authentic living, building confidence, emotional well-being, inner validation, people pleasing, personal growth, saying no, self-care, self-reflection, setting boundaries

Overcome People-Pleasing: Tips for Prioritizing Your Needs

Falling into the trap of people-pleasing is a common dilemma, often fueled by the addictive lure of constant validation that makes us feel needed and valued. Yet, this desire to make everyone around us happy comes with significant costs, including frustration, anxiety, stress, depleted willpower, and even severe burnout. This may undermine the relationships you ...

Nathan Machoka

Word bubble containing the words 'You can't please everyone' in red ink.

The Top 5 Regrets at Life’s End: A Global Perspective

As the years pass and your hair turns white, you will inevitably face the twilight of your life. Looking back, what will you regret the most? A global analysis aims to illuminate this profound question, offering insights that might inspire you to live more fully today. Here’s what people around the world wish they had ...

Max Lu

Senior couple dancing in a courtyard as their younger family members watch, smiling.

A Big Tree Bears More Wind: The Value of Keeping a Low Profile

Just like a big tree that is more easily damaged by the wind, a person who is too conspicuous or showcases their abilities too prominently can draw unwanted attention and criticism. Embracing the wisdom of ancient China, this article delves into the art of keeping a low profile and the timeless value of humility. Zeng ...

Emma Lu

Huge linden tree with orange leaves in an autumn meadow with a blue cloudy sky.

The Nature of Jealousy and How to Overcome It

Jealousy is a powerful emotion with a deep-rooted presence in human behavior. It is a natural reaction stemming from fear of loss, be it in affection or attention. Jealousy may be normal, but it’s a negative emotion that eats you from within — leading to feelings of inadequacy and emotional stress.  In this article, we ...

Nathan Machoka

Jealously.

The Self-Discipline Project

Controlling your emotions, desires, and actions through self-discipline lets you create a better life for yourself. “Discipline is choosing between what you want now, and what you want most.”—Abraham Lincoln I learned a valuable lesson from my son. From the time he was in the womb, according to my ultrasounds, my son loved to suck ...

Tatiana Denning

Woman standing on a rocky peak looking out over a lake in the valley below with mountains in the background.

Your Character Is Defined by How You React

Life inevitably brings unexpected events. If we carefully examine our past life to date, we may notice that we have undoubtedly encountered unexpected situations. During these times, our behavior often reflects our true character. The following stories depict how people act given unexpected events and how this reflects their character. Employing self-reflection My friend Vivian ...

Emma Lu

Car stopped on sidewalk.

Helping You Self-Reflect

Sometimes, you can be under too much pressure due to professional and personal responsibilities. In such situations, it is important that you pause for some time and carefully analyze the issues that trouble us. If you do not self-reflect, you will blindly keep moving ahead, increasingly pushing yourself into an unhappy, stressful, and frustrating life. ...

Tatiana Denning

A woman on rocks watching waves.

Reflections in Isolation

A new day is beginning; the sunlight makes its way into the room through a chink in the curtains. The magpies sing gracious melodies, which stand out in the unusual silence. I open my eyes, but I do not rush out of bed to get ready for work. Not today. Today is a day for ...

Laura Cozzolino

The Tao's yin-yang.