Dr. Yesel Yoon writes about perfectionism, burnout, and navigating life transitions
In the last few months since the pandemic has impacted our lives, there have been a surge in mental health questions. As a psychologist and career counselor, I am noticing a theme of important questions about life, career, relationships, and purpose that seems harder to ignore. I elaborate on what these themes are, how I have made sense of why these are emerging at this time, and what you can do about it.
Is there such a thing as a bad feeling? Do you try and push away difficult emotions but notice they don’t really go away? We all feel a range of emotions but sometimes struggle to let them out and deal with them. In this post, I respond to common myths about emotions, discuss why emotions are important to attend to, and how to tame the more difficult emotions we struggle with. Included are some cameos by Mr. Fred Rogers as he asks the important question: What do you do with the mad that you feel? Learn what to do with all of your feelings.
Changes happen all of the time. When our routines are disrupted, it can lead to more anxiety and stress. But what if these disruptions could lead to more creativity, positive change, and better solutions for your life? I write about a slightly different perspective about routines than I normally do and include points by Tim Harford from a TED talk on Creativity. I challenge you to embrace disruptions and see how change might be a good thing. Read more to learn how embracing change is possible.
We’re moving into the summer with the pandemic still upon us and many are anxious to get out and about. What’s the best way to safely enjoy activities this summer? Luckily you can definitely still enjoy outdoor or indoor activities! I share an article by Julie Singh, founder of TripOutside.com, who writes about how to stay sane and active while social distancing. I also share some ways I have personally been able to keep up with old routines and new activities. Hopefully this will give you some ideas for how you can also enjoy life and maintain your physical, mental, and emotional health!
Sometimes facing the reality of a situation can feel daunting and overwhelming. But what happens if you keep sweeping things under the rug and avoiding what’s going on underneath a problem? How long can you keep going while not facing the story you’re telling yourself about a situation? I write about what it looks like to really face your fears and understand the roots of a problem that keeps you stuck. During a time like a pandemic that is scary and has left us feeling raw and anxious, we need all of the help we can get to know how to face problems head on. I present a personal and case example of a client who presents with a problem but we discover there’s more underneath the surface. Read more to learn how to face these stories and walk away empowered with choices.
