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Staying Sane Inside Insanity

Pursuing clearer, less anxious lives and relationships in uncertain times

Relationships
Love vs Values

Tonya Lester LCSW on August 17, 2023

Ending a meaningful relationship is painful, but not as painful as giving up an essential part of yourself.

Ending a meaningful relationship is painful, but not as painful as giving up an essential part of yourself.

Relationships
Love Hacks

Tonya Lester LCSW on March 3, 2023

How would your relationship change if you tried a few of these suggestions? How would it change if you implemented all of them?

How would your relationship change if you tried a few of these suggestions? How would it change if you implemented all of them?

Relationships
How to Recover From a Breakup

Tonya Lester LCSW on January 11, 2023

Breakups can be devastating even if you see them coming, even if it's your idea, and even if you know it's for the best. 

Breakups can be devastating even if you see them coming, even if it's your idea, and even if you know it's for the best. 

Infidelity
How to Confess Infidelity

Tonya Lester LCSW on November 4, 2022

When we hear “infidelity,” most of us picture having sex outside of our relationships. But there are many ways to cheat.

When we hear “infidelity,” most of us picture having sex outside of our relationships. But there are many ways to cheat.

Jealousy
The Weathervane Emotions: Anger, Jealousy, and Guilt

Tonya Lester LCSW on September 11, 2022

Complicated emotions are necessary, healthy, and valuable. Like a weathervane, they show us which way the wind is blowing and how we need to adjust accordingly.

Complicated emotions are necessary, healthy, and valuable. Like a weathervane, they show us which way the wind is blowing and how we need to adjust accordingly.

Relationships
You Just Don't Understand!

Tonya Lester LCSW on May 6, 2022

Feeling understood is the bedrock of emotional intimacy. All relationships can withstand a lot of pressure if each person feels that the other is invested in understanding them.

Feeling understood is the bedrock of emotional intimacy. All relationships can withstand a lot of pressure if each person feels that the other is invested in understanding them.

Marriage
Is Marriage a Bad Deal for Women?

Tonya Lester LCSW on April 27, 2022

Healthy partnerships can go through tough times and emerge stronger afterward. Less secure relationships will often buckle under the strain.

Healthy partnerships can go through tough times and emerge stronger afterward. Less secure relationships will often buckle under the strain.

Leadership
A Personal Perspective on Time Management

Tonya Lester LCSW on January 5, 2022

We prize efficiency over depth, engagement, and enjoyment. When we’re trying to make everything go faster, we’re wishing our life away.

We prize efficiency over depth, engagement, and enjoyment. When we’re trying to make everything go faster, we’re wishing our life away.

Anxiety
Are Your Working Too Hard in Your Relationship?

Tonya Lester LCSW on November 10, 2021

That nervous revving you feel in your stomach isn’t spurring you to greater achievement. It’s distracting you from identifying your true priorities.

That nervous revving you feel in your stomach isn’t spurring you to greater achievement. It’s distracting you from identifying your true priorities.

Narcissism
How to Handle a "Kind" Narcissist

Tonya Lester LCSW on October 22, 2021

If you still often feel like your concerns are never really addressed no matter how often you bring them up, you might be facing a "kind narcissist."

If you still often feel like your concerns are never really addressed no matter how often you bring them up, you might be facing a "kind narcissist."

Marriage
Is It Worth It to Speak Up and Assert Yourself?

Tonya Lester LCSW on September 3, 2021

If you repeatedly make concessions and accommodations without speaking up for yourself, you might wake up one day barely recognizing who you are.

If you repeatedly make concessions and accommodations without speaking up for yourself, you might wake up one day barely recognizing who you are.