In a world obsessed with optimisation (biohacks, productivity apps, habit trackers) it can feel almost radical to do something… badly. Not “strategically average” or “work in progress” badly, but truly, gloriously, amateurishly badly. And yet, science suggests that embracing imperfection may be one of the...
In a world of instant answers, one-click purchases, and sleek, sealed devices, the humble art of tinkering is quietly disappearing. We no longer open the back of the radio, unscrew the broken fan, or dismantle the old clock just to see how it works. Instead,...
Every January, millions of people set bold goals. New habits. New routines. A “new me.” And for a few weeks, motivation is high. Then life gets busy. Willpower fades. Old patterns return. By February or March, most resolutions quietly disappear. This isn’t a personal failure; it’s...
If neoliberalism privatised happiness, then the path forward lies in reclaiming it as a shared human experience. The antidote to hyper-individualism is not more self-optimisation, but a renewed focus on humanism, compassion, and interconnectedness. Humanistic psychology, founded by thinkers like Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow, emphasised...
While self-help promised empowerment, it also carried a hidden cost. Neoliberalism’s emphasis on personal responsibility shifted attention away from collective realities. When everything — success, happiness, even burnout — becomes your fault or your choice, the psychological burden is immense. Under neoliberal logic, the individual becomes...
The modern self-help industry didn’t just appear out of nowhere, it’s at least in part the product of a particular historical and economic philosophy: neoliberalism. Emerging in the late 20th century, neoliberalism prioritised individual responsibility, market freedom, and personal productivity as the ultimate measures of...
Hope is often spoken of as something we feel: we “hope for the best,” “hold on to hope,” or “lose hope.” But in the science of positive psychology, hope is much more than an emotion or wishful thinking, it’s a dynamic force that shapes our...
Walk into any room and you’ll find a spectrum of human expression. Some people light up the space with stories and laughter. Others prefer quiet observation, connecting deeply one-on-one. Some feel emotions like a symphony, intense and beautifully complex, while others are steady, calm waters. And guess...
In a world that celebrates success and recognition, it’s easy to measure our worth by what we achieve or how others respond. Yet decades of research in psychology and wellbeing reveal that real fulfilment comes not from applause, but from alignment — living according to...
Most of us spend our lives trying to make things easier—more convenient, more comfortable, more predictable. Yet science tells us that the very opposite, discomfort, is often the key to growth, fulfilment, and long-term happiness. Whether in our personal lives or careers, learning to embrace...