Psychology

The Performance of Planning In my worst depressive episodes, making plans felt like church youth group theatre. I was performing. The audience was a small cast: authority figures who needed to believe I had my life together, and myself — the harshest critic, who knew exactly how hollow the performance was. I would map out courses each semester with the same enthusiasm I might bring to a role I did not want. To my professors and advisors, I appeared organized. To my peers, I seemed to have it figured out. The secret was that planning itself had become a coping mechanism, a way to generate the appearance of forward motion while standing perfectly still. ...

Introduction Starting a new job is stressful for everyone. For people managing anxiety and depression, it can be genuinely destabilizing. The ambiguity of a new environment, the pressure to prove yourself quickly, the absence of established relationships and social capital—all of these hit harder when your baseline is already taxed. “New guy syndrome” is my term for the specific cluster of experiences that comes with being new somewhere when your mental health is already a factor. This post is about navigating it. ...

Introduction Changing your mind is supposed to be a virtue—a sign of intellectual honesty and willingness to update on evidence. But in practice it’s uncomfortable, because our beliefs are entangled with our identity. Admitting you were wrong about something important can feel like admitting you were a different, lesser person. This post is about how to actually do it: update your beliefs without losing your sense of self in the process. ...

Introduction Anxiety and depression are often described in clinical terms—symptoms, diagnoses, treatment protocols. That framing is useful but incomplete. What they actually feel like from the inside is more like wearing shackles: a persistent drag on everything you try to do, a narrowing of what feels possible. This post is about that experience, and what it means to start removing the shackles one at a time. Key Points The difference between describing mental illness and inhabiting it How anxiety and depression interact and reinforce each other The specific ways they constrain decision-making, ambition, and relationships What “getting better” actually looks like from the inside The residue that remains even after significant recovery Conclusion The shackles metaphor matters because it implies agency. Shackles can be removed. Understanding what they are and how they work is the first step toward taking them off.

Introduction This post will explore the psychology behind habit formation and how understanding these mechanisms can help us build better routines. Key Points Explain the habit loop: cue, routine, reward. Discuss the role of dopamine in habit formation. Offer practical strategies for building positive habits and breaking negative ones. Conclusion Summarize the key takeaways and encourage readers to apply these principles to their own lives.

Introduction This post will explore the concept of transaction costs in the context of social anxiety. Key Points Define transaction costs and their relevance to social interactions. Discuss how social anxiety increases these costs. Offer strategies for reducing transaction costs associated with social anxiety. Conclusion Wrap up the discussion and encourage readers to reflect on their own experiences with social anxiety.

Introduction This post will examine the connection between self-efficacy, self-esteem, and mental health recovery. Key Points Define self-efficacy and self-esteem. Discuss the impact of mental health on these concepts. Provide strategies for enhancing self-efficacy and self-esteem post-recovery. Conclusion Summarize the insights and encourage readers to focus on their mental health journey.

Introduction This post will delve into the relationship between monetary discount rates and depression. Key Points Explain monetary discount rates and their significance. Discuss how depression can affect decision-making and discount rates. Explore potential solutions or interventions. Conclusion Wrap up the discussion and highlight the importance of understanding this relationship.

Introduction This post will explore how constraints can lead to personal growth and development. Key Points Define constraints and their impact on personal growth. Discuss examples of growth through constraints in various contexts. Offer practical tips for embracing constraints in life. Conclusion Summarize the key takeaways and encourage readers to reflect on their own experiences with constraints.