The Psychology of your 20s

Why do we become obsessed with people who don't want us back? Even when we know it will never work? Even when we know there's no convincing them? In this episode, we unpack the psychology behind unrequited love, limerence, longing, and the irresistible pull of unavailable people, including:
The neuroscience of craving, attraction, and obsession
How intermittent reinforcement keeps us emotionally hooked
Jacques Lacan's "object of desire" theory
Why high achievers often struggle with unrequited love
The role of limerence, fantasy, and idealisation
The Zeigarnik Effect and our need for closure
Practical strategies to finally move on and let go
Creating your own closure when none is given
Plus so so much more
If you've ever found yourself unable to stop thinking about someone who doesn't feel the same way, this episode is for you. Together, we'll explore why it happens, what it reveals about us, and how to break free from the cycle
Watch on Netflix: HERE
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s
For business: [email protected]
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 for privacy information.

We all have something about our behaviour or our lives we really want to change. But every time we go to try, we find we lose motivation very quickly and end up back where we started with the behaviour still in tact. Whether it's quitting smoking, exercising more, wanting to eat healthier, sleep better, stop gossiping, be a better partner; bad habits usually all have the same psychology.
In today's episode we invited on Harvard-trained behavioural scientist & BCG Managing Director, Julia Dhar, to give us the step by step guide to changing bad habits. We talk about:
Where bad habits come from?
Why bad habits stick?
What's happening in our brain when we can't quit a bad habit?
The 3 principles of behaviour change you need to know to change
How to help OTHERS change when they don't want to?
Why your approach to failing will determine if you're successful
Plus much more!
Happy listening!
Buy Julia's book here: How Change Really Works
Watch her TedTalk here: How to Disagree Productively
Watch on Netflix: HERE
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s
For business: [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your hobbies may be just as important as your friendships in your 20s. But whilst you may dedicate 10-15 hours a week to your friends, most of us can go a week or two without actually performing our hobbies. Why is that, and what is the consequence?In today's episode we break down the psychology of why our hobbies are so important, including:
The debate around what makes a hobby
How many hobbies do you actually need?
How much time should you spend doing your hobbies?
The Rule of Four for hobbies
The psychological benefits
The 3 major reasons we struggle to perform our hobbies
How to find time, inspiration and motivation for your hobbies, and more
Listen now if you want to make more of your leisure time!
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
For business: [email protected]
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 for privacy information.

We’re all familiar with the story of the boy who wouldn’t grow up: Peter Pan. But when someone displays similar traits in real life - issues with commitment, responsibilities, and adulting in general - they might be experiencing what’s referred to as Peter Pan Syndrome. In this episode, we break down the psychology of Peter Pan Syndrome, including why it happens, the frustration it causes those in its orbit, and how to learn to grow up - at last.
We unpack:
• The key characteristics of Peter Pan Syndrome
• Why being coddled or never disciplined as a child can lead to struggles with ‘adulting’
• How ‘Wendy Syndrome’ can act as an enabler for Peter Pan Syndrome
• What it feels like to date someone with Peter Pan Syndrome
• How to overcome Peter Pan Syndrome
Watch on Netflix: HERE
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s
For business: [email protected]
Our favourite sources:
www.health.clevelandclinic.org/peter-pan-syndrome
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/how-do-life/201605/the-peter-pan-syndrome
https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.1006.8462&rep=rep1&type=pdf
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 for privacy information.

Being your own harshest critic can feel productive, protective, even familiar, but over time, it becomes less of a motivator and more of a cage. In this episode, we explore the psychology of self-hatred - where it begins, how it becomes a deeply ingrained, and what it actually steals from us over time.
We explore:
• How early experiences shape the inner critic
• Why self-hatred can feel protective
• The myth of cruelty as a motivator
• The neural pattern of self-hatred
• The role of self sabotaging
• 6 practical tips to build a better relationship with yourself
Watch on Netflix: HERE
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s
For business: [email protected]
Our favourite sources:
https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.2044-8341.2011.02044.x
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0146167211410246
https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fa0033904
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 for privacy information.