The most important life hack of all (do you agree?)

cereal bowl with tiny person swimming on one last cornflake in a sea of old milk

It wasn’t just the cereal bowl. It was everything.

Every morning, my first husband would sit in the living room and eat a dish of cereal. When he was finished, he’d set the bowl on the floor next the recliner with half an inch of used milk still in the bottom. Then he’d go on about his day and not think about it again. I, on the other hand… couldn’t NOT think about it.

But that wasn’t what bothered me most. What turned a minor nuisance into a raging insult was my interpretation.

How to be far less flappable

unflappable seagull at Niagara Falls

You know how some people can change your mood, just by being around them? Some people spread happiness like grass seed. On the other hand, you might be feeling fine until you run into Mr. Pit of Despair. If you’re not careful, you can absorb his mood and feel like […]

Are you highly sensitive?

a line drawing of an anxious brain, representing the way highly sensitive people feel in many situations

I used to think something was wrong with me. I need to eat frequently or I get grumpy, then stupid. Shrill noises give me a headache. I can’t think when there’s too much going on or if there’s a loud environment. A scratchy tag in my shirt can ruin my whole day. If someone makes a careless remark, it can bother me for days afterward. Sound familiar?

Let go and do more: One piece of the puzzle

overcome sadness and learn how to feel better

When you fight against yourself, you’re guaranteed to lose. Here’s one way to stop struggling against yourself and your feelings.

Dear media, hands off my gravy before I hurt you

The table is set for a delightful feast

Why is it that everywhere I look, there’s a magazine, newspaper, or website trying to tell me to restrain myself this Thanksgiving? If I sign a waiver conceding that I’ll probably die very soon, fat, ugly, and alone, will they get off my case?

The Happy Halloween Guide to having a sane Christmas

They’re at it already: it’s Halloween, sunny and 75 where I am, and this morning my newspaper was full of Christmas ads. I’m all in favor of the spirit of Christmas. Peace on earth, goodwill to man—bring it on, the more the better! But we all know that’s not the […]