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The Doctor of Nonsense

How to get over yourself and on with your life.

Fear
Does No Good Deed Go Unpunished?

Meredith Atwood on August 13, 2021

What happens when you think you are doing a good deed, and somehow you've really missed the mark? Today, I did. Here's what happened.

What happens when you think you are doing a good deed, and somehow you've really missed the mark? Today, I did. Here's what happened.

Self-Control
Willpower Is Nonsense

Meredith Atwood on September 22, 2020

Each and every week, I handed over my little booklet and stepped on a scale at a meeting. I felt out of place. I felt large, yet small. I had "no willpower."

Each and every week, I handed over my little booklet and stepped on a scale at a meeting. I felt out of place. I felt large, yet small. I had "no willpower."

Happiness
Happiness Is Nonsense

Meredith Atwood on July 31, 2020

People speak of happiness like something we can buy, or find, or meditate to. And therefore, marketers rejoice and try to sell it to us.

People speak of happiness like something we can buy, or find, or meditate to. And therefore, marketers rejoice and try to sell it to us.

Bias
"I Am Not Racist" Is Nonsense

Meredith Atwood on June 19, 2020

Many run to the "good" neighborhoods so we can raise privileged “color-blind” children who pick up the torch and repeat it: a new generation of I-am-not-racist racists.

Many run to the "good" neighborhoods so we can raise privileged “color-blind” children who pick up the torch and repeat it: a new generation of I-am-not-racist racists.

Relationships
Mother's Day Is Nonsense

Meredith Atwood on May 9, 2020

When you think, “Have mercy, I hate Mother’s Day,” take comfort in the fact that many of us do. Mother's Day can be a sad, repeating annual trauma.

When you think, “Have mercy, I hate Mother’s Day,” take comfort in the fact that many of us do. Mother's Day can be a sad, repeating annual trauma.

Deception
Self-Sabotage Is Nonsense

Meredith Atwood on May 1, 2020

Are you the one constantly in your own way? A little dose of truth might just be what the "doctor of nonsense" orders.

Are you the one constantly in your own way? A little dose of truth might just be what the "doctor of nonsense" orders.

Addiction
Finding Your Purpose During Quarantine Is Nonsense

Meredith Atwood on April 16, 2020

The quarantine life—depending on what's going on personally, of course—is turning into a nightmare of "shoulds," to-do lists, and the ridiculous goal of "finding our purpose."

The quarantine life—depending on what's going on personally, of course—is turning into a nightmare of "shoulds," to-do lists, and the ridiculous goal of "finding our purpose."

Health
Stuck Is Nonsense

Meredith Atwood on March 12, 2020

Does each day feel like Groundhog Day? The good news? You aren't stuck. Really.

Does each day feel like Groundhog Day? The good news? You aren't stuck. Really.

Career
Mondays Are Nonsense

Meredith Atwood on February 10, 2020

Mondays are the worst day of the week. True or False? Mostly false, and here's why.

Mondays are the worst day of the week. True or False? Mostly false, and here's why.