Attitude & Lifestyle
Ghoulish Gals: Are women more open-minded about the paranormal?
by Queen D, October 16, 2016
Twenty years ago, I stared across my Ouija board at my friend’s face, her look of shocked disbelief mirroring mine. “You’re moving it,” she said with a forced chuckle. “No. I thought you were,” I answered. We watched as the plastic planchette moved in a perfect circle. Stealing her nerves, my friend asked a question […]
Attitude & Lifestyle
When happiness is at the bottom of a Louis Vuitton bag: Dangers of retail therapy
by Queen D, October 14, 2016
I get depressed when I shop – and that’s aside from the big crowds, the lack of parking, my tendency to get lost in big malls, and my inability to find my car when I am so ready to leave. I am not into designer stuff, but there’s lots of things I’d buy if I […]
Personal Development
Fear of Success: Failure's slightly more attractive but still scary step-sister
by Queen D, October 7, 2016
There are some Psychology theories that will make you sit back and wonder what the heck the theorist was doing when they came up with it. Take Freud’s psychosexual developmental brainchild, the “Electra Complex” and it’s ensuing “penis envy.” I won’t go into detail here, but suffice to say that Freud really didn’t understand women […]
Personal Development
Things we should have learned in school – like Emotional Intelligence
by Queen D, September 30, 2016
To this day, I still can’t understand why we had to learn meteorological terms in school. I had no intention of becoming a weather girl. Besides, weather forecasting is about as accurate as astrology. I remember my teacher pointing at me and asking for the definition of “air pressure.” Despite being one of the smartest […]
Mental Health & Well-Being
Perfectionism, self-criticism, and other inconspicuous self-esteem problems
by Queen D, September 23, 2016
I have an acquaintance who is an accounting manager in a major firm with a salary of about $90,000 a year. She’s intelligent, fashion-forward, speaks three languages fluently, and can make an amazing Beef Wellington. Do I envy her? Kind of…with the exception of her absolutely horrible taste in men. She married someone whom she’s […]
Attitude & Lifestyle
The Life Satisfaction Puzzle: Pieces That Contribute To Contentment
by Queen D, September 16, 2016
Intellectually, I understand that life isn’t as complicated as we seem to think it is. I’ve been told the same message from multiple gurus who just sit and smile and say, “Let go! Let go of your intense need to control every aspect of your life. Let the worries go. Let the problems go. Once […]
Attitude & Lifestyle
Spirituality and life satisfaction: Are they indelibly intertwined?
by Queen D, September 9, 2016
I’ve always adopted the philosophy that religion and politics were not a topic of conversation. My family consists of a mix of moderately devout Christians, atheists, and one spiritualist, and it can turn into a messy conversation. I myself don’t subscribe to a particular religion but I am fairly spiritual – you know, the whole “we […]
Personality
Ten misconceptions about extroverts and introverts
by Queen D, September 2, 2016
Before I moved into my new home, the seller and I had a few papers to sign, so we met up at her soon-to-be-my place with her realtor and mine in tow. We were making small talk about our jobs, when she suggested that, as a professor, she was an excellent judge of character. “You’re […]
Mental Health & Well-Being
Words of oppression: Things you tell yourself when you’re depressed
by Queen D, August 26, 2016
I don’t watch much TV. In order to get me to watch any show, it would have to be so good that I’d be compelled to take the DVDs of each season with me to a deserted island (should such a thing be required). If you think that’s strict, you should see how stringent I […]
Love & Relationships
Two to "tangle": What your attachment style says about you
by Queen D, August 19, 2016
My attachment styles have always ever been a reflection of where I was in my life. When I was young and naïve, I would get attached rather quickly, fall much harder, and change who I was to make my partner’s happy. When I got a little older, I put up emotional walls, never letting my […]
Mental Health & Well-Being
The ugly side of perfect
by Queen D, August 11, 2016
After breaking up with the third girl in six months, my friend begged me for advice. It was the same damn routine: He’d lament over the break-up, ask for some insightful input, agree with it, fail to follow it, and then come back for the same a month later. “What was wrong with this girl […]
Attitude & Lifestyle
Kids, don’t try this at home: Gender and age differences in driving attitude
by Queen D, August 4, 2016
I’m not an angry driver – I just say angry things when I see (enter swear word) drivers doing stupid things on the road like no one else is around. I’m talking to you, guy in BMW, who cut across three lanes at the last minute to get off at an exit and nearly hit […]