whether it’s to finish something you started years ago and finally get that degree, or as a means to break through a salary ceiling and provide stability and a more comfortable lifestyle for your family. It Will be Stressful, but Do-Able As good as the intentions may be, going back to school after getting married can certainly bump up the stress level. Maybe this has been an ongoing discussion for awhile, but when you or your spouse finally decides that now […]
Is the Honeymoon Period a Real Thing? The biggest early obstacle to any relationship is one that few ever see coming: the dreaded end of the Honeymoon Period. The initial magic starts to fade, the rush you got when your partner entered the room disappears, and everything just seems less exciting. When you’re caught up in a brand-new relationship, it’s hard to imagine that this could ever happen. However, it’s inevitable because a constant state of excitement is not sustainable, and as the saying goes: “What goes up must eventually come down.” Unfortunately, this still takes people by surprise, causing […]