Mental health refers to a person’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being, encompassing the ability to handle stress, relate to others, make decisions, and navigate the challenges of life. It influences how individuals think, feel, and act, contributing to the overall balance and quality of their lives. Mental health is essential at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
The difference between a good conversation and a forgettable one often comes down to something surprisingly simple: Were you actually listening? Not listening while planning what you are going to say next.Not waiting for your opportunity to tell your own story.Not subtly steering the conversation back towards yourself. Actually listening. Being present enough to notice… Read More The Art of a Good Conversation: Why Being Heard Matters
Have you ever been told something about yourself repeatedly, yet somehow never really seen it yourself? Perhaps friends have said: “When you walk into a room, people notice you.” “Men are always looking at you.” “You don’t realise how attractive you are.” You may have dismissed it, laughed it off or simply not understood what… Read More When You Don’t See What Others See: The Neuroscience of Self-Perception, Trauma and Being Seen
Have you ever been told something about yourself repeatedly, yet somehow never really seen it yourself? Perhaps friends have said, “When you walk into a room, people notice you,” or “Men are always looking at you.” You may have laughed it off, dismissed it, or simply not understood what they meant. Even years later, you may still not particularly… Read More When You Don’t See What Others See: The Gap Between Self-Perception and How Others See Us
Cruelty can be abuse, but cruelty and abuse are not interchangeable terms. A useful way to understand the progression is: Cruelty describes harmful treatment.Abuse describes a broader pattern of harmful, controlling, exploitative or coercive behaviour. When cruelty becomes repeated, deliberate and part of a pattern that causes physical, emotional, psychological or financial harm, it can properly… Read More When Cruelty Crosses The Line
Behaviour What it means What happens to the other person’s suffering? Example Ordinary cruelty Deliberately causing pain, humiliation or distress, or showing a serious disregard for another person’s suffering The suffering is known but disregarded Knowing someone is already distressed and deliberately saying something designed to hurt or humiliate them Bullying Repeated behaviour intended to intimidate,… Read More The important difference
Concept What it means Relationship to another person’s suffering Cruelty Deliberately causing or allowing suffering, pain, humiliation or distress The suffering is knowingly inflicted or disregarded Sadism Deriving gratification, pleasure or satisfaction from another person’s suffering or humiliation The suffering itself can become rewarding Moral disengagement Psychological processes that allow someone to harm or exploit… Read More Cruelty, sadism and moral disengagement are not the same thing
There are moments in life when human beings are at their most vulnerable. Illness. Hospitalisation. Bereavement. Divorce. Financial crisis. Family emergencies. Exhaustion. Fear. These are the moments when we instinctively expect the people around us to become more compassionate, not less. We expect a friend, partner, relative or trusted person to say: “How can I help?”… Read More When Vulnerability Becomes an Opportunity: The Psychology of Mercenary Behaviour
Sometimes it really is a difference in mindset. Some people value loyalty. Some people value convenience. Some people give generously. Some people take whatever they can get. Some people protect the people they love. Some people talk about them behind their backs. Some people bring peace into your life. Some people drain every ounce of… Read More Not Everyone Deserves Access to You
Sometimes you don’t fully understand what was missing from your previous relationship until you experience something completely different. You meet someone who doesn’t create theatre. They don’t need an audience. They don’t need to convince the world that they are loving. They simply are. The affection is there when nobody is watching. The respect is there… Read More And Then You Meet Someone Who Doesn’t Have to Perform Love
There is a particular kind of behaviour that can be deeply disturbing because what you see on the surface bears little resemblance to what is happening underneath. They smile at you. They tell you everything is fine. They may sit beside you, sleep beside you, share your home and accept your financial support — while… Read More The Two Faces of Betrayal: When the Public Image Is Nothing Like the Private Reality
