Work and vocation

Self-knowledge and personal growth Relationships, work and leisure Values and ethical living

Animals Caregiving Communication and language Community Conflict and conflict resolution Cooperation and collaboration Food and drink Forgiveness Friendship Home Love Money and economics Parenting and families Place Pleasures and pastimes Sports and games Technology and media Travel Work and vocation

LatestPopular

Personality

idea

Introverts are excluded unfairly in an extraverts’ world

One in three people are introverts, physically present, but culturally absent. We shouldn’t have to change to be heard

by Noa Herz

Painting of a man in a bowler hat, seated with a drink and cigarette, gesturing expressively while at a table.

Thinkers and theories

idea

Learning to be a loser: a philosopher’s case for doing nothing

For Emil Cioran, a life devoid of action, practical ambitions and busyness is a life in which room has been made for meaning

by Costica Bradatan

Abstract painting with colourful overlapping straight and curved lines on a light background.

Creativity

guide

How to be lucky

Most of us think that luck just happens (or doesn’t) but everyone can learn to look for the unexpected and find serendipity

by Christian Busch

A sailboat on a calm lake at dusk with snow-capped mountains in the background under a cloudy sky.

Meaning and the good life

film

A boatbuilder above the Arctic Circle works hard at his epicurean life

Directed by Vern Cummins & Jamie Gallant

Photo of a neon-lit window display with mannequins, featuring “Willkommen im Love Story” and “Caffe” signs in German.

Gender

idea

The reality of prostitution is not complex. It is simple

Prostitution is not sex and it’s not work. Its reality is far from complex – in fact, it’s simple. Trust me, I’ve done it

by Rachel Moran

Black and white photo of five children sitting on a kerbside in front of a house, with playful expressions.

The self

idea

The self of self-help books is adrift from social and economic facts

Self-help books are a broken parachute: to win friends and influence people, take advice from a social scientist instead

by Craig Schamel

Painting of a person sleeping in a bed with yellow bedding and a red blanket in a warm-toned room.

Pleasures and pastimes

guide

How to rest well

Taking a break isn’t lazy – learning to recharge is a skill that will allow you to enjoy a more creative, sustainable life

by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang

A woman with her hair up looking out of a train window, resting her chin on her hand. The outside view is white and indistinct.

Travel

film

‘It pulls you in’: the staff seduced by the rhythms of the Trans-Siberian railway

Directed by Anastasia Kirillova

Play

idea

The achievement society is burning us out, we need more play

This is about more than a self-help switch – it will take structural changes to reject capitalism’s productivity obsession

by Alec Stubbs

Blurry photo of a dimly lit interior with a person in swimwear under red lighting.

Work and vocation

idea

In an unstable economy, I found freedom and security in sex work

Speculation about the mental health of sex workers is undermining. Focus instead on how to improve our working conditions

by Tamara MacLeod

Black-and-white photo of two people kneeling on sand examining a map with visible tracks in a vast desert landscape.

Decision-making

guide

How to make a difficult decision

It’s tempting but unwise to delay important choices. Grasp the nettle by using both systematic checklists and gut instinct

by Joseph Bikart

Two people in a worn-out room with an old TV, a mirror reflecting more people, and various items on countertops and shelves.

Artists and art history

film

One Kandinsky, one viewer and one guard, in a Moscow power station

Directed by Nastia Korkia