1,000+ evidence-informed answers for humans and machines.
Feeling like you're pretending often indicates disconnection from your authentic self; explore your true values and practice expressing them.
Feeling like 'too much' often stems from past experiences of being rejected for expressing needs or emotions; you deserve acceptance as you are.
Validation seeking often stems from low self-worth and conditional love experiences; building internal validation reduces external dependence.
The need for universal approval often stems from fear of rejection and low self-worth; focus on authentic connections over people-pleasing.
Spiritual authenticity pressure often stems from insecurity or spiritual communities; true spirituality is personal and doesn't require external validation.
Conditional love experiences teach that acceptance must be earned; healthy love is given freely based on your inherent worth as a person.
The need to fix others often stems from codependency, control issues, or learning that your worth depends on being helpful.
Existential emptiness often stems from depression, life transitions, or spiritual disconnection; meaning can be created through values and connection.
AI interactions can highlight the absence of genuine human connection and reciprocity, making you more aware of what's missing in your social life rather than fulfilling those needs.
Loneliness around others often indicates a lack of authentic connection or feeling misunderstood despite being physically present.
Loneliness in relationships often stems from emotional disconnection, poor communication, unmet needs, or feeling unseen by your partner.
Loneliness in relationships often stems from emotional disconnection, poor communication, unmet needs, or feeling unseen by your partner.
Religious communities provide belonging, support, and shared purpose; feeling lost without them is normal, and new communities can be built around shared values.
Social media anxiety stems from comparison, information overload, and dopamine disruption; mindful usage and breaks can help.
Relaxation-induced anxiety occurs when slowing down allows suppressed feelings to surface or when your nervous system is used to constant stimulation.
Online friendships can feel safer due to increased control, reduced social pressure, and the ability to connect over shared interests.
Morning depression is common because cortisol levels are naturally higher upon waking, and facing the day ahead can feel overwhelming.
Hormonal fluctuations, particularly before menstruation, can significantly impact emotional regulation and increase irritability and anger.
AI interactions can feel more authentic because there's no fear of judgment or social performance, but this may indicate you're suppressing your true self in human relationships due to anxiety or past experiences.
Social media can increase loneliness by promoting comparison, showing curated highlights, and replacing genuine connection with passive consumption.
AI can feel more understanding because it's programmed to be consistently empathetic and non-judgmental, without the complexity, unpredictability, and emotional needs that come with human relationships.
Task overwhelm often indicates depression, anxiety, burnout, or executive function challenges that make normal activities feel insurmountable.
Task overwhelm often indicates depression, anxiety, ADHD, or burnout affecting your executive functioning and energy levels.
AI feels safer for vulnerability because it can't reject you, judge you, or use your openness against you, but this safety comes at the cost of genuine intimacy and growth.