Relationship

The Universe Smiles Upon You When You Feel Safe in Your Skin

The Universe Smiles Upon You When You Feel Safe in Your Skin

We've all heard the romantic sayings: "We just fit together" or "We're like two peas in a pod." Last Halloween, I saw a couple dressed as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, sitting on top of each other at the library. Sweet, right?

Recently, I was struggling to fit a lid onto a plastic container, growing increasingly frustrated with each failed attempt—only to realize I was using the wrong lid entirely. It struck me: this is exactly how we think about romantic relationships. We believe there's someone out there who's meant to fit us perfectly, like two puzzle pieces clicking together to form a complete, perfect square.

But here's the thing: it's never that simple.

You and Time: It’s Time to DTR

You and Time: It’s Time to DTR

In an age where casual flirting, situationships, and the phrase “I just don’t feel like we need to label ourselves” are becoming more common, there comes a point when it is necessary to DTR (define the relationship). Clarifying expectations and desires can allow a budding relationship to move to the next level—or break off if it’s not going anywhere. However, many of us have yet to effectively DTR with one of our most important and impactful relationships: our relationship with time. It’s no secret that time management issues are prevalent in our society today. Ever-increasing to-do lists combined with the sense that time is passing by faster than we can keep up are often a major source of stress and burnout. Add to that the constant pull of distractions, procrastination, and misplaced priorities… you get the idea. While it is difficult to know how to combat these struggles, author and journalist Oliver Burkeman believes that he has a solution, one that can reduce anxiety and promote feelings of contentment, purpose, and relief. In his book Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, he describes a new way to approach time and offers insights that are worth exploring. According to Burkeman, effectively defining our relationship with time begins with adjusting our expectations.