The Power of Meeting Challenges with Courage and Hope
In life, facing challenges is inevitable. Whether they’re professional hurdles, personal setbacks, or unforeseen obstacles, these trials test our mettle and shape our character. While these challenges can be daunting, meeting them with courage, hope, and the belief that we can take control can transform difficulties into opportunities for growth. This article delves into the […]
Shelf Help Vs Self Help: Making Good Ideas Work
The booming industry of self-help has offered countless resources to those seeking personal growth, better mental health, improved relationships, and success in various spheres of life. However, the influx of resources also brings about a pertinent question: Are we genuinely helping ourselves, or are we simply accumulating books and resources that gather dust on our […]
Embracing Your Past: The Power of Self-Compassion on Personal Growth
“Be kind to past versions of yourself.” This sentiment is far more than just a comforting thought; it’s a powerful approach to personal growth and fostering a healthy mindset. When we show compassion to our past selves, we create a foundation of understanding, acceptance, and positivity from which we can flourish. Recognising Your Past Self […]
Standing Firm: The Importance of Not Negotiating on Your Values
In a world filled with diverse opinions, conflicting interests, and ever-changing societal norms, maintaining one’s values can sometimes feel like a Herculean task. Many find themselves pressured to negotiate or compromise on their values in various situations, be it at work, in relationships, or in personal decisions. This article explores why holding firm to your […]
Delving into the Depths: The Jungian Concepts of Shadow, Persona, and Ego
Renowned Swiss psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung introduced some of the most influential concepts in psychology, fundamentally altering our understanding of the human psyche. Central to his ideas are the concepts of the Shadow, the Persona, and the Ego. By unravelling these aspects of our psyche and developing an awareness of their influence, we can navigate […]
Understanding and Managing the Impacts of Unresolved Trauma
Unresolved trauma can leave lasting effects on a person’s life, but professional therapy may not always be accessible or affordable. In such cases, it becomes crucial to find alternative methods to understand and manage the impacts of trauma. While nothing can replace professional mental health care, some strategies can still help individuals cope with unresolved […]
Xenial: Embracing the Art of Hospitable Living
“Xenial” – a term rarely heard yet imbued with a profound meaning that holds significant importance in our society today. Derived from the Greek ‘xenia’, which translates to ‘guest-friendship’, xenial refers to the ancient Greek concept of hospitality, showing kindness to strangers and offering them the comfort of a friend. At Breaking My Addictions, we […]
Practical Ways to Understand and Overcome Procrastination
Procrastination is a common enemy of productivity that we all face from time to time. Yet, it can be overcome with a better understanding of its roots and the implementation of strategic steps. Here, we delve into practical ways to understand and overcome procrastination. Understand the Roots of Procrastination The first step towards overcoming procrastination […]
Unlocking the Power of Self-Fulfilling Prophecies: Let Your Thoughts Shape Your Reality
The concept of a self-fulfilling prophecy, coined by sociologist Robert K. Merton, encapsulates the phenomenon where an individual’s deeply held beliefs, whether they are conscious or subconscious, directly influence their behaviour, which ultimately affects the outcome, thereby making the prophecy come true. The Mechanism Behind Self-Fulfilling Prophecies At the heart of self-fulfilling prophecies lies the […]
Escaping the Cave: A Message of Hope and Resilience
Understanding and accepting our current predicament can be the first step towards change, progress and new freedoms. Accepting our circumstances, allows us to see our situation more clearly and identify the steps needed for transformation. So what might people write who have escaped these metaphorical prisons? “Recognise the walls of this cave. Acknowledge you are […]
Feed Your Mind: Using Breaking My Addictions to Elevate Your Mental Diet
Navigating the labyrinth of human behaviour often leads to intriguing discoveries. One particular behaviour that merits close attention is the propensity of individuals to put the needs of others ahead of their own. While commendable, this inclination often results in personal issues being overlooked. This article delves into the psychology behind this tendency and, crucially, […]
Making Friends with Emotions and Anxiety
Emotions are often viewed as obstacles to our happiness and stability. They are frequently associated with irrationality and unpredictability. However, embracing our emotions and treating them as friends rather than foes can lead to greater self-understanding, resilience, and emotional health. This article will explore why we should form a friendly bond with our emotions and […]
Decoding Your Money Blueprint to Unlock Prosperity
From a young age, our experiences, surroundings, and observations form the foundation of our beliefs and attitudes towards money, often referred to as our ‘money blueprint’. This psychological underpinning can have a substantial impact on how we interact with money throughout our lives, influencing our financial decisions, wealth accumulation, and general approach towards prosperity. The […]
The Relief of Understanding Helicopter Parenting
You might have heard of the term “helicopter parenting,” a style of child-rearing characterized by over-involvement and excessive attention to a child’s life. While the underlying intention is typically born from love and the desire to protect and create opportunities for their child, helicopter parenting can sometimes do more harm than good. It can stifle […]
The Power of Empathy: Achieving Balance for Wellbeing and Authentic Connection
Empathy, the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, is a crucial social skill that fosters deeper and more meaningful connections. However, while it’s a powerful force for kindness and understanding, it’s equally crucial to balance empathy with self-care. Too much empathy, without boundaries, can lead to emotional fatigue and burnout. Understanding Empathy: […]
The Dance of Joy and Sadness: Learning to Balance Life’s Emotional Spectrum
The journey of life is full of contrasts, and our emotional experiences are no different. The pendulum of our feelings swings between the highs of joy and the lows of sadness, creating an emotional spectrum that reflects our human experience. Learning to balance this spectrum, to engage in the dance between joy and sadness, can […]
The Power of Vulnerability: Embracing Our Emotions as a Pathway to Authenticity
In a world that often rewards stoicism and emotional detachment, the concept of vulnerability can seem dangerous or uncomfortable. Yet, vulnerability is more than just exposing ourselves to potential harm or criticism; it is about authenticity, connection, and courage. It is a potent source of personal power that, when embraced, can transform our relationships with […]
Self-Connection and Emotional Understanding: The Keys to Managing Anxiety
Dr Kirren Schnack, an experienced clinical psychologist, helpfully quoted, “The more connected you are with yourself and the more you understand your emotional responses, the easier it will become to deal with your anxiety.” This quote offers profound insights into the nature of anxiety and, more importantly, provides some guiding principles for managing it effectively. […]
Navigating Emotional Nuance: Accepting Apologies and Healing Upset Feelings
Being on the receiving end of an apology can be a complex process. You may find yourself accepting an apology yet still feeling upset. In such instances, it’s essential to understand what’s happening psychologically and how you can navigate your way towards resolution and healing. Unravelling the Knot of Emotions The first thing to note […]
Psychology of Change: Breaking Free from Past Programming, Experiences and Limiting Beliefs
Change is an inherent part of life, as inevitable as the shifting seasons. However, when it comes to personal change — particularly breaking free from past programming, experiences, and limiting beliefs — the process can seem daunting and insurmountable. This can largely be attributed to deeply ingrained psychological factors that resist modification. To navigate this […]
What is Real Real Comfort?: Aligning Actions with Values and Vision
Defining Real Comfort Comfort is a word often associated with ease, relief, and relaxation. However, when we delve deeper into personal growth and self-improvement, comfort takes on a richer, more profound meaning. Real comfort isn’t merely about enjoying temporary pleasures or avoiding discomfort. Instead, it involves aligning our daily actions with our values and the […]
Changing Your Life to Reduce Addictive Behaviours and Addiction
Addiction, a formidable adversary that shackles individuals in cycles of dependence and self-destructive behavior, can be overcome. One powerful approach involves developing positive connections to our values and aligning our actions accordingly. As American writer and speaker, Johann Hari, puts it, “the opposite of addiction is not sobriety, it’s connection.” Values: The Foundation of Change […]
In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction by Gabor Maté
This is a poignant and compelling exploration into the complex world of addiction. The book, written by renowned addiction expert Dr. Gabor Maté, delves into the underpinnings of addiction and why some people are more prone to it than others. It intricately ties in Maté’s personal insights from his work with patients suffering from severe […]
Transform Your Life: Powerful Actions to Overcome Anxiety and Worry
Anxiety and worry are part of the human condition. However, when these feelings become pervasive, they can seriously impact our wellbeing and development. If this is your experience, it’s perhaps time to take a stand, to initiate powerful actions that can help you overcome anxiety and worry. The Impacts of Chronic Anxiety and Worry Chronic […]
Creating Your Print-Ready Amazon Book: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you’ve decided to self-publish your book through Amazon’s Print-On-Demand service, it’s important to prepare your manuscript correctly to ensure the best possible print result. Here’s a beginner-friendly, step-by-step guide on how to prepare a Word document for Amazon Print-On-Demand in the UK. Step 1: Choose the Right Book Size First, decide on the size […]
The Stages of Change: A Psychological Perspective
Change is a constant aspect of life. From the subtle shifts in our daily routines to significant life transformations, change is inevitable. In the field of psychology, change is viewed as a process that occurs over time, rather than an overnight event. This process is often described through the “stages of change” model, also known […]
Did School Mess You Up? : Revisiting Ken Robinson’s Educational Paradigms
Education is a foundational experience that shapes us. Yet, do we ever stop to ponder the effects our school years had on us? Sir Ken Robinson, in his insightful talk on shifting educational paradigms, highlights several aspects of traditional education that have profound implications for our development and mindset. Understanding these influences can help us […]
Contentment and Living in the Now: A Deep Dive into Authentic Living
Contentment. It’s an elusive state many of us chase, seemingly always out of reach. Yet, the keys to feeling more content and living in the present moment may lie within concepts we can easily adopt into our lives. This includes authenticity, ditching expectations, fostering a growth mindset, focusing on your values and goals, and prioritising […]
The Pros and Cons of Expressing Anger: A Constructive Approach
Anger, like any other emotion, is an integral part of human nature. It’s natural to feel angry when you’ve been wronged, or your boundaries have been crossed. However, the way we express and manage anger can significantly impact our mental well-being and interpersonal relationships. Let’s explore the pros and cons of expressing anger, and how […]
Using The Halo Effect to Enhance Personal and Professional Growth
The Halo Effect is a cognitive bias where our impression of a person in one area influences our opinion of them in other areas. Coined by psychologist Edward Thorndike, it’s like a mental shortcut we unconsciously use to make sense of the world around us. But can this psychological concept actually be used to our […]
The False Consensus Effect – Examinining our tendency to overestimate how much others agree with us.
The false consensus effect is a cognitive bias that influences our perceptions of others and our social environment. It is a tendency to overestimate the degree to which others agree with our beliefs, behaviours, attitudes, or values. We assume that our own thoughts, feelings, and perspectives are normal or common, and therefore, others must share […]
Training our Desires: A Positive Approach to Understanding our Needs and Wants
Recognising Our Desires All humans are driven by an array of desires. We crave different things such as love, success, material possessions, or recognition. However, not all desires serve our best interests. Some may be toxic, leading to harm, dissatisfaction, or disappointment. Recognising these desires is the first step towards training them. To understand your […]
The Marshmallow Test – Understanding delayed gratification
In today’s society, with its fast-paced environment and instant gratification culture, it is more critical than ever to comprehend the value of patience and self-control. One of the most influential psychological experiments to explore this concept is the Marshmallow Test. Unravelling the Marshmallow Test Conducted by psychologist Walter Mischel in the 1960s at Stanford University, […]
Clear Your Unfinished Tasks to Clear Your Mind
In our everyday lives, we often juggle multiple tasks simultaneously. In the midst of this, it’s not uncommon for some tasks to remain incomplete. What we may not realise is the cognitive impact these unfinished tasks have on our mental state, leading to a phenomenon known as the ‘Zeigarnik Effect’. Understanding the Zeigarnik Effect The […]
Choice Paralysis: The Paradox of Too Many Options
We are inundated with options and choices in nearly every aspect of our lives. From choosing what to wear in the morning, to deciding what to eat for lunch, to selecting a television show to watch – the choices are abundant. This may seem like a positive development, but research has shown that an excess […]
How the Sunk Cost Fallacy Keeps Us Stuck: Steps to Move Forward
The “Sunk Cost Fallacy” is a term used in economics and psychology to describe a specific kind of flawed decision-making. It’s the scenario when we continue a behaviour or endeavour as a result of previously invested resources, be it time, money, or effort, despite the clear evidence of the endeavour not being beneficial. We’ve all […]
Understanding the Spotlight Effect & Reducing Social Anxiety
The spotlight effect is a psychological phenomenon that makes us believe we are being noticed and observed more than we actually are. This belief stems from our natural tendency to forget that although we are the center of our own world, we are not the center of everyone else’s. We spend a lot of time […]
The Power of Consistency: Why It Beats Intensity
In our world obsessed with quick fixes and instant gratification, it’s easy to be drawn to intense, short-term efforts as the path to success. However, a well-known saying – “Consistency is more important than intensity” – suggests another way. Consistency in Business: The Slow and Steady Approach Consider the world of business. A new entrepreneur […]
Time Travel Therapy: Using Your Future Self to Improve Today
Do you often ponder about the future? More specifically, about who you will be, what you will be doing, or how you will feel in a decade or so? It’s a natural human tendency to be curious about our future, but what if these thoughts could be harnessed as a powerful tool for self-improvement today? […]
You Become Like the People You Hang Out With
The Power of Social Influence and Mirroring It’s a saying we’ve all encountered: “you become like the people you hang out with.” While it might sound like another worn-out cliché, there is actually a wealth of psychology that backs it up. Not only do we tend to mirror those around us, but our social circles […]
