The National Institute of Mental Health defines social anxiety as “an intense, persistent fear of being judged by others.” For many, it is not that straightforward. For those who struggle with social anxiety, it may be hard to explain why they feel uncomfortable in social situations. It can be as simple as an increased heart […]
By the age of 10, I had already moved eight times. Since then, I’ve moved six more. The first few times, I remember being frustrated at having to shove my favorite toys into boxes and the U-Haul truck pulling in and out of my driveway. As I got older, I adopted an angsty attitude toward […]
It can be hard to know how to support your friends when they’re struggling. Even if you can relate to what they’re going through with a similar experience, it can still be a challenge to support them. If a friend is going through something relatably difficult, think about what you would’ve needed to hear at […]
Recently, I made a big transition in my life. I entered my freshman year of high school this past fall, and as winter approaches, I’ve started to settle into a rhythm. But high school is challenging, especially for this generation. A disruption to your routine can be difficult – I’ve certainly found it to be! […]
Picture this: a friend of yours confronts you with a problem they are going through, maybe a break up or family drama, distraught and upset. They are coming to you in a hard-to-approach state, and you don’t know what to do. We’ve all been there, myself included. It seems like a daunting situation, one that […]
Content Warning: Mentions stories involving depression, suicidal thoughts, abuse, and more. If you are like me, you may enjoy books that feature characters and plotlines that are different from the people and experiences involved in our own lives. Writers like to call this a “window,” because you are getting a glimpse as to how others […]
Have you ever found yourself stuck in a confused situation regarding a relationship with a significant other, or even just a friend? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Just about everyone has likely felt this way before. The problem comes in when sticking to a friendship may cause you, or someone else, a decline in your […]
We’ve all compared our test scores to that of our friend’s, compared our abilities to those of our siblings’, compared our lives to those on social media. The list can go on and on and on. Although comparing ourselves to others can be useful in giving us the motivation to push ourselves to become our […]
I’m gay. I’ve known that for a long time, even before I knew “gay” was a thing. All I knew when I was younger was that if you’re a boy, you needed to get a girlfriend when you reached a certain age, and if you were a girl, you needed to get a boyfriend. Despite […]
A support system is described as a network of individuals who provide feedback, support, and respect you. Many times, family members are included in our support system. Unfortunately, sometimes family members aren’t the most supportive, which can cause our support system to lessen. Having a strong, healthy support system is important. These are the people […]