I came across a little gem of a book a few years ago – Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, and for me it truly felt life-changing.
Living with Intention
Posts Published by Dr. Shiva G.
Dr. Shiva Ghaed is a licensed Clinical Psychologist practicing in Southern California, with expertise in treating trauma, mood, and anxiety disorders. She has extensive formal education, has published and worked for renowned organizations throughout her life. She has made significant contributions to her field and to those who have been fortunate enough to work with her.
Self-Soothing in a Time of Crisis
COVID-19 PANDEMIC. It’s really scary, right? And there is a good reason that the whole world is hunkering down. This type of solidarity in hopes of “flattening the curve” and alleviating some of the burden on the healthcare system and providers serving on the front lines is inspiring, to say the least.
Seriously, Is The Honeymoon Already Over?
Dear Dr. G, I just discovered your advice page and have to admit I found it very useful and interesting so I thought why don’t I ask you for some advice on my situation. I met this guy online years ago and we became online friends.
Outgrowing & Ending Relationships
We all have the experience of outgrowing a relationship. Sometimes a long friendship ends abruptly, but sometimes it just feels like a long, slow, painful death. Sometimes you understand why it ended, but sometimes you are left hanging in the wind wondering what in the Hell happened.
Work-Life Balance & Wellness
We hear it all the time…from our friends, family, the media, and even at work! Life is about balance and specifically work-life balance. But do you ever feel as though you are eternally chasing this lofty state of nirvana?
Blindsided: My Wife Jumped Ship
Hello Dr. G. My wife recently left me. She told me that she wanted to find her path. She believes that she is an empath and she wants to become a holistic healer. I told her that she could do whatever she wanted but she feels I am a hinderance to her plan.
Single Mom Looking To Meet The One
Hi Dr. G. I read your advice to others regularly. Thank you. I have been a member of the Love Expands dating service for a short few weeks now. I have been divorced for almost 8 years.
Is A Boyfriend Who Goes To Strip Joints Marriage Material?
Dr. G, Hello!! My boyfriend and I have been together for 3 years. We are both 24, and until recently, have been very happy. Our parents have met and marriage has been discussed, but I am having second thoughts.
Dating: Revisiting The Long Distance Issue
Hi Dr. G., Firstly, I really enjoy reading your response’s to different people. I think you are on point about every single thing. Getting to the point, I basically have just started talking to this guy.
Casting: A Paradigm For Life
Perhaps one of our greatest flaws as human beings is how easily we slip into a state of complacency and take for granted the mundane and seemingly benign or implicit parts of life. David Foster Wallace spoke poignantly about this reality in his commencement speech in 2005.
The Importance Of Choosing Your Words
Words have weight. There is a certain gravity to a word. Some words are neutral, but the words we are most interested in are the words that carry power or denote strong, and often negative meaning.
Dr. G’s Tips For How To Sleep Better
It’s not uncommon to experience some type of sleep disturbance following a traumatic experience, during a life crisis, or with chronic anxiety or mood symptoms. But sleep is all about habits, and now may be a good time to take a closer look at your own routines and rituals surrounding sleep.
Overcoming Fear
Humans are hard-wired for fear. There is a very complex relay system in the brain involving several small structures and each plays a role in our response to danger. Fight, Flight, Freeze. The problem is that we also respond to situations or “things” that are not necessarily dangerous, and sometimes the line between real danger and perceived danger becomes blurred.
Signs Of A Toxic Relationship
Nearly all of us have been in a toxic relationship or two. Then, once we get out of that relationship and get over the heartache, we look back and wonder, “What on Earth was I thinking?”
Dating 101
In the beginning…there was Adam and Eve? Okay. Maybe, but seriously…my guess is that in the beginning ‘dating 101’ was probably a whole lot simpler than they are now. It’s likely that dating is tougher now than it used to be for a number of reasons.
I Am Dating A Married Man
Dear Dr G., I really enjoy reading your comments and advice. I feel trapped in a situation which I am really confused. I just finished an 8 years marriage and I am 30 years old now.
The Mystery Shopper
Hello Dr. G, I work at a grocery store as a cashier there is this guy who comes shopping every month. I’ve been seeing this guy for a year. I just started liking him when I first met him like in romantic movies as if there was a love surging in me.
Is It Too Late For Love?
Dear Dr. G, Is it too late for love? I’m now 23 and have never been in a relationship (never had a boyfriend). I’ve just tried to focus on school and my studies and to be honest I’ve never met someone that I can connect with.
Older Woman And Her Casanova
Greetings Dr. G, I have to say I love reading your letters. You manage to combine compassion and good sense – a delight, and instructive! I am suffering because I’m in love with a man a great deal younger than me –
He Went From Being Lovey Dovey, To Poof, No Longer Showing Interest. Why?
Dear Dr. G, I came across your advice column here on Love Expands. I read several of your Q and A’s and you hit a home run every time! I am 30, female, Iranian-American, live in the States…
Love: What Is All The Fuss About Anyway?
One might argue that it’s actually love, not money, that makes the world go ‘round. If you really think about it, almost everything we do can somehow be associated with our innate drive to find a mate – including our drive to accrue more money.