Tim McGraw wasn’t the only artist to overcome some personal challenges and release a new album last Tuesday.

Jim James – probably better known to most of you as the founder, lead singer, and primary songwriter for the Louisville, KY-based rock band My Morning Jacket – released his first full-length solo album, too.

In light of the recent Manti Te’o Fake Dead Girlfriend scandal, I thought now’d be a good time to talk about some ways you can stay safe during online dating.

After all, it’s 2013, and online dating isn’t the uncommon, semi-taboo thing it used to be in the past.

Everyday people meet others on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter as well as online dating sites like Match and eHarmony, and sometimes romantic relationships begin.

In the year 2012, current gigs as The X Factor judges are the cherries on the cake for singers-actresses Britney Spears and Demi Lovato.

Both ladies have publicly endured some trying times over the past few years (Lovato completed rehab for emotional and physical issues and Spears, well, we all remember).

2012 has brought happier times, though.

Even though aspects of her personal and professional life is still heavily monitored (the pop star is still under conservatorship), Spears continues to flourish. VH1 ranked Spears 11th on its 2012 “100 Greatest Women in Music” list and Forbes listed her as the 6th most powerful celebrity and the 3rd highest paid musician of 2011-12

(Please forgive my week-long hiatus. Over the past week, the East Coast was hit pretty hard with extreme heat waves and severe thunderstorms, leading to long-term power outages and, of course, no Internet access. It seems the worst is behind us, and I hope to be back for good!)

Last week I told you about the Offspring’s new album, Days Go By, and the recently released title track, which Offspring frontman Dexter Holland says has a “message of hope.”

I’ve heard the song several times on the radio (if you haven’t, you can stream the entire album courtesy of Rolling Stone), and I can see how the lyrics might inspire hope in some listeners.

It’s a catchy tune, but, admittedly, it doesn’t inspire much hope in me. That’s only because “Days Go By” isn’t really my style. However, it DID make me think of songs that DO inspire hope in me – some of them because of their lyrics, some because of their music, and some because of both.

While on stage at Clive Davis‘s annual pre-Grammys party earlier this month, award-winning singer Tony Bennett noted that legalizing drugs would reduce the desire to use drugs.

Bennett has had his fair share of drug-related experiences. He struggled with a cocaine habit in the Seventies, and like the rest of us, has watched extremely talented people like Amy Winehouse (whose last known recording was with Bennett) and Whitney Houston (for whom the pre-Grammys show became a memorial) crumble under addiction.

Later, while backstage at the Grammys, Bennett told Rolling Stone he sticks by his comment, stating drug legalization would:

[...] get rid of all the gangsters that make people hide. One thing I’ve learned about young people, when you say ‘Don’t do this,’ that’s the one thing they’re going to try and do. Once it’s legal and everybody can do it, there is no longer the desire to do something that nobody else can do.

Of course, Bennett’s idea isn’t new, by any means. Lots of people – yes, even those who don’t use drugs – feel drug legalization in America is the way to go.

As you can tell from the title, I’ve done this sort of post once or twice!

Not too long ago, Nicole Polizzi, a.k.a Snooki of Jersey Shore, tweeted a picture of herself without makeup. Naturally, the picture sparked a lot of interested because, you know, Snooki’s kind of known for wild hair and lots of makeup.

Among other things.

Anyway, people seemed to really like Fresh-Faced Snooki and maybe-or-maybe-not in response to the positive feedback, omg! Yahoo! published Celebs Unmasked, a quick slideshow of several celebrities without makeup including Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian, Jessica Simpson (not buyin’ it), Katy Perry (totally buyin’ it), and Nicole Scherzinger (The Pussycat Dolls).

So ladies, I’ve asked before and I’m asking again:

How does seeing celebs without makeup make YOU feel? Does it have any impact at all on your own makeup-less self-confidence? Or could you not care less?

Image Credit: Nicole Polizzi via Twitter

I’ve never been addicted to alcohol or drugs, so I can’t speak from that level of personal experience.

However, I’ve had enough addicts in my life to know that once an addict is in recovery, he has a lot of newfound “free” time on his hands – time that used to be spent drinking or using drugs, and time which must now be spent…

…doing what?

How does an addict fill the void that drugs and alcohol used to fill?

That’s exactly the question The Fix answers in How Ten People Found New Passion in Sobriety.

From taking existing skills and turning them into a new career to becoming a mentor for others who want to get their lives together, this slideshow/article highlights 10 individuals, including animal rights activist Jane Valez-Mitchell, who found new passions or were finally able to act on existing passions once they sobered up.

It’s pretty inspiring read, and one that I’m willing to bet can motivate even folks who aren’t battling addiction.

How about YOU, readers? Have any of you battled alcoholism or drug addiction, and had to fill the void left behind when you stopped drinking or using? What did you do?

Image Credit: ARTIVIST.com per these Creative Commons License attributions.

Happy New Year Celebrity Psychings readers!

Celebrity Psychings and I are taking the day off for New Year’s, but we’ll return Wednesday ready to roll on into 2012.

If you’re like a gabazillion other people across the globe (or, maybe just America – not sure how into this kind of torment other countries are), chances are you’ve said or though at least one of the following statements at some point in the last few days:

1. “In 2012, I’m going to [lose weight/start exercising/quit smoking/get organized/dye my hair blue]!”
2. “New Year’s resolutions? Um, no. Not into that.”

Regardless of how you feel about making New Year’s resolutions, spend a few minutes this weekend checking out Psych Central’s New Year’s Guide.

This collection of New Year’s posts throughout the site covers:

• The psychology behind why we make resolutions.
• How we can make meaningful goals – and stick to them.
• Changes that we can make TODAY.
• How to make resolutions feel less like chores.
• Considering deeper resolutions that help you deal with life’s challenges.

Are YOU making any resolutions for 2012? If so, what are they? If not, what’s your reason for not making them?

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Celebrity Psychings readers!

Celebrity Psychings and I are taking the day off for a Christmas break, but we’ll return Wednesday with some year-end deliciousness before we kick off 2012.