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 …
The following excerpt is from The Midnight Library, by Matt Haig, a novel I loved so much (but which isn’t for everyone; the language is really not great). This passage made me cry. “You need to realize something if you are ever to succeed at chess,” she said… “And the thing you need to realize is this: the game …
Recently I created a few vision boards and I hung them together on one wall of my room. They add so much positivity (in a good way) to my room and I totally recommend you do this too! I make vision boards by cutting out pictures and words from magazines and gluing them onto large pieces of paper. I based …
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 …
This time of year there are a zillion gift guides everywhere. I find that when I look at most gift guides for women, I’m not into most of the suggestions. For fun, I made a list of gifts I would actually appreciate. (They seem to mostly be acts of service). gift card for massage or facial makeover + the …
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 love seeing menorahs in other people’s windows. It is such a happy sight and it makes me feel warm and cozy. And it reminds me not of the Chanukah miracle exactly, but of a generalized sense of peace and gratitude for the good things in life. In keeping with the idea that Chanukah is about not only open …
I’m excited for Chanukah to begin next week! Some years it just sneaks up on me but this year I’m ready. A quick reminder of one of the better-known answers to the question of why we celebrate eight nights of Chanukah if the miracle was only for seven (after all, the oil was expected to last through that first …
