If your instinct is to back off and think, “I’m just not good at this,” you’re not alone. But that voice-the one calling it quits before you’ve really begun—may be shaping your potential more than you think.

Emotions are part of everyday life. They help us respond to the world around us and guide us through relationships, challenges, and meaningful moments. Joy, sadness, anger, fear, and love—these are not just “feelings,” but signals from our inner world that something important is happening.

Our earliest experiences with caregivers shape the way we connect with others as adults. When childhood is marked by trauma—whether through neglect, emotional unavailability, or abuse—it can leave deep imprints on our attachment styles and relationship patterns. Understanding these effects is the first step in breaking unhealthy cycles and fostering healthier connections.

In a society that constantly emphasizes the importance of positivity, it's easy to assume that happiness should be our ultimate goal. Phrases like "Stay positive," "Look on the bright side," and "Good vibes only" have become widely accepted mantras. While maintaining an optimistic outlook can be beneficial, there is a fine line between genuine positivity and toxic positivity—a mindset that dismisses genuine emotions in favor of forced cheerfulness.

Imagine two students facing the same challenge: a tough math problem. One quickly gets frustrated, saying, "I'm just not good at math," and gives up. The other struggles too, but instead thinks, "This is hard, but I know I can figure it out if I keep trying." These two responses illustrate the fundamental difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset—two psychological frameworks that shape how we approach challenges, learning, and success..

The human brain is an incredible organ that can adapt, change, and recover. One of its most remarkable abilities is neuroplasticity—the brain’s way of rewiring itself by forming new connections. This ability helps people recover from injuries, learn new skills, and improve cognitive function. In simple terms, neuroplasticity means your brain can reshape itself to meet new challenges.

Have you ever felt like you were making progress, only to somehow derail your own success? Maybe you procrastinate on important tasks, doubt yourself even when you’re doing well, or avoid opportunities that could help you grow. This is self-sabotage—the frustrating tendency to act against our own best interests.

Two things often feel just out of reach: enough time to do everything and a sense of genuine happiness. These two goals are closely connected, but happiness is not the starting point—it’s the result of deliberate actions, with time management as a foundational tool. Let’s explore how mastering time management can pave the way to a more balanced and fulfilling life, ultimately leading to happiness.

Life can truly be a rollercoaster. There are ups, downs, and those weird loops that make you question everything. In the middle of it all, we’re all chasing the same thing: happiness. But here’s the catch—happiness isn’t just about always feeling good. positive psychology, a science that digs deeper into what makes life worth living. Spoiler: It’s not about pretending everything’s fine when it isn’t.

We’ve all had those days where life feels like one big hamster wheel endless tasks, no breaks, with constant repetition. But what happens when that feeling doesn’t go away? When you’re not just tired but bone-deep exhausted? That might be burnout creeping in.

Personal growth often conjures images of cultivating positive traits like kindness, discipline, and resilience. However, a less celebrated but equally transformative aspect of self-development lies in integrating the hidden self—the concealed or repressed parts of ourselves. This concept, deeply rooted in Carl Jung’s psychology, invites us to embrace our darker aspects, not as flaws to be eradicated but as integral pieces of our wholeness.

Why human connection matters | Things in my Control | Vincent Fimmano | fpclinic | Po Box Suite 312/32 Alexandra St, Hunters Hill NSW 2110 Develop a relationship with yourself now | choose the appointment that is right for you

Why human connection matters | Things in my Control | Vincent Fimmano | fpclinic | Po Box Suite 312/32 Alexandra St, Hunters Hill NSW 2110 Develop a relationship with yourself now | choose the appointment that is right for you

Compassionate other grounding is a mindfulness exercise designed to anchor yourself in the present moment while fostering self-kindness. At its core, this practice involves imagining a compassionate individual—a person who deeply cares, listens without judgment, and provides empathetic support. By visualizing this interaction as a realistic conversation, the participant creates a safe mental space to process emotions and thoughts with less self-criticism.

The human brain is a remarkable organ, responsible for every thought, decision, and emotion we experience. Within its structure lies an intricate balance between the two hemispheres—the logical left and the creative right. While each side has its own strengths, they are designed to work together, not in competition. Understanding how this dynamic partnership functions is key to unlocking your full potential.

Sleep and mental health are closely connected, and good sleep is essential for feeling balanced, focused, and ready to face life’s challenges. Unfortunately, with busy schedules, stress, and digital distractions, many people don’t get enough restful sleep. Improving sleep not only makes us feel more rested but also boosts mental well-being, making it easier to handle stress, stay positive, and keep our minds sharp.

Real-life connection is essential to human well-being, offering benefits that digital communication can’t fully replace. In-person interaction allows for a level of depth and richness that’s crucial for emotional and mental health. When we’re face-to-face with others, our brains naturally pick up on a wide range of cues—like body language, eye contact, tone of voice, and even subtle facial expressions—that help us understand each other beyond words. Psychologically, these cues trigger areas of the brain that are deeply tied to feelings of empathy, trust, and connection. This means that in-person interactions help us feel understood, valued, and emotionally safe in ways that are harder to achieve online.

Listening deeply involves complex psychological processes that go beyond merely hearing someone’s words. One crucial component is empathy, which is foundational to effective listening. Empathy activates mirror neurons in the brain, allowing us to resonate with the emotions of the other person. This creates a sense of shared experience and enables a deeper connection, letting us feel the speaker’s emotional state alongside them, rather than just understanding it cognitively.

Take a moment to reflect on why so many of us seek to be understood, accepted, and validated by everyone we meet. It’s a deeply ingrained human desire—we want to belong, to feel recognized, and to be valued for who we are. However, in our pursuit of this validation, we often overlook a fundamental truth: not everyone is meant to understand or even accept us. We may adapt, reshape, and adjust ourselves to fit into expectations that were never truly ours in the first place. But, is that the life you truly want to lead?

It’s easy to get caught up in thinking about the past or worrying about the future, especially when life feels overwhelming. Our minds naturally want to revisit what’s already happened or anticipate what might come next, but this type of thinking often creates unnecessary stress. The truth is, while the past is behind us and the future hasn’t arrived, the present is the only time we have any real control over. Learning how to stay grounded in the moment is key to managing mental well-being and reducing anxiety.

Social media can have a big impact on mental health, but it's important to remember that you have a lot of control over how it affects you. While apps like Instagram, TikTok, and X are designed to keep you online, you can decide how you use them and how they influence your well-being.

One of the healthiest habits you can learn in life is to take nothing personally. It sounds simple, but the impact it can have on your mental and emotional well-being is profound. When you stop taking things personally, you free yourself from unnecessary stress, frustration, and hurt. You allow yourself to step back, become an observer of life, and see situations for what they truly are—not reflections of your worth or identity, but simply events unfolding around you.

Workplace injuries can have a profound impact on a person's life, especially when they result in chronic and excessive pain. Beyond the physical suffering, there is often a deep sense of grief that comes with the loss of the ability to engage in activities that once brought joy and meaning. This kind of injury can leave someone feeling as if a part of their identity has been taken away, especially when those activities are tied to things they loved, like walking, picking up and holding their grandchildren, bike riding, or simply being able to enjoy daily routines without pain.

Living with ADHD often means experiencing a persistent sense of restlessness. For many, there’s a constant search for something special—something that makes life feel different, exciting, and meaningful. This drive to find that “spark” can be rooted in the ADHD brain’s need for stimulation, novelty, and variety, but it can also lead to struggles with self-acceptance when this search feels never-ending or fruitless.

In relationships, it’s common to want to put your partner first. Whether it’s to show love, maintain harmony, or avoid conflict, prioritizing your partner’s needs can seem like a way to strengthen the bond between you. However, when this behavior becomes excessive, it can lead to unintended consequences that harm the relationship in the long run.

Parental alienation is a deeply painful and complex issue that occurs when a child becomes estranged from one parent, often due to the influence or manipulation of the other parent. This phenomenon can take place during or after a separation or divorce, where one parent seeks to undermine the child’s relationship with the other. The alienating parent may use tactics such as badmouthing, withholding contact, or creating a sense of fear, causing the child to reject or distance themselves from the targeted parent. Over time, the child’s attitude toward the estranged parent can shift from love and attachment to distrust or even hatred.

Becoming “sadder but wiser” is a common experience as people navigate through life. As you go through disappointments, failures, and betrayals, you start to see the world more clearly. You learn lessons that help you avoid repeating past mistakes. This kind of wisdom is valuable—it equips you with the knowledge to protect yourself and make better decisions. However, this wisdom often comes with a downside: a more negative and cynical view of life.

Loss is a deeply human experience that touches everyone at some point in life. It comes in many forms—losing a loved one, the end of a significant relationship, the loss of a job, or even the loss of a cherished dream. Each of these experiences can leave a profound impact, altering the course of life and reshaping one’s sense of self and the world.

Mind reading, in a practical sense, involves understanding what someone else might be thinking or feeling without them directly telling you. This ability isn’t about having supernatural powers but is closely tied to empathy—our natural capacity to sense and share the emotions of others. Empathy helps us "read" people’s minds by picking up on their emotions through subtle cues like facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice.

Perfectionism often comes with a set of beliefs or delusions that keep people trapped in its cycle. These are the little lies we tell ourselves to justify the endless pursuit of flawlessness. Let’s take a closer look at some of these common delusions and why they might not be as true as they seem.