Latest news with #JulieSmith
Daily Mail
03-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
I'm a psychologist - this is the unusual behaviour that shows your partner is emotionally immature
A clinical psychologist has revealed the three warning signs that your partner is emotionally immature. Dr Julie Smith, from Hampshire, took to TikTok to raise awareness of behavioural red flags in relationships. The expert often speaks on mental health online, including videos on how to build self-confidence, why we procrastinate, and signs that your friendships might be fake. In a recent clip, Dr Julie urged social media users to keep their eyes peeled to for this attitude. The first sign is that your partner doesn't want to take responsibility for themselves and will often point the finger at someone else. The medical professional added: 'They tend to become very dependent on people and to blame them for everything that goes wrong.' Those who are emotionally immature will also lack empathy, according to Dr Julie, which means they struggle to see past their own wants and needs. 'They guilt trip, or deceive or manipulate into doing what suits them,' she said. The third and final sign that someone lacks emotional maturity is being hostile and quick to get angry about things. '[They] attack others who challenge or disagree with them,' Dr Julie said. She added that sometimes the signs are easier to notice based in our own reactions or how the other person's behaviour makes us feel. Dr Julie said: 'For example, being around someone who is emotionally immature can feel exhausting. 'There is a sense of always having to walk on eggshells to accommodate their tendency to perceive almost anything as criticism and the intense reaction that follows. 'That highly defensive reflex might be volatile, but it can also be more passive aggressive. 'So, every now and then you notice you are being ignored and the guessing games begin as you try to work out what you have done wrong.' She said that it can be challenging when you love someone who is emotionally immature as you often have to 'yo-yo' between working hard to gain their approval to then reject them out your own frustration. The TikTok racked up almost 100,000 likes, with TikTokers commenting their thoughts on the clip Dr Julie added: 'Rather than going round in circles with them, breaking that cycle comes from making the radical decision to stop seeking validation and approval from someone who is not emotionally mature enough to give it. The TikTok racked up almost 100,000 likes, with TikTokers commenting their thoughts on the clip. One wrote: 'Such an insightful message. Recognising these signs in relationships is the first step toward healthier boundaries and emotional well-being.' Another penned: 'That's my ex wife. I can't believe I lasted 13 years with her.' A third said: 'These three things go way beyond emotional immaturity more like narcissism.' A fourth commented: 'Ohhh sounds like my soon to be ex husband. He also runs away at the slightest thing goes off sulking for days on end and then goes silent for months on end.'
IOL News
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Unlocking your potential: Lessons from Brianna Wiest's 'The Life That's Waiting'
The Life That's Waiting - Brianna Wiest Image: Supplied As I delve into Brianna Wiest's latest book, The Life That's Waiting, I'm drawn into a world of introspection and growth. The chapters, each prefaced with a gentle "read when," encourage me to pause and reflect on my own journey. This structure reminds me of Julie Smith's Open When, where the timing of each message feels like a personal letter from the universe. Wiest's writing blends profound insights with everyday life, making her books feel like a series of therapy sessions. I've also read The Mountain Is You, which left a lasting impact on my perspective. These books aren't just about self-help—they're about embracing the complexity of human experience and finding strength in vulnerability. Certain chapters in The Life That's Waiting struck me profoundly, and I'd like to share how they resonated. 1. When Life Feels Like a Holding Pattern Key Insight: Stillness is not stagnation; it's a space for recalibration. There are times when life seems to pause, leaving us in a state of uncertainty. These moments, though challenging, offer a chance to reflect and realign with our true purpose. 2. When You're Overwhelmed by Others' Expectations Key Insight: Authenticity requires the courage to disappoint others. Living true to oneself often means diverging from the paths others envision for us. Embracing our individuality may lead to discomfort, but it's essential for genuine fulfillment. 3. When You're Searching for Meaning in the Wrong Places Key Insight: Purpose isn't found externally; it's cultivated internally. In the quest for meaning, we might look outward, seeking validation or direction. Yet, true purpose emerges when we listen to our inner voice and align our actions with our values. 4. When Fear of Change Holds You Back Key Insight: Transformation begins at the edge of our comfort zone. Change can be intimidating, prompting us to cling to the familiar. However, embracing the unknown often leads to growth and new opportunities that were previously unimaginable. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading 5. When You're Clinging to What's Familiar Key Insight: Letting go creates space for new beginnings. Holding onto outdated beliefs or situations can hinder our progress. Releasing them allows us to welcome fresh experiences and evolve into our next chapter. Connecting the Dots: Wiest's Other Works As I reflect on the chapters of The Life That's Waiting that struck me profoundly, I'm reminded of other works that offer valuable perspectives on personal growth. Titles like Lysa TerKeurst's Forgiving What You Can't Forget, which explores the challenges of forgiveness—especially when the person who hurt you shows no remorse—offer profound insights into the emotional weight of unresolved pain. Similarly, Orbital takes a deep dive into the interconnectedness of our lives, showing how everything is linked in ways we often overlook, and how understanding these connections can illuminate our paths forward. These works, alongside The Four-Way Path, which provides frameworks for navigating life with balance and purpose, seem to be interwoven into a larger narrative about personal growth. Each one emphasises the importance of self-awareness, emotional clarity, and intentional living. In a world where we often seek quick fixes and straightforward solutions, these books remind us that growth is not a simple, linear journey. It is instead a complex, layered process full of mystery, discovery, and uncertainty. They encourage us to embrace this journey with patience and trust, knowing that even in the chaos, there is deeper meaning to uncover. The Big Reveal: What Is Life Trying to Tell Us? As I piece together these insights—each one a tile in a larger mosaic—I realise that the message isn't about finding definitive answers but about learning how to ask better questions. Growth isn't something you achieve; it's something you live. And life? It's always speaking. Wiest writes beautifully about letting go of what no longer serves us so we can step into what truly belongs to us. Her words feel like moonlight on water—illuminating yet gentle, showing just enough for us to take the next step without needing to see the whole path. Where Does This Leave Me? I'm eager to see where The Life That's Waiting will take me next because it has already shifted my perspective in ways I didn't expect. It has prompted me to pause and reflect on what I'm holding onto unnecessarily, and what I need to embrace more fully. This book didn't just inspire me—it challenged me. It really got me thinking: What if everything I've been waiting for has been waiting for me too? * The Life That's Waiting by Brianna Weist can be obtained at Exclusive Books.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
The 3 Red Flag Signs That Your Friends Aren't Actually Your Friends
Despite us Brits being known for our cynicism, a 2023 Kings College London study found that the UK public are among the most trusting globally, with internationally high levels of trust in people of different nationalities, people they meet for the first time, and people they know personally. Bloody lovely, actually. Bless our hearts. However, as much as we do really trust our pals and loved ones, one psychologist, Dr Julie Smith has revealed in a TikTok video that some people that you think of as friends are anything but. Yes, we need our friends when the waters are rocky but we also need them to celebrate the good times with us. Dr Smith says to keep an eye out for friends who act 'differently towards you' when good things happen in your life. 'This isn't friendship, this is a competition. A competition you didn't know you were in.' One part of all types of relationships is conflict. It's unavoidable and you may end up hurting one another. Unless something catastrophic or malicious happens, this can be overcame but Dr Smith warns that if your friend is hesitant to apologise or even acknowledge the harm that they've done, they're not really your friend. This just isn't a pleasant feeling, is it? When you feel like you need to be excessively careful or 'fit in' with your friend, that's not really a friendship. Friendships are built on foundations of love and acceptance. In the caption for the video, Dr Smith says: 'If a friendship is taking away from your life rather than adding to it, you have a decision to make.' Very much noted. My Relationship With My Parents Feels Toxic. Now What? 8 Signs Your Friendship Is Built To Last You're Probably Ruining Relationships With This Passive-Aggressive Behaviour
Chicago Tribune
21-02-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Naperville residents lost nearly $5.5 million to scams in 2024, police say: ‘The number is staggering'
Naperville residents reported losing nearly $5.5 million to scammers in 2024, a sum authorities say is a dramatic increase from previous years. 'The number is staggering,' said Julie Smith, crime prevention specialist with the Naperville Police Department. In the wake of the uptick, Naperville police are hosting a webinar Wednesday to educate residents on scammers' latest tactics and to offer ways that community members can protect themselves. 'Residents are being targeted regularly by scammers through phone calls, text messages, emails and even computer pop-ups,' Naperville Police Chief Jason Arres said in a news release. 'Scammers are always changing their tactics so it's critical to keep up with current trends and learn what to look for when you're communicating with someone that might tip you off to a scam.' Though noting 'there (have been) so many' different kinds of scams reported to police in 2024, Smith cited a few frequently-used tactics. Among the top swindlesin one in which people who extort money by pretending an arrest warrant has been issued for the victim, Smith said. The scammer might tell the person that an arrest warrant has been issued because they failed to go to jury duty, but if they were to pay a fine — typically by sending gift cards or making a wire transfer — the warrant will go away, she said. Another 'rapidly growing' fraud is known as pig butchering, Smith said. The scammer meets his/her target through various means — text messages, dating apps, social media platforms — and works to develop trust so that the victim thinks they have a meaningful relationship. Eventually scammer steers the victim toward bogus investments that they say will produce high-yield returns in virtual assets, such as cryptocurrency, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. 'They use complex manipulation and trick investors. … And then when you try to access your funds or get them out, (the scammers say) there's fines to pay or different fees — every excuse in the book for you not to get your money back out and then the scammer takes all your money,' Smith said. The other top scams Naperville residents fell victim to last year involved online commerce and various phishing schemes, Smith said. The former typically involves scammers seeking deposits and personal information through platforms like Facebook Marketplace. Phishing is when scammers use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers or Social Security numbers, according to the Federal Trade Commission. These messages often tell you a story to trick you into clicking a link or opening an attachment. Police investigate reported fraud cases but often can't prosecute anyone because the suspect lives in another country or has been paid through gift cards that, once sent, cannot be recovered, Smith said. In most of those cases, 'and it's the same thing with cryptocurrency, it's very difficult to recover funds,' she said. Smith emphasized that scams can happen to anyone. Last year, victims ranged in age from 15 to 91. 'We've had people come (to the police station) lobby and they're like, 'I can't believe I fell for this. I have two master's degrees,'' Smith said. 'So it just shows that when you're in the moment, sometimes you're not clearly thinking because of these complex schemes and the sense of panic that they instill.' The degree to which Naperville residents fell victim to scams last year is also 'probably much more than $5.5 million lost because that's just what was reported, and so many people don't report because they might be ashamed.' To avoid getting scammed, Smith cautioned against downloading or using unfamiliar applications, clicking on suspicious links, or paying additional fees or taxes to withdraw money that's already been invested. Other tips she stressed include: If it's too good to be true, it usually is. Don't be afraid to end conversations with people you don't know. If you find yourself on the phone with a scammer demanding you stay on the line while en route to the bank, go to the front desk of the Naperville Police Department instead. Smith also warned that the advancement of artificial intelligence technology will make every scam seems even more realistic by making it difficult to discern what's real and what isn't. Wednesday's webinar will begin at noon. Registration is not required and participation is free and open to the public. The webinar can be accessed at For those unable to attend live, a recording of the webinar will be posted to the city's website.
