Personal Growth

I know that I should have more faith, but as much as I try, I’m still scared and getting more scared by the day.

Most people aren’t looking for solutions for their problems; they are looking for understanding and validation of their pain.

What about the things that you achieved that weren’t on your list?

I have done everything in my power to pay back my debts, but every time I make a little headway, something happens to plunge me into debt again.

It’s like G‑d is saying, “I don’t want your mitzvot; I don’t want your good deeds. Can you get any lower than being rejected by G‑d?

I’m perpetually angry, and that makes me angry too! What can I do about it?

I can’t help feeling depressed and diminished when I read articles about great people and all they have accomplished.

Be proud of your sensitive nature. It helps you be intuitive, empathic and kind.

A person can’t ignore a notice from the bank and then not understand why the bank closes their account.

How do I restore my equilibrium and get back some sense of security?

Since I’ve upped my religious commitment, I have been feeling guilty when I spend time playing or pursuing my creative hobbies.

As I’ve grown older, I have tried to control my temper better and been fairly successful. Unfortunately, there’s one area of my life where I find this infinitely challenging.

I understand the perils of gossip and slander. But I still find it really hard. Whenever I’m upset about the way someone treats me, I always want to tell my best friend. And when I hear juicy gossip about someone we both know well, I want to tell her that, too. Intellectually, I understand the need to keep mum, but I just can’t seem to do it.

I’ve made some mistakes. Well, maybe a lot of them. I’m still young, but I’m afraid to be stuck with this image forever.

I’m ungrateful! At least that’s what my parents and friends tell me. They say I never appreciate anything anyone does for me, and that I’m always finding fault with everyone and everything.

Why did I have to waste so much time when I could have been doing this all along—something I love that contributes to others?

All my emotions—joy, sadness, frustration, anger, fear—are expressed in a big way. This can alienate people. Although they like having their feelings understood, they don’t seem to be able to deal with my outpouring of emotions.

I had great aspirations for becoming a full-time professional dancer, but six months ago I had a bad fall and broke my leg in several places. I was devastated!

Compliments make us question the beliefs we hold about ourselves.

I’m always trying to change the world and get people to act the way they’re supposed to.

Do I really have to flatter, be disingenuous and dissemble in order to get along with people? Why can't I just be honest and tell the truth?

I never get tired of my favorite books, TV shows and movies, and I daydream about a world filled with magical people and creatures. I wonder if I’m living more in my fantasy world than the real world.

I'm absolutely burning with anger. It very clearly says on my lease that I'm supposed to have a working air-conditioner. I don’t want to have to move because of this, but how can anyone be so unscrupulous? And how do I deal with this?

Over the last few years I've become more and more reluctant to leave the house, except for work. I avoid social events, nature hikes or vacations that require lots of travel. It seems to be getting worse. I don't want to turn into a hermit. What should I do?

I’m exhausted, burnt out and at my wits’ end. My husband says to cut myself some slack and do less. But what social obligations does he want me to cut out exactly?

I have been suffering from back pain for years. I’ve gone to doctors, physiotherapists, chiropractors and alternative healers, and nothing seems to help. I started to wonder whether my back pain might be some sort of spiritual test.

I’m very anxious about all the terrible things that can happen. We live in such a dangerous world, and so many people are suffering. I’m always terrified that some calamity is going to befall me or those whom I love, G‑d forbid.

I’m a perfectionist. I want things to be just so, and I’m frustrated and miserable if they’re not. I try to take every contingency into account when I make plans, but there’s always something that doesn’t work out the way I want it to. Doesn’t G‑d want us to strive for perfection? Why am I always so miserable?

My problem is I dream big. I don't recognize limits of possibility. My friends say I'm not realistic, I'm out of my league, the chances of achieving my dreams are almost nil. And then when I don't realize my dreams, I'm inevitably disappointed and frustrated and feel like I'm a worthless failure.

Even when I'm not speaking, I have a running critique going in my head about everyone I see on the street, on the bus, at work. How can I stop the vicious cycle of being vicious?

Some of my friends complain that I always drop them if something better comes up. How do I stop attracting people who are narcissistic and self-interested, and more importantly, how do I stop being that way myself?

The more religious I become and the more I hang out with religious people, the more confined I feel.

Every year, I make a lot of well-intentioned New Year’s resolutions and although I start off on the right foot, all I'm left with after a very short time are my good intentions and frustration.

I am afraid of making a decision that I’ll later regret.

I’m overscheduled, overtaxed and overwhelmed. To top it all off, my husband keeps nagging me to get rid of stuff.

I find myself constantly getting hurt by others, and then refusing to talk to these people based on my perception of how they slighted me. How can I stop this cycle?

Why would G‑d give me this talent if He doesn’t want me to use it?

I’m always finding fault with myself, others, and everything in my life. This makes me feel tense, defensive and unhappy. But I find it hard to stop. What can I do?

I am a happily married woman, and I have three wonderful kids. On the outside, nothing seems to be wrong; however, inside I am a mess...

My entire life, I have always been a “grass is greener on the other side” type of person. I keep telling myself that I have nothing to complain about. And there are times that it works. But then there are these moments when I start to think, “What if my life was different?”

I'm fourteen-years-old and I am having an issue I hope you can help with. I'm happy most of the time, I like my group of friends, and I'm excited that we're going to be starting high school this fall. The problem is - I can't help being envious of my younger sister...

I grew up in a very emotionally cold environment. My parents showed very little love or affection, and they couldn’t tolerate when either I or my siblings showed emotion. The result being that I have a hard time now dealing with my emotions...

I feel like my looks are fading, and I’m afraid of becoming like a lot of older women who try to look thirty and end up looking ridiculous.

All my life, whenever something good happens to me or is about to happen to me, something goes wrong.

Although in my mind I know that I have a lot to be grateful for, for some reason my heart doesn’t feel it. I feel that there’s something lacking, and I can’t put my finger on it. I find myself looking at others’ lives, and honestly, I’m jealous.

I find myself wasting a lot of time on the Internet rather than spending my time on worthwhile activities. How is it possible to use every minute productively?