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Hey, it’s good to have you here.
My name is Jonathon Hawkins. At 22 years old, I’ve just finished studying Philosophy at the University of Nottingham, and I’m currently navigating the world as a Freelance Writer.
I live in a small town just outside of Worcester (UK) with my family. …
Steps for avoiding bad habits and achieving your goals.
Most of us have hopes and dreams. We have a rough idea of the person we want to be in the next 10 years. Most of us are well-intentioned, too. We plan on working hard to achieve them, and intend to resist all temptation that could be detrimental to that end.
Unfortunately, according to some Ancient Philosophers, humans are susceptible to weakness of the will (akrasia). Meaning we could end up acting against a choice that we judge best. As a consequence:
- We could identify the life we want, and the steps we need to take to achieve them;
- we…
Avoid its destructive nature and use it to help you grow.
Most people view jealousy as a negative emotion. But it’s a natural feeling that we all experience. When we work hard and always fall short, we might wonder how other people achieve so easily. What are we doing wrong? Why them and not me? Do they really deserve it?
Researchers believe there’s more to jealousy than just an inability to control our emotions. Instead, it reflects a fundamental part of human nature and reveals our deep-rooted desires.
Understanding them can reveal what drives us. …
Practical ways to shift your thinking and achieve your goals.
Remember when you couldn’t tie your shoelaces? Or when riding a bicycle was terrifying? These are now mundane tasks that you do every day.
I’m going to make a controversial claim. With the right amount of effort, anyone can master any skill. As an advocate of the psychological interactionist approach, I do think biology plays a role. But that doesn’t mean something is out of reach, just that some people achieve it easier than others.
Overall, I don’t think success comes down to intelligence or inherent “grit.” Because a lot of people have both and don’t succeed. …
Despite the technology around you, here’s why you should stick to ancient hobbies.
The first known books originated in Rome around 23 B.C. Since then, reading has become a central component of human life. With nothing but a pen and paper, an author can bring joy, entertainment, and laughter to thousands of people.
Reading has played an instrumental role in human knowledge and development. It’s through the written word that we learn about the technology, skills, and culture of previous generations. Or, it’s by reading a school textbook that the next literary genius is formed.
In America, reading became increasingly popular in the 1920s. After the industrial revolution, paper production drastically reduced the…
Should we use the people around us?
The relationships we form drastically impact our quality of life. They offer someone to laugh and share our experiences with, or a shoulder to cry on when things get tough.
But nobody wants to get used by a friend. So we put our guard up when talking to a stranger, and slowly lower it as we start to trust them. But even then, we may be left wondering: “is this person using me?”
Do I make them more popular? Are they using me for my money? Or do they genuinely care about me?
On the flip side, you may be…
Tips to develop self-awareness and better manage your emotions.
How well can you control your emotions? When things get heated, can you take a step back and calm yourself down? Or do you lash out and say things you later regret?
When things don’t go your way, do you accept things as they are? Or do you act like a child and make things all about you?
We all like to think we’re emotionally mature. The problem is, each of us holds a set of biases about ourselves, and these influence the person we see in the mirror. …
A guide to using solitude for personal development.
We are naturally sociable creatures. As humans, we’re evolutionarily hardwired to want to be around other people. Historically, co-operation helped us to survive. So we want to be surrounded by a large group that we can rely on and trust.
Psychologically speaking, being around others brings a host of benefits. According to Crystal Raypole and clinical psychologist Marney White, Ph.D.:
- Maintaining strong friendships gives us transferable skills, making us better at coping with stress.
- Friendships give us someone to lean on and confide in.
- Friendships offer a sense of purpose and belonging. Caring for others makes life more meaningful.
- They…
This cognitive distortion could be making your life worse.
We like to think we’re rational creatures. After all, we’ve been bought up in a sophisticated social environment that prepares us for the world ahead. We go to school, take exams, and learn from the intelligent teachers around us.
We seem well-equipped for the future.
But we’re not always. Especially because each of us holds a set of biases and preconceptions. These influence the world we perceive, how we act, and what we consider normal.
Unfortunately, cognitive distortions are deeply entrenched in the things we were taught and the world we grew up in. This error is a difficult habit…
Science-backed ways to train your brain and remember what you see.
You’ll forget 50% of everything you see within an hour, 70% within a day, and 90% within a week.
You’ve probably heard Francis Bacon’s famous saying: “knowledge is itself power.” But if that’s true, why do we let so much pass us by?
We’re living in a world of information overload. At any given moment, our brain is inundated with thousands of sensory inputs. From our phones, TVs, and social media feeds. Our minds can’t keep up with this flood; so it suppresses most material in an attempt to focus on what it deems important.
Unfortunately, what our mind deems…
