Have you ever found yourself apologizing for something you most definitely weren’t sorry for? Have you ever agreed or politely nodded along to an opinion that you strongly disagreed with, simply because you didn’t want to ruffle any feathers? How about completing a favor for someone else when you were already overloaded, not out of genuine kindness but fear of being disliked? If your answer to these questions is a resounding YES, you may be prioritizing external approval over your...

Most of us have experienced days when our emotional coping tanks feel like they’re running on empty. Minor inconveniences such as a coffee spill, a passive-aggressive email from a colleague, or a flat tire might feel like the final straw, leading to extreme frustration, a rush of tears, or even an angry outburst. For some of us, living in this heightened state of emotional vulnerability is the norm. If a slight nuisance often feels like an insurmountable obstacle to you, you might be...

If you ever scroll through social media reels or read a self-help book these days, odds are you’ve come across the word validation. Whether or not we can define the word off-the-cuff, most of us have felt its power at one point in our lives: the comfort and relief that comes from someone recognizing our internal experience and confirming that our thoughts or feelings are understandable and real. As relational beings, we knowingly or unknowingly crave this recognition from birth. Babies rely...

Postpartum anxiety is extremely common, yet many new mothers struggle to recognize when their “maternal instincts” and natural protectiveness cross over into an unhelpful preoccupation with their baby’s safety. Part of the confusion stems from the crucial emphasis on child safety reinforced by hospital staff, pediatricians, well-meaning bubbies , and even distant relatives and acquaintances. Whether or not it’s appropriate for your great-aunt-twice removed to weigh in on your swaddling...

With Chagim  around the corner, we often find ourselves as preoccupied with meals and recipes as we are with repentance. From...