If you had met me in my twenties, you would never have guessed I’d end up as a psychotherapist. At the time, I was far more interested in diamonds than diagnoses, inclusions than intrusive thoughts, and refraction patterns than reframing exercises.For 15 years, I lived and breathed gemmology.I even taught at the Gemological Institute ofContinueContinue reading “From Gemmology to Psychotherapy: A Story About Two Very Different Careers… That Turned Out Not So Different After All”
Author Archives: Shelley C. Taylor
A Warning About Smart Reserve Holdings and Alpha Trend Capital – Updated
I feel compelled to share my experience with Smart Reserve Holdings and Alpha Trend Capital, because I believe others deserve to be warned before engaging with these companies. On Aug 6, 2025, I saw an advertisement on Associated Press (APNews.com) of a Canadian talking about his experience with AI Trading through Alpha Trend Capital. WhenContinueContinue reading “A Warning About Smart Reserve Holdings and Alpha Trend Capital – Updated”
A Rant: Rejection Sensitivity, ADHD, and the Temptation to Overstate
Several years ago, I hosted a small dinner party—just three guests, good wine, delicious food, and stimulating conversation. As the evening wore on, the talk turned to communal gardening. The guests became increasingly animated about the idea of building a shared garden, something they could tend together and enjoy the fruits of, quite literally. IContinueContinue reading “A Rant: Rejection Sensitivity, ADHD, and the Temptation to Overstate”
Dipping Back into Watercolour: How a British Bird Hooked Me
I was first introduced to watercolour decades ago during a semester of fine arts at Nipissing University. Over the span of 14 weeks—one class per week—we dabbled in art theory and history, life drawing, ink painting, and of course, watercolour. It was just enough exposure to make me equal parts fascinated and intimidated. Fast-forward toContinueContinue reading “Dipping Back into Watercolour: How a British Bird Hooked Me”
From Oils to Aussie Accents: A Beginner’s Journey into Watercolour with Scott Swinson
My first foray into painting was with oils—a medium I still love but haven’t touched for years. Back in the pre-Internet days, I was simply looking for a place to learn. So, where did I land? A Bob Ross Instructor course. Yes, that Bob Ross. I enjoyed it, but eventually tired of landscapes—not to mentionContinueContinue reading “From Oils to Aussie Accents: A Beginner’s Journey into Watercolour with Scott Swinson”
A Review of “The Watercolour Painting System” by Broderick Wong
The Watercolour Painting System (previously titled Essential Watercolor) was far from the first online watercolour course I’d taken — but it absolutely should have been. Because it wasn’t, I spent hours frustrated, producing disappointing paintings. Again and again, I heard instructors say things like, “It just takes practice — you’ll get used to it,” especiallyContinueContinue reading “A Review of “The Watercolour Painting System” by Broderick Wong”
Me and hobbies
So Many Hobbies, So Little Mastery (And That’s Okay) Hi, I’m someone with ADHD—which basically means my brain is constantly on the lookout for something novel, quirky, and preferably fun. If it sparkles, sings, or involves paint, I’m interested. Like many folks with ADHD, I’ve spent a good chunk of my life dreaming of becomingContinueContinue reading “Me and hobbies”
From one Imposter to another
Today, the word “entitled” is bouncing around my brain. Not “entitlement,” but entitled. It started with me listening to the introduction to an audible book called “The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women.” The book is on Imposter Syndrome. In the book, Betty Rollin, a journalist with The New York Times, is quoted asking a youngContinueContinue reading “From one Imposter to another”
Shelley C. Taylor, Ph.D., RP
Me in my Tilley Hat Not That Dr. Shelley Taylor… Let’s clear something up right off the hop: I am Shelley Taylor, with a PhD in psychology — I’m just not that Dr. Shelley Taylor. You know—the one who writes all the academic papers and has an impressive pile of citations? She’s Shelley E. Taylor.ContinueContinue reading “Shelley C. Taylor, Ph.D., RP”
A Taylor'd Life 