How to have more meaningful conversations
Be brave enough to share, kind enough to listen, and you can escape the shallows of small talk to dive deep with another
by Lucy Foulkes
Compassion and empathy
How to make someone feel seen and heard
Validation skills are not only useful for therapists. Learn them and you’ll improve your personal and work relationships
by Caroline Fleck
How to support a struggling friend
Sometimes it’s hard to know what to say or do. Use these five strategies for providing effective emotional support
by Elise Kalokerinos
How to have a difficult conversation
Avoidance will only foster more conflict. Aim for a shared understanding with these techniques from an expert mediator
by Adar Cohen
How to forgive yourself
Finding it hard to move past a hurtful mistake? With these steps toward repair and renewal, you can do and feel better
by Nathaniel Wade & Marilyn Cornish
The mathematical case against blaming people for their misfortune
Complexity science reveals the hard limits of our predictive abilities, and makes a mathematical case for compassion
by David Kinney
How to be kinder to yourself
Self-compassion techniques aren’t self-indulgent – they’ll tame your inner critic while helping you change for the better
by Brooke Schwartz
What is a minimally good life and are you prepared to live it?
Would you be willing to swap your life with that of the least fortunate person in your society? A philosophical test for justice
by Nicole Hassoun
How to wait well
Instead of fuming in subjugated irritation, turn wait times into chances to connect, muse and think big about the future
by Jason Farman
Self-compassion is not self-indulgence: here’s how to try it
Contrary to popular belief, it’s not self-indulgent to practise self-compassion. In fact, it helps you to care for others
by Christina Chwyl
How to see the humanity in anyone
Practising a form of ‘deep curiosity’ can help you connect with yourself and others, even if they’re on the ‘other side’
by Scott Shigeoka
Are people with dark personality traits more likely to succeed?
Turn towards the light: contrary to popular belief, nice guys have more success and happiness in the long run
by Craig Neumann & Scott Barry Kaufman
How to take the high road
When someone provokes you, it’s easy to react without thinking. Learn to slow down and respond in ways you’ll be proud of
by Alissa Hebbeln & Russell Kolts
How to live well with persistent pain
Tools from acceptance and commitment therapy can help you sidestep the struggle against pain – and thrive, in spite of it
by Whitney Scott
Eight ways to give yourself a pep talk when you feel stuck
All of us could do with more words of encouragement and perspective, and they don’t need to come from another person
by Rachel Goldsmith Turow
What to do when you’re feeling upset about being disliked
It’s an unavoidable part of life. Here are some tried and tested ways to get more comfortable with someone not liking you
by Ahona Guha