authenticity

  • Is individuality over-rated in Western cultures?

    Is individuality over-rated in Western cultures?

    In Western cultures, individuality is highly valued, with an emphasis on personal autonomy, self-expression, and individual rights. On one hand, this emphasis can support mental health by promoting a sense of agency and empowerment, which are essential for well-being. It fosters the idea that people should feel free to express themselves, pursue their own…

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  • What is self-awareness

    What is self-awareness

    Self-awareness is the ability to recognise and understand your own thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and how they impact both yourself and others. It’s essentially the process of becoming more conscious of who you are — your strengths, weaknesses, values, beliefs, desires, and triggers. Etiam placerat velit vitae dui blandit sollicitudin. Vestibulum tincidunt sed dolor. There…

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  • Reciprocate vs. repay

    Reciprocate vs. repay

    Although the words ‘reciprocate’ and ‘repay’ are related, these are two different approaches people handle support or help. While ‘reciprocity’ is more about mutuality and can be based on trust and shared goodwill, ‘repayment’ is about explicit exchange and often comes with expectations of fairness or equal return. Etiam placerat velit vitae dui blandit…

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  • Why can’t I relax around others

    Why can’t I relax around others

    The inability to relax around others can stem from a combination of personality traits, past experiences, biological factors, and social conditioning. It’s often about how safe someone feels in the moment, and that feeling of safety can vary greatly depending on the person and the context. Some of the most common reasons include: 1.…

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  • Exploring our ‘usual self-presentation’

    Exploring our ‘usual self-presentation’

    Knowing our usual self-presentation is about becoming aware of the patterns in how we behave, think, and feel in various situations. Essentially, it’s our natural way of presenting ourselves to the world when we’re not consciously altering our actions to fit in or please others. Here are a few ways we can start to…

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  • What is psychological shape shifting behaviour?

    What is psychological shape shifting behaviour?

    Psychological shape-shifting refers to a type of behavioural pattern where an individual adapts or changes their personality, actions, or attitudes depending on the social context or the people they are interacting with. This can be done consciously or unconsciously, and it often involves altering one’s usual self-presentation to fit in with different environments or…

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  • Do we have codependent tendencies?

    Do we have codependent tendencies?

    Codependent tendencies refer to patterns of behaviour in which a person tends to prioritize the needs, desires, and well-being of others over their own, often to the point of neglecting their own emotional, physical, or mental health. This dynamic can develop in various types of relationships, but it is typically common in intimate partnerships,…

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  • Signs of incompatibility across all types of relationships

    Signs of incompatibility across all types of relationships

    Incompatibility in relationships typically arises when values, priorities, or behaviours don’t align. It can show up in various forms, depending on the dynamics between the individuals involved. Below are the signs across all relationships: Etiam placerat velit vitae dui blandit sollicitudin. Vestibulum tincidunt sed dolor. These signs are commonly caused by: Irreconcilable differences Communication…

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  • Incompatibility in familial relationships

    Incompatibility in familial relationships

    Incompatibility is most frequently discussed in the context of romantic relationships; but it’s just as problematic — if not more so — in familial relationships. Families are often where we learn the most about love, attachment, and boundaries, but they can also be where our deepest struggles with identity and acceptance arise. In order…

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  • What to expect when we start setting healthy boundaries

    What to expect when we start setting healthy boundaries

    It’s a given that we’d experience difficulties when we try to set healthy personal boundaries, particularly with people who have come to rely on our lack of boundaries. When we don’t set clear limits on how others can treat us — whether in relationships, work, or social situations — there may be an unspoken,…

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  • What is ‘crapfit’?

    What is ‘crapfit’?

    ‘Crapfit’ is a word Anna Runkle made up, for the phenomenon where people traumatised in childhood get too good at fitting themselves to unacceptable people and situations.  This term to describe a situation where we find ourselves fitting into relationships, situations, or environments that are not good for us, not because we actually belong…

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  • Why speaking up for ourselves matters

    Why speaking up for ourselves matters

    Learning to speak up for ourselves is an important step in empowering ourselves. At the same time, we also fear the fallout. Below are the reasons why the potential difficulties are worthwhile: 1. Self-respect and Personal Integrity When we speak up for ourselves, we honour our own needs, feelings, and boundaries. It’s a way…

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  • How to trust our own judgement

    How to trust our own judgement

    It takes courage to trust ourselves, especially when we feel uncertain. We live in a world full of external opinions — family, friends, strangers in your street, and gurus on the internet. Often it feels safer to rely on others’ advice rather than trust what’s bubbling up inside of us. But at the end…

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  • Allow our anger to protect us

    Allow our anger to protect us

    Anger is often seen as a negative emotion, but it actually has deep evolutionary roots and plays a vital role in our survival and well-being. Here’s why: Etiam placerat velit vitae dui blandit sollicitudin. Vestibulum tincidunt sed dolor. 1. Signal of Threat or Injustice: Anger is a powerful emotional response to situations where we…

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