Cultivating Happiness

We can increase our level of contentment by choosing what we focus on, which rewires our brain. “Happiness is an inside job,” as we’ve heard.

Posts by ElaineElaine KlonickiJanuary 30, 2025contentment, happiness, brain, focus, positive psychology, science, anxiety, creativity, Rick Hanson, Hardwiring Happiness, negatvity bias, stress, neuropsychology, positive emotions, resiliencyComment

A Different View of Midwinter

Midwinter can be a season to be embraced, not endured. Depending on your need, you can spend the time wintering (resting and reflecting), making resolutions, or choosing an intentional word to focus on for the new year.

Elaine KlonickiJanuary 9, 2025 Comments

The Love of Friends

When we think about the people we love the most, we often think about our family members, yet the love of friends is also central to our well-being.

Elaine KlonickiDecember 19, 2024 Comments

Grateful For You

Personal growth is central to every stage of our lives. As much as we’ve learned, we know we have more work to do in terms of our self-awareness. I’m grateful we’re on this journey together.

Posts by ElaineElaine KlonickiNovember 22, 2024gratitude, thanks, Thanksgiving, psychology, optimism, growth, mental health, anxiety, depression, balance Comments

Buoys of Joy

When life is hard, it can help to look beyond ourselves—to widen our view and focus on some future point. Keeping joyful activities on the horizon can get us through tough times.

Posts by ElaineElaine KlonickiOctober 27, 2024joy, focus, celebrate, family, reunions, buoys of joy, depression, struggle, horizon, overwhelm, hopelessComment

Be Your Own Healthcare Advocate

Rather than being a passive recipient of healthcare services, to get the best results, it’s important to be proactive. Do your research, take meticulous notes, and communicate effectively with your providers.

Elaine KlonickiSeptember 26, 2024 Comments

Embracing Our Differences

The world would not be as interesting if we were all cut from the same cloth. If we allow ourselves to be openminded when we travel, the exposure to new and interesting ways of living can enrich us.

Elaine KlonickiSeptember 11, 2024 Comments

Understanding the Need to Please

When we find ourselves giving inauthentic praise and compliments, and saying yes when we really mean no, our confusing response may be a reflexive coping mechanism called fawning.

Posts by ElaineElaine KlonickiAugust 14, 2024fawning, people pleasing, fight, flight, freeze, trauma, Pete Walker, guilt, regret, personality, praise, narcissism, triggers, boundaries, unworthiness, habits Comments

Taking a Creative Pause

When we’re emotionally overwhelmed, it’s important to give ourselves grace and take the time we need to do self-care to restore our equilibrium. Movies like Inside Out 2 help us understand the contributions of each of our emotions to our well-being.

Posts by ElaineElaine KlonickiJuly 31, 2024rest, renewal, replenish, caregiving, creativity, challenges, emotions, feelings, self-care, Inside Out 2, thoughts, behaviors, puberty, conflict, brain, graceComment

Changing Our Relationship with Worry

Chronic worry can limit our ability to fully enjoy our lives. But with practice, we can challenge our false beliefs about the power of our exaggerated thoughts. Humor can also help us relax.

Posts by ElaineElaine KlonickiJune 2, 2024worry, anxiety, stress, humor, laughter, The Worry Trick, concern, expectations, danger, compassion, fears, beliefs, disappointments Comments

Letting Go

As parents, we’re proud of our kids at every stage and we look forward to their next steps. Letting go is hard, but it’s important for us to learn to trust them as they make their way in the world.

Posts by ElaineElaine KlonickiMay 16, 2024letting go, trust, parenting, grandparenting, adult children, adult development Comments

When Life is Hard, Learn to Play the Long Game

It’s much easier to make short-run decisions than long-run ones, especially when we are stressed. But with patience and imagination, we can learn to play the long game, which yields greater rewards in the future.

Posts by ElaineElaine KlonickiMay 3, 2024commitment, long game, trust, relationships, parenting, perspecitive, maturity, gratification, challenges, determination, courage, outcomes, skills, decisions Comments

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