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Adaptations

Tales of Transformation

Career
The Difference Between Patience and Procrastination

Elizabeth Young on January 19, 2022

I have decided to learn to wait. To be patient. To let important things in my life—a shift in my career, a primary relationship—unfold over time.

I have decided to learn to wait. To be patient. To let important things in my life—a shift in my career, a primary relationship—unfold over time.

Trauma
Selfless Caregiving May Heighten Vicarious Trauma

Elizabeth Young on November 2, 2021

The story of a harrowing night in an emergency room provides insight about caregiving, vicarious trauma, and the need to build and maintain resilience.

The story of a harrowing night in an emergency room provides insight about caregiving, vicarious trauma, and the need to build and maintain resilience.

Fear
Emergence or Emergency?

Elizabeth Young on July 7, 2021

The adrenaline keeps me awake. It makes food unappetizing, makes me cry, twists my mood. Life feels difficult, but also really good. What's going on?

The adrenaline keeps me awake. It makes food unappetizing, makes me cry, twists my mood. Life feels difficult, but also really good. What's going on?

Relationships
Does Your Parents' Failure Mean They Didn't Love You?

Elizabeth Young on February 28, 2021

Mom looked at the series of childhood photos of herself wielding an ax as tall as she was: Lizzie Borden writ small. Her father's motivation was inexplicable.

Mom looked at the series of childhood photos of herself wielding an ax as tall as she was: Lizzie Borden writ small. Her father's motivation was inexplicable.

Fear
Overwhelmed by Fear?

Elizabeth Young on September 30, 2020

What does it mean to be light? Keep debilitating anxiety about the world and the future at bay.

What does it mean to be light? Keep debilitating anxiety about the world and the future at bay.

Grief
Lost in the Pandemic?

Elizabeth Young on August 29, 2020

Overwhelmed by COVID fears and regulations? Some basics about processing loss may help.

Overwhelmed by COVID fears and regulations? Some basics about processing loss may help.

Laughter
Suffering Can Be a Meaningful Part of Life

Elizabeth Young on August 2, 2019

He is too locked by ALS to wipe his eyes. As I do it for him, I don’t feel awkward or shy; we’re in that zone people achieve as they move toward death: bare, and unafraid.

He is too locked by ALS to wipe his eyes. As I do it for him, I don’t feel awkward or shy; we’re in that zone people achieve as they move toward death: bare, and unafraid.

Embarrassment
Like Flies to Heroin

Elizabeth Young on May 11, 2019

I want him to be able to tell me what he’s done; Joe has enough shame to last a hundred lifetimes. He resumes his story, “I get out my rig, heat the junk."

I want him to be able to tell me what he’s done; Joe has enough shame to last a hundred lifetimes. He resumes his story, “I get out my rig, heat the junk."

Fear
Reframing Changes in Life

Elizabeth Young on May 11, 2019

“I can’t believe I closed that door in my life,” I say, finally letting the doubt, fear, grief, and frustration pour out of me as my tears fall.

“I can’t believe I closed that door in my life,” I say, finally letting the doubt, fear, grief, and frustration pour out of me as my tears fall.

Catastrophizing
The Isolation of Catastrophic Thinking

Elizabeth Young on April 16, 2019

But I am deeply rattled by the pattern of catastrophic connections my mind has been forming: the what-ifs are harder to fend off these days.

But I am deeply rattled by the pattern of catastrophic connections my mind has been forming: the what-ifs are harder to fend off these days.

Relationships
Choosing a Story of Love

Elizabeth Young on March 2, 2019

Her voice is tense, the threatening loss of the story signifying abandonment of the baby. If she holds on to the pain, the baby won’t be gone.

Her voice is tense, the threatening loss of the story signifying abandonment of the baby. If she holds on to the pain, the baby won’t be gone.

Stress
Paper Napkins, Lipstick, and the Occasional Donut

Elizabeth Young on February 2, 2019

I soak up the bright array of color and shape, maybe buy something small like a pack of fancy paper napkins, and then feel able to return to my cat in my husbandless apartment.

I soak up the bright array of color and shape, maybe buy something small like a pack of fancy paper napkins, and then feel able to return to my cat in my husbandless apartment.

Aging
Poker and the Art of Aging

Elizabeth Young on January 25, 2019

All of us will need help at some point. Eyes, bones, hearts, and oh, yes, prostates, become human vulnerabilities with age.

All of us will need help at some point. Eyes, bones, hearts, and oh, yes, prostates, become human vulnerabilities with age.

Motivation
Goals, Girls and Gratitude

Elizabeth Young on January 4, 2019

I notice the tension in the girls' body language and laughter—and feel so glad to not be in adolescence anymore.

I notice the tension in the girls' body language and laughter—and feel so glad to not be in adolescence anymore.