Last week we talked about establishing independence while living with your parents. In some circles in the frum world, young adults routinely move out of their parents’ homes after graduating seminary/college, but in others, that’s not a given. Where this is the case, it’s easy to get stuck in a sort of limbo identity, not a child but not quite …
Someone in my family once sent me a long text about a guy I said no to, asking if I was “100% sure” I wasn’t interested, stating that “normal guys are very few and far between” and if I said no there was a “99% chance he would never say yes again.” Reading these things was obviously very triggering. …
A reader asked for a post on the topic of developing an independent life while you are living at home (with your parents). This is a great question. My first thought is that independence is largely a state of mind. The stage from about ages 18-29 is known as emerging adulthood in psychology. It’s when we learn about ourselves …
Jealousy can be a scary word that carries heavy associations. If I’m jealous, does that mean I’m a bad person? Isn’t it one of the worst traits a person can have? I remember desperately trying to force myself to not be jealous when my best friend got engaged when we were 21. I know now that I was so young …
I just read a beautiful quote from Rabbi Dr. Lord Jonathan Sacks z”l: “Nature is not the final word, for nature itself was created by a being who stands outside it and who, by making us in His image, gave us the power to stand outside it.” This is so beautiful and in line with the lessons of Chanukah. …
The Kedushas Levi writes that when a person searches and prays for something for a long time, and then they find it, the initial gratitude and excitement is so intense, it’s like a great light. With time, the intensity of the feeling fades and the person gets used to having the thing they were looking for for so long (like …
In Meeting Your Half-Orange, Amy Spencer talks about visualizing different scenes from your future life with your husband as part of the fourth step of the half-orange process. I’m visualizing the Chanukah party I’m going to host (next year) with my husband. I’m adding details, from our work schedules that night to the menu, paper goods and activities. I’m frying …
I just wanted to say a quick and heartfelt thank you to all of you who have been coming, reading, commenting, emailing and sharing. I really appreciate each and every one of you. My blog is so meaningful and therapeutic for me and it wouldn’t be the same without knowing I am reaching real people. Your insights and questions add …
Back when I posted the survey (Pesach time), someone asked if I could write about my relationship with my younger married sister. At the time I wasn’t ready to share but now more time has passed and I would like to. I’ll begin with where we are today which is: Our relationship is completely normal (thank You, Hashem!! more …
A few years ago I learned of the concept of the Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) by Dr. Elaine Aron. The concept resonated with me so I took the quiz and discovered that I am just about on the border of testing as an HSP. According to Dr. Aron’s research, HSPs comprise about 20% of the population. HSPs have heightened …
