Hi Reader,
I recently had an eye injury that required me to wear a warm eye mask a few times a day for 20 minutes at a time. Since I couldn’t look at my phone while doing it, I ended up just lying there quietly with my thoughts like it was 1994.
And honestly, it felt surprisingly restorative.
It also made me realize how rarely I do anything without adding more input. Podcasts on walks. Audible books in the car. Webinars while cooking dinner. Scrolling Instagram while waiting to order my almond milk latte.
We’ve all gotten very good at distracting ourselves.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about attention, presence, and how easy it is to lose touch with ourselves and the people around us when our attention is constantly split.
If you’ve been craving a little less noise and a little more presence lately, here are three resources I hope will be helpful this month:
1. ⚖️ Dopamine Nation Talk with Dr. Anna Lembke
Stanford psychiatrist and Dopamine Nation author Anna Lembke explains the neuroscience behind addiction, overstimulation, pleasure, and emotional health in a way that is clear, practical, and easy to understand.
2. 📖 Blog: Why People-Pleasing Feels So Hard to Stop
People-pleasing is often rooted in anxiety and a nervous system that learned early to prioritize everyone else’s emotions first. This post explores why the pattern develops, how it affects relationships, and how people start reconnecting with their own needs, feelings, and boundaries.
3. 💞 Gottman Couples Workbook: Quizzes & Games
This workbook includes the Bid Quiz, Rituals of Connection Quiz, Relationship Bingo, a Conversation Starter Game, and Game of Hearts. It’s a fun way to bring more play, curiosity, and connection into your relationship.
Wishing you more moments to slow down, look up, and enjoy the people and moments right in front of you.
Take good care,
Megan
If these newsletters and resources have been helpful, I'd love it if you'd leave me a review. It helps other people find the support they are looking for.
MeganHaaseLMHC.com
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