I find in my work as a therapist, so many people suffer from the same problem: perfectionism. In the book, Too Perfect: When being in control gets out of control, the authors posit that at the root of perfectionism is an “obsessive” personality at play which includes the following characteristics: A fear … [Read more...] about Practising the Art of Imperfection
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Esther’s Top Five Dating Tips
Know Thyself In my book, Dump That Chump, I emphasize the importance of getting clear about the kind of partner you are looking for. To succeed in finding a suitable mate, you have to know who you are first and foremost. All the latest research in successful matchmaking points to the fact that couples have … [Read more...] about Esther’s Top Five Dating Tips
Listening to the wisdom of your body
You must clean the sink (I go to wipe sink)… OWWWWCH! (back spasms and I am immobilized standing in the kitchen standing helplessly in front of the sink) Holy crap! I can’t even move right now…well, maybe if I just try to stretch my arm to the sink… OWWWWWWWCH! (new wave of back spasms and now tears fall … [Read more...] about Listening to the wisdom of your body
Living Large in a Small-Minded World
I had the incredible opportunity recently to attend a workshop by Cynthia Whitehead-LaBoo, PhD, called, “Super Sized: Living large in a small minded culture”. Ms. Whitehead-LaBoo is the Associate Director for Clinical Services at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. She is a Licensed Psychologist, as well as … [Read more...] about Living Large in a Small-Minded World
To Mom or Not to Mom: That is the Question!
Being in my forty-first year, I can finally start relaxing about the whole ‘motherhood question’. I am glad to say that for the most part, people have stopped asking me if and when I am going to have children. I am a happily-married (13+ years!) woman who consciously decided not to be a mother and I feel … [Read more...] about To Mom or Not to Mom: That is the Question!
Falling Backwards with Jann Arden
One of my greatest heroines, Jann Arden, is a true-blooded Canadian prairie girl with innumerable talents. To sum up: she has released 11 highly-acclaimed albums; has had 17 Top Ten singles, including the concert favourites, I Would Die for You, Could I Be Your Girl and Insensitive; and has won 8 Juno … [Read more...] about Falling Backwards with Jann Arden
The Power of NO!
I admit, I am in the mood for reading lately and I have not been let down by the self-help sections of my local bookstore. Actually, this book came to me via a dear friend whom I told about my last great read about people-pleasing and how to stop it. This book should actually be in the ‘humour’ section of the … [Read more...] about The Power of NO!
Recovering from the ‘disease to please’
A very wise client of mine recently told me about a very helpful book she’d read called, “The Disease To Please: Curing the People-Pleasing Syndrome” by Harriet B. Braiker, Ph.D. And being the studious and curious therapist that I am, I ran out and got a copy and have not been able to put it down! While … [Read more...] about Recovering from the ‘disease to please’