A Well-Lived Life

Parenting

When the Work Never Feels Done

Jen Zamzow Ph.D. on May 11, 2025

When the work never ends, it’s easy to wonder if it matters. Here’s why it does.

When the work never ends, it’s easy to wonder if it matters. Here’s why it does.

Time Management

Feeling Too Busy? Try Asking Yourself This Question First

Jen Zamzow Ph.D. on September 3, 2024

Reduce some of the mental buzz of busyness by shifting from time-driven to value-driven decisions.

Reduce some of the mental buzz of busyness by shifting from time-driven to value-driven decisions.

Motivation

Are You Too Good at Making Excuses?

Jen Zamzow Ph.D. on March 28, 2024

We’ve all avoided things because we were “too busy” or “too tired.” But have our excuses become too convenient?

We’ve all avoided things because we were “too busy” or “too tired.” But have our excuses become too convenient?

Motivation

Why Hasn’t the New Me Shown Up Yet?

Jen Zamzow Ph.D. on January 26, 2024

At the beginning of the new year, it’s easy to hope for a “New Year, New You.” But what do you do when the “New You” looks like the Old You?

At the beginning of the new year, it’s easy to hope for a “New Year, New You.” But what do you do when the “New You” looks like the Old You?

Motivation

How to Harness the Power of Fresh Starts

Jen Zamzow Ph.D. on January 4, 2024

New Year’s resolutions are notoriously hard to keep. So why do we keep making them? And what can we do instead?

New Year’s resolutions are notoriously hard to keep. So why do we keep making them? And what can we do instead?

Imposter Syndrome

Congrats, Graduates! Welcome to Pretending to Be an Adult

Jen Zamzow Ph.D. on May 25, 2023

Here are three things you don’t have to wait until you feel like a "real" adult to do.

Here are three things you don’t have to wait until you feel like a "real" adult to do.

Relationships

Why It's So Important to Preserve Ordinary Moments

Jen Zamzow Ph.D. on March 22, 2023

Are ordinary moments more valuable than we think?

Are ordinary moments more valuable than we think?

Fear

3 Simple Strategies to Avoid Regret

Jen Zamzow Ph.D. on March 16, 2023

How can you avoid regret? Here are three simple strategies for making better choices and feeling good about them.

How can you avoid regret? Here are three simple strategies for making better choices and feeling good about them.

Resilience

You Are Stronger Than You Think

Jen Zamzow Ph.D. on March 8, 2023

What if you are more resilient than you think you are? How might that change the way you live?

What if you are more resilient than you think you are? How might that change the way you live?

Motivation

To Set Better Goals, Ask Yourself These 5 Questions

Jen Zamzow Ph.D. on December 27, 2022

When setting goals for the new year, it can be tempting to aim really high. But is that always a good idea?

When setting goals for the new year, it can be tempting to aim really high. But is that always a good idea?

Gratitude

When You’re Not Feeling Very Thankful on Thanksgiving

Jen Zamzow Ph.D. on November 22, 2022

Can we still be grateful even if we’re not feeling very grateful? Does our mindfulness-focused culture think of gratitude practices as a quick fix?

Can we still be grateful even if we’re not feeling very grateful? Does our mindfulness-focused culture think of gratitude practices as a quick fix?

Attention

How to Survive the School Year

Jen Zamzow Ph.D. on August 22, 2022

Surviving the school year requires not taking on more than we can handle. But how do we know how much is too much?

Surviving the school year requires not taking on more than we can handle. But how do we know how much is too much?

Bias

Dads, You’re Doing More Than You Think

Jen Zamzow Ph.D. on June 16, 2022

Dads don’t just benefit their kids; they're helping to change society’s views of men positively.

Dads don’t just benefit their kids; they're helping to change society’s views of men positively.

Parenting

Things We Don’t Want to Hear on Mother’s Day

Jen Zamzow Ph.D. on May 6, 2022

Moms need more than flowers this Mother’s Day. They need a society that makes it easier to provide for and raise a family.

Moms need more than flowers this Mother’s Day. They need a society that makes it easier to provide for and raise a family.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

3 Rules for Navigating Your Postpandemic Possibilities

Jen Zamzow Ph.D. on April 14, 2022

Now that we have more choices available as we emerge out of the pandemic, how do we figure out what we really want?

Now that we have more choices available as we emerge out of the pandemic, how do we figure out what we really want?

Cognition

Are You Stuck in a Sunk Cost Trap?

Jen Zamzow Ph.D. on April 5, 2022

As we emerge from the pandemic, now is an ideal time to assess whether your past choices still fit.

As we emerge from the pandemic, now is an ideal time to assess whether your past choices still fit.

Embarrassment

Why You Might Still Languish After COVID

Jen Zamzow Ph.D. on March 30, 2022

What happens when we no longer have the pandemic to blame for how we feel? Can we avoid a shame spiral if things improve but we still feel like we’re languishing?

What happens when we no longer have the pandemic to blame for how we feel? Can we avoid a shame spiral if things improve but we still feel like we’re languishing?