The smartphone has become one of the most influential objects in modern life. It wakes us in the morning, accompanies us throughout the day, and is often the last thing we see before sleep. While smartphones have transformed communication and made information instantly accessible, they have also introduced a paradox. At a time when people are more connected than ever, many report feeling increasingly lonely, disconnected, and emotionally distant from those closest to them. From my perspective...

I recently met a friend for a catch-up, and they asked how I had been. I replied, light-heartedly, “I saw my counsellor this morning, so I’m good!” They looked surprised and said, “Wait, you have a counsellor? Isn’t that a bit like being a mechanic and paying someone else to fix your car?” I can understand how it might seem that way at first. However, for me, having my own counsellor is not only helpful, but essential. Despite being a counsellor, I don’t have life all figured out. Like anyone...

We like to believe that our thoughts are reliable. After all, they come from our own minds, who else would know us better? Yet this assumption is often misleading. Not every thought we have is true, helpful, or even worth believing at times. Learning to question our thoughts, rather than automatically accepting them, is a crucial step toward better mental well-being. Our minds are constantly active, producing thousands of thoughts each day. Some are rational and grounded, but many are...