
Mental Health & Well-Being, Personal Development
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: Who’s the Most Self-Aware of Them All?
by Queen D, September 6, 2024
Not you, which is why you clicked on this blog. What is this “self-awareness“ I speak of? In simple terms, self-awareness is the ability to see yourself clearly and objectively. It’s like holding up a mirror to your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and saying, “Oh, so that’s why I do that!” It’s about understanding your […]

Personal Development
Why Some People Can’t Accept Compliments
by Queen D, March 4, 2020
To say that Jimi Hendrix has thoroughly earned the honor of being considered one of the greatest guitar players and songwriters of all time is irrefutable. Chances are, however, that even after 50+ years of airplay, Jimi would have modestly dismissed his rock legend status. “I don’t really live on compliments,” he said during an […]

Personal Development
A lack of popularity is not as bad as a lack of tact
by Queen D, April 25, 2018
I’ve never quite understood the dynamics of high school, at least not my personal experience. The people who were popular were cruel, two-faced, and hateful, and totally oblivious to the amount of damage that insults and ostracism could do to the self-esteem, the very spirit, of a young, naïve mind. Those, like me, who were […]

Personal Development
Don’t react well to failure? Blame your parents (a little)
by Queen D, March 28, 2018
Yes, regular readers of my blog know I don’t advocate blame. Although parenting style does have a significant impact on a child’s development, you can’t spend the rest of your life blaming your parents for your hang-ups or unhappiness. At some point, you have to take full control of your personal growth. However, I write […]

Personal Development
It’s Not Just Emotions: The Subtle Red Flags Your EQ’s in Trouble
by Queen D, March 31, 2017
Several years ago, I received an email from someone who had taken Queendom’s Emotional Intelligence Test. He wasn’t very happy with his low score and expressed his discontent by cursing us out and calling us names that I will not reiterate in detail here, as this is generally a PG blog. However, it was something […]

Personal Development
Golden Nuggets of Wisdom: Advice for almost any situation
by Queen D, March 17, 2017
After my car decided to do a little jig at a red light and blink some rather dire warning lights, I found myself having to call for roadside assistance. On the way to my mechanic, the tow truck driver inquired as to what I did for a living. “Research and psychometrics is the official title,” […]

Personal Development
My not-so-optimistic optimism advice
by Queen D, November 18, 2016
I don’t think I’ve ever been a silver-lining kind of person, even as a child. You know how kids always have that “pie-in-the-sky, everything-is-awesome” view of the world? That wasn’t me at all. I was the Chicken Little, the doomsayer. I was the “OMG-we’re-going-to-get-in-trouble/we’re-all-gonna-die” kid. Try as might, I’m not a very good optimist. I […]

Personal Development
Words of wisdom that are not so very wise
by Queen D, July 28, 2016
Advice is kind of like ordering a pair of pants online: It won’t fit everyone, but you’ll only really know if it will work for you if you try it. And like fashion, some words of wisdom go out of style. I always strive to offer practical tips in my blogs, but sometimes the things […]

Personal Development
Five signs you should focus on personal growth
by Queen D, June 30, 2016
1. You feel like you’re just going through the motions. You’re existing, not living. I call this the “running on auto-pilot” feeling. You get up in the morning and go to work because you have to pay your bills. When someone asks how you are, your response is always “fine,” even when you’re not fine. […]

Personal Development
Mixing the asparagus fork with the cheese fork—and other social faux pas
by Queen D, January 20, 2016
I am honestly dumbfounded by the ease at which people reveal their deepest, most humiliating secrets on one of those second-rate, no-holds-barred talk shows—in front of millions of strangers no less. I can barely speak above a whisper when talking to my pharmacist about bowel issues. This is why I kind of love the whole […]

Personal Development
A case for selfishness (or a little less kindness)
by Queen D, December 16, 2015
Saturday afternoon, I watched my hairdresser as she flitted around getting my “recipe” ready. She seemed different: Her step was lighter, her head a little higher, her smile less strained. “The energy here is different,” I noted. “You like it here.” I swept my eyes across the room. There was a Christmas tree in the […]

Personal Development
Funny signs you need a new therapist
by Queen D, September 11, 2015
I never really joke about therapy. I think it can be extremely useful, especially since some doctors are a little trigger happy when it comes to doling out prescriptions. I don’t oppose drug therapy. If a person is suffering from a debilitating disorder, medication is often required to help the person achieve a degree of psychological balance. But […]