425. Why we want people who don't want us back

431. Why a boring life is beautiful

What might be seen as a ‘boring’ life is often just a life that wouldn’t be as popular on Instagram. In a world that glamorises chaos, spontaneity and constant stimulation, we need to create lives that truly nourish us, provide safety, and align with who we really are. In this episode, we explore the psychology behind why so many of us begin craving calm as we get older, why that can feel oddly threatening, and why slowing down may be one of the best things we can do for our brains. We explore: •        Why many of us start craving a more manageable, peaceful life •        Why this can create fear, guilt, or cognitive dissonance in our 20s •        The pressure from social media to make youth look chaotic and exciting •        The role of FOMO in feeling disconnected from our real preferences •        Why our brains crave novelty •        What a ‘boring’ life is actually made of: boundaries, routine, presence, and self-trust Watch on Netflix: HERE [https://netflix.com/thepsychologyofyour20s] 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#] Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s [https://substack.com/@thepsychologyofyour20s] For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com  Our favourite sources:  https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/development-and-psychopathology/article/abs/differential-changes-in-impulsivity-and-sensation-seeking-and-the-escalation-of-substance-use-from-adolescence-to-early-adulthood/3542107D68176F9B55BC0A2DB212C701 [https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/development-and-psychopathology/article/abs/differential-changes-in-impulsivity-and-sensation-seeking-and-the-escalation-of-substance-use-from-adolescence-to-early-adulthood/3542107D68176F9B55BC0A2DB212C701] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0747563213000800 [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0747563213000800] https://www.nature.com/articles/nrn1052 [https://www.nature.com/articles/nrn1052] https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1250830 [https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1250830] 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.

430. The psychology of job interviews

When we go for a job interview, it can feel as if our entire existence is being judged. It can come down to the feeling of someone else getting to call the shots on whether we are intellectually competent at best, or personally desirable at worst. In this episode, we’ll explore why job interviews can feel so stressful, identify why positive first impressions are vital, and discuss some psychological hacks to help us nail them.  We explore: • How job interviews trigger our need for social approval  • The Yerkes-Dodson Law, or how excessive pressure can make us perform worse • Why we can’t trust our judgement about how an interview went • Why being likeable makes it more likely you’ll get hired • How easy psychological tricks can make us feel more confident Our favourite sources:  https://www.catharticspacecounseling.com/blog/how-to-handle-uncertainty-without-losing-your-mind [https://www.catharticspacecounseling.com/blog/how-to-handle-uncertainty-without-losing-your-mind]www.researchgate.net/publication/313878823_The_importance_of_first_impressions_in_a_job_interview [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/313878823_The_importance_of_first_impressions_in_a_job_interview] https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/beyond-stress-and-burnout/202206/the-effects-of-stress-when-interviewing [https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/beyond-stress-and-burnout/202206/the-effects-of-stress-when-interviewing] Watch on Netflix: HERE [https://netflix.com/thepsychologyofyour20s] 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#] Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s [https://substack.com/@thepsychologyofyour20s] For business: 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.

429. The reality of chronic illness in your 20s ft. Nikki Lilly

Living with a chronic illness in your 20s can feel like carrying an invisible weight that nobody else can see. Beyond the hospital appointments, surgeries, medications and diagnoses, there is a hidden psychological burden: the anxiety, grief, uncertainty, identity struggles and resilience required to keep moving forward when your body feels beyond your control. In this week's episode, I sit down with content creator, advocate and broadcaster Nikki Lilly to discuss what it's really like growing up with a rare medical condition, navigating facial differences, online bullying, and building a meaningful life despite constant uncertainty. We discuss: * The hidden psychological impact of chronic illness *  Medical trauma, PTSD and the long road to healing * How chronic illness affects your relationship with your body * Online bullying, discrimination and appearance-based judgment * Plus her time at the Oscars and her vision for her future Happy listening! Watch on Netflix: HERE [https://netflix.com/thepsychologyofyour20s] Listen to Live A Little: HERE [https://open.spotify.com/show/7sBLnc4qHUaLvm06zWhh12?si=90f0afbb8fab4446] Follow Lilly on Instagram: @nikkililly [https://www.instagram.com/nikkililly/?hl=en] 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#] Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s [https://substack.com/@thepsychologyofyour20s] For business: 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.

428. The truth about Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is one of the most famous theories in psychology. We've all seen the pyramid. We've all been told that before we can become our best selves, we need to climb through five levels of human needs, from food and safety all the way to self-actualisation. But what if that's not actually what Maslow believed? In this bonus episode, as part of our series myth-busting psychology, we're uncovering the surprising truth behind one of psychology's most iconic ideas, including: * Why Maslow never actually drew a pyramid * The forgotten sixth level of the hierarchy * The Indigenous Blackfoot origins of the theory * Whether self-actualisation is really the highest human goal * Why the hierarchy isn't as rigid as we've been taught * What modern psychology says about the evidence behind Maslow's ideas Happy listening! Watch on Netflix: HERE [https://netflix.com/thepsychologyofyour20s] 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#] Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s [https://substack.com/@thepsychologyofyour20s] For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

427. What to do when a 9-5 doesn't fulfil you?

Most of us will spend the majority of our adult lives working. So why does the traditional 9–5 leave so many people feeling exhausted, trapped, unfulfilled, or quietly wondering: is this really it? In this episode, we explore the psychology behind why the 9–5 can feel so unnatural for some people, why work often becomes the centre of our identity, and what to do when the life you've been told should make you happy simply doesn't. This includes: * Why the 9–5 often feels so draining * The psychology of role engulfment and losing yourself to work * The personality traits that predict whether you'll enjoy traditional employment * The importance of hobbies, purpose, novelty, and community * When it's time to consider a different path * Practical advice for anyone dreaming of working for themselves Happy listening! Watch on Netflix: HERE [https://netflix.com/thepsychologyofyour20s] 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#] Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s [https://substack.com/@thepsychologyofyour20s] For business: 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.