“Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If, in our heart, we still cling to anything such as anger, guilt or possessions, we cannot be free.” Thich Nhat Hanh When I lost him because of the decisions I had made, I remembered what he had once asked me. The guilt that followed from that day was overwhelming. Guilt is an emotion almost every one of us has felt. It appears in many forms. It may stem from something small, such as breaking a di

Underemployment and identity.Research shows that underemployment – working for fewer hours, less pay, or beneath one’s educational/skill level – may be as harmful to mental health than being completely without paid work. [1] Why might that be? Certainly a decrease in income can be stressful. But being completely unemployed would probably produce even more financial stress, meaning it should be even more stressful. So that doesn’t explain it. Maybe working fewer hours than you

At some point or another, life tears even the best people apart and it’s not always malicious or intentional. It’s just the way things happen. Television lied to us about adulthood. Most of us grew up watching “F.R.I.E.N.D.S.,” “How I Met Your Mother,” or, more recently, “New Girl.” And these shows promised big things for our twenties and thirties. We were supposed to move to a new city, stumble into the closest bar and suddenly find ourselves wrapped up in a group of goofy c

While the stress of losing a job can seem overwhelming, there are supportive steps you can take to regain a sense of stability, rebuild your confidence, and move forward with clarity. The Stress of Losing a Job Whether you have been laid off, downsized, forced into early retirement, or impacted by shrinking contract opportunities, losing work is one of life’s most stressful experiences. Beyond financial pressure, unemployment can deeply affect your mental, emotional, and rela

This form of grief can bring the trauma trifecta—relief, sadness, and guilt. Key points: The grief that comes with losing an abusive person is complex. It is normal to feel a range of emotions and feelings when an abusive person passes. Relief, sadness, and even guilt are common, but some survivors experience other emotions—all are normal. Sheila hung up the phone, her face displaying the feelings she felt unable to express aloud. Her wife stood at the sink, dish only partial

A Personal Perspective: When a pet dies, we lose a cherished companion and more.Posted November 17, 2022Reviewed by Vanessa Lancaster – Psychology Today Carrying emotional baggage is something we do all the time with people and pets. Because pets don't speak, it's easy to project feelings onto them and see the relationship as we most wish it to be . When a pet dies, you may uncover the unconscious aspects of the relationship by exploring the nature of your grief. The depth of

Anticipatory grief is a deeply emotional experience that occurs before a significant loss takes place. It often affects people facing the imminent death of a loved one or their own, but it can also appear in situations of profound change — such as a terminal diagnosis, an impending divorce, or the loss of one’s health or independence. Sometimes referred to as preparatory grief , it reflects the emotional preparation for loss — yet, for some, it can heighten anxiety and prolon

Death isn’t a prerequisite for grief—common life events can trigger ambiguous grief. Without societal norms to acknowledge the loss, grieving for someone who is still alive can feel isolating. Shame and embarrassment may prevent people from sharing their experience. Recognizing ambiguous grief is an important first step toward healing. Grief is a universal experience. Regardless of geography, socio-economic status, age, or gender, humans grieve when a loved one dies. But what

Grief differs between people and situations, but the steps for moving on are universal. No matter how long you’ve been with a partner, a breakup can feel like a big ol’ sucker punch to the stomach — and heart. The emotions that follow the end of a relationship can range from sadness and despair to anger and frustration. Some people may develop depression or experience post-traumatic relationship disorder, while others might rely on vices like alcohol to cope. But can these re