Phyllis Tobias, MSW, LICSW, ACSW

02/11/2026

02/11/2026

Be patient, invest in "weak ties," and keep showing up.

02/08/2026

Just being around your pet can make you feel better. Your body releases a hormone called oxytocin that lifts your mood and bonds you to other living things. https://wb.md/4qSBIs1

02/08/2026

Many parents jump to intervene when their kids struggle—but this can deprive children of the chance to develop a crucial skill, Russell Shaw writes. https://theatln.tc/gX7HR9x8

“In a world rife with anxiety, intensive parenting has become even more intensive, and some parents are deploying ever more sophisticated strategies to manage their children’s lives—initiating protracted grade appeals, trying to protect their child’s self-esteem by finding a part for everyone in a play, carefully curating extracurriculars to optimize their kid’s future,” Shaw continues. Even into early adulthood, some parents continue to intervene by hiring “rush consultants” for sorority recruitment or following them to their college campus.

“Too many parents, probably unwittingly, are conditioning their kids to be afraid of losing,” Shaw writes. “But experiencing failure and learning to recover from it are prerequisites for long-term success and, crucially, for mental health.”

In fact, Shaw argues, parents should encourage their kids to develop “failure immunity.”

Read more at the link in our bio.

🎨: The Atlantic. Source: Alexandra Pavlova / Getty; Westend61 / Getty.

02/08/2026

Noticing your energy feels low lately?

Your body’s “low battery mode” is a reminder to pause, unplug, and care for yourself.

Rest and boundaries aren’t avoidance — they’re sustainability.

02/04/2026

My advice? Strive to make “doing nothing” routine rather than reactive.

02/04/2026

Believe in yourself‼️

02/04/2026

Self-compassion is a powerful practice that can transform how we relate to ourselves. Here are four simple yet profound ways to bring more kindness and care into your life:
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1️⃣ Ask yourself, 'What do I need?': Pause for a moment and check in. Do you need rest, reassurance, movement, or connection? Listening to yourself with curiosity and care is a powerful act of self-compassion.
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2️⃣ Treat Yourself Like a Friend: Speak to yourself with the same kindness and understanding you’d offer a dear friend.
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3️⃣ Supportive Touch: A gentle hand on your heart or a comforting self-hug can soothe and ground you in moments of distress.
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4️⃣ Write a Self-Compassionate Letter: Put pen to paper and offer yourself words of comfort and encouragement, just as you would to someone you love.

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🌸 Have you tried any of these self-compassion practices? Share your favorite one below!
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02/04/2026

The problem with excessive control is it's rarely necessary.