The “Me Exception”

Categories
Coping Skills, Shadow 101

John is a great person and employee who watches his friends and coworkers achieve personal professional milestones. His best friend just received a promotion, his cousin got engaged, and his co-worker successfully finished a marathon. Each time, John celebrates with them but feels a pang of disappointment inside. He catches himself thinking, “Good for them,… continue reading.

Breaking Free from the Victim Mentality

Categories
Complex / Archetype, Coping Skills, Shadow 101

Claire is a bright, caring woman who is full of potential, but her life has not been easy. She has lost a job unexpectedly, endured more than one toxic relationships, and feels the weight of financial instability. For Claire, she feels as if life is working against her, that she is playing a game where… continue reading.

Rumination

Categories
Coping Skills, Shadow 101

Toby, a marketing professional, has had a difficult meeting with her team. She felt that her ideas were not heard, and her co-workers feel like they actively dismiss her suggestions. Later that evening at home, Toby found herself replaying the meeting in her mind, often condemning herself for what she did not do. “Why didn’t… continue reading.

Toxic Positivity: Why “Good Vibes Only” Aren’t Always Good

Categories
Coping Skills, Shadow 101

Stephanie was the kind of person who always had a smile on her face, no matter the situation, and was known as the “positive one” in her group. But when her best friend, Cleo, went through a painful breakup, Stephanie’s relentless positivity began to feel like a burden. Every time Cleo tried to open up… continue reading.

Our Suffering Becomes Our Identity

Categories
Coping Skills, Shadow 101

Magda was diagnosed with lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease, when she turned 33. At first, Magda fought against the diagnosis, determined to beat it, while trying to maintain her previous lifestyle. But over time, the constant doctor visits, the medications, and the limitations imposed by her condition began to consume her life. She found solace… continue reading.

What is Self-Worth

Categories
Emotions, Shadow 101

Maria sat at her desk, staring at the email she had written for the third time. Her finger hovered over the ‘send’ button, but she hesitated, her stomach twisting with doubt. She could almost hear the imaginary voices of her co-workers pointing out her mistakes, questioning her competence. Even though she had put in long… continue reading.

Over-Explaining & Over-Sharing Yourself

Categories
Coping Skills

Whenever Jody made a mistake at work, even a small one, she felt compelled to explain every detail to her boss. One day, she accidentally missed an email, and instead of simply apologizing, she launched into a lengthy explanation about her workload, her internet issues, and even what happened to her over the weekend. Her… continue reading.

Covert Narcissism

Categories
Narcissism, Shadow 101

Emily was known among her friends as the quiet, thoughtful one who always lent a listening ear or helped others, often putting others’ needs before her own. She genuinely wanted to be there for her friends, but sometimes she found herself feeling unappreciated or unnoticed for her efforts. When her friend Lucas shared the news… continue reading.