Why We Struggle to Be Alone With Our Thoughts
We are increasingly filling every moment with input—podcasts, music, notifications, content. But what happens when there’s nothing directing our attention? This article explores why being alone with our thoughts can feel uncomfortable, and what constant input may be changing about how we think.
Emotional Outsourcing: When We Rely on Others to Regulate Us
Emotional regulation is something we are meant to develop internally. But in a world of constant connection and immediate feedback, it has become easier than ever to rely on external sources to manage our emotional states. This piece examines the rise of emotional outsourcing and its implications for development.
We Made Life Easier. Why Does It Feel Harder?
We are offering more support than ever before, while at the same time reducing the amount of friction people encounter in everyday life. Yet many young people report feeling less able to cope with ordinary stress, uncertainty, and challenge. This raises an important question: what happens to development when the conditions that build capacity are quietly removed?
Beyond the Attention Span: Building a Tolerance for Uncertainty
We often think of attention as a battery that runs out, but what if it’s actually a muscle we’ve forgotten how to flex? From the tension of a live NHL arena to the "fog" of a struggling student, this post explores why our modern "escape hatches" are eroding our ability to sit with discomfort—and why the secret to focus isn't trying harder, but learning to stay.
Productive Struggle in a Frictionless World
When friction disappears, we don’t just remove discomfort; we remove practice.
Are We Raising Emotionally Avoidant Adults and Calling It Self-Care?
Is our current definition of 'protecting our peace' actually stunted growth in disguise? Real self-care was never meant to eliminate challenges, it was meant to restore our capacity to face them. It’s time to stop mistaking avoidance for strength and start building the stamina to stay present in the discomfort.