reignitepsych@gmail.com, Author at Reignite Psych

Sep292026 by reignitepsych@gmail.comNo Comments

Don’t Wait to Feel Ready

How often have you told yourself, “I’ll do it when I feel ready”? Maybe you are waiting to apply to new jobs until you feel motivated. Maybe you are waiting to date until you feel more confident. Maybe you are waiting on making a decision until you feel sure it’s “right.” It makes sense that we want to feel ready before we do something difficult. Readiness feels like a promise that we won’t regret our actions or face discomfort. But what if feeling ready isn’t actually a prerequisite for change? Readiness vs. Willingness In Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), there is an important distinction between “readiness” and “willingness.” Readiness sounds like: “I feel prepared to do this.” Willingness sounds more like: “I don't know if I'm prepared, and I’m willing…

Jul132026 by reignitepsych@gmail.comNo Comments

The Pressure of a “Perfect Summer”: Letting Go of Seasonal Expectations

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Summer is often framed as the season of freedom and fun. Between vacations, backyard BBQs, longer days, and more social engagements, it is a time when we feel like we're supposed to feel happier, more adventurous, and more connected. But for many people, that's not the reality. Instead, summer can bring feelings of loneliness, burnout, financial stress, grief, or pressure to make every weekend count. Social media is filled with vacation photos and celebrations, making it easy to wonder if everyone else is having a better summer than you. The truth is, there is no "right" way to experience this season. Life doesn't pause just because the weather is warmer. You may still be balancing work, caring for loved ones, navigating relationship changes, or coping with anxiety or depression. Some…

May182026 by reignitepsych@gmail.comNo Comments

5 Small Ways to Practice Assertiveness Every Day

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When people hear the word “assertiveness,” they often picture confrontation. While assertiveness can involve conflict or difficult conversations, on a day-to-day basis, it is often much quieter and less dramatic than people imagine. For many of us, assertiveness does not come naturally. If you grew up feeling responsible for other people’s emotions, experienced criticism or conflict when expressing yourself, or learned that being “easygoing” kept you safe and accepted, speaking up can feel uncomfortable or even frightening. The good news is that assertiveness is a skill, and like any skill, it can be practiced in small, everyday moments. Express Your Preferences Many people are used to automatically saying “I don’t care” when asked what they want. Practicing assertiveness can start with something as simple as expressing a genuine preference. Examples:…

Mar172026 by reignitepsych@gmail.comNo Comments

Why Most People Think They’re Bad at Mindfulness

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Mindfulness sounds simple. On the surface, being in the present moment seems like something that should come naturally. Yet when many people first attempt mindfulness exercises, they feel confused, frustrated, anxious, or defeated. They often assume that they are just “not good at mindfulness.” If you’ve ever thought this about yourself, you’re not alone. Between our busy schedules, numerous responsibilities, and endless smartphone notifications, modern life isn’t designed for slowing down and tuning into the present moment. The good news is, this thought does not mean that you are “bad” at mindfulness. In fact, you are doing it exactly right. Here are some common reasons why people believe they are not good at being mindful: They Expect Perfection The word “mindfulness” often brings to mind images of someone sitting tranquilly…

Feb192026 by reignitepsych@gmail.comNo Comments

Is Guilt Guiding You, or Controlling You?

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You Can Say No Without Causing Harm You’re headed home after a long, difficult day at work. Your body feels heavy. All you want is to take a shower, eat something quick and easy, and relax on the couch before bed. Then your phone buzzes. A friend asks you to come over, saying, “No pressure, but I could really use some company tonight.” You feel a knot in your stomach before you even finish reading the text. You have a legitimate reason to say no. You’re exhausted. You need rest. They even said “no pressure.” And still, the thought that keeps coming up is: But they’ll be so disappointed. You can’t stand the feeling of guilt that cascades over you at the mere thought of saying no. So you sigh…

Feb82019 by reignitepsych@gmail.comNo Comments

2019: Setting Goals for the New Year

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SEOEnter a focus keyphrase to calculate the SEO score We've all been there. That crushing moment when the new year is just a ball drop away and, we think to ourselves, "what have I done this year?" Immediately, we begin to dread the next 365 days. We ask ourselves why we didn't make the time or why do I even bother? The truth is, you're not alone! According to research conducted by the University of Scranton, 92 percent of people feel unaccomplished in their yearly goals. However, we here at Reignite want to help you head into the new year with confidence! First, let's talk about you and how you feel. Typically, people believe the biggest challenge for themselves is external. However, the truth is, it's very much internal. Our…

Dec42018 by reignitepsych@gmail.comNo Comments

We Need to Talk About Sexual Assault

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The United States Department of Justice defines sexual assault as any unwanted sexual activity or sexual situation where a person is not able to give consent. The definition serves as a general guideline when determining if a sexual assault has occurred. Unfortunately, rape is one of the most underreported crimes in the United States and the hardest to prove. While social awareness of sexual assault has increased due to the influx of high-profile rape cases, victims still have a long road ahead of them. One of the major hurdles a sexual assault survivor must overcome is reporting the crime. Statistics show that roughly 90% of rape crimes go unreported. Moreover, victims often have few supporters because their attackers are usually someone close to them and others. That's why we must support survivors…

Nov272018 by reignitepsych@gmail.comNo Comments

Self-Care and Why You Need it Today

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We all need a break sometimes. A little escape from our everyday lives to help us focus and re-center our mind and body. Unfortunately, we underestimate the power of self-care but, it helps us tremendously. Self-care has nothing to do with routine maintenance like brushing your teeth, showering, and shaving. It's about checking in with yourself. It's making the conscious decision to address whatever issues you may be experiencing whether it's sadness, exhaustion, or chronic pain. As a psychologist, I often recommend self-care because it's an effective coping mechanism for life's stresses. Unfortunately, some people don't have a clear definition of what self-care is and is not. The first thing to remember is that self-care is intentional. It's about having no expectations of yourself for the day. To fill your…

Nov142018 by reignitepsych@gmail.comNo Comments

World Kindness Day: I have a Challenge for You

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When I was growing up, things were a little slower. You grew up but, not too fast. We made friends but, not too many. And, of course, we knew there were three things you never did. You don't cheat, you don't steal, and you respected everyone. Now, we can have a discussion about the issues my generation faced. But, one thing we don't have anymore is a sense of kindness. I'm not talking about the smile and wave you give a coworker in the morning. I am talking about a genuine act of kindness towards another person. We're missing that and, it's time we brought it back. We used to check on one another. Go over to their house, bring them a cake, make sure they were okay. We also…

May232018 by reignitepsych@gmail.comNo Comments

How to be a Mental Health Ally

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May is Mental Health Awareness Month and, in support of the 1 in 5 people suffering with mental disorders, we have composed a few tips on how to be a great mental health ally! Educating yourself on how our friends and loved ones deal with their mental health conditions provides a better understanding for you and helps the sufferer feel comfortable coming forward about their issue. While there are many ways to be great allies, we have created a few great tips to help you get started: Learn about mental health conditions – There are a variety of great places you can get information on mental health. Websites such as MentalHeath.gov, Mental Health America, and the National Alliance of Mental Illness provide statistics, treatment and crisis options, and show…