HAPPY 100th EPISODE! In this week's episode, we are celebrating two very special milestones - 100 episodes of The Psychology of your 20s and the 2 year anniversary of the show. I decided to sit down and answer some of your questions around what I've learned from this experience, what advice I would give, how I'm going, my future plans, why heartbreak gave me the best gift I could have asked for and give some lighting round advice to my most asked questions.  I want to say a huge thank you for all the support and love this show has received. It had such humble beginnings. I started it as an audio journal to just talk about my 20s and now its my full time job and my greatest passion. Your support means the world, thank you to all my listeners, new and old for the way you changed my life! Listen now for more sappy reflections. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our 20s we can often feel like we have to have a plan for our lives or a 5 year vision for where we want to be. This can cause us to be boxed in and blind to the surprises opportunities that life throws our way. The idea of a 5 year plan is a myth and in today's episode, we are going to break down why. From societal conventions of a 'good' life, the butterfly effect, the psychology behind impulsive decisions and goal setting and the need for a sense of control over the chaos of our 20s, we explore all that and more to uncover why your school counsellor was wrong and you DON'T need a five year plan for your life. Listen now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes our biggest enemy isn't others, it's ourselves. Self sabotage is a complicated psychological experience whereby we unconsciously undermine our own goals and wellbeing because of an implicit belief that we don't deserve our success, are afraid of failure, or cannot allow ourselves to be happy. From dating people we shouldn't, to procrastination, indecision, doom scrolling and self destructive behaviours, it all comes down to our unconscious beliefs about our self worth. Today we explore the origins and causes of self sabotage, from Freud's ideas of the 'death drive' and 'anti-self', coping mechanisms, to the impact of unresolved emotional trauma and self punishment to understand why it is we self sabotage, and how we can get out of our own way. Listen now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Long distance in any relationship can be hard, so why do we choose to do it? In our 20s our relationships take on an increased level of seriousness, but at the same time we are also presented with so many wonderful decisions to travel, move new places, try new positions and jobs and figure out what we want from our lives. However, our partners don't always make the same decision. In this episode, we discuss the long distance dilemma - why distance can cause so much friction and conflict, the crucial considerations and signs that your long distance relationship will last, and how to know when its time to call it quits and walk away. We reveal all the psychology behind why long distance relationships work, and why they don't. Listen now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recently I've been feeling, as the episode title says, ugly. My relationship with my body and sense of 'attractiveness' has always been complicated and in the past few months, certain events and experiences have only exacerbated a lot of the insecurities I've had since childhood. So I wanted to talk about it, because I know I'm not the only one. Our 20s involve a lot of self growth, coming into our own identity and reframing our mindset on appearance and our relationships with our bodies. So what are some of the reasons why we feel 'ugly', how does that experience impact our emotional and mental wellbeing, what is the influence of societally held beauty standards and how we can escape this narrative that our looks are the extend of our worth to society. We talk about all of that and more in today's episode. Listen now.  If you need further information, resources or assistance please refer to the following services:  Australia - The Butterfly Foundation https://butterfly.org.au/get-support/helpline/USA - National Eating Disorders Association https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.orgUK - Beat Eating Disorders https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.ukCanada - National Eating Disorder Information Centre https://nedic.caWorldwide - https://www.verywellmind.com/leading-eating-disorder-charities-and-organizations-4145389See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dating in our 20s can feel like an uphill battle, and many of us are seeking an alternative to casual relationships and meaningless flings or hookups. This week on the podcast, we discuss how we can adopt an intentional approach to our romantic life and dating decisions, in particular, how this can free us from some of the pressure and stress that accompanies dating in our 20s. We discuss the psychology and research behind self awareness, value and goal orientation, self concept, understanding what others want and how to lower your expectations and meet people organically so that we can embrace the excitement and fun of meeting new people and forming meaningful connections. Listen now.  Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/?hl=enSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2020, Bradley found himself questioning death. He was 24 and lying in hospital bed with bleeding lungs caused by his condition, cystic fibrosis. Three years later, he has run multiple marathons, left behind his successful career as a realtor and is now running his podcast 'A Lot To Talk About', sharing his story. This week we break down his journey, including his philosophy towards overcoming the adversity we all face in our 20s, whatever that may be. We dive into the psychology of living with a chronic disease and how Bradley's entire perspective has changed since 2020. Listen to his inspiring story and interview now.  Bradley's podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0F7u8INlXQ0KvtjwK6Zf12?si=3bfe175327f94848 Follow Bradley on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradleyjdryburgh/?hl=en   Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/?hl=enSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All of us in our 20s have some goal or ambition that we are striving for and whatever that may be, consistency is the key to our success. On this episode we break down how we can use the psychology behind consistency and motivation to help achieve our goals, from microhabits to delayed gratification, self compassion, a monthly routine and incremental reinforcement. We also examine some of the science and social psychology behind productivity and how society has dictated the ways in which we pursue our goals and why we might have it wrong. Join us as we deep dive into the ways we can cultivate consistency in our 20s. Listen now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Platonic soulmates represent the idea that our deepest relationships and our strongest bonds don't have to be romantic, sexual or based on attraction, they can be between us and our friends. This idea of platonic soulmates has been on the rise, however, it's not a new phrase. Plato, the ancient greek philosopher, was one of the first people to identify this feeling of deep connection and understanding between two individuals that appears to be inexplicable or spiritual. From there, psychology has expanded on whether this concept is even real, why we feel this way towards certain people, what makes a platonic soulmate, the impact these relationships have on our wellbeing and lives and how to identify when one of these people has entered your life. Listen now as we deep dive into the psychology of platonic soulmates. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our 20s, we face an increasing sense of pressure to reach certain important, life milestones, such as getting into our first relationship, graduating university, finding our career path, getting engaged and so many more. When we don't meet the expectations or the timeline that society gives us, we can feel like failures and begin to self sabotage or ruminate on our faults and flaws. This week we're going to explore the psychology behind milestone anxiety - the experience of stress and unease when we haven't achieved certain milestones by a certain age - why it occurs, the influence of social comparison and conditioning, how we can combat this feeling, practice self compassion and be excited by our own journey through life, and our 20s. Listen now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, we're diving into the psychology behind open relationships in our 20s - why people are attracted to the idea of non-monogamy, how they operate, the boundaries that are set, how to navigate sexual jealousy and whether they actually work? Open relationships have become an increasingly popular alternative to traditional monogamy, but they are not a new concept. Why are some people more curious when it comes to open relationships? Do some people need more sex than others? Whats the point of being in a committed relationship if you're allowed to date other people? We set out to answer all of these questions in todays episode to further understand the psychology behind open relationships. Listen now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, I'm joined by the fabulous Al and Sal, the hosts of Two Broke Chicks, to discuss how we can maintain our identity in a relationship, especially in our 20s. Our romantic relationships are fundamental elements of our identity and we all crave the warm and fuzzy feelings that accompany dating someone wonderful. But how do we ensure that our partners and relationship do not take over our lives, our identity and our independence? We break down the everyday practices to ensure our individuality remains strong, why you shouldn't neglect your friendships and how to identify when you may need to draw back and spend some time alone. Listen now. Follow and listen to Two Broke Chicks here: https://open.spotify.com/show/3d4z5FXeXAtmmP6DPhkpzw?si=027c610a26e54474See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the podcast we are breaking down the psychology of our dreams - why we dream, the role of our brain, what our dreams mean, repressed desires, nightmares and even the role of daydreaming for our mental wellbeing. If you've ever wondered about your weird dreams, some of the scientific theories and whether you are a maladaptive daydreamer, this episode is for you as we jump into the fascinating science and psychology behind these imaginative, colourful hallucinations. Listen now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many of us in our 20's have become disillusioned with the 9-5 lifestyle and the reality of working an office job for the rest of our lives. Psychology shows us that the 9-5 job is not only inefficient but unnatural, leaving us feeling burnt-out, unmotivated, detached from the things that matter and searching for an alternative that offers both freedom and flexibility. This week, I talk about my own journey of leaving behind my 9-5 job and pursuing the podcast full time; from why I made my decision, what the transition has been like and my advice and tips on how you can do the same. Listen now to understand why you should quit your 9-5. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Perfectionism is on the rise amongst young people, and in this episode we break down exactly what it means to have perfectionist tendencies. We examine the theories of personality, our upbringing, links to OCD and ADHD and what it means for academic performance and anxiety. We also dive into some of the methods for minimising our perfectionism, including visualisation, the 80-20 rule, cognitive behavioural therapy and positive self talk to show how life isn't perfect, so you don't have to be either. Listen now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Friday we sit down with the wonderful Violet Benson, host of the podcast Almost Adulting, also known for her famous meme account, Daddy Issues, as we discuss everything dating in our 20s, specifically the truth about daddy issues, healing childhood trauma and parental relationships and how to reestablish your boundaries and standards. That, and so much more. Listen now! Follow Violet everywhere:  Almost Adulting podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IY1Gjc1uktmDCmNLA0HXo?si=14792ff30f75463e Violet Benson - https://www.instagram.com/violetbenson/?hl=en Daddy Issues - https://www.instagram.com/daddyissues_/?hl=en  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we break down the psychological, biological and evolutionary underpinnings of loneliness and break down some of the stigma around feeling lonely in your 20's. This decade is full of a number of significant life transitions and changes that can lead us to feel isolated and detached, but loneliness sometimes get's a bad wrap. We explore how we can cultivate a better relationship with loneliness by understanding the instinctual urges behind this feeling, embracing solitude and reframing the narrative around exactly how common it is to feel lonely in your 20's. Listen now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode we break down the science and psychology of the internet and TikTok sensation of "lucky girl syndrome". We explore the ideas and theories behind self fulfilling prophecies, confirmation bias, goal-oriented behaviour, brain anatomy and the power of positive affirmations on shifting our mindset to reveal whether lucky girl syndrome is fact or fiction, and where ideas of privilege and personality come in.  Listen now! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we are discussing the science and psychology of emotional unavailability and breaking down the misconceptions and myths about emotional unavailability in our 20's, particularly when it comes to dating people who won't commit. We’re going to break down exactly what emotional unavailability versus availability looks like and how it manifests in relationships, what emotional unavailability means on a personal, individual level, the difference between men and women when it comes to this concept and how to develop emotional availability and grow closer to the ones we love and attract those who are equally emotionally available. Listen now! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we are joined by Lyss Boss, the host of Date Yourself Instead, to discuss dating in our 20's, particularly what it means to deliberately choose to be single, how we can learn from past relationships and heal our attachment styles. Alongside this we dive into the psychology behind karmic relationships, repeating toxic patterns in relationships and learning to move on through authenticity and creativity. Listen now! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we discuss the psychology behind why we all should be prepared to talk risks and push beyond our comfort zone in our 20’s. This topic has a lot of personal relevance for me right now, which I share in this episode, but there is also a lot of science and psychology that is incredibly compelling and persuasive as to why taking a risk is a good thing! From studies on the impact of regret and inaction, to existential dread and the difference between bounded and unbounded risk, we are going to break down all of the explanations behind taking that leap of faith in our 20’s. Listen now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Breakups and heartache are a universal experience in our 20’s. But what exactly happens to our minds, our bodies and our emotions at the end of a relationship? This week we will break down the psychology and the science behind breakups, heartbreak and moving on. We will explore the theory of withdrawal, stages of grief, conditioning and the psychology behind why ‘no contact’ really does work to hopefully provide some solace to all the heartbroken out there on what exactly a breakup does to our psychology. Buy merch here: https://the-psychology-of-your-20s.myshopify.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we break down the psychology behind eating disorders - from anorexia to bulimia and binge eating disorder. Amalie Lee, the Host of the Recovery Talk podcast joins us to discuss her own experience with anorexia and as an eating disorder recovery coach as we break down the triggers and origins of eating disorders, the misconceptions, how they impact our psychological and emotional well-being and the journey to healing and recovery. If you or someone you know needs help or for further information and psychological services on eating disorders, please see the following:Australia - The Butterfly Foundation https://butterfly.org.au/get-support/helpline/USA - National Eating Disorders Association https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.orgUK - Beat Eating Disorders https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.ukCanada - National Eating Disorder Information Centre https://nedic.caWorldwide - https://www.verywellmind.com/leading-eating-disorder-charities-and-organizations-4145389See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the podcast we discuss the experience of worrying and overthinking the future. From anticipatory anxiety, the the illusion of control, paradox of choice and self preservation, anxiety about the future has a lot of psychological origins that we will unpack in todays episode to try and find freedom from future spiralling and embrace the moment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we dive into the psychology behind hookup culture and casual dating in our 20’s. We are joined by the host of The Openhouse Podcast, Louise Rumball, as we discuss the cultural and societal changes that have contributed to this sexual liberation, what happens to our brain during and after a hookup, empowering ourselves through pleasure but also healthy boundaries and the science and personal stories behind why casual dating may not be for everyone. Listen now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the show we dive into what it really means to heal your inner child. From reparenting to relearning your attachment style, the power of play and protecting your inner childlike wonder and curiosity, we discuss the psychology and everyday practices we can enact to connect and heal our inner child wounds and bring that joy and vulnerability to our adult lives. Listen now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the show we deep dive into why we outgrow our friendships as we enter our 20’s. We often have a romanticised idea that friendships last a lifetime, but during this decade we realise that it’s a lot more nuanced. We explore the main factors behind the friendship “fizzle”, why it’s a normal part of growing up, how we can handle the emotions that come along with and learn to value solitude and be selective when it comes to our friendships. Listen now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we deep dive into everything there is to know about therapy in our 20’s. From identifying when you need therapy, to finding the right therapist, the different types of therapy that are available, some of the misconceptions about therapy and the details of your first session, this episode provides all the information to remove some of the mysticism and stigma behind getting some help for your mental health in your 20’s. Listen now.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week I am joined by Chidera Eggerue, otherwise known as the Slumflower, host of the Slumflower Hour and author of the Number 1 Sunday Times Bestsellers What a Time to be Alone (2018) and How to Get Over a Boy (2020) to discuss attachment styles, how to set boundaries and non-negotiables when dating men. We discuss the own hard lessons we’ve learnt through our intimate relationships, how to reclaim your power, the psychology behind why we accept the bare minimum and so much more. Listen now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This weeks episode we deep dive into the psychology self confidence and how we can master our sense of confidence and self assurance to be the best versions of ourselves. We discuss the elements that make up confidence, the impact of nature versus nurture and the difference between self confidence and arrogance. We also explore some of the evidence-based strategies that we can use to improve our self esteem and why “faking it till you make it” is more than just a saying. Listen now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this weeks episode we discuss the evolutionary and psychological reasons behind why we gossip. We explore the origins of gossip, the different forms of gossip and how it influences our 20’s, particularly our social connections and sense of community. We also dive into the downsides of rumours and slander, how gossip has evolved with social media and discuss how we can break free of the cycle of gossip in our lives and create more positive conversations and relationships. Listen now.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we discuss codependency and how it can manifest in our friendships and relationships in our 20’s. We break down some of the misconceptions around codependency, the origins of the terms and early signs our relationships may be codependent. We also dive into the difference between healthy dependency and maladapative codependency and how we can recenter and restore balanced and mutual relationships with those in our lives. Thank you to today’s sponsor, Athletic Greens. Please use the following link for a FREE one year supply for immune supporting vitamin D and five free travel packs at www.athleticgreens.com/JemmaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we discuss the idea of the dream job, whether it is fact or fiction? We discuss where the idea of the “dream job” comes from, why we feel so much pressure around deciding what we want to do with our lives, career anxiety and how to rebalance our relationship with our professional lives in our 20’s. Listen now to learn more. Thank you to today’s sponsor, Athletic Greens. Please use the following link for a FREE one year supply for immune supporting vitamin D and five free travel packs at www.athleticgreens.com/JemmaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we discuss the psychology of authenticity and how we can discover and therefore embrace our authentic selves. We discuss what it is to be authentic, why we suffer when we are disconnected from our true selves and the daily practices we can incorporate to live authentically, be vulnerable and consistent with our core self and values. Thank you to todays sponsor Athletic Greens. Please use the following link for a FREE one year supply for immune supporting vitamin D and five free travel packs at www.athleticgreens.com/JemmaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week I bring on a special guest and a close friend, artist Sydney Farey, to discuss the horrors and surprises of dating in our 20’s. We discuss the psychology behind why we are attracted to the wrong people, the impact of our childhood and early relationships on our romantic lives and how to prioritise yourself whilst we date during our 20’s.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we break down the psychology of New Years resolutions, the significance of the new year for making goals and promises to ourselves, why we set New Years resolutions, the typical reasons we tend to fail and how to be successful. We explore self efficacy, personal development theory and the psychology behind failure to understand how we can achieve our 2023 goals.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we discuss loneliness, particularly around the holiday season. Why is it that we feel so lonely during that period between the holidays and the new year, whether we are surrounded by family or spending our time alone and what are some of the explanations for this feeling. We discuss the benefits and downsides of solitude, how to overcome loneliness and why the holiday season can be so difficult.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the holiday season I thought it would be a great time to discuss how we can set boundaries within our closest relationships. From emotional, physical, financial to spiritual boundaries, how can we establish realistic and sustainable boundaries in our lives and what do we do when someone violates these. Thank you to todays sponsor Athletic Greens. Please use the following link for a FREE one year supply for immune supporting vitamin D and five free travel packs at www.athleticgreens.com/JemmaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we discuss our quarter life crisis! Whilst it may be a normal experience for those of us in our 20’s, the experience can be incredibly scary and stressful. We dive into how to navigate a quarter life crisis, the characteristics of this period, why it’s important for our growth and how to move through this experience and come out the other side as successful and healed individuals. Thank you to todays sponsor Athletic Greens. Please use the following link for a FREE one year supply for immune supporting vitamin D and five free travel packs at www.athleticgreens.com/JemmaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we discuss social comparison, the good, the bad, the psychology. We talk about why it is that we compare ourselves to others, the impacts of social comparison and how to break the cycle of judging our attributes and characteristics compared to others.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With many of us entering the colder, winter months, understanding what seasonal depression is and how it impacts our mood, energy levels, appetite and mental well-being is crucial. This week we break down the science and psychology behind seasonal affective disorder and how we can overcome the ‘winter blues’ brought on by the colder months.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we discuss the insidious nature of diet culture and how it convinces us we need to change our bodies to be happier. We discuss how diet culture has become so influential through normalisation, repetition across social media, social approval and early learning in childhood. Finally we talk about how to push back against the negative beliefs and behaviours ingrained in us by diet culture and embrace our bodies.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week I have invite on a special guest to chat about whether exes can be friends. Our conclusion, well … you’ll have to listen. We talk through how we fell in love, why we broke up and whether we could get back together. Thank you to todays sponsor Athletic Greens. Please use the following link for a FREE one year supply for immune supporting vitamin D and five free travel packs at www.athleticgreens.com/JemmaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we discuss the characteristics of toxic parents and the impact they have on our development and adulthood. We dive into narcissistic parental abuse, intergenerational trauma, overcoming a toxic upbringing and how to establish boundaries.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do we explain the feeling where we have everything we could want, but we still feel so unhappy and dissatisfied? In this episode we explore some of the reasons for unhappiness in the face of success and everything we have ever wanted to dispel some of the stigma around sadness, depressive episodes and the normalcy of feeling unhappy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rejection can be such a blow to our self-esteem, whether it’s romantic, with friends, at work or during our studies. Rejection can be a painful experience, but psychology can explain many of the reasons why we look to avoid rejection and how we can overcome experiences of rejection, especially in our 20’s. Thank you to todays sponsor Athletic Greens. Please use the following link for a FREE one year supply for immune supporting vitamin D and five free travel packs at www.athleticgreens.com/JemmaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we discuss how to be happy being alone and all the amazing benefits that come with single hood in our 20’s! How can we cultivate a life we love despite being single and why do we crave love even when we are happy being alone?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BONUS EPISODE. This week we discuss the power of micro habits and how we can integrate them into our everyday lives to create the lifestyle changes we are after in our 20’s.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.