Meaning and the good life

Painting of a forest at night with a small house and dimly lit sky visible through the trees.

Is modern asceticism about conformity or quiet revolution?

From detoxes to slow food, today’s asceticism is often about fitting in. But we can rediscover its transformative power

by Iryna Mykhailova

A surfer riding a wave under a cloudy sky, with another large wave shown behind.

Equanimity is not stillness – it is a mobility of the mind

To grasp the power of this lauded quality, think of it less as a mountain than as a flexible, even playful way of seeing

by Michael Uebel

Ancient mosaic depicting a lounging skeleton with Greek text, an amphora, a loaf of bread and a platter on a dark background.

Reflections on mortality can help you live well now – here’s how

For me and many others, contemplating death has clarified what matters. These curiosity-based exercises will get you started

by Joanna Ebenstein

A person watering plants in an urban garden with buildings in the background on a cloudy day.

How to make your life feel more meaningful

Existential psychology offers specific ways to find meaning, giving you a buffer against despair in these anxious times

by Steven Heine

Photo of a brown earthworm on rough grey asphalt in sunlight.

Why, in a universe of pain, I’m saving stranded earthworms

Any action can seem futile amid so much suffering. I’ve realised the important thing is to stop despairing and do something

by Claire E Schultz

Photo of nine matches in a row, progressing from unused to completely burnt.

How to recover from burnout

Feeling worn down, checked out, or bitter about work? The answer is not to ‘just work harder’. Try these steps instead

by Debbie Sorensen

Photo of sunlit green leaves and branches against a bright blue sky.

The most profound wonder is stirred by what is most ordinary

Rare moments of wonder at the mere existence of things – rather than the dramatic or new – involve perceiving with the soul

by Maria Balaska

Black and white photo of a person wearing a jacket, eyes closed, with a foggy forest background and tree branches above.

How to find new spiritual practices

Even if religion isn’t for you, there’s a world of rituals and tools to lift yourself up and connect to something greater

by Morgan Shipley

Impressionist painting of a family in a garden, with a child learning to walk, assisted by an adult, as another adult crouches down with outstretched arms.

A philosophical approach can help you identify what truly matters

We’re often taught to live according to our values, but this is easier said than done without pausing to reflect deeply

by Valerie Tiberius

Photo of a person hugging two children in an outdoor area with a brick wall background and foliage on the left.

How to get the most out of caregiving

Giving care is hard, but it’s one of the most meaningful things you can do. Here’s how to change up your perspective

by Elissa Strauss

A rake with a wooden handle rakes through sand dunes, its trail mixing with shadows from a line of multicoloured flags.

An artist captures the joys of solitude amid a month living in a beach shack

Directed by Lynne Sachs

Photo of a glass half full of water on a wooden table with a beige background.

How to appreciate what you have

To better face an imperfect world, try a deeper reflection on the things, people and legacies that make your life possible

by Avram Alpert

Photo of a person playing swingball in an alley with bicycles and a basket on the cobblestone path.
PLAY

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

Painting of an elderly shirtless man with a beard, eyes closed and leaning back against a dark textured background.

How to live like a Cynic

Take inspiration from Diogenes, the philosopher in a barrel, and transform your negativity into a liberating force for good

by Ansgar Allen

Photo of a man working at a desk with multiple monitors, backed by a large mountain mural, in an office setting.

Why do so many people think they are in a bullshit job?

Researchers continue to debate whether some jobs are inherently useless – but all agree it’s harmful to see your job this way

by Shayla Love

Photo of two people on a ledge under an umbrella during dusk overlooking a cityscape and the sea.

You can be a materialist and find meaning in the universe

My hard-nosed materialism led me to an existential crisis, but then I realised the difference between science and scientism

by Jessica Tracy