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A Gifted Kid’s Conundrum — Part Two — Anxiety and Perfectionism
You may have read about Ben. He’s the gifted teen who said “I have to know it before I learn it.” He learned to read early. No one taught him. Learning was easy. He knew what they were teaching in school before they taught it. He came to believe that all learning happened this way.…
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My Life as an Introverted Psychotherapy Nerd
I’m an introverted psychotherapy nerd. I know there are other ways to live. But I don’t care. I’ve been a client in some type of therapy since I turned 31. I’ve tried it all. Rebirthing. Holotropic breath work. Support groups. 12 Steps. Talk. Journaling. Polarity. Attachment theory. Jungian analysis. Enneagram. CBT. EMDR. EFT. HRT. Tango.…
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What Does Gifted Look Like in My World?
The controversy is intense. How do we explain giftedness? Is it high achievement? Talent? Productivity? Eminence? IQ? Financial success? 4.0 grade point average? 10,000 hours of practice? Nooooooooo. I shriek. Politely. I mean, it might include any of those things. Sure. But it doesn’t have to. Instead. Here is my explanation. Totally anecdotal. If you…
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The Woman Whose Hair Refused To Be Controlled — A Journaling Technique for Self-Discovery
One of my favorite tools for self-acceptance and healing is my trusty journal. I’ve used it for years. It’s how I figure out what’s going on when I’m depressed, anxious, lonely, or craving another hot fudge sundae. I gain insight, process emotion, and receive guidance. I’m going to share one technique with you here, including a…
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A Love Letter to You and Your Rainforest Mind
Dear One. Yes, you. With that dazzlingly intense rainforest mind. You have so much Courage. To be here, on this planet, during such tumultuous times. To stay sensitive, empathetic, and compassionate. To perceive and feel the human layers of suffering, despair, rage, fear, and sorrow. To stay open to your deepest emotions. To speak out…
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Don’t Give Up On Yourself And Your Rainforest Mind
Don’t quit. Don’t stop striving. Don’t stop growing. Don’t stop believing. Don’t give up on yourself. Even if you grew up in a family of chainsaws. Even if you have been told over and over and over that you’re too sensitive, too dramatic, too smart, too quiet, too noisy, or too weird. Even if you…
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Who Were You Before You Learned That You Are Supposed To Be Normal?
“I have been trying to run myself on the do-your-best-to-fit-in-with-normal-people operating system. It’s not my original operating system. It’s the one I adopted when I was abused in various ways for being myself. I perfected it in school and at work, forcing myself to do all the boring and pointless things and to make myself…