Difficult emotions

A painting of a woman sitting at a table with a glass of beer, a cigarette, and a contemplative expression in a café setting.
LOVE

Why it can be sublime to love someone who doesn’t love you back

Unrequited love might be bitter and painful, but it is also the ultimate expression of your humanity. Don’t fight it

by Alexandra Gustafson

Black and white photo of a man silhouetted sitting in a doorway looking at boats and a hotel across a harbour.
DIFFICULT EMOTIONS

How to deal with regret

In a world of choices, it’s impossible to avoid regret. Unpleasant as it is, you can make it bearable, even inspirational

by Jelena Kecmanovic

Photo of a pier with large crashing waves and mist, a person on the pier and a bird flying above in the stormy sky.
DIFFICULT EMOTIONS

How to calm your inner storm

When your emotions become too painful and overwhelming, regain control using skills from dialectical behaviour therapy

by Sheri Van Dijk

Painting of a woman in a grey dress leaning on a red sofa, her face buried in her hands, evoking a sense of sorrow.
SHAME AND GUILT

How to cope with shame

Do you feel perpetually bad, broken or unlovable? These tools will help you relate to yourself in a fairer, gentler way

by Michaela B Swee & Susan Murray

Photo of a blurred street scene viewed through a rainy window, focusing on a pedestrian and coloured buildings in the background.
DISSOCIATION AND DETACHMENT

How to cope when life seems unreal

If you feel detached from the world, you might be going through depersonalisation. Be reassured, there are ways to recover

by Shaun O Connor

Painting of two figures in a doorway, one in red, with soft brushstrokes and dark, moody colours suggesting night.
DIFFICULT EMOTIONS

How to handle rejection

Whether personal or professional, the sting of rejection awaits us all. These strategies can help you heal and move on

by Thomas Smithyman

Photo of a woman in profile with glasses, backlit by warm sunlight through a window, creating a soft, serene atmosphere.
WORRY AND RUMINATION

Stuck in a loop of worrying thoughts? Here’s how to stop it

Dwelling on your difficulties might feel like problem-solving, but it can be pernicious. There are tools to stop the habit

by Megan L Rogers

Ancient terracotta sculpture of a seated figure holding a cup, displayed against a dark background.
PSYCHOANALYSIS AND THE UNCONSCIOUS

Dark feelings will haunt us until they are expressed in words

Continued mental growth requires dealing with alexithymia, or the inability to express emotions through words or images

by Tom Wooldridge

Abstract painting with torn paper layers in orange, blue and black, creating textured geometric shapes and contrasts.
DIFFICULT EMOTIONS

How to get over ‘never good enough’

Learn to spot unhealthy perfectionism, understand its emotional sources and find a way to silence that self-critical voice

by Margaret Rutherford

Black-and-white photo of a man walking past another dressed as a bishop on a cobblestone street at night.
DIFFICULT EMOTIONS

The ‘melancholic joy’ of living in our brutal, beautiful world

Beyond simple contentment or despair, there’s a ‘melancholic joy’ in looking, clear-eyed, at our brutal, beautiful world

by Brian Treanor

Painting of a serene river scene with distant houses and trees reflecting in the water under a hazy blue sky.
WORRY AND RUMINATION

How to feel less stressed

Everyone handles stress differently. The ‘4Ds’ approach is about helping you find the coping strategies that work for you

by Warren Mansell & Louise Mansell

Painting of a man with medium-length hair in dark clothing, seated near a window with a city view, holding a book.
EMOTIONS

What makes hate a unique emotion – and why that matters

How does hating someone compare with anger, contempt or disgust? A clearer picture of what makes it unique is emerging

by Cristhian A Martínez

Black and white photo of a person with headphones on eyes closed hands raised appearing to enjoy music.
DIFFICULT EMOTIONS

How to enjoy your problems

Accepting your problems is one thing. To enjoy them? Well, that’s pretty much enlightenment. Here’s how to get there

by Chelsea Harvey Garner

Illustration of a person on a beach near a large artistic wave with rocks and overhanging tree branch.
FEAR AND PHOBIA

How to handle paranoid thoughts

Feel like you’re being watched, judged or talked about? These exercises will help you assess the situation and calm your mind

by Antonella Trotta

Photo of a large orange pumpkin on a table with a red first prize card in front, indoors with plants in the background.
DIFFICULT EMOTIONS

How to put your envy to good use

Envious feelings can eat you up, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Here’s how to transform envy into a guide and motivator

by Josh Gressel

Photo of a hand holding a melting ice cream cone against a clear blue sky.
DIFFICULT EMOTIONS

How to stop emotional eating

Whether compelled by an inner void, loneliness or boredom, psychoanalysis can help you understand why you seek comfort in food

by Nina Savelle-Rocklin