Out of My Mind

Stress Everywhere All the Time

There’s the climate disaster, the rise of oligarchy, Orwellian propaganda, needless wars... We’re drowning in a toxic mental soup of disheartening news, and many are struggling to come up for air.
 

The Curious Nature of Profanity

Each of us harbors our own unspoken set of rules about when and with whom swearing is acceptable.

Afraid of People

“Social anxiety disorder” is a label, like many diagnostic ones, that tends to gloss over the many individual differences among those who feel an aversion to human contact.

Marital Decoys

Couples who feel that unhappy truth closing in may rush to distract themselves with a new baby or house or another “look there, not here” diversion.

A Story About Race

Studies show that, upon meeting someone new, their race is the first thing we notice. Some claim this is a tribal tendency encoded in our genetic lineage, but I don’t buy it.

On Being Naked

Some observations on the behavioral psychology of being naked.

What, Me Worry?

Unless you are blissfully enlightened, mentally checked out or a “What, me worry?” type, chances are you spend a hunk of time gnashing your psychological teeth. What can one do about that?

Are You a Big or Little Chunker?

“Chunking” is a powerful but often poorly understood dynamic in couples communication.

Living Without Purpose

Some of us are plagued by the suspicion that our daily labors are meaningless, or that we're missing whatever “right fit” there could be between our nature and the roles, vocations and avocations one can occupy in this world.

A Heart Once Closed May Never Reopen

When spurned in love, some of us close up like a flower on a cold night, afraid to unfold in a new day's warmth for fear of another frost.