The first skill I learned when I became a political science professor nearly 20 years ago was how to quiet a room full of chatty undergraduates.
Advice & Confessions
‘Seen’ With No Reply Used to Ruin My Whole Day
Every minute of silence, I was filling the blank space with the worst possible explanation, then reacting to it as if it were fact.
Every minute of silence, I was filling the blank space with the worst possible explanation, then reacting to it as if it were fact.
When Was the Last Time You Were a Beginner at Something?
We spend decades getting good at things. But what might we be missing by avoiding the things we're terrible at? A few lessons from rock climbing, surfing, and the joy of being a beginner.
We spend decades getting good at things. But what might we be missing by avoiding the things we’re terrible at? A few lessons from rock climbing, surfing, and the joy of being a beginner.
The Operational Cost of Being the Strong One
When competence becomes a cage and reliability becomes a debt you never agreed to carry.
When competence becomes a cage and reliability becomes a debt you never agreed to carry.
Forget About Forgiveness
If you come from a situation like mine, you’ve heard this a million times, “You just need to forgive.” It’s offered up casually like a cure-all, a magic step that will somehow erase years of hurt.
If you come from a situation like mine, you’ve heard this a million times, “You just need to forgive.” It’s offered up casually like a cure-all, a magic step that will somehow erase years of hurt.
Why the Brain Supports the Fantasy
Why losing the dream feels harder than finding happiness.
Why losing the dream feels harder than finding happiness.
Finding Steadiness When the Ground Feels Shaky
Leo Babauta shares a mindfulness practice for managing uncertainty, acknowledging difficult emotions and finding inner calm amid external turmoil.
Leo Babauta shares a mindfulness practice for managing uncertainty, acknowledging difficult emotions and finding inner calm amid external turmoil.
The Quiet Disappearance of Conversation
We need to talk.
We need to talk.
Through the Tian Shan
Kyrgyzstan solo on my mountain bike
Kyrgyzstan solo on my mountain bike.
I Finally Figured Out Why I’ve Kept Some Friends in My Life and Others I’ve Let Go
Some friends are for a season, others are for a lifetime.
Some friends are for a season, others are for a lifetime.
Why Silence Sometimes Helps Creativity
Or when was the last time we drew on the pavement?
Or when was the last time we drew on the pavement?
The Mind Is a Great Servant but a Poor Master.
The mind is very good at turning "maybe" into later.
The mind is very good at turning “maybe” into later.
Why Are We Afraid to Be Seen?
What if the thing we’re afraid to show is the thing that brings us closer?
What if the thing we’re afraid to show is the thing that brings us closer?
Depression vs. Laziness: How to Tell the Difference
Learn how to distinguish depression from temporary low motivation by recognizing emotional, behavioral and physical symptoms that may require support.
Learn how to distinguish depression from temporary low motivation by recognizing emotional, behavioral and physical symptoms that may require support.
I Used to Send Flowers and Disappear
I’ve learned that vulnerability and safety can coexist, and that feeling pain doesn’t mean being destroyed by it.
I’ve learned that vulnerability and safety can coexist, and that feeling pain doesn’t mean being destroyed by it.
The Most Successful People I Know All Quit Something Big. The Ones Who Are Stuck Never Quit Anything.
We treat quitting as failure. It might be the most underrated skill for a good life.
We treat quitting as failure. It might be the most underrated skill for a good life.