personal development
The surprising solution for burnout: do nothing, according to one Eastern philosophy
You don’t need us to tell you: Burnout is on the rise, and women are more likely to feel burned out compared to men. Much of this burnout can be attributed to work, but, frankly, most of us have a lot more on our plates than just a 9-to-5. There are also parenting and...
This ‘law’ might be why Scandinavians are so happy
As of 2025, Copenhagen is the most livable city in the world, and Scandinavian and Nordic countries account for five of the top seven happiest countries around the globe. Europe’s northern region is often associated with a high quality of life, but many people in...
Why the Dutch concept of niksen is a lazy girl’s dream
The Netherlands is regularly named one of the happiest countries in the world (it came in sixth place in the 2024 World Happiness Report, FYI). Ask a local why this is and they might point to the relatively stable economy or the many freedoms they’re granted by the...
Feeling blah? Fix that with your Japanese ikigai
We’ve all heard of the concept of a “life purpose” in one form or another. Having a defined reason to get up in the morning can make all the difference — and yet many of us can’t quite put our finger on our own purpose or motivator. Sometimes, it can feel like each...
The South African philosophy that could cure loneliness
Traditionally, South Africa is known as a place where relationships are paramount, and even if you only visit the country briefly, you’ll likely encounter this attitude firsthand. According to a study by Remitly, which looked at personality traits in different...
The Norwegian mindset that’ll help you survive winter
Cold weather, cloudy days, little sunlight — if we’re being honest, winter can be pretty miserable. Up north in Norway, people experience the worst of the season, with extreme temperatures and just a few hours of natural light each day. But, surprisingly, research...