A Case for Optimism: An antidote to the widespread pessimism

Certainly, a case for pessimism can be made — and it often is: future pandemics, terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, loss of jobs to the COVID economic restrictions, automation, offshoring, and costs of government mandates, crushing federal debt and deficits, long-unrelenting racial problems, poor U.S. student performance, etc. To provide a bit of balance, my Psychology Today article today makes a case for optimism, for ourselves, our children, our future.

“I’m Worried About My Behavior”

Some of my friends, family, and clients, seem unaffected by the COVID restrictions. Indeed, some introverted or work-centric people find it a net positive.

But many other people are getting increasingly distraught, especially in light of the urgings to stay home through the holiday season, and that despite months of social distancing, hand-washing, mask-wearing, closed restaurants and entertainment venues, COVID cases and hospitalizations are soaring, with a record 81,000 Americans hospitalized with COVID, and 253,000 deaths.

My Psychology Today article today presents a composite letter that encapsulates many people’s reactions, plus my response.

 

Instead of Giving Presents: Ideas for holiday charitable giving

At some point, you probably shake your head at the bowdlerization of the Three Wise Men’s gifts into today's gaudy gift-giving.

If you’re at that point now, consider making charitable donations in the names of the people on your gift list, or directly to needy people, even if not tax-deductible. I offer suggestions on how to wisely do that in my Psychology Today article today.

“I Wish I Hadn’t Said That:” Three steps to avoiding that

Most of us have said things we wish we could take back. But for some people, that's a frequent occurrence. My Psychology Today article today offers three steps have helped my clients.

9 Comforting Gifts: Holiday presents for the COVID era

In previous years, I suggested holiday gifts for personal growth and books for the psychologically attuned.

This year is special because of COVID and the political and racial roilings. So, my Psychology Today article today suggests gifts that are likely to be comforting in these stressful times. Who knows? You might even choose to get one for yourself.

Canceled Holiday Gatherings: Suggestions for a grieving person and for a relieved one

Because of the dire warnings, many people are canceling holiday get-togethers. My Psychology Today article today offers my responses to two composite letters. One is from a person who is grieving the loss, the other is from a person who is relieved.

2 COVID Strains on a Relationship

Yesterday, I wrote about two COVID strains: holiday gatherings and remote schooling.

My Psychology Today article today focuses on two COVID strains on relationships. They’re seemingly small problems, definitely in the category of first-world problems, yet a few of my clients have reported that such apparent trivialities are quite straining their relationship. The first problem: being bored with the friends in their COVID bubble. The second problem: arguing about what movies and TV to watch.