Emotions are a part of our everyday lives. They’re woven into our interactions, decisions, and even our physical responses. Yet, while emotions shape so much of our experience, they are often tough to articulate. There’s a profound reason why we sometimes feel a rush of anxiety, joy, or sadness before even understanding why—and that reason lies in how our brains are wired to feel before we think.

Life is full of moments that challenge us—difficult emotions, unwelcome thoughts, and experiences we’d rather avoid. When these arise, our natural instinct is often to push them away, to resist what we don’t want to feel or face. But what if this resistance is precisely what makes our struggles harder to bear? Steven Hayes, in his groundbreaking work Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), offers an alternative: acceptance.

The inevitability of death is a reality we all face, yet it remains one of the most challenging concepts to confront. It often lingers at the periphery of our consciousness, emerging in moments of personal loss, illness, or unexpected events. For many, the thought of mortality evokes fear, sadness, and sometimes even denial. However, exploring this topic openly can transform how we live our daily lives. As the renowned existential thinker Irvin Yalom discusses in his book, Staring at the Sun, grappling with mortality is not solely about preparing for death but also about enhancing life.

If you’ve ever reached for a glass of wine or a pint after a particularly tough day, you’re not alone. Many people turn to alcohol as a way to manage emotional pain or stress. It’s a common coping mechanism, but it’s important to recognise that while alcohol might provide temporary relief, it often exacerbates the underlying issues and can lead to more significant problems over time.nLet's explore what these are and how to manage it.

If you’re a parent, guardian, or even a teenager yourself, you might have heard the latest buzz about social media regulations in Australia. The government is considering a new proposal that suggests young people should steer clear of social media until they’re at least 16. It might sound like a big ask, but there’s a lot of compelling reasoning behind it. Let’s dive into why this might just be the best thing for young people.

We’ve all been there. The day has been busy, dinner is half cooked, WhatsApp is pinging with notifications, there are work emails waiting to be attended to and we ask our kids to set the table. Our wish? For our kids to say “sure, I’d love to help, I’ll do it straight away”. But what often happens? “Why?” “It’s not fair”, “why do I have to do it”.  How frustrating it can feel when our requests are met with resistance! So, what do we do next? Do we yell? Do we take the iPad away? Do we lecture them on the importance of gratitude? Well, there are several paths we parents can take, but I believe that one of the most important is a focus on the establishment of connection. Why? Well, let’s explore.