Setting boundaries when you are a “people pleaser” can often feel overwhelming and challenging, but important for maintaining healthy relationships, as well as for your overall well-being. Individuals often struggle with setting boundaries because of a fear of pushing people away, or they fear it will make them seem like a “mean” or bad person”. However, learning to honor your limitations and effectively communicate with others will help you create healthier relationships, including the one with yourself.
As we start to look forward towards the sunshine-filled days of summer, the springtime months can often leave us feeling like the days are long and never ending. While the sun is starting to set a bit later, we are coming to the point of the year where it is common to get stuck in routines, which can often bring feelings that may be difficult to describe.
Each New Year starts with new promises, hope and a feeling of starting over. People often feel the New Year is a chance to create new habits and have a fresh start. While the New Year can serve as a great time to reset, it can also lead to placing unnecessary pressure on meeting certain goals. Some common goals after the New Year may include eating healthier, exercising more and saving money.
Social skills are an important set of tools that will help your child learn how to make friends, interact with the world around them and navigate social environments. These skills are crucial throughout your child’s life in order build, grow and maintain meaningful relationships.
I'm Mikayla Greeley, a passionate Licensed Social Worker at Upsider Therapy. My journey began in the vibrant streets of Boston, Massachusetts, and led me to Columbia University School of Social Work in New York City. My diverse background, both professionally and personally, has deepened my empathy and understanding for those who step into my office seeking support.
During a time when life feels hard, it can feel overwhelming and difficult to resume your normal daily activities. If you are someone that is struggling with finding ways to cope, here are some tips to get you through these challenging times.
While social media can be a positive resource used for information, connecting with others, or seeking inspiration, it can also sometimes feel overwhelming and draining.
As summer comes to an end it can be helpful to take some time to reflect on the past few months and think about how you feel. Are you satisfied with how you spent your summer? Are there things you wish you did that you haven’t done yet? Are there people you wish you spent time with or certain things you wish you prioritized more?
The idea of going back to school can leave children with many different emotions. Children may be feeling excited, nervous, and also a little worried of the unknowns for the upcoming school year. They may also be sad that summer is coming to a close and having to get back into the routine of waking up early, studying and doing homework again.
Many single individuals express a desire to meet someone but may find it challenging to enjoy the dating process. For some, the idea of dating can sound intimidating, and the fear of rejection can feel scary. However, dating can be a great way to meet new people and is also a way to practice putting yourself out there.
Do you ever take time and think about your relationships and ways in which they can improve? Whether relationships are platonic or romantic, they aren’t always easy to navigate as things in your life continue to change. Relationships are a huge part of your life; it is a way of connection to both you and others. It’s important to have people to celebrate wins and be there for a hug and, to also support you when times are tough.
Is it possible that you are single during a time that you did not think you would be? Being in this stage can feel challenging; thinking that you would be somewhere on your journey but are finding that is not the case. Being single is not only important for self-growth and self-discovery, but it can also be a fulfilling and enlightening phase of life.
Many people find that making friends as an adult can be very challenging. Whether you moved to a new city, have shifted your values, or are seeking to broaden your friendships, the idea of making new friends can feel scary, awkward, and overwhelming. If you are someone that relates to this feeling, or have struggled with this situation, you are not alone.
As the weather starts to get nicer, it is likely that you are starting to feel excited for the summer months to begin. Whether you are in school finishing up the semester or working and just looking forward to having some time off this summer, these next few weeks can feel draining and long.
Are you someone that dreads their birthday because it causes anxiety? Do you often find yourself feeling sad around your birthday? If you answered yes to any of those questions, you are definitely not alone! Experiencing the birthday blues is very real and totally valid. Birthdays can bring up a lot of complicated emotions for people, no matter what your age may be.
Your day to day schedule can be filled with activities and tasks, and running from place to place, which can often feel stressful and overwhelming. You may feel as if you are constantly on the move and may feel you do not have enough time for yourself. This can lead to feeling burnt out, exhausted and even feelings of unhappiness.
Being in a relationship can feel good and exciting when both you and your partner enjoy a lot of the same activities and love to spend time doing the things you each love, together. While it is important to spend quality time together, it’s equally as important to find separate time for yourself. Prioritizing doing the things that bring you joy, rather than having to compromise for your partner, will allow you be the best version of yourself and show up for your partner and your relationship in the most effective way.
Do you feel generally unhappy and want to feel a sense of happiness? Do you know what it is that is causing you to feel this way? It can be helpful to ask yourself a chain of challenging questions such as “Am I happy at work?”, “Are my relationships causing me to feel unhappy?” and “Am I taking enough time to reflect on what is going on in my life?”
As Miley Cyrus says in her latest song, “I can buy myself flowers”. Let me start by saying, if you are single on Valentine’s day, you are certainly not alone. Whether you are single by choice (yes, that is absolutely OKAY), just got out of a relationship, are in the dating game, or are in a complicated “situationship” you can absolutely still enjoy Valentine’s Day.
Do you ever feel like you think of a past or future event over and over? Do you feel like your thoughts continue to circulate in your mind, making it hard for you to quiet your thoughts? There is actually a name for this, and it is called rumination.
As soon as January 1st arrives, I always find myself feeling motivated, excited, and optimistic to set my goals for the new year. Every year, I find myself experiencing this same burst of motivation just before the start of the new year. This optimistic mindset of mine comes along with similar thoughts, “Okay Lexi, you’ve got this, this is going to be the year you actually conquer your goals”.
The holiday season can be an enjoyable time of year that is highly anticipated by many as a time to unwind, observe holidays, or just take a break from work, and, typically a time spent with loved ones. Whether they be friends, family, or both, navigating different dynamics of the people you are with can be challenging.
It may be difficult to grasp, but friendships may not always last forever. You may have had that big group of friends when you were younger that made a pact to be friends forever. Although you may have hoped this would be the case, it is important to reassess how your friendships truly are.
Many people often struggle with low self-esteem. Self-esteem is the feeling of confidence in your skills and abilities. Having healthy self-esteem is about learning to view yourself as worthy, valuing your opinions and decisions, believing in yourself, and accepting who you are. Building positive and healthy self-esteem allows you to not only focus on positive qualities and strengths, but also allows you to acknowledge and accept your imperfections.
I am sure we can all relate to this story: A friend reaches out to you for plans and all you want to do is say no but somehow you find yourself saying yes. After saying yes, you immediately regret your decision and are ultimately dreading the plans. Oftentimes, we have an inherent tendency to please others and because of that, it may feel easier to just say yes instead of saying no when asked to do something.
Fall has finally arrived, which can feel exciting but also overwhelming. For those that spend their summer months at the beach or pool, traveling, relaxing, enjoying time off work or school, it may now feel difficult to establish and maintain a healthy routine. Because many may have not had a routine over the last few months, it may now feel overwhelming and difficult to create structure.
As we settle into the fall months, it can feel challenging to adjust your routine to keep up with the changing demands of school, work, or even the shifts in the weather! Times of transition can often feel tricky as many of the changes going on around you can feel out of your control.
Returning back to school after a fun and relaxing summer can be a challenging transition for many. It’s common to feel anxious about the return to a new routine and schedule, and it can also feel overwhelming!
While going off to college can be an exciting time for many to form new friendships and gain independence, being in a new, unfamiliar environment can feel anxiety-inducing. While this new phase of life may be filled with change and uncertainty, it can be helpful to remember how exciting this time can be, as well.
As the school year ends, it’s typical to feel a mix of emotions about the summer break ahead. Whether you are graduating, searching for a job, or looking for ways to manage your time before returning to school in the fall, the transition out of a busy academic year can be a big adjustment! While the freedom of summer break may sound liberating, unstructured time without a plan can also feel overwhelming.