Psychological Tips for Today's World
Skills for adults, parents, and anyone trying to find their footing in today's world
Lately, I have found myself spending at least an hour each morning considering the news, the impact of technology on our lives and our well-being, and geopolitics. This is not exactly a new habit—I grew up in Washington, D.C. and abroad, where current events dominated conversations both inside and outside the home.
Becoming a psychologist was not a departure from this world; in many ways, it was a direct extension of it. Growing up in a politically charged environment, I saw firsthand the extent to which kids, teens, and families struggled behind closed doors. Long before social media, I realized that the public eye was often just smoke and mirrors, masking deeper personal and interpersonal turmoil underneath.
I have also always had a natural inclination to find common ground rather than division, to mediate rather than fight. Understanding people has always come easily to me.
These days, I find myself deeply seeking to understand so much of the human behavior on display in today’s current events. Why do people who seem similar in many fundamental ways think so differently and feel such animosity toward each other? What drives the psychology of various industry and political leaders whose values and behaviors feel so unfamiliar to me? Why have so many moments of late deeply unsettled me? How can I process them in a way that helps me regain my footing? And how do I want to respond?
Something about this moment—psychologically, sociologically, culturally, globally—has completely captured my attention. The rapidly changing world has left me feeling unmoored at times, and psychology has been my anchor in making sense of it.
Beyond understanding, I also feel a deep instinct to equip my children, clients, and their families to thrive in this rapidly changing world. I want them to be adaptable and resilient, even if we end up in far harsher or worse circumstances.
As a parent and a psychologist, I am eager to identify and share the skills, traits, qualities, values, etc. that I think will be helpful to instill in my children and help my clients and their families. Because while we cannot control life, we can develop the strength and ingenuity it takes to handle whatever comes.
Thus, some of our newsletter will be devoted to discussing these skills, traits, qualities, values, etc. It may not seem clearly related to Special, however striving to be Special in the eyes of others can foster tendencies and traits (e.g., inflexibility, rigidity, over-control) that can trip us up when the rug is pulled out from under our feet. And striving to develop a life one finds Special must be done within context – including within our community, culture, and world. So for my international psychologist brain, the two go hand-in-hand.
I welcome your thoughtful input as well. A shared community can be powerful, and finding each other and our common ground is very needed right now. I hope you will subscribe, join our community, and help us all strengthen together.