by Stephanie Benedetto | Apr 7, 2025 | Personal Development
I grew up knowing I was strong. My mother, her sisters, my grandmother, all of them were strong women both physically and mentally. Known for their broad shoulders and muscular legs, they are the pillars of our family. When I’d run to my mother with a complaint, her...
by Stephanie Benedetto | Apr 6, 2025 | Personal Development
Habits. Pop psychology loves to label them “good” or “bad.” You’re told to replace the bad habits with better ones, and use rewards to make them stick. Atomic Habits, Tiny Habits, The Power of Habit… These books preach different methodologies, but they all seem to...
by Stephanie Benedetto | Feb 20, 2025 | Personal Development
A three minute walk from our apartment, just before Praia da Gaivota, is our favorite Indian restaurant, Tandoori Flames. It’s run by a group of people who come from the same town in India, and Sarab is always our server. Sarab, whose name means mirage, greets us with...
by Stephanie Benedetto | Jan 28, 2025 | Personal Development
I came across an article in The Guardian today announcing the release of four Israeli hostages in a prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas. I don’t follow the news, especially war news, because thinking about the horrible things humans do to each other hurts my...
by Stephanie Benedetto | Jan 27, 2025 | Personal Development
What does it mean to “put yourself first?” The phrase is batted around in personal growth circles and worn like a badge of honor when a person declares they’ve done it. “I’m finally putting myself first!” I don’t think putting yourself first is what we think it is....
