Baird Counseling

09/22/2026

Spending money is easier than ever because buying has become nearly effortless, while advertising has become increasingly personalized to you. Together, those changes can make impulse spending much more tempting.

Easier access: In the past, buying something usually required going to a store, finding the item, standing in line, and physically handing over money or a card. Those extra steps created time to reconsider. Now you can see something you want and purchase it within seconds. Saved credit cards, Apple Pay, one-click checkout, shopping apps, same-day delivery, and “buy now, pay later” options reduce the amount of effort and time between wanting and buying. You may barely experience the feeling of money leaving your hands.

Advertising is specifically targeted to you: Online advertising isn’t the same as seeing a random commercial on TV. Platforms and advertisers can use information such as your browsing and shopping activity, interactions with content, and other signals to decide which ads or recommendations you’re more likely to engage with. If you’ve been looking at shoes, home décor, beauty products, or gifts, you may suddenly notice more related products appearing in your feeds. This can create the feeling that you’re constantly discovering things you “need,” when in reality the shopping environment is being optimized to capture your attention.

Social media makes the line even blurrier. You’re not necessarily thinking, “I’m going shopping.” You may simply be scrolling, watching a video, or checking what friends are doing when a product appears. Influencers, personalized recommendations, limited-time offers, countdowns, free-shipping thresholds, and “only 2 left” messages can add urgency and excitement.

The result is a powerful combination: the trigger to buy is placed directly in front of you, it’s often tailored to your interests, and the barriers that once gave you time to reconsider have largely disappeared.

For someone working on impulsive spending, this is important because the goal isn’t simply developing more “willpower.” It can also mean intentionally putting some friction back into the buying process—for example, removing saved payment information, waiting 24–48 hours before purchasing, unsubscribing from promotional texts, or putting an item on a wish list instead of immediately checking out.

09/03/2026

📚 September Book of the Month 📚

This month’s pick is The Imposter Syndrome Workbook by Athina Danilo, LMFT.

Have you ever found yourself questioning whether you’re really qualified, capable, or deserving of your success—even when the evidence says otherwise?

Imposter syndrome can make us minimize our accomplishments, compare ourselves to others, fear being “found out,” or feel like we constantly have to prove ourselves.

What I like about this workbook is that it goes beyond simply explaining imposter syndrome. It provides practical exercises designed to help you:

✨ Recognize and challenge self-doubt
✨ Own your accomplishments instead of dismissing them
✨ Quiet the inner critic
✨ Build confidence in your abilities
✨ Become more comfortable recognizing your own strengths and success

08/27/2026

BE A TREE…

08/22/2026

08/16/2026

So yesterday (Saturday, August 15, 2026) was National Relaxation Day. Today is Sunday, August 16—but I fully support extending the celebration all weekend.

What did you do this weekend to relax? Comment below

08/13/2026

❤️ Love Language Date Challenge

Purpose: Help each partner better understand how the other experiences love and turn that insight into a concrete action.

1. Take the Love Language Quiz
Have each partner independently complete the Love Language Quiz and identify their primary love language:

* Words of Affirmation
* Quality Time
* Acts of Service
* Receiving Gifts
* Physical Touch

2. Share & Discuss
Each partner shares their result. Discuss:

* Does this result feel accurate?
* What does this love language look like to you personally?
* What are 2–3 things your partner does that make you feel especially loved?
* What is something you wish happened more often?
* Are there ways your partner has been showing love that you may not have recognized because it isn’t your primary love language?

3. Plan a Date for Your Partner
Each person plans one date centered around their partner’s love language rather than their own preferences.

For example, if your partner’s language is Quality Time, plan an uninterrupted evening together. For Acts of Service, take something off their plate before the date. For Words of Affirmation, incorporate a handwritten note or meaningful conversation. For Receiving Gifts, include a small thoughtful item connected to them. For Physical Touch, create opportunities for affectionate, mutually comfortable connection.

4. After the Dates — Debrief
Ask each other: “What part of the date made you feel most loved?” and “What is one thing from this experience that you would like us to incorporate into our relationship more regularly?”

08/13/2026

📚🎮 Book of the Month: How to Raise a Healthy Gamer by Dr. Alok Kanojia

First, I apologize for the delay in getting this month’s book recommendation posted! Like so many families, I’ve been juggling the transition into a new school year while also squeezing in the last of our summer vacation plans. Sometimes life gets busy, and that actually ties in perfectly with why I chose this month’s book.

As we transition from the freedom and flexibility of summer back into academics, schedules, homework, activities, and earlier bedtimes, there’s naturally an adjustment to change for both kids and parents.

I chose How to Raise a Healthy Gamer because technology and gaming are a very real part of our children’s world. Rather than approaching screens as simply “good” or “bad,” this book offers parents a relatable perspective on moderation, healthy boundaries, communication, and balance.

As parents, the goal doesn’t necessarily have to be eliminating gaming or technology. It’s helping our kids learn how to navigate it in a healthy way alongside school, friendships, family time, sleep, responsibilities, and other interests.

As we head into another school year, this felt like a timely and practical read for parents navigating many of the same conversations in their own homes.

Here’s to finding a little more balance as we settle into the new school year!

Baird Counseling

07/29/2026

As we’re halfway through 2026, I wanted to check in with everyone who created a vision board or set goals for the year.

Take a few minutes to pause and reflect. Progress isn’t always measured by checking every box—sometimes it’s found in the ways we’ve grown, adapted, or persevered through unexpected challenges. Wherever you are in your journey, give yourself credit for how far you’ve come.

Here are a few questions to reflect on:

1. Looking back at the goals or vision you set in January, what progress are you most proud of?
2. What unexpected challenges or opportunities have shaped your year so far?
3. Are your current goals still aligned with what matters most to you, or have your priorities shifted?
4. What is one habit or mindset that has helped you move forward—and one that may be holding you back?
5. If you could choose one meaningful focus for the second half of 2026, what would it be, and what is one small step you can take this week to move toward it?

Remember, it’s never too late to adjust your course. Growth isn’t about perfection, its about progress and the ability to move in the direction of the life you want to create.

07/11/2026

Challenge to post something that makes you feel happy. Try to remove the ability to see likes or comments. Just post it for yourself. See how you feel.