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Keeping it Together | WISDOM AND TIPS FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND WHATEVER LIFE THROWS AT US | Saturday, October 2 | | |
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| It's officially October! |
| I truly can't believe September came and went so fast, but I'm looking ahead to ~spooky season~ and getting excited. |
| While I'm not planning to go to Halloween parties this year, that doesn't mean I can't enjoy the holiday in my own way throughout the month. |
| Especially when news can feel heavy and traditional holiday plans can't always be made, these are some things I'm doing to make the month feel a bit special: |
| Decorations: First thing's first, bringing some fall vibes into my space. I've already picked up a candle that fills my room with the cozy scent of warm apple cider and am planning to pick out some little pumpkins to scatter throughout my home as well. |
| Food: We can't forget holiday baking! I've been saving some new recipes to try this fall like cream cheese pumpkin bread and pumpkin pie Rice Krispies treats. I'll also be stocking up on some seasonal snack favorites form Trader Joe's during my next grocery visit. If you're looking for a drink to pair with your festival fall treats, you can try making your favorite fall coffee drinks with this recipe round-up (and save yourself a trip to Starbucks). |
| Entertainment: There's nothing that gets you into the Halloween spirit more than watching some spooky movies. I'm not a big horror movie person, but I'm do love the not-so-scary classics like "Halloweentown" and "Hocus Pocus." If you need some Halloween movie inspiration, you can check out our 2021 horror movie preview for 15 horror movies that'll scare your pants. Once the leaves start to turn, I'm also planning to do some fall foliage peeping throughout the city. The first place on my list? Central Park, of course! |
| What are some ways you're celebrating? Send us an email to let us know and your response may be featured in a future newsletter! |
Are you venting or 'trauma dumping'? |
| After a tough day at work or a date that went horribly wrong, many of us turn to friends to offload our frustration and anger. But when does venting become problematic? My colleague Jenna Ryu spoke to experts to find out. |
| We all have that friend, who constantly talks about their problems without stopping to consider how others are feeling. And sometimes, a seemingly innocent conversation about relationship troubles will suddenly pivot into a much darker one about childhood trauma or toxic parents. |
| "You might see someone at a party … and all of a sudden you're talking about an awful date you had, and how it reminded you of when you were molested as a child," says Carla Manly, a clinical psychologist and author of "Joy from Fear." |
| Though openly talking about your trauma isn't an issue in itself, Manly says a problem arises when serious information is "shared without permission, in an inappropriate place and time, and to someone who may not have had the capacity to take in this information." |
| This is what experts call trauma dumping. |
| Unlike venting, trauma dumping is done in an "unsolicited, unprepared way, where a person dumps traumatic thoughts, feelings, energy onto an unsuspecting person," whether it be a close friend or a stranger on social media. |
| To read the full article, click here. |
 | | Experts say trauma dumping is a more "toxic" version of venting. | | Getty Images | |
Today's reads |
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 | | Mount Greylock presents a painter's palette of fall color | | Ogden Gigli | |
Today's pet |
| Meet Fish. |
 | | There are plenty of "Fish" in the sea, but this one is our favorite. | | Courtesy of Sharon and Arnold Frankel | |
| "Fish was our first foster from Charleston Animal Society," write Sharon and Arnold Frankel. "He was a few weeks old and quickly became buddies with our other two cats Blue and Gizmo who insisted he move in. He is 18 months old and quite the 'catch.' " |
| And thanks to everyone for reading. Remember you can send pet photos, coping tips and anything else to our email. |
| Wishing you all the best, |
| Sara Moniuszko |
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