Dr Paula’s Blog

Developmental psychology has historically focused on the needs and life stages of children, with little attention focused on adults and helping adults through their life challenges. But one need only consider their lives and the lives of other adults around them to know that ‘trying’ times don’t come to an end when we turn 18. Adult life is full of developmental challenges we need to overcome. The way we establish our financial independence, start our careers (then possibly change them), navigate our relationships as well as raise our children and say goodbye to them, all help shape and define who we are as much as anything we do when ‘growing up’.

Last Tuesday, in recognition of the constant challenges and opportunities we as adults face on a daily basis, various local, interstate as well as international licenced partners gathered at our West End premises to learn more about the importance of lifelong learning and social and emotional wellbeing for all. Dr Sacha Rombouts spoke passionately about the importance of staying in the here and now, appreciating the present as opposed to regretting the past or fearing the future. After all, the evidence speaks for itself, showing that ‘mindful’ people are

• Less affected by stress (Cullen, 2011);
• Better able to achieve long term goals (Howell & Buro, 2011); and
• Less anxious in their approach to life (Rapgay et al, 2011).

Resilience for Life is an interactive program that teaches adults the skill of being mindful in order to navigate their experiences, effectively manage their emotions, and to be resilient for life.

All feelings are ok. It is what we do with such feelings that determine appropriateness, and in turn, set us up for failure or success.