Weak Ties and the Lasting Joy of Passing Friendship
On a work trip I once took to Arizona, I made the most delightful group of friends. There were six or seven of us who all worked for the same company, from different offices around …
Health and Happiness
WFH Burnout: Why It Happens and How to Avoid It
For better or for worse (mostly for better), the world economy is rapidly transforming in a number of ways. One such way is that there are now more of us working from home, more of …
Feeding the Feed: Rebuilding What We Consume Online
I am a millennial, a homebody, and (let’s be honest) a bit of a nerd. I spend a lot of time at my computer, and I consume a lot of content online. Despite what some …
Why You Really Should Judge People
One of my great joys as a self-help writer is to take a common piece of life advice and pick a fight with it. These ideas have meaning, they have value, and there’s usually a …
“There’s Always a Bench” – On Rituals
My wife and I have this little saying: “There’s always a bench.” When we find ourselves in a new place, or in the middle of a particularly impactful moment, we like to point out to …
5 Things Great Listeners Actually Do
It’s no secret that good listening is one of the most valuable (and oft underdeveloped) qualities for human interaction. Of course, we all know it’s inappropriate to suck up all the air in the room, …
Realistic Optimism for Skeptics and Grumps
Have you ever called someone out for being a negative Nancy, and gotten this gem in reply: “I’m not a pessimist, I’m a realist!” I never liked the suggestion that you can’t think positively and …
Happiness is a Choice You Make Every Day
Happiness is something that most of us strive for, but it’s easy to get lost in the search. It’s common for people to talk about happiness like it’s a “thing” to be found and only …
Toxic Positivity: How Shallow Optimism Causes Deep Harm
What comes to mind when you think of optimism or positive thinking? Most likely, your mind doesn’t leap toward terms like toxicity, gaslighting, or invalidation. That’s probably for the best, but there is an overlap …
Living Life on Purpose: How to Start Creating a More Intentional Life
Are you living your life on purpose? Most people would probably instinctively say that yes, of course we are. But how do you know? What separates a life defined by intentional choices and constant progress …