The word “Crazy” has been used to undermine and discredit women since the dawn of time. “She’s nuts, a psycho, way too emotional”. We’ve all heard it, but we’re too quick to believe it. In fact, it says way more about the person who said it than the person they’re referring to, and it’s a
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We all think that everyone else has the perfect family and that ours are the only ones who are completely dysfunctional. When we visit our friends’ homes, their parents are sweet and light, the house is always clean, and they are loving to each other. NEWSFLASH: ITS A FACADE! Every family has its ups and
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Dear Reader, I don’t care who you are. For all I know, you’re a 44-year-old man trying to figure out what’s going on in his daughter’s head. Or perhaps you’ve just finished an exam and you’re anxious about your results. As I said before, I don’t care. Because that’s not what’s important. What’s important, is
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Back in May, we ran a writing competition where we asked secondary school girls across Ireland to submit a piece on either: A lived experience they have overcome, and what they learned. A profile of a woman they admire. An opinion piece with a positive and empowering message. Here at SHONA, we believe in
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When I first started skipping meals, I thought it was what you were supposed to do to lose weight. I wasn’t the only person I knew doing it, so naturally, I didn’t see a problem. When I stopped eating completely for days at a time, excuses were given and the ‘oh I ate earlier’ line
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Steph, our wonderfully talented Psychotherapy and valued Shona team member, has something a little different for everyone this week. It’s a tough one, so mind yourself while reading it. But sometimes important messages are tough to hear. It’s not her typical Ask Steph piece. This is especially for when it all gets too much. She’s
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Most of us suck at asking for help. We’re not sure if that’s a girl thing, an Irish thing, or a human thing. Asking for help with our mental health is a whole other level of nope. “I’m fine, everything’s just peachy, thanks for asking.” According to Clinical psychologist John Mayer, this is often because
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You’ve been friends since pre-school. Your parents get on. She’s like family. You have matching friendship bracelets. She’s your bestie for life. Or is she? There are unfortunately a few types of friends that you really don’t need. A quick way to check if a friend is a good one is to ask yourself one
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Ah, the brain. Our little inner best friend that’s always there for us, but is so deeply complicated that it can also be your biggest bully. Did you know that your brain processes somewhere between 60,000 and 80,000 thoughts per day? That’s an average of 2,500 to 3,300 thoughts per hour! Just let that sink
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I write poetry as a way for my mind to communicate with itself. Poetry to me is a gift, a voice, a drive, and a passion that is either present or absent in my life. Poetry has helped me during my battle with PTSD. Writing my struggle with PTSD down has given me the confidence
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No, you’re not crazy. Teenage brains just feel like that sometimes. The teenage years can feel like an emotional rollercoaster. One minute you’re happy and the next you’re trying to figure out why everyone around you is so damn irritating! This is all perfectly normal; let us explain. via GIPHY The stress of fitting in,
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We live in two worlds: the one we see, feel, touch and smell, and the one that exists online, which we enter through our phones, tablets or laptops. Our relationships with the real and online worlds are important to us, but to live healthy and happy lives it’s important to maintain a balance between both.
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Going to secondary school is very exciting – there is a new building, uniform, new friends, teachers and lots of opportunities to try new subjects and activities. But it can also be a bit daunting, even to those who aren’t heading into first year. This year it’s even more confusing, after months off and new
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Ah, heartbreak. If Monday’s could be a feeling, we think this would be it. Whether you finally plucked up enough courage to tell them you liked them, like really like like them, and were shot down with the “I just want to be friends“. Or, you’ve been together for years, have your whole summer mapped
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Hi everyone! My name is Julie (she/her/hers) and I’d like to talk to you about something really cool. It’s about emotions and cutlery. I know, sounds random, but bear with me. You might not think cutlery can become the basis of a life-changing way to view your emotions, but, surprise, it can! And not
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Women are fiery, strong, compassionate, resilient and beautiful creatures. And yet we live in a world that doesn’t celebrate these things as much as it should. Media celebrates a very narrow definition of beauty, one that doesn’t last because time passes, and we grow up and grow old. Gravity hits and traumas, scars and stretch
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The last 14 months have left most people feeling overwhelmed and slightly jaded. If you have spent a lot of time worrying about the future that is okay. So much change has happened over the last year. The good news is you don’t have to have all the answers. You can look back on this
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Do you ever find yourself in a funk or a mood and have no idea how to get out of it? Well, we have asked our Shona Ambassador and health psychology expert Orna Murray to talk about how movement can unlock way more energy and help you to feel more positive and open. Body &
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