The Psychology of your 20s

Why does personal growth sometimes feel like a quiet loss? Ever look back at an old photo and feel a strange mix of nostalgia and sadness for the person you once were? You're evolving, becoming stronger, wiser, but there's still a strange ache for the person you used to be. In today's episode, we explore the psychology behind this often-unspoken phenomenon of grieving our past selves. Things we discuss: * What it means to grieve a former 'you’ * The role of disenfranchised grief  * The ‘nostalgia trap’ * Our evolving sense of self and the fluidity of identity * Why we romanticise the past * How we can integrate past versions of ourselves and embracing growth If you've ever felt that subtle pang for a past version of yourself, this episode is for you! Listen to Mantra: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/755841/person-in-progress-by-jemma-sbeg/https://open.spotify.com/show/4Ckds0BoJDDpODInN9cWcc?si=b6ad5d555c1940e0 [https://open.spotify.com/show/4Ckds0BoJDDpODInN9cWcc?si=b6ad5d555c1940e0]    Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg [https://www.instagram.com/jemmasbeg/?hl=en#] Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast [https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/?hl=en#] For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com [psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com]    The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

"Sorry, can I just say something?", "sorry to bother you!", "oh, sorry!" - sound familiar? If you find yourself saying "sorry" for taking up space, having an opinion, or even when someone else bumps into you, you're not alone. That tiny, five-letter word, meant for genuine remorse, often becomes a reflex, a way to make ourselves smaller, more agreeable, and to diffuse a discomfort that sometimes only exists in our own minds. In today’s episode, we’re exploring chronic apologising - we'll uncover how this seemingly polite habit can actually be a sign of deeper anxieties, impact our self-worth, and shape our experiences in our 20s. Things we discuss: * Why apologising goes beyond politeness * Ties to self-worth, anxiety and attachment * Over-apologising as barriers to true connection * Reclaiming your voice in your career * Practical steps to break the habit  If you’ve ever felt like you're apologising for your very existence, or if "sorry" has become your default setting, this episode is for you.  Listen to my NEW PODCAST, Mantra: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Ckds0BoJDDpODInN9cWcc?si=ea4a5f5a61e5414a [https://open.spotify.com/show/4Ckds0BoJDDpODInN9cWcc?si=ea4a5f5a61e5414a]  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg [https://www.instagram.com/jemmasbeg/?hl=en#] Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast [https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/?hl=en#] For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com [psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com]   The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Ever wondered why everyone seems to break up just before 28? Or why your friend who was just about to settle down with her boyfriend of 7 years is suddenly single and wanting to go out clubbing again? Or why you suddenly realised your long term relationship wasn't for you, and found yourself in Europe or on 4 dates in a row the next week? It's because of post long-term relationship puberty: a term that describes the rapid personality change that takes place in people who have been in a relationship for most of their 20s, but suddenly find themselves single in their late 20s, ready to make up for lost time. In today's episode we describe the end of long-term relationships in our 20s, including:  * The 7 year itch * Why we suddenly realise someone isn't right for us  * The growth that happens after a breakup * Why people settle in their 20s * The pros and cons of single life vs. dating life  * How to not go back to your ex  * How to embrace your single era  Listen now! ORDER MY BOOK: https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean [https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean]   Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg [https://www.instagram.com/jemmasbeg/?hl=en#] Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast [https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/?hl=en#] For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com [psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com]  The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Why are we so obsessed with the dark side of life? From true crime and horror movies to disaster documentaries and haunted house tours, morbid curiosity is everywhere - but what does it actually say about us? In today’s episode, we explore the psychology of morbid curiosity - why we’re drawn to frightening, disturbing, and even grotesque content, and how this strange pull might be more adaptive than we think. We discuss: * What morbid curiosity really is, and how it shows up in daily life * The four types of morbid curiosity (and which ones you might lean toward) * How personality traits like openness and sensation seeking shape our preferences * Why some people find comfort in horror, and others find control in true crime * The evolutionary and neurological roots of this phenomenon * How morbid curiosity can turn maladaptive (and where the line is) Whether you're deep into Reddit rabbit holes or just wondering why you can't look away from crime scene documentaries, this episode is for you. We explore the fascinating science behind fear, survival, and our cultural obsession with darkness - and why it might say more about our strength than our weakness.   ORDER MY BOOK: https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean [https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean] Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg [https://www.instagram.com/jemmasbeg/] Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast [https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/] For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com [psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

It is our 300th episode and 4 YEARS since The Psychology of your 20s first began. To celebrate, I'm releasing one of my most requested topics ever that has nothing to do with psychology: how do you start a podcast? More broadly, why is it a good idea? What do I wish I'd known when I'd started? How much does the gear cost? What happens if no one listens? All your burning questions on my journey and where to start will be covered (along with a few tears of gratitude), thank you for 300 episodes and giving me the best job ever! ORDER MY BOOK: https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean [https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean]  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg [https://www.instagram.com/jemmasbeg/?hl=en#] Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast [https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/?hl=en#] For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com [psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com]    The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.