When Tidying Up with Marie Kondo premiered on Netflix, with the help of a killer PR team and strategic promotion on the homepage, the show became an instant phenomenon and an inspiration for would-be minimalists around the world. The show’s premise is just as simple as the process in which it is based: Find joy …
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Throughout our lives, we’re given contradictory pieces of advice on not only how to live a good life but how to live “the best life.” We’re told that we can be anything we want to be, yet we’re also steered towards endeavors that are safe and practical, regardless of whether we’re good at them or …
The summer of 2009, I remember sitting at home, in the overly chaotic bedroom of a teenage girl, eating a brand of potato chips that have since been taken off the shelves. I sat with an outdated computer open to a blank Word page and the newest YA book in my lap. To be honest, …
I often tend to be a Type A person, with checklists, spreadsheets and things of that nature. This is not the kind of person I want to be, nor does my life lend itself well to that kind of personality. I’m raising kids, who are free-spirited and spontaneous and working for myself which means working …
Dear You, I met you at a very fragile time in my life. I was just coming out of a relationship that had made me questioning my judgment of character and my ability to see people for who they really are. I felt raw and abused: mentally and emotionally. The entire time, I never knew …
Hi. My name is Andy and I’m a perfectionist. I remember the first time someone used that word to describe me. I was in elementary school and my dad went to a parent-teacher meeting. When he came home, I heard him proudly say to my mom, “The teacher said she is a perfectionist!” I didn’t …
Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional. “If you don’t think your anxiety, depression, sadness and stress impact your physical health, think again. All of these emotions trigger chemical reactions in your body, which can lead to inflammation and a weakened immune system. Learn how to cope, sweet friend. There will always be dark days.” …
A fresh cup of coffee steams on the desk. The sweet combination of my new Sinatra record and the howling winter wind serenade me. Sunshine from a frigid January day dusts in from behind the blinds, painting the ground with glowing yellow stripes. My cat stretches and basks in the warmth. I smile. The house …
Traveling around the world can be such a wonderful experience. However, staying in certain cities for a few days at a time often isn’t enough—being able to live in another culture for a more lengthy period of time can be a great way for you to expose yourself to new scenarios, make friends, and seize …