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Monday Mark – 7.5 & 8.0

7.5 – For Last Week’s MM: You’re not afraid of failing. You’re afraid of being seen failing. Most people aren’t paying attention to what you’re doing, and your loudest critics are probably too scared to try. What are you so worried about? While I was growing up, failure (as seen by my father – “The Plague”) was…
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Foundations

A healthy relationship (romantic or not) requires healthy foundations. I used to believe that all that was needed for that was: Trust, Respect, and Communication. I have learned well over the years that it takes so much more than that. While these three things are tantamount, they are not the be all, end all. So…
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Monday Mark – 5.5 & 6.0

5.5 – For Last Week’s MM: “The happiest people are not the ones with the most options, but the ones who are most satisfied with their choices.” It’s interesting that satisfaction can beget happiness. I remember what that was like. Currently, the best I can get with that is “contentment.” I suppose that’s more positive than…
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Monday Mark – 4.5 & 5.0

4.5 – For Last Week’s MM: “How you talk to yourself defines your Self. Be careful what you say.” Boy… this one was/is a toughie. I find myself talking negatively to myself quite often, so it was really difficult to attempt to reframe that – especially in the moment. I also didn’t encounter very many situations…
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Connection

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Monday Mark – 3.5 & 4.0

3.5 – For Last Week’s MM: Ah, yes. The subject of “pain.” One I know all too well, unfortunately. Mark IS right: pain is inevitable; suffering is optional. In other words, pain will happen, it’s a matter of course for literally just existing. But suffering? Well… as hard as it is to admit and hear, it…
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The “Onus” on Women

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“Should”

So Sayeth the Google AI Mode (tried a new version): The word “should” is not inherently “bad” in the sense of being a swear word, but it is often viewed as harmful or counterproductive in psychology, communication, and personal development. The word can create a cycle of shame, guilt, and unrealistic expectations for oneself and others. …
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Avoidant Personality Disorder

So… along with The Boyfriend’s individual therapist’s initial suspicions, my opinion is that he has Avoidant Personality Disorder. I have suspected this for some time, mostly because I like to do research on things and learn the how and why of behaviors and whatnot. I am an Anxious Attachment Disorder type (though not diagnosed officially).…
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Monday Mark – 2.5 & 3.0

2.5 – For Last Week’s MM: I actually ponder “trust” and all that entails quite frequently. You see, The Boyfriend broke my trust as early on as last October, though I didn’t know the full extent of it – especially the “wtf is going on” part – until this past February. The consequences of realizing my…
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Monday Mark – 1.5 & 2.0

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Love/Hate

