To say Sarah Thebarge has had somewhat of an eventful life in her few short decades is an understatement.
From breast cancer to broken engagements, and hiding in closets with refugees, she’s someone who has had to push the pause button quite a few times to say, “Uh, God? What’s going on here?” (My paraphrase.)
You might think that Katelyn is guest posting today because she is the Managing Editor of Christianity Today magazine–or because of our mutual love of improv–but the reality is that it’s none of those things.
I paid her a whole lot of money.
I remember first reading Deborah Tannen’s research in college. It opened my eyes to many of the incredible strengths—and therefore weaknesses—we as human beings have when it comes to communication and understanding each other.
So much of the gender differences she highlighted were things I could see in many of my male peers and in the couples that I would watch (in a creepy way, of course). Read more
Hey Joy,
I just got out of a pretty serious relationship. My boyfriend and I had been dating for a while, even both saying, “I love you”—until one day he came to me and said, “I don’t love you anymore.” I haven’t heard from him since. Read more
Hey Joy,
I’m 22 and have my first girlfriend. She’s pretty amazing—except once a month, she has severe PMS that causes her to go a little cuckoo. I didn’t grow up with sisters or any close girlfriends, so I don’t have any experience handling these swings—it’s the core of our conflicts, and I don’t know what to do anymore. My girlfriend recognizes this issue, and doesn’t want to be this way, but she just has these severe symptoms.
This is going to keep happening every single month. What can I do? Is there hope?
Hey friendlings!
Today I’m comin’ at you from the sunny suburbs because finally, finally, I got visitation rights to see Walter, my long-lost dog love. Unfortunately, he won’t stop hiding under the table.
I think that means he missed me. Read more
Happy Valentine’s Day, Everyone!
In case you missed it yesterday, my friend, Justin, and I shared a (slightly cloudy) memory of my first date. Let’s just say it didn’t exactly go as planned.
So today on the “holiday of love,” may all your dates be filled with free ice cream, gold charms, and Oscar-worthy films that don’t result in door slamming! (And a whole lot more Love and Respect than 16 year-olds know how to give.)
My sister-in-law recently told me that there are three sides to every story:
1. Theirs.
2. Ours.
3. What actually happened.
Hey Joy,
Two questions:
1. When you want to laugh and have fun, who comes to mind first?
2. What are your thoughts on interracial relationships? Read more
One of the side effects to the delay or absence of marriage in our culture is that many of us have had strong connections with people who we didn’t end up with forever. (This is by no means a bad thing if we choose to treat the people we date well.)
Hi Joy,
I have a question about the delineation between dependence and assistance. For me, I have always done better when I have a romantic relationship to motivate (inspire?) me to do better.
Joy,
I’ve got a bit of a situation—I’ve gone out on several dates with someone, but I’m essentially just not attracted to them for a few reasons. How do I tell them nicely? Especially when they are so into me? Do people want to hear the truth? I am not sure I know how to let this person down gracefully AND to the point that they understand it is a no-go.
—Beth
Welcome to 2014!
14 is my favorite number so I’m thinking there’s gonna be a lot of…I don’t know what, but I’m just happy about 14 representing.
In light of one of the themes behind The Illumination Project—the importance of seeking counsel—I’ve brought in the ‘rents to talk all things wisdom.
They are, after all, older and wiser.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing some interviews I did with my mom and pop about what they would tell themselves at different stages of their lives—as singles, as newlyweds, as new parents.
Did you hear the good news?! The Illumination Project has officially launched! Don’t know what I’m talking about?! You may be living under a rock!
Lucky for you, the party is just getting started and even rock-dwellers are welcome.
Did you know that there’s a resource page on this here thing?? Well there is, and guess what? I like hearing from YOU…
This was submitted and I thought it was worth sharing—those of you who are dating can take stock of what’s going on in the brain train (and laugh at themselves), and you married folk can reminisce and remember what it was like when they hid knives behind their backs on the first date…
I just started dating this wonderful woman—I really care about her, and love the heart she has for having a family someday. Problem is, we just started dating, and because I have to travel a lot for my career, I just left the country for a couple of months.
Hey Joy,
I recently met someone. Bummer is, one of us is moving twenty hours away. We have had several discussions about giving this a chance or not.
We are taking that chance!
When I speak, I often get questions that essentially ask, “What do I do, Joy, when life isn’t quite turning out how I planned?”
But, I know what they’re really asking.
Read more
When I speak, I often get questions that essentially ask, “What do I do, Joy, when life isn’t quite turning out how I planned?”
But, I know what they’re really asking.
Read more
When I speak, I often get questions that essentially ask, “What do I do, Joy, when life isn’t quite turning out how I planned?”
But, I know what they’re really asking. Read more
Hey, friendlings!
A little while back, I did an Ask Joy about being heartbroken and angry and how we can actually retrain our brains to combat these feelings, reshaping our future experiences.
Seriously, our little brains are even smarter than we think! Read more
Hi Joy,
I watched your video about leading people on. At first I thought, “Oh! I am free and clear. I never lead anyone on…ever. They just take my friendliness out of context.” Then I realized my behavior hasn’t been just friendly. I have been the textbook definition of a tease and now I don’t know what to do. So my question is: how do you dig yourself out once you’ve led someone on?
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