Value what’s on your mind
I really have no idea what to write today.
Inspired by Sergey Faldin’s recent article about continuing to voice your thoughts whether or not you or anyone else thinks they’re good, I have decided to try experimenting with putting my actual thoughts into words, without the need for too much structuring, or a clearly defined purpose in mind.
I think that this practice would help get creativity flowing better, and also help you better understand how and why you think like you do.
Learning to “Go with the flow”
This morning, I woke up early, as the light of dawn was streaming through my bedroom window…
Paulo Coelho invites us to be brave and walk the path of our highest excitement
There’s a reason why Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist is one of the world’s best-selling novels. You know a book is speaking to your soul when you feel a lump of joy forming in your stomach, ready to burst out through a silent sob at any moment.
That’s what I was feeling when I was reading The Alchemist.
A Classic Example of ‘The Hero’s Journey’
There are a few sentences in the foreword of the 25th Anniversary edition which form a good summary of the story:
“A man sets out on a journey, dreaming of a beautiful or magical place, in pursuit of some unknown treasure. …
Ships do sometimes go under, but they are built to rise back up
We all get out of balance at times. When we pay too much attention to certain parts of our lives while neglecting others that are equally important, we get off-kilter and can start to tip over the edge, like a sailing ship in a stormy sea.
“It is possible to have too much of a good thing.” — Aesop, Greek Fabulist
Balance will look different in everyone’s lives.
Some people can work eight hours a day, five days a week, and be happy with the time they have left to do what they want and need to do. Others, though…
The Hedgehog Concept — from Brené Brown’s podcast series Dare to Lead
Brené Brown and Jim Collins talk about the Hedgehog Concept for identifying realistic and actionable goals.
The other day I decided to listen to the most recent pod from the Dare to Lead series by self-help guru and social work frontwoman, Brené Brown, with guest Jim Collins, a business researcher and figurehead, Brené with Jim Collins on Curiosity, Generosity, and the Hedgehog.
There are two types of people in the world. You are either a fox or a hedgehog.
Foxes are dynamic and good at getting their fingers in every pie. …
Being ‘nice’ and being ‘kind’ are two very different things
Being ‘nice’ and being ‘kind’ can sometimes be seen as the same thing, however, they are actually very different.
Kelly Shi from the Markkula Centre for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University says “The distinguishing factor seems to lie in the motivation of a person or act”.
Our connections are the true gold in this world, therefore investing in our ability to feel and show more kindness could certainly be considered a top-priority personal investment.
If we understand what distinguishes showing kindness from simply being nice, we will be better able to show up for those in our lives who…
HOW I BUILT ROUTINES — PART 2
But you have to mobilise those thoughts to make shit happen
In Part 1, I told my backstory of what first incensed me to go from a person who was quite unpractised in disciplined living to someone who decided it would be more in line with their ambition to have a more structured day-to-day schedule.
The stillness offered by being under lockdown which, as I write this, my city has recently been moved into again, allowed for deep reflection on the events of the past, an appreciation for where the world was, and an eye on the possibilities and positive changes in the future.
Auckland, New Zealand, where I live, was…
Me too, but I can change that
I’m taking a different tack with my writing today. This article is about something I struggle with talking about, though I think is important to talk about in order to learn how to feel comfortable with being vulnerable and strong in a quest to love yourself and the people in your life.
I’m trying not to cringe writing this because I think it’s necessary to talk about things that make some of us, like me, squirm in our seats. …
HOW I BUILT ROUTINES — PART 1
But now I can build routines that stick
The world turning upside down forced me to reflect.
Look for the golden opportunities when it feels like things are falling apart.
Just so you know, I have historically been atrocious with starting or keeping any kind of routine. That all changed when the world had a meltdown in 2020.
From the year I moved out of home for the first time, just before my last year of high school, life had been rather a blur, save for the consistency of school and ice skating training.
Rush, rush, rush. That was my life for the few years that followed.
It…
Sometimes you don’t know why you feel a certain way, but listen to your gut and the reason will be revealed later on
People love to take photos, we use them to highlight the best parts of our lives, and often share these on social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook. This can be great and fun, but lately, I’ve just been turned off by photos.
I haven't looked back on old photos for a couple of months now. I’ve also found myself shying away from people taking photos with me in them. I didn’t know why I was reacting like this at first, but I think I have a feeling now.
The last time I went through my camera roll or…
Buy-one-get-one-free coffees at work are great for building trust with your colleagues
It’s a busy day on the shop floor, there’s been a steady stream of people walking through the doors all morning and it feels like there hasn’t been a moment when you’ve been able to just standstill.
It isn’t only your legs that have been running around non-stop, you’ve also been endlessly chatting with customers. Although you know that retail isn’t the industry you’d ideally like to work in, you are grateful for the source of income it provides and you do actually like the part of your job that allows you to connect with a wide range of people…
Sophie F.
Using writing to explore myself and society. I write about self improvement, society, astrology, books, and fitness.
