When I was 8 years old, my family moved from the beaches of New Hampshire to the suburbs of Philadelphia. Even today, I can remember the awkwardness of trying to fit in with my new neighbors and classmates. They laughed at the way I pronounced “aunt.” They snickered when… Read More

I recently stumbled upon a study that listed the most stressful situations people endure. Interestingly enough, four of the top five—death of a loved one, separation from a spouse, job loss and moving—require us to undergo a major life transition. This makes sense, doesn’t it? Whether we’re learning… Read More

I’m a small group kind of person. When gathered with one or two people, I typically feel confident and self-assured. But when I’m one of many, all bets are off—and I typically retreat into a quiet, introverted version of myself. In these moments, I can’t help but wonder… Read More

I once heard it said that anxious people look for reasons to feel anxious. At first, I laughed; why would anyone want to feel anxious? But as I dug deeper, I started to feel differently. Nobody wants to feel anxious. But sometimes, the lingering nature of anxiety can… Read More

By nature, I get excited about the little things in life. Exploring new towns, meeting new people, eating at new restaurants—all of these experiences bring me joy. But as I’ve come to find, this excitement can backfire, leading me into a place of great disappointment. Has this ever… Read More

The experience of caring for a sick loved one can feel all-consuming. Run to the store. Pick up snacks. Pick up flowers. Take the kids to soccer practice. Get back to the hospital by 5:00. Drive home and put the kids to bed. In the craziness of caring… Read More

Recently, while walking to the hardware store, I noticed a man sitting outside a coffee shop. With his feet propped up on a chair, he sipped a coffee, ate a pastry and pet his dog, who laid beside him on the sidewalk. They didn’t seem to have a care… Read More

Have you ever felt alone in a crowd? My subway commute is like that. It seems like the ultimate example of how loneliness is a feeling, not a fact. There are times when the subway car is so crowded with people that I need to stand the whole way… Read More

More than anything else in life, I am driven to support my family. Naturally, then, I am terrified of losing the ability to provide for my wife and future children. While working to create this stable future, I spend way too much time thinking about my career path, spending… Read More

As you saunter through your front door and drop your belongings onto a chair, tears begin to stream down your face. You try to wipe them away, but they just keep flowing. I don’t get it, you think to yourself. How did I get to this point? For the third… Read More