I came across an incredibly insightful book by Alain de Botton, Emotional Education, which would be a great addition to the already long list of books I’d gladly translate into Ukrainian. We tend to underestimate the importance of our emotional world, seeing it as something secondary and private. This book addresses many essential topics related…

I am tired and alive. Today, without much structure or answers, just about the desire to fit everything in and figure out how to feel grounded in a world of endless possibilities. Insect or Superhuman? Lately, I feel torn apart by the sheer amount of everything I do, ideas, and choices. Preparing a presentation for…

Many of us are taught — subtly or directly — to wait for the big break, the grand opportunity, the once-in-a-lifetime chance that will change everything. We imagine success as something cinematic: one interview, one investor, one perfect partner, one brilliant idea — and life will finally start. But the truth is that the big…

As I was working on my article about emotions, I started reflecting on what effectiveness truly means to me. We often hear about effectiveness in the context of work, time management, and productivity. Being organized, achieving results, optimizing, performing. But there’s something about all of this that sounds dry, mechanical, lifeless. In English, there are…

What is “bad behavior” and what does it mean to be a “good mother”? What types of defense mechanisms are there, and are we perhaps sometimes running away from life? What can we do with overstimulation, how can we self-regulate and create a peaceful space at home with children? Four questions for choosing a partner…

Pain is often perceived as an enemy — something to avoid, suppress, or numb. From childhood, we are taught to seek comfort and safety and avoid suffering. However, when viewed through the lens of psychology, philosophy, and personal development, pain is not just an obstacle but a necessary component of growth. Just as the body…

Relationships are primarily about communication. Communication is built on active listening, clarity, empathy, openness, non-verbal cues, context awareness, and mutual respect. Relationships influence not only our personal lives but also parenting, work, society, and overall well-being. These books on relationships and communication can help you better understand yourself, learn to communicate more effectively, and most…

Richard Schwartz’s book You Are the One You’ve Been Waiting For offers a brilliantly simple yet revolutionary approach to relationships and personal healing. Our deepest wounds and relationship struggles stem from unprocessed parts within us, which we often mistakenly identify as our core self. The idea that there is a true Self and accumulated parts…

There is no perfect soul mate, no flawless lover. We are all stumbling around, treading on each other’s toes as we are learning to love. Dr. Sue Johnson – Hold Me Tight Dr. Sue Johnson, the founder of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), asserts that love is not a mystery but a science. It is based…

The book Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff delves into her own anthropological explorations among various civilizations, including the Inuit, Māori, Hunza, Maasai, and Gabonese tribes. In the “pressure cooker” of Western nuclear families, much attention is given to a child’s independence, often demanded in an imperative manner. In contrast, in the aforementioned tribes, children…