Fall is the season of change. For some people this can mean a season filled with anxiety and sadness which — believe it or not — makes for the perfect season to build resilience and practice mindfulness. 1. Autumn is a season of change. And with change comes anxiety. Tis the season of ending one thing and beginning another. The weather is starting to become colder. Days become shorter. Swimsuits become sweaters. We often hear of the "winter blues," but the anxiety truly sets in during these transitional fall months.   2. We can manage the anxiety if we can face our intoleranc ..read more

(Trigger Warning: Existential thoughts & ideas) “Existential OCD” or “Philosophical OCD” is not often talked about. But knowledge of this subtype can make all the difference in someone’s road to recovery.   1. It is a subtype of OCD where the obsession is about the reality of life, the existence of the universe or even one's own existence. Many of us have come across these existential questions about the meaning of life on this earth without much of a shrug. However, for those with a subtype of OCD called "Existential OCD," these questions can become all-consuming.   2. People ..read more

It's easy to overlook the possibility that OCD could be the cause of your anxiety. Most people assume they have to have to be experiencing very unusual rituals to have OCD.   When I was dealing with anxiety, I seemed to be hyper focused on certain topics, and would try to find answers to things most people didn’t care about. But I didn't even think OCD would be a possible diagnosis, even though my sister had it.   Turns out those worries were mental compulsions and they are totally invisible.   So if you suspect there might be more going on than just plain old anxiety, keep rea ..read more

If you were up late in NYC last night, you probably witnessed the most intense lightning storm. If you didn’t — lucky you.  I never had a problem with lightning in the past. I actually LOVED a good thunderstorm. I’m not talking about when I was a kid — I assure you I was probably very scared. But in the more recent past, everytime we heard thunder, Lindsay and I would simultaneously let out a “YESSS.” Especially when we were living at home and were hanging on the couch with the rest of our family.  I think my feelings changed slightly after reading an article (the internet ru ..read more

Presently was born as a result of our experience with OCD & anxiety, and our desire to help those who are silently struggling. Though widespread in pop culture, before starting this endeavor, we never realized how little people actually know about OCD.  Here are 6 things you should know about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: 1. It is a disorder characterized by excessive intrusive thoughts (obsessions) that lead to repetitive behaviors (compulsions). While many people may double-check that the door is locked or their curling iron is unplugged, OCD goes beyond simply checking thin ..read more

What could be so complicated about a trip to TJ Maxx? Apparently, a lot.  I was on my way home from work and decided I would stop into TJ Maxx to see if they had any new finds. I find it relaxing just browsing through the store seeing what treasures I can find. As I'm walking toward TJ Maxx I realize that I am carrying my coffee cup that has a little liquid from the melted ice cubes at the bottom of it. ALL I wanted to do was dump it out and stick it in my backpack for an optimal, hands-free shopping experience. Brilliant. Simple. Right? "Not today," says Danny Devito ..read more

  1. "Good vibes only" Instead try: "Brave the uncomfortable" I used to live my life by the mantra of "good vibes only," hoping that simply willing positivity into existence would bring about a sense of well-being. However, I soon realized that you can't just wish away anxiety or mental health disorders. It takes real work and effort to navigate through the challenges they present. If you're struggling with anxiety, telling yourself that "only good vibes are allowed here" may seem like a helpful approach. But what happens to all that anxiety when you push it aside? Does it truly disappe ..read more

They often begin with revealing a weakness.    Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity: an advertising competition in the mystical land of Cannes, France — where all the best, brightest, and ballsiest ad people come together to either: (a) celebrate their Cannes Lion wins with HUGE Magnum bottles of Rosé  or (b) convert their envy & self-doubt into heart-pumping, stomach-churning, chest-beating rage motivation to crush the competition next year. It was a fascinating experience.   I had never written about my career outside of Presently, so for those of you who ..read more

A Q&A with Lindsay & Emily, Founders of Presently   Can you tell us a bit about how you grew up?  Emily: We are sisters from Long Island, New York. Lindsay is 33 and I'm 28. We have an older brother, Justin, who is 35. We had lots of quality family time growing up — dinners every night, and watching shows or movies on the couch. Our parents were always incredibly loving and supportive, especially with our mental health journeys. Lindsay: Growing up, my dad had OCD, so when I started to show very common signs, my parents knew I had it as well. I would perform compulsions like ..read more

Every year, we are strongly encouraged to go to the doctor. They check our weight, height, blood pressure, heart beat, etc. They make sure our vital bodily functions are working as they should.  At what point on this earth did we forget that the brain was a vital organ? In school, we're required to take physical education. We sprint from one side of the gymnasium to the other, and somehow, that's making us a more well-rounded kid? What about mental health education? Let me put it in a way most of us can understand: Imagine, in another universe, we were never taught ho ..read more