Ideas on Mental Health & Meaning
On the Meaning of Our Work
Today is Labor Day, which for many of us means the unofficial end of summer, a long weekend, perhaps a cookout, and—hopefully—a day away from work. But Labor Day has a history worth remembering. The first Labor Day celebration took place in New York City on September...
Why Awe is Good for Your Mental Health
This weekend didn't go quite the way I had originally planned. For months, I had expected to be in Frankenmuth, Michigan, riding in an MS charity cycling event with our team. Of course, my cycling accident earlier this summer changed those plans. I haven't been able...
Who Are You Becoming
One of the questions I've been thinking about lately is deceptively simple: Who are you becoming? We spend a tremendous amount of time thinking about what we need to do. We make to-do lists, set goals, plan vacations, build careers, save for retirement, and measure...
You’re Already Living in the Good Old Days
This weekend, our house was full again. This time it wasn't Franztoberfest. It was another annual tradition—our fantasy football draft with a group of my college fraternity brothers. We've been doing this for 24 years. Twenty-four years. At some point this weekend, as...
The Meaning in Something to Look Forward To
I've been writing a lot about suffering and discovering meaning in it. It's a very Franklian attitude. And, if you've been reading, one I've had to live these past six weeks. But I think it is time to turn toward something a little more positive to take with you...
Reconciliation Without Losing Yourself
I saw a social media post recently, I think was in a therapist's forum or page, that suggested a statistically significant amount of therapists are recommending to their clients to severe ties with family members they assess to be "toxic". I'm not sure I agree with...
The Gift of Being Known
I've been thinking about these ideas a lot the past few weeks. I've been writing about them pretty intensely for an upcoming book. This weekend, I got to live them. Be warned - this is a bit of a long one, because it means a lot to me for a variety of reasons right...
What If You Aren’t “Broken” – Just Disoriented?
People often arrive in therapy saying some version of: “Nothing is terribly wrong. I just don’t know what I’m doing anymore.” They assume the problem is motivation. Or gratitude. Or discipline. Sometimes they worry they are depressed, selfish, or failing at a life...
Your Best Days Probably Won’t Be Planned
I've always been a planner. I like calendars, schedules, itineraries, and knowing what's coming next. There is something reassuring about having a plan and checking things off the list. It gives me a sense of direction and purpose. But the older I get, the more I've...
Sometimes the Helper Needs Help
Last week, I shared the story of a cycling accident that left me bruised, battered, and far more injured than I initially realized. If you'd like to read the full story (including the less-than-glamorous details), you can find it on my Substack. ...
Just Because You Can Do Hard Things Doesn’t Mean You Have To
"I can do hard things." It's a phrase that has become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. For many people, it has served as a reminder that they are stronger than they realize. It encourages resilience, perseverance, and the willingness to face...
The Meaning of Being a Good Dad
Yesterday, Father's Day, I spent much of the day driving home from the airport with my wife after a beautiful few days in the mountains with good friends and new acquaintances. That seems to happen a lot. Darn near every year, I find myself spending Father's Day...