Welcome to the last post of 2023. In the beginning of this year, I took on a daunting New Year's resolution to share my readings and reflections with the world. And now, after 51 weeks of consistently publishing, Pursuit has gained a devoted readership of 620 ✨. I'm grateful for each and every one of you. Your presence fills my life with significance and instills in me a belief that I can make a positive difference in someone's life.
As we come closer to the upcoming year, my genuine desire for you is to cease resisting the flow of existence and allow life's current to guide you towards unexplored horizons. Discover balance between discipline and leisure. Permit yourself to experience the depths of sadness, fear, regret, love, and joy. Embrace all emotions, reflect on their significance, and allow them to navigate your thoughts towards the right path. Embrace uncertainty, trust yourself and let your authentic self radiate throughout the world.
If you would like to support me with my writing in the coming year, consider sharing this newsletter with one friend whom you believe would enjoy and benefit from it. I hope you all have a fantastic 2024.
Before we delve into this week's findings, I shouldn’t neglect to provide a tiny 2023 wrapped:
Most opened post:
Most liked post:
This week’s discovery:
⏩ Peak Decisiveness
🌴 Regular & Short vs. Long Vacations
😌 100 Ways to Live Better
📏 How to Make Time Feel Longer
🗒️ A Quote I'm Pondering On
🎵 Music I'm Listening To
⏩ Peak Decisiveness
Decisiveness really is an art. Knowing when to stay and when to leave is an art. If you’re growing rapidly, inflection points bubble up to the surface quicker. At some point you have to decide what you really want, and that’s the hardest thing in the world. The search is important. The reflection is too. But that means standing your ground on your decisions. Accepting the aftermath, the tradeoffs. Culling the branches. Letting go of what you will inevitably lose, with grace. Acting quickly once you’ve made your choice, not dragging anything out for too long.
🌴 Regular & Short vs. Long Vacations
Did you know that taking short, regular vacations can be more effective in reducing burnout and increasing well-being compared to one long vacation? Research suggests that the frequency of vacations is actually more important than the duration. Instead of a lengthy summer holiday, scheduling a few separate week-long vacations throughout the year can help reduce stress and boost happiness at work. It's like using little booster rockets at different stages, allowing you to stay recharged and happy consistently, rather than relying on one big burst of energy. Imagine giving yourself and your team the gift of a week off every two months.
😌 100 Ways to Live Better
If you have time, read the whole article. Here are the ideas that resonated with me the most and that I began to apply in my own life:
There are more great podcasts than you’ll ever have the time to listen to. If it sucks after 10 minutes, skip half an hour ahead. Still boring? Delete and move on. Obviously, do the same for books.
Unless one of them is your friend or boss, you should spend 100x less time thinking and talking about billionaires than you currently do.
Ask people to stop giving you non-consumable gifts. A physical thing that’s not exactly what you need costs more in storage and opportunity cost than it’s worth.
If you’re meeting a friend for lunch who makes less than half your income, you should pick a place in your price range and pay for both of you. And if a friend who makes double offers to do the same, accept it graciously.
Sex doesn’t have to be symmetrically satisfying every time. Some nights are just for giving, some are just for receiving. Same for relationships in general.
If you’re not having fun on dates, think of something you enjoy and do that as a date. Painting class dates, hiking dates, ping pong dates, board game dates…
If you think you’re running 10 minutes late, text to say you’ll be 15 minutes late. That way the other person gets one disappointment and one pleasant surprise. Most people do the opposite: they say they’re 5 minutes late when it’s 10 and end up annoying the other and looking like total fools.
📏 How to Make Time Feel Longer
Did you know that by seeking novelty and breaking away from routine, you can make your life feel longer? According to a fascinating study, our brains lay down more memories when we experience new things, making time seem stretched and more memorable. Instead of sticking to the familiar, seek out novel experiences and pay attention to the little details that often go unnoticed. Challenge yourself to see the world with fresh eyes, whether it's by trying new foods, exploring different places, or simply changing up your daily habits. By embracing novelty and actively engaging with the present moment, you'll create lasting memories and make your life feel more vibrant and meaningful. So, step out of your comfort zone, question the value system that favors routine, and discover the beauty of the unknown.
🗒️ A Quote I'm Pondering On
Better technology means higher expectations, and higher expectations create more work.
🎵 Music Tracks I'm Listening To
🎧 You’ll find mostly Ethnotronica, Organic House, World, Disco, and Organic Electronic here:
Previously on Pursuit: