Ways of Flourishing
In contrast, the improvisational spirit lives inside that gap, and it can be surprisingly full of ingenuity and joy even when the situation is dire. As something we share with our nonhuman brethren, the capacity to form new responses is how you know you’re alive, today, here. So when my mum says, “whatever happens, happens,” what I hear is not resi
... See moreJenny Odell • Dear Future, Here’s the One Lesson I Want to Pass on to You
Yet everyday experience, along with centuries of philosophical reflection, attests to the fact that a fulfilling and accomplished life isn’t a matter of exerting ever more control. It’s not about making things more predictable and secure, until you can finally relax. A football match is exciting because you don’t know who’ll win; a field of intelle
... See moreOliver Burkeman • Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts
What would it look like to set aside comparison, discover our own definition of success, and live life on our own terms? The patience, strategy, and consistent effort required to get there may seem like lost art forms. But to create the kind of interesting, meaningful lives that we all seek, they’re essential—and it’s time to embrace them.