Friendships are hard. Add in distance and they can get even harder at times. But long distance friendships seem like a fact of life in our 20s as people scatter for school, work, travel, and just because they want to. Whilst it's said that some 50% of these relationships fail, I want to give you the tools to help your long distance friendships succeed. In this episode we discuss:  The psychological challenges of long distance friendships How friendship is influenced by proximity and convenience  My 4 ingredient friendship formula  The BEST practical tips for maintaining connection  What to do when the friendship feels over  Hope you enjoy, and make sure you send to your long distance pal!    PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/755841/person-in-progress-by-jemma-sbeg/  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com    The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Public speaking is one of our biggest fears as a species - some 75% of us list public speaking as our biggest and greatest fear. In today's episode, I want to discuss why that is and where this fear stems from, socially, psychologically and evolutionary, but also how we can transform our attitude to public speaking and excel, including tips based in psychology such as:  Creating a persona and modelling a hero Embracing flow rather than a need for structure  The power of slowing down  Anxiety and pacing  Anchoring yourself to your audience  Listen now if you're ready to master your next speech or presentation!   PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/755841/person-in-progress-by-jemma-sbeg/  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com    The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Solo travelling is something that we romanticise a lot in our 20s and is a big thing on many of our bucket lists. It can be such a transformative experience, it allows you to listen to your intuition better, explore the places you've always dreamed about without waiting for others and builds a unique kind of confidence. In today's episode, we break down the psychology of solo travelling, including:  What personality traits make a good solo traveller Why are we so drawn to solo travelling  The 4 major psychological benefits of solo travelling in our 20s  The most common challenges we face when solo travelling  How to overcome those challenges  The post solo travelling hangover and much more  Listen now!    PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/755841/person-in-progress-by-jemma-sbeg/  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com    The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lot of us try to convince ourselves we can be friends with our ex in the immediate aftermath of a breakup, but is that necesserily the best idea? In 2022 I did an episode with my ex-boyfriend talking about how a friendship was totally possible, well since then it is obvious to say that I have changed my mind, and in this episode I give my reasons, including:  Why we (mistakedly) try to stay friends with our exes  The types of relationships where this feels possible  The consequences  How it impacts our new relationships, self esteem, and ability to find closure How to be friends with an ex if you MUST BE  Essential boundaries for a friendship with your ex This episode is the only time I have redone/revised an episode so we hope you enjoy.    PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/755841/person-in-progress-by-jemma-sbeg/  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com    The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many of us have been facing increasing levels of political anxiety in the past days and weeks. It seems that the world has never been more divisive and polarised and there is a lot that we are uncertain and fearful of. In today’s episode we talk about how we can acknowledge that the future feels scary, but still find an internal sense of safety and peace, including: The value of stoic principles and focusing on what you can control The psychology of a strong belief system The power of staying present and grounding ourselves Overcoming doomscrolling and being informed but not overwhelmed How to talk about politics in a healthy way I know this time feels very scary and uncertain but I hope this tiny slice of the internet makes you feel safe and seen, love Jemma.   PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/755841/person-in-progress-by-jemma-sbeg/  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com      The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all know the stereotypes about the eldest child, the youngest and the only child, but the middle child often seems to be left out, and not just from our conversations on birth order theory, but also seemingly from the family sometimes. In today's episode, we putting a spotlight on the middle children, including how their position in the family makes them so agreeable, why they often become the conflict mediators, and how this can build resentment later in life.  We also discuss why middle children feel so unseen, but also are the most independent, how they behave in friendships, relationships, in the workplace, and what happens when there are multiple middle children, as well as how to reparent your middle child. Listen now!  PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/755841/person-in-progress-by-jemma-sbeg/  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com  The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The idea of a 'soft life' originated from a group of Nigerian influencers who chose the term to describe a way of living that was comfortable, joyful, minimised stress whilst prioritised self care and simple beauty, in comparison to hustle culture, burnout and urgency. In today's episode we are going to go through 5 practical tips to make this gentle life your reality, including:  The 'Picture This' exercise The new way to approach your To Do list  How to organically regulate your nervous system Creation over consumption  Rethinking our ideas for success I also have a special announcement at the beginning of the episode! Thank you again for all the support. Preorder my book here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/755841/person-in-progress-by-jemma-sbeg/  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your hobbies may be just as important as your friendships in your 20s. But whilst you may dedicate 10-15 hours a week to your friends, most of us can go a week or two without actually performing our hobbies. Why is that, and what is the consequence?In today's episode we break down the psychology of why our hobbies are so important, including:  The debate around what makes a hobby  How many hobbies do you actually need?  How much time should you spend doing your hobbies?  The Rule of Four for hobbies The psychological benefits  The 3 major reasons we struggle to perform our hobbies How to find time, inspiration and motivation for your hobbies, and more Listen now if you want to make more of your leisure time!  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daydreaming can be a perfectly normal part of life - zoning out in the shower, before we fall asleep, on the train to work. But some of us cross over into dangerous territory or what we call maladaptive daydreaming where we can't pull ourselves away from the fantasy. We feel disconnected and it makes our real life feel so much less bright and enjoyable. It can cause us a lot of distress and distraction. Why is that? And why can't we stop ourselves? In today's episode, we break down:  What makes daydreaming 'maladaptive' or 'excessive'  What are the signs + the 16 item scale for maladaptive daydreaming The impact on our emotional health  Maladaptive daydreaming and creativity  Maladaptive daydreaming, trauma, anxiety and OCD  Is daydreaming a form of escapism? How to turn daydreaming into intentional visualisation  Thank you to our listeners who contributed their perspective. Happy listening!  The 16 item scale here: https://traumadissociation.com/mds  The Reddit help group: https://www.reddit.com/r/MaladaptiveDreaming/  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com       See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes the loudest critic, our biggest hater is not someone we know, it is ourselves. We are the ones who are the first to judge ourselves, to shut ourselves and our ambitions down, to say the nastiest things. In today's episode we break down why we are our own worst critic, including:  How we learn self criticism in childhood The evolutionary component to criticism  The role of the super ego  The role of comparison  Why no one is really looking at your that closely  How to embrace radical self compassion and acceptance How to use cognitive diffusion, and much more  This episode is a rerun whilst Jemma is recovering from an illness. We will be back on Friday with a brand new episode.  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our 20s it can feel like a mad rush to find the one. If you are single and dating, you know the experience of going on what seems like dozens of dates only to be disappointed and, at the end of the day, exhausted and yet you still haven't found someone. In this episode, we discuss why that is including:  The signs your experiencing dating burnout What dating burnout and traditional burnout have in common The role of swipe based dating apps  Why this occurs and the emotional impact  The psychology of a 'dating detox'  How to have FUN when dating and how to overcome dating burnout  Listen now if nothing seems to be working when it comes too feeling frustrated and exhausted when it comes to dating in your 20s.  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At some stage in our 20s, all of us will experience what I call 'The Loneliest Chapter' - a period where we feel detached, disconnected and isolated. Whilst this experience can feel terrible and make us question our relationships, friendships and selves, it's an important rite of passage and actually ends up teaching us a lot. In today's episode we discuss:  What is the 'lonely' chapter of our 20s? My personal journey with loneliness  What are some signs you may be in it, right now?  Why does this occur? What creates this period?  How can we learn to tolerate and enjoy solitude?  What are the benefits of loneliness?  How can we make new friends and feel like we belong?  All of that, and more... Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is the cost of caring too much for others? Always being the person to fix everyone's problems? Never needing anyone, but secretly loving that everyone else relies on you? Well, it turns out it can cost you and your relationships a lot, and may also be a sign of high functioning codependency. High functioning codependency is much more common amongst people who are overachieving, overgiving and who have few boundaries (even if they don't know it).  In today's episode, we are joined by the originator of this term. Terri Cole is a psychotherapist and boundary expert who has been investigating this phenomena for years in her high functioning and highly successful clients. She shares the traits, behaviours, costs and ways to improve your high functioning codependency. This was one of my favourite episodes to date, happy listening! Buy Terri's new book here:  https://www.soundstrue.com/products/too-much?srsltid=AfmBOor1-0MHrQayS-ZdUANvTC5qC-T4e1Bpxotu8cti1CqOVVizKO17  Follow Terri here: @terricole  Terri's resources: https://www.terricole.com/  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shame follows us everywhere. So many of us are bound by shame about our past, our mistakes, our identity, our looks, our decisions and choices. This can make living a meaningful and fulfilling life incredibly difficult when you have your own personal, shame bully following you everywhere. In todays episode we learn:  How shame gets implanted in us The links between shame and trauma  Shame vs. guilt How shame manifests in hidden ways  What a life without shame could look like? How to release shame by communicating with your inner child  How to shut down shame spirals  My own personal story of body shaming  Listen now! I hope this releases you from the heavy burden of shame. Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At some stage in our 20s we'll have to make a life changing decision where the right choice is not at all clear: stay or leave my job, the country, my relationships? We can become paralysed in that moment, unable to take a step forward, not realising that doing nothing is, in itself, a decision. In today's episode we break down:  Why we struggle to make hard decisions The paradox of choice  Indecisiveness and a lack of self trust  The 'Wisest Self' thought exercise The 10/10/10 rule for making hard decisions  The role of regret and fear  Listen now if you're struggling with some hard choices in your 20s!  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The right person at the wrong time might be one of the saddest kinds of love stories we come across. This person may be perfect for us, our dream partner, but factors like distance, life, obligations, emotional readiness get in the way and mean that we can't be together. Despite knowing we can't be together, we can't let go and pine after this person, wondering what we could have done differently. Or is right person, wrong time, actually just a myth? Is there ever such a thing as the 'wrong time' for our soulmate? In this episode we discuss:  The obstacles that keep people apart The psychology of 'right person, wrong time' The cognitive biases that keep us attached to someone Why we feel more bonded with some people over others  Why 'right person, wrong time' may be a myth  How to get over this person you can't stop thinking about Listen now! Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let's talk about what's been going on with my mental health recently and what's changed. This is a rather vulnerable episode so please check in with yourself before listening.  Lifeline (AUS): 13 11 14 National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (US): 988  Samaritans (UK): 116 123 Mental health resources (worldwide): https://www.helpguide.org/find-help  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Work makes up a large component of our lives. It's estimated that 1/3 of our waking lives will be spent working, so when that environment is toxic or harmful, it takes it's toll. Especially in our 20s, a toxic workplace can be quite a negative, formative experience and leave us with poor confidence, imposter syndrome and chronic burnout. In today's episode we discuss the psychological impact of bad jobs, including:  The burnout cycle Psychological enmeshment with a workplace Long term impact on self esteem and future employment  Tips for surviving a toxic workplace Tips on how to thrive afterwards, despite the trauma  I also share my own lived experience with a toxic workplace and what I wish I'd known before. Listen now!  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When someone criticises us we naturally feel on edge and defensive. This is because criticism threatens our ego and our sense of self and so we have a very emotional reaction. But that doesn't have to be the case. In today's episode, we break down: What makes us so sensitive to criticism Hypercritical parenting and an aversion to feedback  Rejection sensitivity and criticism  The differences between criticism and feedback How to properly approach criticism When the criticism isn't worth your time All of that and more as we unpack the psychology behind criticism. Listen now!  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If nothing else, our 20s are a time for reinvention and transformation. We become clearer and clearer about the version of us we want to be, and hopefully more confident around expressing our authentic elves, but sometimes this is interrupted by periods of boredom, stagnation, isolation and discomfort. These are all signs that something in our lives needs to change, and it needs to change now. In today's episode we break down five ways to reinvent yourself during your 20s, including:  Theory of opposites Visualisation and choosing the 'theme' for your next era The timeline for change  The power of risk + microrisks  Changing 'what if' thinking into 'what else' or 'so what?' + more  Listen now when you're ready for transformation. Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Flirting! Usually thought of as something used to express romantic or physical interest may actually be the secret to unlocking more connections than you can ever imagine: platonic and romantic. In today's episode we break down the psychology of flirting, including how to gain confidence in your flirting ability, the flirt languages or styles, why flirting is all about connection and low expectations and, of course, how to bring back flirting into a long term relationship.  We are joined by the Flirt Coach, Benjamin Camras, to be the expert on this episode. Benjamin has been a flirt coach for thousands, runs his own podcast on flirting, called Flirtations, and gives us his best tips and tricks for embracing the power of the 'flirt'. Listen now!  Follow Benjamin here: @benjamincamras Listen to Flirtations here: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Ti023cM762SVaQOZrdWlv?si=4ab574c92b5f4339  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all get anxious at times, but what we forget in those moments is that anxiety is just there to protect us, it's trying to do its job, and the more we lean in and play along, the more we start to feel in control again. In today's episode, we break down the four ways I've made my anxiety work for me, including:  Turning anxiety into excitement The certainities list method The personification method  Channeling anxious energy into creative energy + more  If you're someone who struggles with ongoing anxiety, this episode will hopefully provide you with a new perspective, or at least a refresher on what we do know about the way anxiety effects us. Listen now!  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast  For business enquiries: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Limerance - the state of having undeniable feelings for someone who does not feel the same way - feels so much like love but can be so confusing, because deep down we know this person is probably not the one. Despite that we find it impossible to move on, impossible to disconnect or detach despite our best efforts because our affections for this person feel so permanently wired into our brain. Today we talk about why that may be, including:  The first ever studies into limerance The 4 stages of limerance  The addictive explanation for limerance  Limerance, attachment style, fantasy and ADHD What the long term emotional impacts of limerance are  How to recover + 4 tips for moving on Listen now!  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast  For business enquiries: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our attention is constantly being pulled in every direction: we're thinking about the past, overthinking the future, getting notifications from our phones, information from our environment. When was the last time you truly slowed down and enjoyed the present? When was the last time you savoured the moment like you do a nice meal, or a sleep in? Today we are discussing the power of mindfulness, and the power of staying present, including:  The three biggest enemies to staying present The psychology of disassocation The psychological benefits of living in the moment What the world's biggest happiness study says about staying present  The 3x3x3 mindfulness method  Embracing your 'romance' moments, and more  Listen now to learn about the art of noticing, staying present, and feeling life fully.  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg  Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast  For business enquiries: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Money is as much psychological and emotional as it is a physical resource. For that reason, sometimes money and our mental health don't always mix. Many people think that we only experience financial anxiety or financial stress when we are struggling with money, but it turns out that it's a lot more complicated than that. In today's episode, we break down the interactions between our psychology and our mental health, including:  The difference between objective and subjective financial stress The long term impacts of worrying about money  Why this generation is more concerned with money than ever before  Our 9 money languages or archetypes and how to identify yours  How to manage financial stress in your 20s  How to override your financial impulses and poor money decisions All of that and so much more! Listen now.  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg  Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast  For business enquiries: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our fear of being perceived is more than just social anxiety, its a real phobia around being scrutinised, observed and primarily judged by others. It's also greatly limiting your potential and ability to be your true self. But there is a way through, there is a way to escape the constant fixation on what others are thinking about you. In today's episode, we discuss:  The origins and effects of scopophobia How our fear of being perceived is both a social and specific phobia Why do we worry about what other people think? Perfectionism and our fear of being perceived  The impact of early childhood experiences  Three mental shifts to overcome your fear of being perceived  Listen now for all that and more!  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast  For business enquiries: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Loving someone who struggles with their mental health can be devastating. You want to do all you can to help, but no one has ever taught you how or what exactly you should say, how you can help, the right questions to ask. In today's episode we break down the biggest pieces of advice I have for people who are supporting someone they love with their mental health from education, to understanding our processing languages, listening, advocating and setting boundaries! Listen now.  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast  For business enquiries: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episode we break down the controversy but also the beauty of female friendship - why exactly are they so difficult? Or is that all a myth? It turns out what makes female friendships sometimes so difficult is also what makes them so rewarding - the intensity, the level of disclosure, the expectations, the bond! We also discuss how society tries to undermine the sacred nature of female friendship through competition, comparison and the cursed role of male attention, but also how to ensure healthy, long lasting connections with your girlfriends.  A big thank you to the listeners who contributed to this episode! Listen now.  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast  For business enquiries: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The life of the highly sensitive person is often misunderstood. Highly sensitive aren't just people who cry too much or get overwhelmed, take things too personally: they actually take in so much of the world that it can be too much. They feel everything, from joy to sadness, so immediately and profoundly. They are also so in tune with the emotions of all those around them that sometimes it can be too much. Today we break down the psychology of the highly sensitive person, including:  What are the core assessment criteria for identifying if you're highly sensitive? What causes someone to be highly sensitive?  The genetic, personality, parental and temperment contribution  The link between sensitivity, IQ, EQ and creativity + the gentle superpower of sensitive people  Do highly sensitive people have more empathy?  The link between neurodivergence and sensitivity  How to explain your sensitivity to others  How to make the world work for your gentle, feeling soul, and so much more! This episode is FULL of tips, research and studies. Listen now!  The assessment: https://hsperson.com/test/highly-sensitive-test/  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast  For business enquiries: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode might be the wakeup call we all need that our traditional notions of success aren't working. We have been conditioned to see success as individualistic, full of sacrifice, centred around discipline, productivity and all about image and looking impressive. Actually, success is a lot more nuanced. Some of the most successful people in the world as the least happy because success does not allow us to prioritise what really matters to us and drives us. In this episode we break down:  The problems with our idea of success Overachiever burnout  Why being successful doesn't always equal happiness  The alternative and how to find your purpose What makes a successful life in your 20s Listen now! Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast  For business enquiries: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All of us find ourselves remincising on the 'good old days' every now and then, but sometimes we can find ourselves getting trapped in the memories of the past and feeling like it will never be as good as it was. This is the nostalgia trap and it can keep us from being present, from enjoying our current season, or making new memories, it can also lead to nostalgic depression. It can be particulalry hard in our 20s when everyone is telling us these are 'the best years of our lives'. In today's episode we talk about how to find a healthy balance between remembering and enjoying the moment, including:  Early ideas of nostalgia  The reason we feel nostalgia Are we more nostalgic now than ever? Can we have too much nostalgia?  Peter Pan Syndrome Chronic and depressive nostalgia  How to be more present + tips for managing our nostalgia  Listen now!  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast: @thatpsychologypodcast  For business enquiries: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Journalling is seen as one of the holy grails when it comes to trying to improve your mental health and emotional wellbeing, but what about it is so great? The people who love it, absolutely swear by it, but where do we even begin? How can we make it less like a chore, and more joyous? In today's episode, we break down the psychology and fundamentals of journalling, including:  The history of journalling and writing therapy The physical, mental and emotional benefits How to find the right journalling technique for you  The benefits of 'ugly' journalling  Why journalling can be so difficult to start The FOUR fundamental principles for enjoying journalling  My favourite journalling prompts Alternatives when writing isn't your thing  Listen now!  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg  Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast  For business enquiries: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our fear of being alone forever and never finding the right one is scary, but it's also pretty natural. Whether you have never dated before, or are worried that you have missed your chance for true, long term love, it can be hard to imagine ourselves finding the right person without getting really caught up in the dating process. Today, let's talk about how to overcome your fear of being alone or ending up single, including:  The fear of missing out The impact of social pain  The societal narrative towards singlehood  Single shaming language + the role of ambiguous loss  Does a fear of being alone make us less selective?  How to be self partnered and actually LOVE it! All of that and some much more! Listen now!  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast  For business enquiries: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the biggest questions we seem to encounter in our 20s and beyond is: what is my calling? What is my purpose, my mission, my passion? So many of us are left feeling panicked and like we are wasting time looking for the answer. Shouldn't this be obvious? Shouldn't I know by now? Actually, finding your purpose is not as simple as it looks, but in today's episode we dive into the Japanese concept of Ikigai:  What are you good at? What do you love doing? What does the world need? What can you get paid for?  We break down exactly to find your answer to each of these elements and hopefully feel closer to your calling + 3 bonus exercises for finding more clarity on what drives you. Listen now!  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbe Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast  For business enquiries: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Resentment is sometimes labelled as an ugly or bad emotion, something that is derived from a sense of entitlement. In actuality, resentment is a really useful emotion, it serves as an emotional alarm, it teaches us what we value, and it can help us understand our own expectations and sense of self worth even more. Despite that, when we don't manage our resentment well it can also come to harm our relationships or cause us to be too rash. In today's episode, we break down the psychology of resentment, including: Why we experience resentment What you resentment may be telling you  Our 3 ways to respond to resentment  How to release resentment and move through it  Listen now!  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast  For business enquiries: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Survival mode is, at its core, a stress response. When our minds and our bodies are put under extreme stress or believe we are in danger, we can enter a state where all we care about is getting through the next day. This can turn us into a person we're not and make us lose the enjoyment and love for life, but also feel overwhelmed by constant panic and anxiety. In today's episode, we discuss how to break free of survival mode, the difference between our learning brain and our survival brain, why we find ourselves here to begin with, what's happening in our brain and our bodies and the best advice, tips and therapies for getting back into safe mode.  Listen now!  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast  For business enquiries: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all want long lasting, passionate, meaningful love and in our 20s it can hard to figure out exactly how to find that. With so many 'rules' around what to do, pacing, when to become exclusive, when to say 'I love you', when to move in together, it seems the secret is to go slow and build emotional intimacy. In other words, embrace the power of the slow burn, the 'slowmance' and low pressure beginnings.  In this episode we are joined by Hinge's Love & Connection Expert, Moe Ari Brown as they discuss how to slow down and properly build a foundation for sustainable love, why we can often be overwhelmed by the need to speed things up and jump right in, ignoring intuition out of our fear of rejection, and where that can lead us. That and so (SO) much more. Listen now!  Follow Moe here: @loveoutproud View the new Hinge report: https://hinge.co/press/2024-GenZ-Report Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast here: @thatpsychologypodcast   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is the secret to a happier, less stressful, more connected life actually play? A lot of the research is telling us so! As we get older sometimes we lose a bit of our joy, awe and wonder, and the time we have for our friendships becomes more restricted by work, obligations, distance, commitment and seriousness. In today's episode, let's talk about why the solution to that may be to bring back adult playdates, including:  The psychology behind why play is important The loneliness epidemic  Why our sense of connection has become disrupted  Our 8 play personalities  The power of parallel play  Microhabits for creating playfulness and fun, and so much more!  Listen now! And don't forget to schedule your playdate!! Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business enquiries: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our self doubts are what is keeping us in our own way. It is the foundation for our inner critic to tell us: you're not good enough, you're not talented enough, intelligent beautiful, hardworking to have the life and success you want. When we let our self doubts take control, it often means that we end up self handicapping or sabotaging before we get to the start line. In today's episode we are going to talk about the psychology of self doubt and how to silence those false beliefs, including:  The origin of false beliefs in childhood experiences The impact of bullying on adult identity  Overcoming failure and setbacks  Imposter syndrome + self sabotage  The power of a persona + the batman effect  Doubting your own doubts  Asking 'why not you?', and so much more Listen now!  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast  For business enquires: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on the podcast we are talking about toxic positivity and the problem with always being positive and putting a fluffy, warm, positive spin on things. Often our unrealistic optimism comes from a good place and our desire to be happy all the time but any person knows that isn't always possible. We break down:  The reason we gravitate towards toxic positivity What toxic positivity looks like The impact of wellness and self help content The consequences for our mental health  The consequences for our emotional intelligence  Why people who accept negative emotions are ACTUALLY happier How to practice emotional acceptance and healthy positivity  All of that and so much more, listen now!  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all know what red flags are, they tend to be universal at any age, but there are some redflags that are specific to our 20s, certain features of a relationship during this decade to look out for even if they don't look concerning at first. On today's episode we talk about the five biggest red flags for relationships in our 20s, including:  Relationships that stop you from having experiences Relationships that cause emotional chaos  Relationships that don't celebrate or encourage you All or nothing relationships  Fatal attractor relationships  We also explore the psychology and of course the research behind why these can be so damaging to help us find more sustainable and healthy love during this decade. Listen now!  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg  Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast  For business enquiries: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The period after graduation can be really difficult, filled with emotions like grief, anxiety, worry about the future, loneliness and nostalgia as we leave the structure and comfort of college and university for the big, confusing real world. In today's episode we break down the psychology of the post-graduation blues, including:  What defines this experience How long does it last?  The loss of friends as well as security and stability  What triggers our unease How we can embrace the fear and uncertainty  Setting realistic goals for our first year post graduation  This and so much more, all with some amazing advice and wisdom from our guest, the therapist Liz Kelly, author of the book 'This Book Is Cheaper Than Therapy'. Listen now!  Buy Liz book here: https://www.amazon.com.au/This-Book-Cheaper-Than-Therapy/dp/1962305007  Follow Jemma here: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast here: @thatpsychologypodcast  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Very few of us ever receive an education on coping. We are taught bad things happen, we are taught pointless math equations, we are taught to grin and bear it, but not effective psychological ways of integrating stressful, painful, frustrating experiences. In this episode, we break down the psychology of coping mechanisms, including:  Problem focused vs. emotion focused coping Maladaptive vs. adaptive coping  Our most common defence mechanisms  How to stop numbing ourselves to our experiences  How to consciously deal with hard things in life  Our coping statements  Freud, Carl Jung and many more  Listen now for a comprehensive deep dive into coping in your 20s and beyond.  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast  For business enquiries: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Conversations seem like they should be the easiest thing in the world, but we all know that sometimes that is not the case! Mental distractions, running out of things to talk about, feeling a bit off, all some of the roadblocks we face. In today's episode we break down FIVE tips to have better conversations:  The 2:1 question ratio The fast friends protocol  Story topping and bright siding  The 5 minute urge  The liking gap  Listen now for more so we can all be having better conversations in whatever area of life! Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Love bombing has been a hot topic as of recent, but what does it ACTUALLY mean or entail? In today's episode we are breaking down all of the psychology of love bombing, including:  The cultish origin of love bombing The three stages of love bombing  Why people love bomb? The interaction between narcissism and love bombing  Intensity addiction and love bombing  The five questions for determining: is it love or lovebombing?  We also dive into why it can be so easy to get swept up by these individuals and behaviours, how to know it when you see it and the strength it takes to walk away.  Listen now!  For online help: https://whiteribbon.org.au/helplines/  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business enquiries: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since the beginning of this show I've been super open about my mental health so I thought I'd share an update (the bad, the good and the really good). Let's normalise talking openly and honestly about what we're going through even when its not pretty  or aesthetic. Thank you for all the support! Mental Health support in your area: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The thought of having children in our 20s feels like an incredibly adult decision, and is one a lot of us probably don't consider. We want to protect our youth and our freedom a little bit longer, or perhaps have decided we probably will never want children. But whether you want to have children or not, having a clear understanding of your future intentions or choices, your reproductive health, the kind of person who might make a good partner, and therefore parent, is important. More information, more foresight actually equals greater freedom and sometimes time to decide.  We break down:  Why you should be thinking in your 20s The pros and cons of having children in your 20s  The argument for NOT having children  Fertility Milestone anxiety and the pressure to find someone  Your stories of pregnancy, parenthood and fertility in your 20s Listen now!  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast  For business enquiries: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Struggling with our self worth can often impact how deserving we feel of love. This sense that we may be 'unloveable' causes us to miss out on healthy, fulfilling relationships, self sabotage and stay with people who don't deserve us. In today's episode, we discuss:  The origins of why we feel unworthy of love Childhood wounds  Early romantic scripts and teen romance  Repeated rejection and shame The consequences of feeling unloveable  Repetition of toxic relationships How to restore or rediscover your sense of self worth and self love  And so much more. Listen now!  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast: @thatpsychologypodcast   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All of us have insecurities when it comes to our appearance, but what happens when these become obsessive and a point of fixation? In today's episode we break down the psychology and pathology of body dysmorphia, including:  The origins in childhood experiences Family history and influence  The differences in expression between men and women The relationship between body dysmorphia and cosmetic surgery  The influence of toxic gym, diet culture and 'bigorexia' How false beliefs influence behaviour  Dating with body dysmorphia, and more Listen now!  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all want to be happier, but are probably sick of hearing about 'exercising more, eating better, sleeping 8 hours'. In today's episode we break down FIVE evidence based tips that are simple, accessible, actionable and inexpensive for becoming a happier person and the research that proves it:  Focus on platonic love over romantic love Small acts of kindness + how we are spending our money wrong and why its making us less happy  The importance of a project  The healing power of nature + what bacteria and dirt have to do with it  Let yourself wallow  Listen now!  Buy notebooks here: https://the-psychology-of-your-20s.myshopify.com/  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast Instagram here: @thatpsychologypodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Going 'no contact' after a breakup or relationship breakdown is promoted as one of the best ways to move on from an ex. But why is that the case, and what is the psychology? Is it always that easy? In today's episode we break down the psychology of going 'no contact': why it works, the science, when it's necessary and how to stay committed, even when it feels impossible. Listen now! Our notebooks are OUT NOW: https://the-psychology-of-your-20s.myshopify.com/  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You're not imagining it! The job market is getting harder, especially for 20-somethings who are entering the job market for the first time and trying to find their path. In today's episode we break down the psychological toll that the job hunt takes on us, the constant rejections, unrewarded effort, resentment and frustration. We also discuss why our generation has it tougher and it's not just a you problem but also how to improve your odds and keep your head up! All that and more, listen now :)  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our mother wounds represent the unprocessed trauma and insecurities we pick up from the dynamic we each have with the women who raise us and shape us. In today's episode we break down the psychology of our mother wounds including their origin, their impact and their manifestation, from our body confidence to our competition with other women, our ability to trust and connect, our fear of disapproval and chronic people pleasing.  We also explore ways to heal this wound, both in collaboration with our mother and on our own. Listen now for more!  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We often think the secret to not being passive in our lives is to fill up our days, set countless goals, always be striving for progress and productivity. What if we told you the secret was slowing down? In today's episode I am joined by Caroline and Ann Catherine from Girls with Goals as we discuss:  What it beens to be passive vs. active vs. intentional How to create momentum  Why big, long term goals aren't the secret to success  How to develop a healthier relationship with yourself and your spare time Follow Girls with Goals here: @girlswithgoalspod Find Girls with Goals wherever you get your podcasts.  Follow Jemma here: @jemmasbeg  Follow the podcast here: @thatpsychologypodcast   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episode we're going old school, back to a good old fashioned chatty sit down episode and life update. I have been recovering from a pretty terrible bout of tonsilitis and it's made me realise...I have a toxic relationship with productivity. Even when I'm sick I can't slow down, and I don't think I'm alone.  We also discuss how I'm finding living alone, a little relationship update and how it feels to have finished my book! All that and more, listen now!    Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How can you tell if you're codependent or just really close to someone? If you are enmeshed or just reliant on their support? Feeling happy and stable in a loving relationship, or losing your independence? There are a lot of misconceptions and misunderstandings when it come to codependent relationships, especially in our 20s and in today's episode we break down all you need to know and more, including:  The roots of codependency in childhood and attachment theory Signs of codependency  Codependency v. dependency  How to heal your need for intensity and trauma bonding  Healing and restoring a codependent bond  Listen now! Today's episode is a rerun of Episode 69 whilst Jemma is recovering from a sudden illness. New episodes will be back on Friday, happy listening.    Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So many of us are struggling to stay focused and concentrate in an environment of constant distraction and temptation and it's causing a lot of us to feel unproductive and undisciplined. In today's episode we break down why our attention spans seem to be rapidly declining, we discuss:  The Gold Fish myth The average attention span from 2004-2017  The impact of short form content The impact of COVID lockdowns Overstimulation and rising ADHD diagnoses  Attentional cycles and our circadian rhythm  Tips for regaining your focus + social media rules  Listen now to reclaim your focus and concentration and reverse your declining attention span.  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Attachment theory is often misunderstood but when we have the correct knowledge and information it can transform how we relate to others. In today's episode we break down one of these styles, the avoidant attachment, along with it's two components: avoidant dismissive and avoidant fearful. We discuss how this style develops, its expression, the difference in prevalence and behaviours between men and women and how we can move forward and heal an avoidant pattern.  We are joined in today's episode by Thais Gibson, the founder of The Personal Development School and expert in attachment theory. Unlock your free trial using this link: www.personaldevelopmentschool.com/freetrial  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg  Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast  Follow Thais and The Personal Development School on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepersonaldevelopmentschool/?hl=en     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have a lot of opportunities to feel behind in our 20s, especially when it comes to our careers, our finances and our relationships. In todays episode we break down why so many of us (roughly 80% of 20 something year olds) feeling like we're falling short of expectations, as well as how we can manage these feelings and enjoy our path through life without comparing it to someone others. We discuss: The competitiveness of this generation The wunderkind phenomena  Career anxiety and starting over  Relationship and dating inexperience  The pandemic skip  How to feel more sure of your own path and progress  AND, we hear from you, the listeners, about your experiences. Listen now!  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have found some pretty amazing ways to observe human behaviour and from it, discovered some especially interesting things about how we operate, who we are at our core, our irrational beliefs and so much more. In today's episode, we break down five of my favourite psychology studies of all time from jam, to mental escapism and binge watching TV, how many friends we actually need, the healing power of nature and the origins of imposter syndrome. Listen now!  Study One: The Stanford Jam Experiment https://faculty.washington.edu/jdb/345/345%20Articles/Iyengar%20%26%20Lepper%20(2000).pdf Study Two: In your 20s it's quantity, in your 30s its quality  https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2015-10764-001  Study Three: Loneliness, Escapism, and Identification With Media Characters  https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.785970/full  Study Four: The Imposter Phenomenon in High Achieving Women https://www.paulineroseclance.com/pdf/ip_high_achieving_women.pdf  Study Five: Effects of Coastal Environment on Well-being  https://www.walshmedicalmedia.com/open-access/effects-of-the-coastal-environment-on-wellbeing-jczm-1000421.pdf    Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast  Business enquiries: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finding the joy in your own company is one of the most healing, rewarding and fulfilling things we can do. It's also really difficult in an age of FOMO, constant distraction, stimulation and fear of boredom or loneliness. In today's episode we break down exactly why you need to fall back in love with your alone time, the amazing benefits and HOW to do it. Listen now!  Follow us on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbegSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Social comparison is the thief of joy - it will make us question everything that we have, doubt our own abilities, steal our sense of gratitude and peace. It also sometimes feels impossible to escape, especially in our 20s when we look to others for confirmation that we are doing something right. In today's episode we break down the 5 rules you need to stop comparing yourself to others and embrace the benefits of healthy social comparison, this includes:  Don't unfollow, don't suppress, recognise and expand Keep your judgements realistic  Do things for YOU first Water your own grass  Comparison as a motivator  Listen now to learn how you can control your urge to compare yourself to others!  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg  Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our inability to make decisions is wasting our time, keeping us acting from a place of fear and stuck in a life we don't want! It's also not entirely our fault and often stems from unconscious mechanisms, neuroticism and fears that we haven't recognised. In today's episode we break down:  Why you struggle to make decisions The consequences of our chronic indecisiveness  Perfection and indecision  Choice overload  A fear of failure  How to overcome your indecisiveness using the 80/20 rule The 'trusted advisor' method  Listen now!  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg  Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

About 2/3rds of couples start off as friends according to recent research. But developing feelings for a friend isn't always a happily ever after situation. In today's episode we break down why it is that we fall in love with our friends, the principles of attraction such as the similarity liking effect and mere exposure effect, whether to say anything or keep it to yourself, managing the pain of rejection or social loss and your best tips for protecting the friendship and your own heart. Listen now!  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg  Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sleep is one of our most vital functions but how many of us actually know that much about it, the links to our physical functioning, mental health, relationships and overall wellbeing. What about some of the strange experiments they've conducted to investigate dreams or how long we can go without sleep? In today's episode we take a deep dive into the psychology of sleep, including:  Why we need sleep? What actually is REM sleep? The Russian Sleep Experiment  Sleep debt  Sleep as a form of self sabotage Revenge bedtime procrastination  The impact of blue light and screens in the bedroom  How to improve your sleep hygiene and more  Listen now for when you want to maximise your shut eye!  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg  Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business enquiries: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More and more 20 something year olds are choosing to live with their parents; we are moving out later and a lot of us are boomeranging (coming back home after moving out). In today's episode we explore the emotional and psychological impacts of living with your parents in your 20s, why more of us are living at home because of financial anxiety or housing insecurity, how to handle conflict with your parents whilst you're still living under their roof and 6 tips for a successful living at home situation + some of your stories, advice and the benefits.  Listen now!  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg  Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast  For business enquiries: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We lose our spark and love for life for many reasons: burnout, mental ill health, people pleasing, a breakup. When we do it can feel like life gets very boring, it loses colour, we lose interest and we can become cynical towards all of the small joys and brilliance of being alive and being human. In this episode we break down six tips for getting your spark back:  The power of rest Choosing to live light versus live heavy  Reconnecting with your inner child + play  Seeking inspiration in the mundane and The Alchemist  Exercise + the healing power of nature  Ignoring the urge to compare  Listen now for when you're in a rut or have lost your spark!    Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You're not going to get along with everyone and one of those people you don't get along with might end up dating someone you love i.e your friend. Disliking your friends partner often stems from one of three reasons: your dating preferences don't match, you're experiencing platonic jealousy, you're genuinely worried about this other person being bad for your friend, exploitative or abusive. We talk about all three of these outcomes in today's episode along with what to do in response: do you stay silent or speak up?  Listen now!    Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Social media is impacting our mental health in ways we are not ready or willing to acknowledge, and it's time we talk about it. In today's episode we discuss all the psychology of social media and how it is embedded in our social lives, our relationships, our beliefs, our daily routines, our news and our self worth. We break down how social media was designed to be addictive, how it captures more of our time than we think, the differences between people who have been on social media for over 10 years versus who have never been and what we can do about it. We also discuss the role of algorithms and misinformation. There is so much negativity spread online and innate need to compare ourselves to others, but I also believe we can have a positive and moderated relationship with these platforms. Listen now.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Father wounds arise from a disorganised or complicated relationship with our father figure - either due to them being physically or emotionally absent, harsh and critical, unfeeling or abusive and can result in a number of dysfunctional behaviours and emotional patterns as we grow older. In this episode we are breaking down the psychology of father wounds and discussing:  The origins of father wounds and the role of generational trauma Mother wounds versus father wounds  Attachment theory and father archetypes  Father hunger and father replacements  Is forgiveness the only answer?  The power of inner child healing  All of that and more, listen now!  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast  Business enquiries: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we are joined by clinical psychologist and author of 'The Defining Decade' to talk about all the frustrations, stressors, misconceptions and hard moments of our 20s and why it's only going to get BETTER from here. We talk about:  Shifting from a 'what if' to a 'what is' or 'what else' mindset Why we fear uncertainity  Milestone anxiety  Sliding versus deciding  Catastrophic thinking  Insecure and anxious attachment styles vs. insecure and anxious moments And so much more  Listen now to hear all of Dr Meg's amazing advice and hear a bit about her new book, coming out next month.    Link to The Defining Decade: https://www.amazon.com.au/Defining-Decade-Meg-Jay/dp/0446561754  Pre-order Meg's new book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Twentysomething-Treatment/Meg-Jay/9781668012291  Follow Jemma here: @jemmasbeg  Follow the podcast here: @thatpsychologypodcast     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes all we want to do is a have a big, old fashioned sob and when we can't it leads us feeling emotionally pent up, defective and frustrated. There's an explanation for why we go through periods where we are unable to cry. In today's episode we discuss:  The evolutionary function of crying Crying as an attachment behaviour  The difference between basal, reflex and emotional tears  The 4 major reasons we struggle with crying  How to heal your connection with your emotions  How we process emotions through the body, and more. Listen now when you're in need of an emotional catharsis or could really do with a few tears.  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Self discipline is the key ingredient to unlocking everything you want in life. But despite that many of us treat it like its optional and believe the narrative that self discipline requires perfection, requires sacrifice and is too hard. Actually, self discipline is anything but, it is actually the road of least resistance. In this episode we break down 5 tips for building self discipline in any area of life:  Understanding your motivation Leveraging social accountability and desirability bias  The power of micro habits  Hacking our dopamine systems through instant versus delayed gratification Shifting from learned helplessness to learned industriousness  All of that and more! Listen now!   Follow the podcast: @thatpsychologypodcast Follow Jemma: @jemmasbegSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Love is scary. There are so many opportunities to be hurt, to be let down, to have thing turn out in a way we never wanted them to. But it's also one of the best things in live and brings incredible joy and fulfilment. Why is it that some of us avoid the experience all together. In today's episode we are going to discuss the fear of intimacy in all its forms. We will discuss:  Signs you have a fear of intimacy (serial dating, situationships, emotional avoidance) Childhood and early relationship wounds The fear of engulfment and overbearing parents  How insecurity drives protectiveness  Our misconceptions about love  4 steps to healing your fear of intimacy We also discuss some of the ways people in their 20s might not realise they have a fear of intimacy and why our society sometimes celebrates the things that keep us in a state of avoidance. All of that and more, listen now!    Follow the podcast: @thatpsychologypodcast  Follow Jemma: @jemmasbeg     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This International Women's Day as part of iHeart's Women Take the Mic Initiative, I'm bringing on my Mum for a vulnerable chat about our relationship as mother and daughter, what she's learned from being a mother, what she would do differently, life lessons and her success in a male dominated field. We discuss everything from motherhood, child-parent dynamics, feminism and career advice. It's a beautiful conversation, one that I'll hold dearly for a long time and we hope you enjoy, listen now!  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we are discussing the ups and downs of living alone in your 20s: from the freedom and independence, to the loneliness and social isolation, financial anxiety and stress, but the authenticity and emotional maturity that comes with it. We talk about:  Why being alone doesn't make you lonely Sliders versus deciders - why you should wait before moving in with a partner Cognitive distortions and overspending  Lifestyle creep  Habits for building social connection and community How to successfully live alone  All that and more, listen now!    Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow The Psychology of your 20s on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feeling jealous over our partners past can feel highly irrational, but its still a feeling many of us have and contributes to a lot of obsessive and unhealthy behaviours like stalking their exes, asking intrusive questions, starting arguments in hopes of getting the reassurance we need. In today's episode, we talk about the psychology of retroactive jealousy, including its origins and how to move past your jealous feelings. We will talk about:  How past relationships and trauma create jealousy Overthinking and anxiety  Rejection sensitivity  Self sabotage  Interrupting mental compulsions  Listen now!  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg  Follow The Psychology of your 20s on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Panic attacks are awful, they sneak up on us in the worst moments and make us feel overwhelmed by an invisible fear. In today's episode we are going to talk through the psychology of panic attacks including:  Why they occur? Panic disorders vs. panic attacks  The flight, fight, freeze or fawn response The car alarm analogy  The function of anxiety and panic Anxiety avoidance vs. acceptance 7 evidence based tips for managing panic attacks  We also have a 7 minute meditation at the end of the episode that will talk you through a visualisation exercise for managing an actual panic attack. Listen now!  If you need immediate help please call your local crisis centre or access the following resources:  988 Mental Health Emergency Hotline (US) 13 11 14 Lifeline (Australia)  https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-an-urgent-mental-health-helpline (UK)  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg  Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's my birthday. Let's talk about my fear of growing older.  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg  Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thepsychologyofyour20s     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our 20s are one of the best times for us to change careers. Perhaps you're feeling burntout, bored, unmotivated, craving something bigger, something with purpose or better hours, a change from the life and job you currently have. In this episode we break down how we can change careers in our 20s, some of the challenges, how to manage the financial insecurity, the signs your old job is not right for you and discovering your true mission and purpose and life (even if it doesn't always revolve around your job and a pay check).  We are joined by the founder and CEO of The Career Contessa, host of the hit podcast and author, Lauren Goodwin who shares her years worth of advice and best tips.  Follow Career Contessa here: @CareerContessa  Listen to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0k0EzNNiLnWICq7gQuFQFg?si=3b84c545aea54800  Follow Jemma here: @jemmasbeg Follow The Psychology of your 20s here: @thatpsychologypodcast    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Acne has just as many emotional and mental symptoms as it does physical. Having acne in our 20s is a significant source of insecurity, frustration and hopelessness, impacting how we go about making new friends, dating, career opportunities and so much more. In this episode we break down the psychology of acne, investigating the myths about the causes of acne, the subsequent stigma towards acne, the mental consequences we are observing more and more, the impact of social media and facetune, along with how we can manage our self esteem in the face of chronic acne. Listen now!  The article I reference: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5029236/  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sustaining a relationship has a lot more to do with the division of domestic, emotional and physical labour. A massive component is the mental load - the additional energy that goes into organising, scheduling and managing the daily tasks, chores and things that need to be done whilst also accounting for your partners needs. It's not a secret that women carry a lot more of the mental load than their male counterparts and in this episode we break down exactly why that is, how an unfair division of cognitive labour can lead to resentment and relationship breakdown and how we can address this in our relationships, including our friendships. Listen now!  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The end of a relationship or a friendship can leave us with a lot of unanswered questions, especially when the split is sudden, out of the blue, and the other person is unresponsive. In other instances, we don't quite know what went wrong and are looking for answers. In today's episode we talk about the elusive myth that is closure: whether we need it, how to get it, and why we should not rely on others to provide us with permission to move on. We also discuss the closure cycle and the reasons we may THINK we are looking for closure, but are really looking for an excuse to reconnect. All of that and more, listen now!  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast: @thatpsychologypodcast  For business enquiries: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A considerable question for those of us in our 20s is how do we create a good life? What does it mean to design a life we love and how exactly do we do that? In today's episode we break down five ways we can do this, including:  Deconstructing your old life for your new one + the Odyssey Plan Prototyping your new life + the 15 minute rule  Addition through subtraction  Pursue daily joy  Positive future planning + dopamine scheduling  Listen now!  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg  Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes we become more attached to the idea of someone and their potential, than the reality of who they actually are. We begin to project our wants and desires on to them and ignore the red flags, the disappointments, the truth. This is what we call fantasy bonding and it prevents us from seeing someone for who they truly are, causes us to be lead along and invest in the wrong people. In this episode, we break down the psychology of fantasy bonding, including:  The origins of fantasy bonding in childhood How a fantasy bond emerges  Relationship intensity and attachment Why our fear of loneliness drives us into the wrong relationships The idealisation of our partners  What happens when the fantasy fades  How to avoid a fantasy bond  Listen now.  Follow us on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anger is one of our most primal emotions and yet we have no idea how to manage it. We suppress it, allowing it to rule our lives; we hide from it, we let it explode onto people who don't deserve our rage. In this episode we break down the psychology of anger and why anger is often a secondary emotion, masking our true fear, anxiety and insecurity. We explore how to manage our anger, use it for fuel and motivation, why the anger we experience as children often leads to our inability to full express emotions, where our anger comes from and whether forgiveness truly is the solution. Listen now.  Follow us on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two of the most noteworthy elements of our 20s are dating and our experiences with mental health. They also interact - our mental health will influence how we date, how we deal with rejection, how we meet new people, and subsequently, our dating experiences can have a profound impact on our mental health. In this episode we dissect everything about this interaction and how we can take care of our mental and emotional wellbeing, avoid codependency whilst also finding the love we deserve. We also talk through some advice for people who are dating partners with mental health struggles and how to support them, whilst also not stepping into the role of caregiver or savior. Listen now!    Follow us on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Being able to travel and explore the world in our 20s is such a unique privilege, but sometimes we can overdo a good thing and hit a point of complete emotional, mental and physical exhaustion, causing us to want to go home early, abandon our trip or enjoy our travels a lot less. In this episode we break down the psychology behind travel burnout, why it occurs, what it says about our human need to belong, creature comforts and my tips for overcoming the fatigue and exhaustion and getting the most out of your adventure. Listen now!  Follow us on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbegSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We experience chronic guilt towards a lot of things: guilt for resting, guilt for not resting, guilt for prioritising ourselves, guilt for being a bad friend, a bad partner, a bad student, for not deserving your opportunities. In today's episode we break down the guilt complex by exploring:  The childhood guilt wound People pleasing  The fawn response  Perfectionism  Negative self esteem  We also discuss how we can overcome our chronic guilt by deciding to live for ourselves and putting energy into our wellbeing first, alongside the paradox of the guilt we feel towards ourselves vs the guilt we inflict on others. Listen now!  Follow The Psychology of your 20s: @thatpsychologypodcast Follow Jemma: @jemmasbeg  For business enquiries: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episode we are going to discuss the psychology behind our health anxiety, something we don't speak about enough in our 20s. Health anxiety leaves us feeling incredibly hypervigilant to symptoms or feelings in our body that could indicate a life threatening illness or impending death, even if they are just a projection or derived from stress. This comes from our need to feel in control of our bodies and a lot of primal, evolutionary origins. It can also leave us struggling with feeling connected with ourselves, unable to live out our daily lives or constantly anxious. We discuss all of this and more, as well as my 5 top tips for managing our health anxiety. Listen now! Follow us on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg  For business enquiries: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Getting into a new relationship can bring up a lot of past trauma from previous relationships, and cause a lot of self sabotage or anxiety, resulting in behaviours such as:  Emotional unavailability Knit picking behaviour  Starting unnecessary fights  Stone walling  Pushing people away  Ignoring red flags  In this episode we answer the question "do you need to completely heal before entering into a new relationship?". We are joined by the incredible, Tasha Bailey, otherwise known as the Real Talk Therapist as we break down the way past relationship trauma can show up in our new relationships and how to heal whilst still accepting the love you deserve.  Follow Tasha here: @realtalk.therapist  Buy Tasha's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Real-Talk-Lessons-Therapy-Self-Love-ebook/dp/B0BGXKR5T2  Follow the podcast here: @thatpsychologypodcast  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg  For business enquiries: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many of us find ourselves obsessively focused on the opinions and judgements of others, letting their opinion of us influence our sense of self worth and confidence. However, true power and success comes when we embrace the courage to be disliked and recognise that the negative words of others come from their own insecurity, rather than as a reflection of us. In this episode we break down this concept, alongside the role of reputation, conformity, the chameleon effect and how we can embrace our authentic selves, our TRUEST selves to live in our power. Listen now!  Follow us on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg  For business enquiries: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alcohol is a drug, highly addictive, has proven to do damage to our minds and our bodies and yet makes up a huge part of our 20s, especially how we socialise and connect with others. In today's episode we are going to talk about the psychology of alcohol, the impact of alcohol on our brains, the influence our social circles and friendships have on our drinking habits, hangiexty, binge drinking and all the conversations about alcohol we should be having in our 20s, that maybe we are not. As part of this, we want to answer or at least explore the question: should we quit drinking in our 20s? We discuss the reasons for quitting or at least being 'sober curious' and tips for how to moderate our drinking habits. Listen now!    Follow us on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg  For business enquiries: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to 2024! With each new year on the podcast, we set a new theme or intention for the next 12 months. This year our theme is RISK, embracing our fear of change or making a mistake and embracing risk in all its forms! We discuss how we can get a better idea of what we want for our future, discover our purpose, what type of risks will get us there, the difference between bounded and unbounded risk and why risks not always have to be impulsive or spontaneous. Listen now and welcome to your year for taking risks!  Follow us on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast  Follow me on Instagram: @jemmasbeg  For business enquiries: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dating with an anxious attachment style comes with a number of challenges: struggling to feel secure, requiring constant reassurance, mistrust, a fear of abandonment, feeling unworthy of love or difficulty setting boundaries. But your attachment style is not a life sentence, it is something you can challenge and heal by embracing vulnerability, healthy love, boundary setting and applying the love you crave from others to yourself. We are joined by the wonderful Thais Gibson, an author, speaker, leader in the personal development field and founder of The Personal Development School as we break down what it means to date and love as someone who is anxiously attached.  Find Thais here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHQ4lSaKRap5HyrpitrTOhQ  The attachment quiz we spoke of: https://attachment.personaldevelopmentschool.com/quiz  Follow us on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast  For business enquiries: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feeling stuck and dissatisfied with where you are in your life is never a place we want to be in. Perhaps you are contemplating a major life change - moving to a new city, quitting your job, leaving a long term relationship - that you believe will be the antidote to your future happiness and fulfilment. Psychology shows that this might not always be the case. Wanting to change something about our environment may reflect that the true change we need to make is internal.  We are joined by Dr Lisa Marie Bobby, host of the Love, Happiness and Success podcast as she talks us through the unexpected ways we can unlock and begin our next chapter in life. Listen now!    Follow Dr Lisa: https://www.instagram.com/drlisamariebobby/?hl=en  Her website: https://www.the-happiness-class.com/?page_id=30819  Follow me on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When we experience healthy love for the first time after years of unsettling, unhealthy, toxic relationships, one of the first reactions we can have is "why does this feel so boring?" Often we confuse safety with a lack of passion, or assume that just because this person doesn't activate our nervous system, we are missing the spark. This is often left over from past relationships where we have confused anxiety with excitement.  In this episode, we bring on Sarah Yudkin, the founder of You Love and You Learn to break down the relationship anxiety that comes with experiencing healthy love for the first time and how to dissect your relationship OCD, the unconscious ways we sabotage relationships and all that comes with it. Listen now.    Sarah's website: https://www.youloveandyoulearn.com/  Follow Sarah on Instagram: @youloveandyoulearn Follow the Podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast Follow me on Instagram: @jemmasbeg    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the holiday season approaches so does the expectation to start seeing family, including difficult family members who you would rather avoid. In today's episode we are joined by Alexis Fernandez, the host of the show Do You F***ing Mind, to gain a better understanding of how we can navigate those who we may be related to by blood but have a hard time being around, including:  Narcissistic parents and in laws Jealous family members  Family members with political differences  Depressed parents Compulsive liars and gossips Critical and judgemental family members  The argument starters and energy vampires We also provide tips for setting boundaries and actually sticking with them, the courage to stand up for yourself, how to have difficult conversations, knowing when enough is enough and how to walk away, alongside much more. As the holiday season approaches, we are sending you love and strength.   Listen to Do You F*cking Mind with Alexis Fernandez https://bit.ly/dyfm-pod . Follow @dyfmpodcast on IG  Follow @alexispredez on IG   Follow The Psychology of your 20s: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Impulse shopping in an experience we've all had, the feeling of buying something you know you don't really need, but you want it desperately in the moment. Often during this decade we begin earning "adult money" for the first time and that means we can begin spending as a way to emotional regulate. Had a bad day? Buy a new pair of shoes. Been through a breakup? Shopping spree. There are so many ways that companies encourage this behaviour through flash sales and low stock sales, creating a sense of urgency and getting us to spend. So, in today's episode we break down the psychology behind impulse shopping and retail therapy.  We are joined by Alex from the hit podcast, Two Broke Chicks, to provide us with the dos and don'ts of shopping and overspending in our 20s, breaking down the emotions behind buyers remorse, and how to be wiser with your money during this decade.  Follow Two Broke Chicks: https://www.instagram.com/twobrokechicks/?hl=en  Follow Alex: https://www.instagram.com/alexhourigan/?hl=en  Listen to Two Broke Chicks: https://open.spotify.com/show/3d4z5FXeXAtmmP6DPhkpzw?si=aefc278962e64b1b  Follow The Psychology of your 20s: @thatpsychologypodcast  Follow Jemma: @jemmasbeg   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all know the feeling of going on a few dates with someone and, suddenly, you're unable to stop checking your phone for messages, wondering when they're free, imagining the wedding, your future kids. And then we are left depleted, ghosted or disappointed. This is what happens when we romanticise the idea of someone, engage in fantasy bonding and it can often end up sabotaging the relationship. In today's episode we are joined by the wonderful Lyss Boss, host of the Date Yourself Instead podcast to break down how we can take things slow and not get caught up in the idea of someone before we truly know them. Listen now.    Follow Lyss: @lyss Listen to Date Yourself Instead here: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ie2ywivlNvFCO8LLJYgo7?si=7f7b358f090c4c28  Follow me: @jemmasbeg Follow us on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Often when we think about sex, we only think about the physical. We only think about the other person's enjoyment or what sex should  look like rather than what it could look like. Many of us have a very outdated understanding of what good, even great sex feels like and even less of an idea around how to achieve greater levels of pleasure and intimacy. In today's episode, we bring on the incredible Gina Gutierrez, co-founder of the audio erotica app, Dipsea to discuss how we can use story telling, fantasy, self exploration and mental imagery to have better sex in our 20s. We uncover the psychology behind why we love romance novels, how libido and desire changes (and improves) as we reach our 30s and some of the outdated, misconceptions about sex that we need to debunk. Listen now!    For 30 days of Dipsea for FREE follow this link: https://www.dipseastories.com/PSYCH20  Download Dipsea here: https://www.dipseastories.com/  Follow The Psychology of your 20s: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/       See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Confidence truly is the secret to a better life: better friendships, better self esteem, better dates, better romance, better career success. Today, we are joined by the iconic, Tiff Baira known best for her show "Street Hearts NYC", her role as a matchmaker and model, as we explore how having certainty in your worth is the key to your dream life.  We break down the equation for true, undeniable confidence, treating confidence as a skill you can strengthen and train, the truth behind "fake it till you make it", learning to reject those who aren't capable of seeing your value and the changes you will begin to notice in your life. Listen now!  Follow Tiff on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiffbaira/?hl=en  Follow Tiff on Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tiffbaira?lang=en  Follow The Psychology of your 20s: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/       See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2021, Ellie Middelton received a diagnosis of ADHD and autism at the age of 23. It was one of the best things that happened to her. Today, she joins us to discuss why neurodivergence is typically overlooked in women, the misconceptions we have about ADHD and autism, unmasking and how to navigate a diagnosis later in life. She also discusses how to manage neurodivergence in our 20s, why self diagnosis is valid, and why the path people want you to take, may not always be the one for you. Listen now!  Follow Ellie here: https://www.instagram.com/elliemidds/?hl=en  Purchase Ellie's book, Unmasked: https://www.amazon.com.au/Unmasked-Ultimate-Guide-Autism-Neurodivergence/dp/0241651980  Follow The Psychology of your 20s here: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So you’re thinking quitting your full-time job and working for yourself. Or maybe you’ve already decided that the corporate life isn’t for you and you have a passion project that could become a full-fledged business. What do you need to consider before you walk away from your corporate career? Have you thought about the financial risks, how you’ll find community or mentorship, or what your future would look like with less of a roadmap? This week on New Here, we follow Jemma Sbeg as she leaves her successful consulting career to pursue her passion project—her now-hit podcast, The Psychology of your 20s. Host Elainy Mata interviews Jemma on her first day of working for herself—to learn how she made the decision to leave her full-time job and what her hopes and fears are for her new work life. Then Elainy and Jemma have a second conversation after Jemma’s been working on her own for five months. You’ll learn which of Jemma’s fears were warranted, how she battled loneliness, managed her money, and whether or not she is actually happier working for herself. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you ever feel like you need to be perfect, that you are responsible for the emotions of others, you’re the organiser in the friendship group, highly self reliant, an overachiever, constantly being told your mature for your age? I would make a good guess that you are the eldest daughter.  In today's episode we break down the psychology behind 'eldest daughter syndrome' and how birth order and gender combines to create a certain personality profile and way of behaving and seeing the world. We explore ideas around:  Birth order theory Parentification  The mental load  Friendships between first borns and last borns Delayed teenage rebellion  Role modelling theory  Daughtering  We also share tips for healing and taking care of yourself as the eldest daughter, especially in our 20s. Listen now.  Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast  Follow me on Instagram: @jemmasbeg  For business enquiries: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Living in sharehouses in our 20s are like their own weird, social experiment. We put together a group of people with different upbringings, personalities, lifestyles and standards under one roof and expect it to work out. Sometimes it does, other times it doesn't and we see social harmony break down. In today's episode we discuss:  The four styles of roommates The Cinderella Roommate  The psychology of freeloading  The influence of personality Living with friends  The role of communication  Conflict, stonewalling and the silent treatment  When its time to move out!  Listen now as we break down the psychology of roommates and sharehouses. And don't forget to share your horror roommate stories!    Follow us on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast  Follow me on Instagram: @jemmasbeg For business enquiries: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Attractiveness and beauty is something we all inevitably find ourselves considering. We question whether we would be happier if we lost weight, would find love if our skin was better, would be more successful if we looked more like her or him. Our obsession with beauty is psychological and deeply rooted in our biology and evolution as a species. In today's episode we break down the existence of pretty privilege and beauty standards in our 20s and how they are impacting our mental wellbeing, sense of self worth and even our financial decisions. Listen now!    Follow us on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast  Follow me on Instagram: @jemmasbeg  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our 20s there are four things we worry about more than anything else: love, money, the future, and our friendships. As we grow and change, the relationships around us will also naturally change and we may begin to notice how we are seeing our friends less and less, watching certain friendships fizzle out or completely outgrowing each other. It's not the same as it once was. This can cause a lot of panic. But underneath the fear of our changing friendships is a more primal fear of being alone.  In today's episode we break down the psychology behind our evolving friendships, the four types of friendship breakup, and how to adapt to these new kinds of relationship in our 20s, alongside the biggest friendship misconceptions that keep us in unfulfilling situations. All of that and more. Listen now!    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/  For business enquiries: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever had the experience of leaving a conversation and feeling like something you said was off, you sounded weird, you were awkward, worrying about what this person may think of you? This experience is much more common than we think and in today’s episode we break down the psychology behind why we replay conversations, exploring: Rumination The illusion of control Social approval Hypervigilance Rejection sensitivity dysphoria Social anxiety, and more We often place the perceptions and opinions of others on a pedestal and try to closely manage their judgements of us, but that may not always be helpful. We also explore ways you can break out of the thought spiral and regain control. Listen now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's episode we discuss the curse of being an overachiever. Society celebrates us for our successes, for our ability to work hard, push ourselves and constantly be the best. But this sometimes has contradictory consequences whereby the more we invest in our achievements, the less satisfaction and fulfillment we feel. We break down the paradox of being an overachiever and explore:  The impact of being labelled a 'gifted child' Golden child syndrome and family expectations External validation The overachiever's identity crisis  The burnout cycle  Learning your limits and redefining success  Listen now!    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all know the feeling of wanting desperately to move on from someone - an ex, a past love, situationship, someone we know we shouldn't be with - but being unable to stop obsessively thinking about them. In this episode we explore the psychology behind why that is, but also how to get to the next stage of healing where you are free of the past memories, thoughts and your feelings for this person. We discuss:  The psychological need for emotional closure and how to provide YOURSELF closure  The Polyanna principle and positive bias for the past The chemical reason for obsession and unrequited  Anxious attachment and overthinking  The excuses that keep us invested in the wrong people  How to emotionally detach  The science of no-contact 10 tips for getting over someone you can't stop thinking about  If you are struggling to move on, even though you've tried and are ready, this one is for you as we unpack how to move on from someone you can't stop thinking about.    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/  Follow Jemma on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jemmasbeg/     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Envy is ingrained into our human psyche, each and every one of us has, at times, compared ourselves to someone who has more, or possesses a quality or a level of success that we don't, and felt that familiar spike of pain. In today's episode we break down the psychology behind envy, and why it reflects a deeper insecurity in ourselves we are not ready to recognise. We explore:  The prevalence of envy in our 20s The primal origins of envy Envy vs. Jealousy vs. Greed  How envy shows up in our behaviour  How to stop comparing ourselves to others How to be satisfied with what we have  If you want to become friends with that green-eyed monster, this episode is for you. Listen now!    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dating in our 20s can feel like a minefield, a lot of people don't know what they want, what they like, we get ghosted, we get stood up, and then there are the first dates. First dates can feel intimidating but today we are breaking down my 10 tips to have the best first dates of your life. By adopting the mindset that you are there to learn more about yourself and have a fun experience, we take first dates off a pedestal and lower the stakes. Dating is a skill than anything else, it is something that we get better at over time, so what are some ways that we can have better first dates from a psychological perspective, how can we really draw these people in, feel our best, feel most charismatic and in our power but also able to get what we want out of this experience: from the scent you wear, to the location you should choose, the nonverbal cues you should be putting out, how to leverage the power of suspense, all of that and more in this episode. Listen now.    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr David Rosmarin is an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School and the founder of the Centre for Anxiety. Today he joins us on the podcast to discuss how we are getting anxiety WRONG as we break down a new approach to managing our anxiety, rather than approaching it with fear. For anyone who is anxious or has battled anxiety in their 20s and beyond, join us for a vulnerable conversation of how anxiety may actually be your superpower and how it has even created stronger relationships for me, personally. Listen now.  Buy Thriving With Anxiety, Dr Rosmarin's new book: https://www.amazon.com/Thriving-Anxiety-Tools-Make-Your/dp/1400327857/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1698370899&refinements=p_27%3ADavid+H.+Rosmarin&s=books&sr=1-1  Follow Dr Rosmarin: https://www.instagram.com/dhrosmarin/  Follow The Psychology of your 20s: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we're having a candid chat about how I'm going. How I'm really going! We discuss imposter syndrome, why I've been putting way too much pressure on myself as of late and in the lead up to 2024 and why that has manifested in some serious burnout and illness (don't mind my Covid voice). I also break down my struggles with being disliked, particularly online and how we can manage and redirect the opinions of others to ensure they do not interrupt our journey to being our most authentic selves. Listen now for a candid catch up, all my love, Jem x  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Putting off a task to the last minute might feel good in the moment, but it often leads to a lot of long term consequences and stress. In today's episode we discuss the psychology behind why we procrastinate. Procrastination is often confused with laziness and poor time management, but its so much more than that. Many of us are chronic procrastinators because of factors like:  Boredom Perfectionism and overthinking  Poor impulse control  The pleasure principle Anxiety regulation Enjoying the urgency, adrenaline and pressure of doing things last minute  We break down all those causes of procrastination, alongside my SIX crucial tips for managing your chronic procrastination, from chunking, to the 80/20 rule, self imposed deadlines and using social accountability. Listen now!  Follow the podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/  Follow Jemma on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jemmasbeg/?hl=en     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our relationship with food is so much more psychological then it appears to be, and the evidence for that can be seen with emotional eating. Sometimes we eat as a way to process or regulate our emotions, rather than from actual hunger. This can disrupt our relationship with food and lead us to develop unhealthy coping mechanisms. In today's episode, we discuss:  The psychology behind emotional eating Why we emotionally eat The impact of our hormones and stress response  How diet culture is putting food in control  The truth about intuitive eating  Tips to manage your emotional eating And more!  I also share my own journey with emotional eating and how my relationship with food has evolved in my 20s. Listen now. Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/  Follow me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThePsychologyofyour20s  For help: https://butterfly.org.au/?gclid=CjwKCAjwvrOpBhBdEiwAR58-3AO4fboC3MOLarMlVv5a-GZOaOwWQVSLDtvuPrq4qOLM0zJwFiWt2xoCsHQQAvD_BwE       See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You're dating someone new and suddenly, they show up to a date wearing crocs, or wear goggles to the beach and you get the ick. You immediately lose all attraction to them, you feel the immediate need to end the relationship, why is that? In this episode we break down some of the surprising psychology behind the ick, including the links to our intuition, emotional unavailability, rejection sensitivity and more, but also why the ick isn't always a death sentence. We also discuss why we voluntarily give ourselves the ick towards the people we're interested in and how we can use it to detach from people who may not be good for us. All of that and more! Listen now.  Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThePsychologyofyour20s   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The post graduation blues can leave us feeling incredibly anxious, aimless and stuck, battling with the question of 'what next'? We are faced with a number of significant changes and transitions such as increasing distance between us and our friends, financial anxiety and having to make significant career decisions. All of this can culminate is a sense of choice overload and paralysis, but also a overwhelming sense of nostalgia to return back to the 'good old days'. In this episode, we break down exactly why you may be feeling lost after university and how to find a sense of meaning and purpose when it comes to post graduation life, and manage the career anxiety that comes with our 20s. Listen now!  Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/  Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThePsychologyofyour20s     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taylor Swift is possibly the most famous person in the world right now, beloved by millions, streamed by billions, her eras tour may have even saved the US economy. What is it about her as an artist, a celebrity and a person that is so uniquely captivating? How has she continued to reach new heights, new fans and achieve such career longevity? And why do so many of us feel an emotional connection to her and her music, despite never having met her?  In this episode we discuss all of the underlying psychology behind the success and obsession with Taylor Swift; not just as a musician, but as a brand and a business, maybe even a friend, including:  Parasocial relationships and celebrity worship syndrome The power of escapism and story telling  The psychology behind our music preferences  The formula for celebrity relatability and authenticity  In group and out groups  The impact of her 'eras' and use of easter eggs for creating novelty and newness for her fans, and Why we are so obsessed with celebrity gossip Taylor Swift is more than an artist. For many swifities, she is a lifestyle and an idol whose music has been a part of our lives since we were kids or teenagers, bookmarking certain chapters and milestones as we have grown up alongside her. Today, let's break down the psychology behind everything we love, and sometimes dislike about Taylor Swift.  Follow the podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/  Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jemmasbeg/  Support my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThePsychologyofyour20s   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have all had that experience of feeling bored with our everyday life, whereby we look around and our daily experiences have lost some of the colour and excitement. Why is that the case? Psychology can provide some explanations including:  A lack of novelty and new experiences Seasonal affective disorder  Overstimulation from our phones and social media  Social comparison  The benefits of a dopamine detox We discuss all these reasons and more, as well as what we can do to change that! How can we break out of this boredom cycle and feel like our lives and everyday experiences are meaningful by embracing the beauty of an anti-routine, challenging ourselves to try new things once a week, keeping ourselves open to opportunities (even ones that are scary) or even trying a dopamine detox. Listen now for when life feels boring! Follow us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/  Our Patreon if you want to support the show: https://www.patreon.com/ThePsychologyofyour20s     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode we bring on the wonderful, Katy Bellotte, to discuss everything love, dating and relationship in our 20s. We discuss what it feels like to have never had a relationship in your 20s, the milestone anxiety and societal pressure that makes us to feel like we need to settle for someone we're not fully committed to, feeling behind and what it feels like to finally find the one. Katy also talks moving to New York City, what it's like to live your life online and managing expectations around social media. Listen now!  Follow Katy: https://www.instagram.com/katybellotte/?hl=en  Follow The Psychology of your 20s: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all know the feeling of oversharing at a party or work function and feeling the sting of embarrassment and shame the next day. So why do we feel the need to overshare with others, even though it has emotional and mental consequences? In this episode we explore the psychology of oversharing, from the difference between trauma dumping and authenticity, why oversharing soothes our social anxiety or can be used subconsciously to fast-track a relationship. We also discuss the links to ADHD and the emotional aftermath, particularly the experience of a 'vulnerability hangover', as well as my 5 key tips to stop oversharing. Listen now.  Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThePsychologyofyour20s Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the hardest dilemmas we have to face is when it's time to walk away from someone you still love because you know the relationship isn’t right for you. We can often find ourselves stuck in a constant battle between knowing what is right, and what our heart wants us to do. In this episode we break down the five key signs its time to walk away, particularly for those of us in our 20s, and why these reasons matter the most, exploring ideas of:  Fatal Attraction Theory The biology behind our 'gut instinct'  The Reciprocity Principle  Equity Theory  Sunk costs  Expectant thinking  Fear of being lonely or of the unknown We also explore why we find it so difficult, the reasons that hold us back, including as the stigma around being the one to initiate the breakup and feeling like a failure for your relationship not working out.  You should not be with someone who is not adding to your life in your 20s. This is your time to be your own person, to prioritise exactly what is going to make YOU happy, not stay out of obligation or because of fear, family pressure or expectations. Is this the life you want, with this person? Are they making you the best version of yourself? Are they making you happy? Why don’t you deserve someone who does, even if it takes a while and is a bit scary.  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThePsychologyofyour20s  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/  Resources:  https://www.whiteribbon.org.au/helplines/  https://www.helpguide.org/articles/abuse/domestic-violence-and-abuse.htm   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is a question I have been asking myself a lot recently as someone who is VERY invested in the self-help space. Have we reached a point where we are too aware of our problems, faults, thoughts, actions and behaviours? Self awareness can free us from so many mental restrictions, it allows us to make better decisions, be a better friend, a better person, invest in our dreams and values. But at some point, we can reach a stage where we are too invested in self-reflection and introspection that it interrupts our enjoyment of the moment, can isolate us or even result in obsessive overthinking and rumination. In this episode we explore what it means to be self-aware and how online self help content might be causing us more harm than good. Listen now.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/  Consider supporting me on Patreon if you enjoy my content: https://www.patreon.com/ThePsychologyofyour20s    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many of us battle with a deep-rooted fear and anxiety that those we love will leave us. Maybe we have been hurt in a past relationship, or witnessed a messy divorce or the passing of ones we love and we have unconsciously learned to associated vulnerability, intimacy and love with pain and disappointment. This fear of abandonment can cause us to sabotage otherwise perfectly healthy relationships or to push people away out of an irrational fear they will leave us, only to end up just as alone as if they had. In this episode we explore the following:  What is the root cause of the fear of abandonment? The different types of abandonment reactions - the saboteur, the clingy, the avoidant and the serial dater  Links to codependency and emotional unavailability  How to heal our abandonment wounds  We all want to accept others into out lives and trust the people we love will stay by our side so if you're struggling with an irrational fear or anxiety of abandonment, listen now.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/  If you enjoy this content, please consider subscribing to my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThePsychologyofyour20s See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The new reality of dating in your 20s is that the majority of us who are single are on the dating apps. Tinder, Hinge and Bumble have completely changed how we approach dating by expanding our options, making dating convenient and accessible and are increasingly becoming the way many of us meet our partners. A study conducted by the Pew Research Centre found that almost half of us between 18 and 29 have used a dating app. Yet, this has also transformed a lot of our offline behaviours towards dating. In this episode we break down the psychology behind dating apps including:  The impact of choice overload The psychology behind our romantic preferences  The scarcity effect  Seeking validation through dating apps Dopamine and swipe based dating  Dealing with rejection and dating app burnout  We are also joined by the wonderful Lucille McCart from Bumble who discusses how we can use dating apps to their full potential in our 20s. She explains how we can convert our online matches into real world connections, why you should be the one asking people on dates and the benefit dating people outside of your 'type'. All of that a more. Listen now.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThePsychologyofyour20s See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lot of us in our 20s feel the urge to upend everything and move to a new city - maybe for work, for a partner or just for the pure adventure of a new experience and environment. So in this episode we're going to break down why our 20s are perhaps the best time to make this major life change, from the lack of external responsibilities to the psychological benefits it brings, including self reflection, promoting a growth mindset and realising our ideal selves. We'll also explore why the urge to move to a new city really reflects our innate novelty seeking behaviour and why some people, the so called 'serial movers', can never seem to stay in one place for long. And finally, what are some of the practical ways we can actually do this and build community, maintain financial security, avoid feeling isolated? And what exactly is the so-called '6 month' rule? All of that and more, listen now!  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThePsychologyofyour20s See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been a while since my last life update so I thought we would take a bit of a breather and sit down for a nice chatty episode, just for you all the loyal podcast listeners, discussing all the recent changes and surprises that have been transpiring in my life as of late. From discovering what a healthy relationship looks like after years of tragic dating stories, the end of my single era, to moving to NYC and writing a book (!!!) there is so much to cover, alongside answering some of your burning questions. Listen now!  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThePsychologyofyour20s See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Increasingly, those of us in our 20s are facing an exceeding pressure to be exceptional and have a million accomplishments and accolades under our belt. If we are not successful, what are we worth? Examples like the Forbes 30 under 30, the wunderkind phenomena and young success stories all make us feel like we're not achieving enough or are falling behind. Today we're going to break down exactly why we feel this way, using theories around self determination, observational learning and social comparison. We'll also examine how we can break away from our need to be defined by our successes using practices like mindfullness, examining our online persona and capturing delight to use our 20s to explore rather than excel. Listen now!  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThePsychologyofyour20s See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Each of us deals with feelings of embarrassment, awkwardness and feeling social self conscious every now and then. But social anxiety can cause us a level of emotional, mental and physical discomfort that disrupts out ability to build authentic connection and can hold us back. In this episode we break down the psychology of social anxiety, particularly deconstructing the belief that everyone is judging us or that the opinions of others matter. We look at the distinction between everyday anxiety and a social phobia, the links to perfectionism and overthinking and methods for managing our social anxiety including the "so what" mentality and treating our anxiety like excitement rather than fear to allow us to pursue social authenticity over perfectionism. All that and more, listen now! Subscribe to my Patreon to support the show: https://www.patreon.com/ThePsychologyofyour20s My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's episode we discuss the psychology of your ego and what its trying to tell us! Ego can feel nasty and entitled but it comes from a place of deep insecurity that we need to unpack before we can truly understand ourselves. We look at the 6 signs your ego is in control, where ego comes from and how to replace it with self esteem and humility. We also discuss why ego and self confidence are different things even though they sometimes look similar: how ego is insecure, inconsistent and relies on the perceived inferiority of others whilst confidence is stable, sure and kind. Remember, you are not your ego so in this episode we talk how to rein it in, accept it as part of who we are and move forward. Listen now.  My Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThePsychologyofyour20s  My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Love, dating and friendships can feel like a black box in our 20s when we're trying to make the most out of our formative years. None of us have the answers or a guide to some of our biggest questions - how do I actually make new friends, how many friends should I have, should I be settling down this early or exploring my options? In part two of this series we breakdown how to make the most out of our personal relationships during this decade. We discuss why your answer should always be 'yes', why quantity over quality may actually be more correct when it comes to friendships in our 20s and the benefit on getting our heart broken and loving as deeply as possible during this period. We also cover my 7 tips for personal growth to make the most out of this decade, from letting go of our ego to taking time to uncover our childhood wounds, as well as the power of just having a laugh at yourself every now and then. All that and more, listen now!  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThePsychologyofyour20s See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do we actually make the most of our 20s? Career anxiety, feeling stuck, taking risks and managing our money (do we spend or save) are all big concerns we have in this period. So how do we manage these dilemmas and choices to create our dream life in our 20s, and what does that dream life even look like? In part one of our mini series, we examine the major decisions we make during this decade around our future and how we can approach them to get the best outcome. We discuss the importance of taking risks, moving to a new city, quitting your terrible job and trying as many things as possible. We also talk money, dymystifying some of the stigma around how people in their 20s are actually spending their money and why you should be spending on experiences rather than temporary things. Listen now! Part two out Friday!  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThePsychologyofyour20s See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trauma seems like a bit of a black box at times, something that we all experience as part of our life journey as humans but surrounded by a lot of misinformation. In this episode, we are joined by our guest, Dr MC McDonald, author of The Trauma Response Is Never Wrong to break down all of the science and psychology behind why we react to trauma the way we do, suppressed memories, what actually counts as 'traumatic' and the impact of trauma on our body. We also explore some of the more unexpected traumas we encounter and attempt to answer the question "will I ever heal from my trauma?". All that and more in this episode.  Follow Dr MC: https://www.instagram.com/mc.phd/ Purchase her book here: https://www.amazon.com/Unbroken-Trauma-Response-Never-Things/dp/1683648846 Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThePsychologyofyour20s See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Love and attachment feel very similar, and it's very easy to confuse the two especially in the early stages of dating when we are overwhelmed by infatuation and the novelty of a new relationship. However, they are very different. Whilst love is a deliberate choice, mutual, selflessness, and long lasting, attachment is unconscious, can be one-sided and based on what serves our needs. Confusing these two feelings can cause us to pursue the wrong people, invest too quickly and, at times, end up hurt and disappointed. Today we're going to explore how to tell the difference, why we need to protect ourselves from getting attached too quickly, especially when we are prone to fantasy bonding or bread crumbing, and how to detach and let that bond develop slowly. We're also going to talk about the 6 questions we can use to answer the question: am I in love, or am I just attached? Listen now!  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/?hl=en  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThePsychologyofyour20s See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I want to talk about depression. And not just from a psychological and scientific perspective but also from a personal perspective, sharing parts of my story. It's not something I've talked about much on the podcast but recently I've really come to terms with my own shame and stigma and I want to discuss where I'm at now, the journey I've been on and how its impacted the life I've created for myself in my 20s. We're also going to explore some of the key principles and theories behind the origins of depression, misconceptions, the different forms of depression, historical recognition of this condition, whether exercise really is a 'cure', and the new frontier of depression research, including the proposed use of psychedelics and ketamine.  If you or someone you know needs help, please see the below resources:  Beyond Blue - https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ Black Dog Institute - https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/resources-support/depression/  Lifeline (for immediate over the phone support) - 13 11 14  For further reading, please see the below articles:  Genetic Factors in Major Depression - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6065213/  Childhood Trauma and Its Relationship to Chronic Depression in Adulthood - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4677006/ Depression as a disease of modernity - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3330161/  Effects of Naturalistic Psychedelic Use on Depression, Anxiety, and Well-Being - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.831092/full  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone is talking about healing our inner child, but what about our inner teenager? We experience certain things in adolescence that we don't experience as children and these can manifest in different behaviours, defence mechanisms and emotional wounds that continue with us into adulthood. Whilst the inner child is seen as gentle and vulnerable, the inner teen may be angry, misunderstood and lonely. So in this episode we break some some of the psychology and theories behind healing your inner teen, including the interactions with our hormones, certain life experiences and the impact of our first romantic encounters and sexual experiences. We also explore how we can release the rage of our inner teen, express those wounds and use the adult chair method to feel more connected with this past version.  The Adult Chair Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4FzdV2nB2BZlywCxowM1Xw?si=080b7a4a392d4dde Patreon: https://patreon.com/ThePsychologyofyour20s?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All of us are going to mess up. In our 20s and every decade thereafter. But its what we choose to do with those mistakes that's important. In this episode we explore why we often regret past decisions and actions, looking at the development of our brain and personality, we also explore the distinction between regret and guilt and why both emotions may actually be protecting us from future pain. Part of this is understanding the difference between our actual and ideal self and the psychology behind why we choose to punish ourselves for past mistakes rather than embrace them and move on. Self forgiveness is the most powerful antidote and we'll dive into exactly how to enact this practice and release those painful memories and mistakes from our past through accountability and shared humanity. Listen now! Patreon: https://patreon.com/ThePsychologyofyour20s  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/?hl=en See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s something we all inevitably experience in our dating lives, the pain of a break-up, saying goodbye to someone we loved and then, one day, the realisation that your ex has moved on and is with someone new. It can be incredibly confronting and painful, so today we're going to explore exactly why it hurts, even if deep down, we know we were never going to work. We will dive into the psychological ideas and theories behind rosy retrospection, social comparison, our self worth and the emotional and psychological closure that occurs when our ex moves on. We also examine the role of the rebound and why it’s important to take time to heal before getting into a new relationship, as explained by the addiction model of heartbreak and stages of grief. But finally, what next? Now that the chapter has finally closed, how do we move on and heal in a healthy manner and ignore those lingering self doubts that everything we had with our ex, they're now having with someone. All that and more in this episode, listen now!  Patreon: https://patreon.com/ThePsychologyofyour20s  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/?hl=en See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we're discussing the secret and the science behind the healing powers of nature. Our generation has become increasingly detached from the outdoors and our wild roots, with over 90% of our days spent indoors or on a screen, often at the expense of our mental wellbeing, sense of self, psychological and spiritual connection with the land and overall physical health. In this episode we explore ideas around nature deficit disorder, recent longitudinal studies on the impacts of green spaces on our mental health and practices such as forest bathing, forest schools, water therapy and what we can learn from the deep connection that Indigenous groups have with the land. We also discuss how we can easily integrate more time outdoors into our daily routine to radically improve our psychological wellbeing. Listen now.  Patreon: https://patreon.com/ThePsychologyofyour20s  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/?hl=en See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Independence is highly regarded as an admirable personality trait - we are obsessed with people who are self made, who solo travel, pay their own bills and don't seem to need anyone. However, our sense of independence can become problematic when we approach the point of hyper-independency. Hyper-independence refers to an excessive sense of self sufficiency and self reliance, in which we deny the help of others, prefer doing things on our own and avoid emotional vulnerability. Researchers have since suggested that this kind of behaviour may actually be a trauma response, whereby we push others away to protect ourselves from being hurt due to past experiences. In today's episode we break down the psychology of hyper-independence, specifically its origins in childhood emotional neglect and being forced to grow up too soon. We examine the major indicators of hyper-independence, the links to codependency, as well as the consequences this can have for our love lives and careers, whilst also exploring how we can heal. Listen now.  Patreon: https://patreon.com/ThePsychologyofyour20s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/?hl=en See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So often in life, we are our own worst enemies. The meanest and loudest voice in our head is our own. So why are we so hard on ourselves? In this episode we break down the psychological underpinnings behind our inner critic, from the proposed evolutionary role of negative self talk, to the influence of our upbringing including the distinction between conditional and unconditional positive regard, parental expectations and childhood bullying. We examine how social comparison and overthinking can contribute to a poor self perception but, also, how we can adopt the methods of radical self compassion and cognitive diffusion to silence that inner voice and be free from self judgement. Listen now!  Patreon: https://patreon.com/ThePsychologyofyour20s Harvard Business Review article: https://hbr.org/2021/05/stop-being-so-hard-on-yourself Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/?hl=en&__coig_restricted=1See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The term 'gaslighting' has grown in popularity in recent years and become part of our shared psychobabble, giving our generation the language to describe a pattern of behaviour that has existed for centuries. This week on the podcast, we explore a recent story in the media on gaslighting and dive into what gaslighting actually means from a psychological perspective. We explore the origins of the term, how it references pop culture, the six behavioural patterns adopted by gaslighters and the links to narcissism and pathological lying. We also discuss how to identify this behaviour, detach from these individuals and move forward from the emotional hangover created by gaslighting. All that and more, listen now!  Subscribe to our Patreon: https://patreon.com/ThePsychologyofyour20s The article mentioned: https://www.asanet.org/wp-content/uploads/attach/journals/oct19asrfeature.pdf See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's episode we discuss why we fall into a so called 'rut' and how to pull ourselves out of it and rekindle our sense of self! Our 20s represent a transition into adulthood where we can find ourselves more and more detached from ourselves, uninspired, unmotivated, unexcited by life. The reasons for why this occurs varies, from the transition to full-time work, experiencing failure, the monotony of daily routine and even chronic stress. We're going to discuss six psychological strategies and theories for how we can break out of this cycle, including the benefits of impulsive behaviour, the healing power of nature, how to set a weekly challenge and much more. For all my 20-something year olds out there, stuck in a bit of a rut. This episode if for you.  Subscribe on Patreon for exclusive bonus content: https://patreon.com/ThePsychologyofyour20s  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TW: Domestic violence, sexual abuse. In her early 20s, Amy suffered an unimaginable loss. Her mother was murdered at the hands of her brother. But what came next is an even more incredible story of growth, advocacy and overcoming adversity and trauma. In this week's episode, we speak to Amy about trauma in our 20s and how we can push through grief and loss. We discuss the power of positive self talk, the psychology of complex PTSD, unlearning generational trauma and how to use your pain to help others. Listen now.  Follow the incredible Amy to hear more about her work: https://www.instagram.com/amybchesler/ Amy's podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3amRVnSbdrioaBoaHcNRiq?si=364be5d8f92043b1  Buy Amy's book: https://www.amazon.com.au/Working-Justice-Familys-Betrayal-Healing/dp/1642937541  If you found this episode distressing, please see the following resources for additional assistance: Reachout: https://au.reachout.com/ Beyond Blue: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/  Mental Health America: https://www.mhanational.org/get-involved/contact-us See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Being single has never been more common, with more people being single than ever before in history. And yet, we still experience a great degree of social and internal stigma, and even shame, around our relationship status. From the comments of family or friends saying that "you'll find someone soon", to the movies where marriage and partnership is the happy ending, sometimes we feel the need to settle in order to be happy or live up to societies expectations. In today's episode we explore the psychology behind this - from gender schema theory, to the scarcity effect, media psychology, identity fusion, and the hidden benefits of our single years. We also discuss whether it's wrong to want a relationship and whether we need to be fully healed before dating again? The answer is, it's complicated. Listen now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Overthinking can sometimes feel like an endless mental maze that we're trapped in. This tendency to overthink can also lead to chronic indecisiveness and obsessive acknowledgement of the opinions of others. But overthinking is much more common that when we think, and may actually indicate a greater sense of self awareness and emotional intelligence. In this episode we explore why we have a tendency to overthink, from the illusion of control, to perfectionism, childhood learning and the link to ADHD and depressive rumination. We'll also dive into the strategies and ways we can control our overthinking and become better decision makers without needing to consider every outcome or ruminate for days. This episode is for all my fellow chronic overthinkers, listen now! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The desire to be unique and individual is one that we all feel, especially in our 20s as we begin to establish our 'adult' identity and make efforts to distinguish ourselves. In this weeks episode we discuss seven major tips and strategies for being the most interesting and unique person in any room - from embracing unconventional thinking, rejecting the herd mentality of trends and the desire to be the "it" girl, spending time in nature, and challenging yourself creatively, being different is no longer and bad thing. Listen now to learn the psychology behind how we can be completely unique. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we sit down for an intimate conversation with the incredible Claud Bailey, a queer film director and queer youth advocate based in Sydney, Australia to discuss what our gender and sexuality means for our 20s. We dive into the meaning of community, gender expression, the beauty of queerness and how to navigate coming of age as a queer person in the 21st century, along with the role of being a responsible and compassionate ally. Alongside this we also explore the power of rituals, the relationship between pleasure and pain and the role of beauty in enjoying our lives to the fullest. Listen now to hear more from our wonderful guest!  Follow Claud: https://www.instagram.com/ /?hl=en Wear It Purple: https://www.wearitpurple.org/  The Trevor Project: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we're discussing the increasing prevalence of ghosting in modern dating. The use of dating apps has created a sense of choice overload, whilst social media has simultaneously allowed us a sense of online anonymity and diminished our ability to communicate, resulting in a rise in ghosting. Being ghosted can leave us craving emotional closure and feeling a sense of rejection. However, there are a number of psychological motivations behind why people ghost us, including emotional unavailability, emotional intelligence, the Dark Triad of narcissism, psychopathy and machiavellianism, but also people pleasing tendencies and convenience. We explore all of these reasons and more, as well as the best response to being ghosted and how we can provide ourselves with the psychological closure and answers we need. Listen now.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

HAPPY 100th EPISODE! In this week's episode, we are celebrating two very special milestones - 100 episodes of The Psychology of your 20s and the 2 year anniversary of the show. I decided to sit down and answer some of your questions around what I've learned from this experience, what advice I would give, how I'm going, my future plans, why heartbreak gave me the best gift I could have asked for and give some lighting round advice to my most asked questions.  I want to say a huge thank you for all the support and love this show has received. It had such humble beginnings. I started it as an audio journal to just talk about my 20s and now its my full time job and my greatest passion. Your support means the world, thank you to all my listeners, new and old for the way you changed my life! Listen now for more sappy reflections. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our 20s we can often feel like we have to have a plan for our lives or a 5 year vision for where we want to be. This can cause us to be boxed in and blind to the surprises opportunities that life throws our way. The idea of a 5 year plan is a myth and in today's episode, we are going to break down why. From societal conventions of a 'good' life, the butterfly effect, the psychology behind impulsive decisions and goal setting and the need for a sense of control over the chaos of our 20s, we explore all that and more to uncover why your school counsellor was wrong and you DON'T need a five year plan for your life. Listen now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes our biggest enemy isn't others, it's ourselves. Self sabotage is a complicated psychological experience whereby we unconsciously undermine our own goals and wellbeing because of an implicit belief that we don't deserve our success, are afraid of failure, or cannot allow ourselves to be happy. From dating people we shouldn't, to procrastination, indecision, doom scrolling and self destructive behaviours, it all comes down to our unconscious beliefs about our self worth. Today we explore the origins and causes of self sabotage, from Freud's ideas of the 'death drive' and 'anti-self', coping mechanisms, to the impact of unresolved emotional trauma and self punishment to understand why it is we self sabotage, and how we can get out of our own way. Listen now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Long distance in any relationship can be hard, so why do we choose to do it? In our 20s our relationships take on an increased level of seriousness, but at the same time we are also presented with so many wonderful decisions to travel, move new places, try new positions and jobs and figure out what we want from our lives. However, our partners don't always make the same decision. In this episode, we discuss the long distance dilemma - why distance can cause so much friction and conflict, the crucial considerations and signs that your long distance relationship will last, and how to know when its time to call it quits and walk away. We reveal all the psychology behind why long distance relationships work, and why they don't. Listen now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recently I've been feeling, as the episode title says, ugly. My relationship with my body and sense of 'attractiveness' has always been complicated and in the past few months, certain events and experiences have only exacerbated a lot of the insecurities I've had since childhood. So I wanted to talk about it, because I know I'm not the only one. Our 20s involve a lot of self growth, coming into our own identity and reframing our mindset on appearance and our relationships with our bodies. So what are some of the reasons why we feel 'ugly', how does that experience impact our emotional and mental wellbeing, what is the influence of societally held beauty standards and how we can escape this narrative that our looks are the extend of our worth to society. We talk about all of that and more in today's episode. Listen now.  If you need further information, resources or assistance please refer to the following services:  Australia - The Butterfly Foundation https://butterfly.org.au/get-support/helpline/USA - National Eating Disorders Association https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.orgUK - Beat Eating Disorders https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.ukCanada - National Eating Disorder Information Centre https://nedic.caWorldwide - https://www.verywellmind.com/leading-eating-disorder-charities-and-organizations-4145389See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dating in our 20s can feel like an uphill battle, and many of us are seeking an alternative to casual relationships and meaningless flings or hookups. This week on the podcast, we discuss how we can adopt an intentional approach to our romantic life and dating decisions, in particular, how this can free us from some of the pressure and stress that accompanies dating in our 20s. We discuss the psychology and research behind self awareness, value and goal orientation, self concept, understanding what others want and how to lower your expectations and meet people organically so that we can embrace the excitement and fun of meeting new people and forming meaningful connections. Listen now.  Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/?hl=enSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2020, Bradley found himself questioning death. He was 24 and lying in hospital bed with bleeding lungs caused by his condition, cystic fibrosis. Three years later, he has run multiple marathons, left behind his successful career as a realtor and is now running his podcast 'A Lot To Talk About', sharing his story. This week we break down his journey, including his philosophy towards overcoming the adversity we all face in our 20s, whatever that may be. We dive into the psychology of living with a chronic disease and how Bradley's entire perspective has changed since 2020. Listen to his inspiring story and interview now.  Bradley's podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0F7u8INlXQ0KvtjwK6Zf12?si=3bfe175327f94848 Follow Bradley on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradleyjdryburgh/?hl=en   Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/?hl=enSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All of us in our 20s have some goal or ambition that we are striving for and whatever that may be, consistency is the key to our success. On this episode we break down how we can use the psychology behind consistency and motivation to help achieve our goals, from microhabits to delayed gratification, self compassion, a monthly routine and incremental reinforcement. We also examine some of the science and social psychology behind productivity and how society has dictated the ways in which we pursue our goals and why we might have it wrong. Join us as we deep dive into the ways we can cultivate consistency in our 20s. Listen now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Platonic soulmates represent the idea that our deepest relationships and our strongest bonds don't have to be romantic, sexual or based on attraction, they can be between us and our friends. This idea of platonic soulmates has been on the rise, however, it's not a new phrase. Plato, the ancient greek philosopher, was one of the first people to identify this feeling of deep connection and understanding between two individuals that appears to be inexplicable or spiritual. From there, psychology has expanded on whether this concept is even real, why we feel this way towards certain people, what makes a platonic soulmate, the impact these relationships have on our wellbeing and lives and how to identify when one of these people has entered your life. Listen now as we deep dive into the psychology of platonic soulmates. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our 20s, we face an increasing sense of pressure to reach certain important, life milestones, such as getting into our first relationship, graduating university, finding our career path, getting engaged and so many more. When we don't meet the expectations or the timeline that society gives us, we can feel like failures and begin to self sabotage or ruminate on our faults and flaws. This week we're going to explore the psychology behind milestone anxiety - the experience of stress and unease when we haven't achieved certain milestones by a certain age - why it occurs, the influence of social comparison and conditioning, how we can combat this feeling, practice self compassion and be excited by our own journey through life, and our 20s. Listen now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, we're diving into the psychology behind open relationships in our 20s - why people are attracted to the idea of non-monogamy, how they operate, the boundaries that are set, how to navigate sexual jealousy and whether they actually work? Open relationships have become an increasingly popular alternative to traditional monogamy, but they are not a new concept. Why are some people more curious when it comes to open relationships? Do some people need more sex than others? Whats the point of being in a committed relationship if you're allowed to date other people? We set out to answer all of these questions in todays episode to further understand the psychology behind open relationships. Listen now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, I'm joined by the fabulous Al and Sal, the hosts of Two Broke Chicks, to discuss how we can maintain our identity in a relationship, especially in our 20s. Our romantic relationships are fundamental elements of our identity and we all crave the warm and fuzzy feelings that accompany dating someone wonderful. But how do we ensure that our partners and relationship do not take over our lives, our identity and our independence? We break down the everyday practices to ensure our individuality remains strong, why you shouldn't neglect your friendships and how to identify when you may need to draw back and spend some time alone. Listen now. Follow and listen to Two Broke Chicks here: https://open.spotify.com/show/3d4z5FXeXAtmmP6DPhkpzw?si=027c610a26e54474See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the podcast we are breaking down the psychology of our dreams - why we dream, the role of our brain, what our dreams mean, repressed desires, nightmares and even the role of daydreaming for our mental wellbeing. If you've ever wondered about your weird dreams, some of the scientific theories and whether you are a maladaptive daydreamer, this episode is for you as we jump into the fascinating science and psychology behind these imaginative, colourful hallucinations. Listen now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many of us in our 20's have become disillusioned with the 9-5 lifestyle and the reality of working an office job for the rest of our lives. Psychology shows us that the 9-5 job is not only inefficient but unnatural, leaving us feeling burnt-out, unmotivated, detached from the things that matter and searching for an alternative that offers both freedom and flexibility. This week, I talk about my own journey of leaving behind my 9-5 job and pursuing the podcast full time; from why I made my decision, what the transition has been like and my advice and tips on how you can do the same. Listen now to understand why you should quit your 9-5. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Perfectionism is on the rise amongst young people, and in this episode we break down exactly what it means to have perfectionist tendencies. We examine the theories of personality, our upbringing, links to OCD and ADHD and what it means for academic performance and anxiety. We also dive into some of the methods for minimising our perfectionism, including visualisation, the 80-20 rule, cognitive behavioural therapy and positive self talk to show how life isn't perfect, so you don't have to be either. Listen now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Friday we sit down with the wonderful Violet Benson, host of the podcast Almost Adulting, also known for her famous meme account, Daddy Issues, as we discuss everything dating in our 20s, specifically the truth about daddy issues, healing childhood trauma and parental relationships and how to reestablish your boundaries and standards. That, and so much more. Listen now! Follow Violet everywhere:  Almost Adulting podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IY1Gjc1uktmDCmNLA0HXo?si=14792ff30f75463e Violet Benson - https://www.instagram.com/violetbenson/?hl=en Daddy Issues - https://www.instagram.com/daddyissues_/?hl=en  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we break down the psychological, biological and evolutionary underpinnings of loneliness and break down some of the stigma around feeling lonely in your 20's. This decade is full of a number of significant life transitions and changes that can lead us to feel isolated and detached, but loneliness sometimes get's a bad wrap. We explore how we can cultivate a better relationship with loneliness by understanding the instinctual urges behind this feeling, embracing solitude and reframing the narrative around exactly how common it is to feel lonely in your 20's. Listen now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode we break down the science and psychology of the internet and TikTok sensation of "lucky girl syndrome". We explore the ideas and theories behind self fulfilling prophecies, confirmation bias, goal-oriented behaviour, brain anatomy and the power of positive affirmations on shifting our mindset to reveal whether lucky girl syndrome is fact or fiction, and where ideas of privilege and personality come in.  Listen now! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we are discussing the science and psychology of emotional unavailability and breaking down the misconceptions and myths about emotional unavailability in our 20's, particularly when it comes to dating people who won't commit. We’re going to break down exactly what emotional unavailability versus availability looks like and how it manifests in relationships, what emotional unavailability means on a personal, individual level, the difference between men and women when it comes to this concept and how to develop emotional availability and grow closer to the ones we love and attract those who are equally emotionally available. Listen now! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we are joined by Lyss Boss, the host of Date Yourself Instead, to discuss dating in our 20's, particularly what it means to deliberately choose to be single, how we can learn from past relationships and heal our attachment styles. Alongside this we dive into the psychology behind karmic relationships, repeating toxic patterns in relationships and learning to move on through authenticity and creativity. Listen now! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we discuss the psychology behind why we all should be prepared to talk risks and push beyond our comfort zone in our 20’s. This topic has a lot of personal relevance for me right now, which I share in this episode, but there is also a lot of science and psychology that is incredibly compelling and persuasive as to why taking a risk is a good thing! From studies on the impact of regret and inaction, to existential dread and the difference between bounded and unbounded risk, we are going to break down all of the explanations behind taking that leap of faith in our 20’s. Listen now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Breakups and heartache are a universal experience in our 20’s. But what exactly happens to our minds, our bodies and our emotions at the end of a relationship? This week we will break down the psychology and the science behind breakups, heartbreak and moving on. We will explore the theory of withdrawal, stages of grief, conditioning and the psychology behind why ‘no contact’ really does work to hopefully provide some solace to all the heartbroken out there on what exactly a breakup does to our psychology. Buy merch here: https://the-psychology-of-your-20s.myshopify.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we break down the psychology behind eating disorders - from anorexia to bulimia and binge eating disorder. Amalie Lee, the Host of the Recovery Talk podcast joins us to discuss her own experience with anorexia and as an eating disorder recovery coach as we break down the triggers and origins of eating disorders, the misconceptions, how they impact our psychological and emotional well-being and the journey to healing and recovery. If you or someone you know needs help or for further information and psychological services on eating disorders, please see the following:Australia - The Butterfly Foundation https://butterfly.org.au/get-support/helpline/USA - National Eating Disorders Association https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.orgUK - Beat Eating Disorders https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.ukCanada - National Eating Disorder Information Centre https://nedic.caWorldwide - https://www.verywellmind.com/leading-eating-disorder-charities-and-organizations-4145389See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the podcast we discuss the experience of worrying and overthinking the future. From anticipatory anxiety, the the illusion of control, paradox of choice and self preservation, anxiety about the future has a lot of psychological origins that we will unpack in todays episode to try and find freedom from future spiralling and embrace the moment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we dive into the psychology behind hookup culture and casual dating in our 20’s. We are joined by the host of The Openhouse Podcast, Louise Rumball, as we discuss the cultural and societal changes that have contributed to this sexual liberation, what happens to our brain during and after a hookup, empowering ourselves through pleasure but also healthy boundaries and the science and personal stories behind why casual dating may not be for everyone. Listen now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the show we dive into what it really means to heal your inner child. From reparenting to relearning your attachment style, the power of play and protecting your inner childlike wonder and curiosity, we discuss the psychology and everyday practices we can enact to connect and heal our inner child wounds and bring that joy and vulnerability to our adult lives. Listen now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the show we deep dive into why we outgrow our friendships as we enter our 20’s. We often have a romanticised idea that friendships last a lifetime, but during this decade we realise that it’s a lot more nuanced. We explore the main factors behind the friendship “fizzle”, why it’s a normal part of growing up, how we can handle the emotions that come along with and learn to value solitude and be selective when it comes to our friendships. Listen now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we deep dive into everything there is to know about therapy in our 20’s. From identifying when you need therapy, to finding the right therapist, the different types of therapy that are available, some of the misconceptions about therapy and the details of your first session, this episode provides all the information to remove some of the mysticism and stigma behind getting some help for your mental health in your 20’s. Listen now.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week I am joined by Chidera Eggerue, otherwise known as the Slumflower, host of the Slumflower Hour and author of the Number 1 Sunday Times Bestsellers What a Time to be Alone (2018) and How to Get Over a Boy (2020) to discuss attachment styles, how to set boundaries and non-negotiables when dating men. We discuss the own hard lessons we’ve learnt through our intimate relationships, how to reclaim your power, the psychology behind why we accept the bare minimum and so much more. Listen now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This weeks episode we deep dive into the psychology self confidence and how we can master our sense of confidence and self assurance to be the best versions of ourselves. We discuss the elements that make up confidence, the impact of nature versus nurture and the difference between self confidence and arrogance. We also explore some of the evidence-based strategies that we can use to improve our self esteem and why “faking it till you make it” is more than just a saying. Listen now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this weeks episode we discuss the evolutionary and psychological reasons behind why we gossip. We explore the origins of gossip, the different forms of gossip and how it influences our 20’s, particularly our social connections and sense of community. We also dive into the downsides of rumours and slander, how gossip has evolved with social media and discuss how we can break free of the cycle of gossip in our lives and create more positive conversations and relationships. Listen now.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we discuss codependency and how it can manifest in our friendships and relationships in our 20’s. We break down some of the misconceptions around codependency, the origins of the terms and early signs our relationships may be codependent. We also dive into the difference between healthy dependency and maladapative codependency and how we can recenter and restore balanced and mutual relationships with those in our lives. Thank you to today’s sponsor, Athletic Greens. Please use the following link for a FREE one year supply for immune supporting vitamin D and five free travel packs at www.athleticgreens.com/JemmaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we discuss the idea of the dream job, whether it is fact or fiction? We discuss where the idea of the “dream job” comes from, why we feel so much pressure around deciding what we want to do with our lives, career anxiety and how to rebalance our relationship with our professional lives in our 20’s. Listen now to learn more. Thank you to today’s sponsor, Athletic Greens. Please use the following link for a FREE one year supply for immune supporting vitamin D and five free travel packs at www.athleticgreens.com/JemmaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we discuss the psychology of authenticity and how we can discover and therefore embrace our authentic selves. We discuss what it is to be authentic, why we suffer when we are disconnected from our true selves and the daily practices we can incorporate to live authentically, be vulnerable and consistent with our core self and values. Thank you to todays sponsor Athletic Greens. Please use the following link for a FREE one year supply for immune supporting vitamin D and five free travel packs at www.athleticgreens.com/JemmaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week I bring on a special guest and a close friend, artist Sydney Farey, to discuss the horrors and surprises of dating in our 20’s. We discuss the psychology behind why we are attracted to the wrong people, the impact of our childhood and early relationships on our romantic lives and how to prioritise yourself whilst we date during our 20’s.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we break down the psychology of New Years resolutions, the significance of the new year for making goals and promises to ourselves, why we set New Years resolutions, the typical reasons we tend to fail and how to be successful. We explore self efficacy, personal development theory and the psychology behind failure to understand how we can achieve our 2023 goals.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we discuss loneliness, particularly around the holiday season. Why is it that we feel so lonely during that period between the holidays and the new year, whether we are surrounded by family or spending our time alone and what are some of the explanations for this feeling. We discuss the benefits and downsides of solitude, how to overcome loneliness and why the holiday season can be so difficult.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the holiday season I thought it would be a great time to discuss how we can set boundaries within our closest relationships. From emotional, physical, financial to spiritual boundaries, how can we establish realistic and sustainable boundaries in our lives and what do we do when someone violates these. Thank you to todays sponsor Athletic Greens. Please use the following link for a FREE one year supply for immune supporting vitamin D and five free travel packs at www.athleticgreens.com/JemmaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we discuss our quarter life crisis! Whilst it may be a normal experience for those of us in our 20’s, the experience can be incredibly scary and stressful. We dive into how to navigate a quarter life crisis, the characteristics of this period, why it’s important for our growth and how to move through this experience and come out the other side as successful and healed individuals. Thank you to todays sponsor Athletic Greens. Please use the following link for a FREE one year supply for immune supporting vitamin D and five free travel packs at www.athleticgreens.com/JemmaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we discuss social comparison, the good, the bad, the psychology. We talk about why it is that we compare ourselves to others, the impacts of social comparison and how to break the cycle of judging our attributes and characteristics compared to others.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With many of us entering the colder, winter months, understanding what seasonal depression is and how it impacts our mood, energy levels, appetite and mental well-being is crucial. This week we break down the science and psychology behind seasonal affective disorder and how we can overcome the ‘winter blues’ brought on by the colder months.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we discuss the insidious nature of diet culture and how it convinces us we need to change our bodies to be happier. We discuss how diet culture has become so influential through normalisation, repetition across social media, social approval and early learning in childhood. Finally we talk about how to push back against the negative beliefs and behaviours ingrained in us by diet culture and embrace our bodies.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week I have invite on a special guest to chat about whether exes can be friends. Our conclusion, well … you’ll have to listen. We talk through how we fell in love, why we broke up and whether we could get back together. Thank you to todays sponsor Athletic Greens. Please use the following link for a FREE one year supply for immune supporting vitamin D and five free travel packs at www.athleticgreens.com/JemmaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we discuss the characteristics of toxic parents and the impact they have on our development and adulthood. We dive into narcissistic parental abuse, intergenerational trauma, overcoming a toxic upbringing and how to establish boundaries.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do we explain the feeling where we have everything we could want, but we still feel so unhappy and dissatisfied? In this episode we explore some of the reasons for unhappiness in the face of success and everything we have ever wanted to dispel some of the stigma around sadness, depressive episodes and the normalcy of feeling unhappy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rejection can be such a blow to our self-esteem, whether it’s romantic, with friends, at work or during our studies. Rejection can be a painful experience, but psychology can explain many of the reasons why we look to avoid rejection and how we can overcome experiences of rejection, especially in our 20’s. Thank you to todays sponsor Athletic Greens. Please use the following link for a FREE one year supply for immune supporting vitamin D and five free travel packs at www.athleticgreens.com/JemmaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we discuss how to be happy being alone and all the amazing benefits that come with single hood in our 20’s! How can we cultivate a life we love despite being single and why do we crave love even when we are happy being alone?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BONUS EPISODE. This week we discuss the power of micro habits and how we can integrate them into our everyday lives to create the lifestyle changes we are after in our 20’s.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our careers and work can be a major point of stress in our 20’s and we try to figure out what exactly we’re doing and where we want to go. In this episode we discuss career anxiety, feeling lost and when it’s time for a change. Thank you to this weeks sponsor, Athletic Greens. Please go to athleticgreens.com/Jemma to redeem you offer of 1 year do free vitamin C and 5 free travel packs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we discuss trauma in childhood, the way it effects our brain and chemistry, our behaviours and our relationships in adulthood.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are joined this week by Laura, a student mortuary technician in Australia to discuss her experiences and role and how she thinks about death and the meaning of a good life on this special guest episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week I’m joined by Lindsay, a Financial Therapist who runs Mind Money Balance to discuss how we manage anxiety and emotions around money in our 20’s. From healing our childhood relationship with money to dealing with financial boundaries in relationships, we explore the intersection between money and our 20’s in this special, guest episode. Lindsay Bryan-Podvin (she/her) is a biracial financial wellness expert, speaker, and author of the book "The Financial Anxiety Solution." A practicing social worker since 2012, she uses a shame-free approach to help people get their minds and money in balance by focusing on the intersection of money and mental health using financial therapy. While financial literacy is important, she champions the belief that money is rooted in emotions and impacted by the systems around us. She has a degree in sociology and a Master’s in Social Work with certificates in Financial Social Work and Financial Therapy. She lives with her partner and their dog on the occupied land of the Fox, Peoria, and Potawatomi peoples, also known as Michigan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does identity really mean? And how do we know when we’ve found it, can we ever truly embody our ‘true selves’? In this episode we discuss what it means to undergo massive shifts in our identity and come out of it the other side and how we might assist that journey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we discuss how to make new friendships in our 20’s. We all can recognise how hard it is to make friends as we enter adulthood but what does psychology actually say about this struggle and why is it so difficult as we move beyond our school years into work and the real world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are soulmates real? And how do we know if we’ve met the one? This week we discuss the idea of twin flames and soul mates and alternative explanations for the deep connection and chemistry we feel with some people and whether we are destined to meet.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How does the pill and hormonal birth control impact our psychological well-being and experiences in our 20’s? This week we discuss the history and origins of the pill and how it interacts with our body and systems. Are the benefits worth the risks and what about the dark history behind the emergence of this common form of female birth control?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week talk about the cultural phenomenon of hustle culture, the rise and grind age of work and professional success. We also discuss the role of burnout in this relationship and how we can recentre our lives to avoid this type of exhaustion and free ourselves of the stress and pressures of the need to always be hustling.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we discuss the tricky topic of situationships in our 20’s - the grey space between casual and committed. How do we establish good boundaries in these relationships or avoid them to begin with? And when do we know it’s over?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What can we do when we feel lost and directionless in our 20’s? It’s a common feeling and one shared by many but when you’re in a rut it can be hard to get our. In this episode we discuss actions we can take to recentre ourselves and our vision or mission in life and make big changes to push us forward.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode we talk about the interactions between alcohol and the brain. Alcohol can be a huge part of our lives in our 20’s, as can anxious feelings the morning after drinking so it’s important to understand why our body (and our brain) reacts this way to alcohol and how we can remedy those feelings of stress the next day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the four attachment styles and their implications for the relationships we have in our 20’s. Where did the idea of attachment come from, how relevant are they and can we heal disordered patterns of attachment? Listen in for the answers to those important questionsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we discuss the secrets and successes of emotional intelligence and how to cultivate and grow your EQ in your 20’s. Why is it so important? What are the benefits? And how can we be the most emotionally intelligent versions of ourselves?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do we do when we’ve lost someone we’ve loved? In this weeks episode we talk about the confusion and anger, the safeness, following the loss of a loved one. How do we move on and continue to hold the memory of them close?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The girls are back for an episode on love, friendship, first impressions and stereotypesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why I went on antidepressants, my experience and the stigma around medication and mental illness.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it mean to be ‘cool’ and why does it matter? In this weeks episode we discuss the importance of social acceptance and why being authentic is actually the key to being socially attractive.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A bonus episode of our new segment, Girl Talk. We have three (!!) special guests on to talk life transitions, five year plans and all the goings on of life for us at the moment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode we discuss anxiety in our 20’s. We talk about the body on anxiety, different anxiety disorders and the unique triggers in our 20’s.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the biology behind those awful breakup feelings, how to truly let someone go, the stages of grief and whether it’s possible to be friends with you ex.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why you’ve been feeling lonely recently because I have been too! We talk about how to embrace loneliness, why your best relationships are just around the corner and the power of gratitude.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss love languages, what are they, are they real and where did the idea come from? We also talk about recent research done by Hinge on the most common love languages and the modified quiz which now includes two additional love languages.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we discuss the psychology of social media: how it controls our behaviours, social comparison and the what makes tiktok so addictive.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we discuss people pleasing: what it is, where it comes from and some interesting links to trauma and gender. We also discuss some strategies for learning how to say no and putting yourself first!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does psychology have to say about our fear of failure and how can we change our mindset to one that embraces the mistakes we are inevitably going to make? This week we discuss failure of many sorts in our 20’s: relationships, academic, in the workplace. Tune in!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode I bring on Claudia as we discuss our experiences in toxic relationships in our 20’s. This is part one of a two part episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do we fight and how can we resolve conflict in a healthy manner? We’re talking about interpersonal conflict today and answering some of the big questions around fighting with those we love.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when the worst case scenario happens? Whilst that rarely happens, today we break down catastrophic thinking and why we always expect the worst case scenario.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We bring on the longest and nearest friend to talk about how our friendship has lasted for almost a decade, the lessons we’ve learned in 2021, home buying and so much more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We start our new year off RIGHT with a view into what psychology has to say about forgiveness and why it is the life changing philosophy we need in our 20’s. We discuss skills, strategies, set backs and benefits in our last episode of 2021 as we start the new year with a clean slate and fresh heartsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The psychology of the big life changes that we all experience in our 20’s: moving cities, graduations and job changes, it’s that time of the year. But where does the anxiety of big life changes come from? How do we deal with the fear of loneliness and adjustment disorder? Listen to find out.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do people cheat? Is the phrase once a cheater, always a cheater correct? Where do conceptions of monogamy come from? Learn in this episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We answer some of your pressing love questions and conundrums alongside some special guests - Jack and Meg!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do we feel a “spark” for some people and not others? What creates attraction and what is our ‘love map’? Listen in to find out why we are attracted to some people over others and how we can transform passionate love into something stable and long term.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we talk about narcissism and how to identify narcissists in our own lives. We talk about how their behaviours may make relationships particularly hard, the origins of this personality disorder and whether a cure is possible!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we’re bringing in a special guest, someone very close to the show and my heart. The wonderful Jack - one of our co-writers and podcast inspos - joins the podcast to talk creative pathways, reflecting on your younger years, our inner child and our concepts for the next greatest Australian novels.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we are discussing the psychology behind friendship breakups - why we need to move on from people, the types of toxic friends to look out for, the best way to breakup with a friend and more! Tune in for some juicy psychology and lessons for our 20’s.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we are discussing the psychology of climate anxiety especially in light of recent announcements of a code red for humanity due to climate change. I’m joined by Tenaya, our in house expert on all things sustainability, to discuss how climate anxiety manifests, the psychology of climate denial and how to take care of yourself when faced by dread about the future of the planet. References / things talked about: The IPCC report: https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/ Tim Hollo’s article on climate doomism being as harmful as climate denial: https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7385966/climate-doomism-is-the-new-climate-denial/ Fire Country by Victor Steffensen: https://www.hardiegrant.com/au/publishing/bookfinder/book/fire-country-by-victor-steffensen/9781741177268 Rob Willer on moral reframing in political conversations: https://www.ted.com/talks/robb_willer_how_to_have_better_political_conversations/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Howdy! This week we have a little lockdown snapshot where I delve into the psychology behind why lockdowns can be such a killer for our mental health. Indulge in some of my tips abs tricks for staying sane and as always, get vaccinated and stay COVID safe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This weeks episode is a deep and highly personal one. Hold onto your horses. We discuss unrequited love - why we feel it, how to fix it and whether it is truly what we can call love ❤️😢See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s a bit of a different episode this week! We decided to take the all souls Oxford College entrance exam and answer some of the hardest questions in psychology that are asked of potential students. What are our answers? Listen in to find out.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we discuss jealousy - the green monster - and break down where jealousy originated from, it’s emotional core and how we can address these feelings.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The second instalment of our let’s get friendly episodes with the glorious Phoebe, here to talk about situationships, setting healthy boundaries and climate anxiety.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode we discuss the fear of missing out - where FoMO comes, why it feels so shit and potential solutions to stop worrying about what you’re missing out on.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we talk about the transition to full time work in our 20’s and why the 9-5 is not conducive to a well rounded lifestyle. Special guest Erin also joins us to give her expert opinion.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this weeks episode we discuss imposter syndrome; where it comes from, why we feel it and why society wants to convince women it’s a gendered problem.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.