20-year-old communications graduate living in the Waikato, New Zealand. Currently working in internal communications at a technology company in Hamilton. Sharing what I'm learning and contemplating weekly––often related to happiness, productivity, and making the most of our lives.
I enjoyed spending some time in Northland this week before I start full-time work tomorrow. It's beautiful up here. Look at where I'm writing this from!
Mum and Dad's back garden.
This short trip home has one main theme: slowing down.
With our fast-paced Western society, slowing down has become unfamiliar for many of us. But sometimes we need to take a step back and spend some time not doing too much.
This week I've had the luxury of getting up slowly in the mornings, lying in the sun doing nothing, reading and writing, and going for long walks in the bush and on the beach. I know it's a huge privilege and I have been making the most of it! It has really recharged the batteries.
Slowing down and giving myself space to breathe and think has been on my mind a fair bit recently, particularly as I've tried to be more aware of the impacts of my phone addiction.
I deleted Instagram, X, Facebook, and LinkedIn from my phone a few weeks ago, and it has made a noticeable impact on my mind, body, and soul. I still browse social media on my MacBook, but I do so intentionally and in control.
Removing the apps from my phone has blocked me from getting a quick dopamine fix and filling my time up with mindless scrolling, both of which were pulling me in the wrong direction. I'm planning to write more about this soon.
Have a great week and see if you can find some time to slow down this week.
🪄 Derren Brown -I've been back down the rabbit-hole of mentalist/illusionist/ magician/writer Derren Brown this week. His work is incredible. Most it is designed to expose the methods of those who claim to possess supernatural powers, such as psychics, mediums, and faith healers.
In his show Miracles for Sale, Derren chooses a random guy, trains him over six months to become a convincing pastor, and then that random guy attempts to perform faith healing miracles live. In another show, Fear and Faith, Derren investigates the psychological roots of religious beliefs and gives an atheist a moving conversion experience through purely secular techniques. Very curious stuff.
I also listened to Derren's feature on a few podcasts: The Joe Rogan Experience, Under The Skin with Russell Brand, and Talks at Google. He talks about stoicism, the psychology of socio-political standpoints, how we frame suffering, happiness and meaning, the philosophy of wellbeing, and more. He's a really interesting guy with some cool ideas.
Focus on what provides value to others, not what impresses others.
Other people spend about as much time thinking about your lifestyle and accomplishments as you spend thinking about their lifestyle and accomplishments. Which is to say, not much time at all.
The things we do to impress others rarely impress them for longer than five minutes. But the things we do to provide value for others can last a lifetime. In the long run, one of the most impressive things you can do is provide exceptional value.
20-year-old communications graduate living in the Waikato, New Zealand. Currently working in internal communications at a technology company in Hamilton. Sharing what I'm learning and contemplating weekly––often related to happiness, productivity, and making the most of our lives.
