Q: As I get older, I worry about my ability to sustain friendships with people. I don’t want to lose the people I have in my life now, but I know that it’s natural that relationships change. It worries me that ties to people won’t last, even with added effort…
Q: To put it plainly, I have a strained relationship with my mom. I used to believe the tension would release if I put up healthy boundaries. However, it seems no matter how I approach her or what I do she’s constantly upset or offended, and I end up more…
Q: I hear a lot about “manifesting” and how some people just believe, focus and think about something they want in their lives and then they use positive thinking to help them get it. It seems like wishful thinking, or a passive way to reach goals. Is there any science…
Q: I struggle with being honest when people ask me about things in life that, frankly, kind of suck. This theme pops up in different areas of life, but particularly as a new mom with PPD, I don’t know how to address my experiences entering parenthood. I don’t want to…
Q: My husband works in a creative field and has ‘imposter syndrome.’ He worries that he’s not talented enough or can replaced at any moment. When he thinks about pursuing new opportunities, he becomes terrified of failure—professionally and financially. This stress is causing him to withdraw and be unhappy. How…
Q: I’m dating someone who I find very interesting, but I’m worried we have a limited future because they are at a different stage in their life. I’m stressed that I need to make a decision on our fate soon—How can optimism help me navigate matters of the head and…
Q: I am a Libra and by nature I seek balance. People say it makes me a chameleon, always blending in as needed whether in relationships or job choices-both of which tend to be toxic. My question is, how do find a career that allows me to seek harmony but not…
Q: I have a friend who is going through a tough time. I want to be able to help, but I’m not sure what to do or what to say. How can I provide positive support and encouragement when everything else seems so negative? —Empathic Supporter Dear Empathic:…
Q: Is it better to pursue your creative passion full-time, or work a day job and do what you love on the side? —Creatively Confused (Austin, Texas) Dear Creative (see what we did there?): Our answer to your question is one that applies to almost every tough question in…
Psychologists Art Markman and Bob Duke give advice on how to approach people whose negativity starts to get in the way.
