Tag Archives: anxiety

Reality Check: When you doubt yourself

Posted on April 16, 2017 by RealityCheck

While unjustified confidence can be perceived as arrogance, justifiable confidence is a positive quality. Self-doubt, for any of us, can result in a lack of enjoyment of our lives. An athlete who loses confidence can lose their enjoyment of the … Continue reading →

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Reality Check: The Happiness of Eliminating Options

Posted on March 5, 2017 by RealityCheck

Keeping our options open is often perceived as positive. “What are you doing for vacation?” “I’m keeping my options open.” Or, “Have you decided who you will marry?” “No, I’m keeping my options open.” There’s a delightful sense of freedom … Continue reading →

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Reality Check: Practice Makes Better

Posted on February 19, 2017 by RealityCheck

We get good at what we practice. Even if we never completely master a skill, the more we practice, the more we improve. Conversely, if we don’t practice, we won’t improve and may even lose what skill we had. In … Continue reading →

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Reality Check: The Fear of Being Hurtful

Posted on December 11, 2016 by RealityCheck

Conflict is a human reality. Whenever two or more people need to interact, there’s an opportunity for conflict. Actually, I’ll take that back. Conflict doesn’t always require two people; there are times when I don’t even agree with myself! So … Continue reading →

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Reality Check: High Anxietying

Posted on March 6, 2016 by RealityCheck

Our language often suggests that we are the passive recipients of our feelings. When we say, “I’m down; I’m sad” or even, “I’m in love, I’m happy!” there’s an implication that feelings just happen. In choice theory language, however, instead … Continue reading →

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Reality Check: Try a Different Stress Model?

Posted on December 6, 2015 by RealityCheck

Stress. Everybody’s had it. Yet some people seem to manage—or even thrive—in stressful environments, whereas others can barely cope. There are plenty of possible explanations for these differences: genetics, upbringing, experience, training, and so on. We don’t have control over … Continue reading →

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Reality Check: The Worry-Weed Patch

Posted on September 20, 2015 by RealityCheck

Even if you’ve never gardened, you’ve probably noticed that a patch of bare ground doesn’t stay bare for long. Nature doesn’t like empty space. What fills that space? Weeds, of course. Lambs-quarters take up residence in the garden; plantain plants … Continue reading →

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Reality Check: The Value of Perspective

Posted on February 1, 2015 by RealityCheck

Madison is afraid. As she understands it, polar bears are drowning, cities are flooding, our food is killing us, and artificially-intelligent appliances will become our masters. The world can be a frightening place, especially for a young person. Of course, … Continue reading →

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Reality check: Forgetfulness Choices

Posted on September 21, 2014 by RealityCheck

When we met to catch up, my friend realized that she had forgotten to bring her pictures. Discussing those pictures was the main reason for our get-together. But we didn’t have them and it wasn’t practical to go get them. … Continue reading →

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Reality Check: Worried about becoming my dad (or mom) syndrome?

Posted on September 14, 2014 by RealityCheck

It seems that marketers will do anything to convince us that their product is the one for us. (Sounds like I’m choosing skepticism, eh?) Just for fun, picture this as your problem: You’re trying to market a product to young … Continue reading →

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