Mindful Dating

For three days before my first first date ever (not a typo), I could barely eat. Looking back, I can identify what fears were running through my mind, but at the time I had no idea. My pre-first date nerves have calmed way down, but it’s still a challenge to maintain complete presence of mind. I wrote down some things …

To Be Queen

This week we’re going to hear the megillah. I always enjoy following the drama of the Purim story. The climax, of course, is when Mordechai tells Queen Esther to go speak to the king about Haman’s evil plot. As we know, Queen Esther is hesitant, telling Mordechai that anyone who goes to the king uninvited is put to death. Instead …

Independently Happy

Happy Rosh Chodesh Adar! Mishenichnas Adar marbim b’simcha – so let’s discuss simcha.   This is a topic that comes up rather often on the blog, as it’s something that can be a struggle for anyone going through a nisayon (and not just shidduchim, obviously!).   Recently, two married friends told me, separately, that the number one best thing I …

Voice Lessons

So remember how I once said I always wanted ballet lessons? And finally took lessons in my twenties? This winter my lifelong dream of voice lessons started to come true. For literally years I wanted to find a voice teacher but I stalled because I didn’t know precisely what to be looking for in a teacher or what to expect …

You Are Not a Fortuneteller

I stumbled upon an interesting concept in a book recently. Social psychologist Roy Baumeister studies “anticipated aloneness” and the effects that envisioning being alone in the future has on people. Just imagining future rejection and loneliness actually knocks people’s IQ down a few points and makes it harder for them to engage in rational thought about anything.   The problem …

An Exercise Trick

I really have to admit that I do not enjoy exercising. Like at all. I know they say it releases endorphins and whatnot and makes you happier but no matter what I do, I can’t seem to find an exercise routine I enjoy. I don’t even like running! (Any suggestions?) Recently, my friend shared the simplest idea for making exercise …

The Empathy Gemach

A few days after my younger sister got engaged, my friend’s younger sister also got engaged. Similar situation, same age difference. And I had this moment when I went, Oh! I get to pay it forward already! Because over the weeks around the engagement, I had experienced just how amazing it feels to receive empathy from others who can put …

Back to Top