When we think about improving our well-being, we often focus on what we should add—more exercise, a better diet, more sleep. But what if one of the most powerful ways to improve our health and happiness is simply a shift in perspective?
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How Do You Overcome the Bad Things You Did in the Past?
At some point, we all encounter a version of ourselves that we’d rather not see. Maybe it’s a memory that surfaces uninvited—a sharp word spoken in anger, a betrayal that played out in slow motion, the realization that you were cruel when you didn’t have to be. Maybe it’s a person you run into years later, someone who still wears the scar of a mistake you made and have since tried to forget.
The Cheetos Effect: Why Your Brain is Addicted to the Wrong Things
Ever wonder why you can demolish an entire bag of Cheetos without realizing it—but you’ve never mindlessly eaten six ears of corn in one sitting? That’s not an accident. That’s by design.
Cheetos aren’t just puffed corn with a little cheese dust. They’re a scientifically engineered dopamine bomb. Everything about them—the crunch, the melt-in-your-mouth texture, the precise balance of fat, salt, and umami—has been painstakingly optimized to override your brain’s natural “I’m satisfied” signals and keep you reaching for more.
The Social Cost of Flaunting Wealth (And Why the Smartest People Avoid It)
In 1991, a researcher named James Duesenberry proposed a theory that explains why people spend more as they earn more. He called it the “Relative Income Hypothesis.” The idea is simple: people don’t just care about what they have. They care about what they have compared to others.
This is why someone earning $250,000 a year can feel broke if their friends are making $500,000. It’s why the new Tesla Model S doesn’t feel as exciting once your neighbor gets the Porsche Taycan.
It’s also why flaunting wealth can be a trap. Not just financially, but socially.
Linkage
The Power of No: Why You Don’t Owe Strangers an Explanation – Shield and Fortify
Lets Take a Stroll Through The Art Museum – Ned Hardy
I’ve been using this chefs knife for a year now and it is outstanding. It’s very sharp, slices flawlessly and I love the way it feels in my hand. Definitely a buy it for life product – Amazon
Why are so many young people giving up on being vegetarian or vegan? – The Standard
The World’s 10 Best Cities of 2025 – Afar
7 Meditation Tips for People Who’ve Never Meditated in Their Lives – Shondaland
Watch hundreds of teenagers grow up into adults – and see how their lives turn out – The Pudding
Confessions of an Underachieving High IQ Individual – Ned Hardy
Whether you’re traveling or camping, this portable coffee maker can give you an amazing cup of joe in 2-minutes, no cartridges or electricity required – Amazon
Tesla’s 2024 financial results are out—and they’re terrible – ARS Technica
Is Porn Destroying Us? – VICE
10 Facts About the Life of Churchill’s Favorite WWII Spy – Listverse
What’s the maximum human life expectancy? – Popular Science
Phone-Free February is the best excuse to drop your apps and reconnect with real life – Upworthy
The Dumping Grounds
Why Vulnerability Is the Ultimate Act of Courage and Connection
Vulnerability is often misunderstood. We think of it as a weakness, something to hide, something that makes us small. We believe that if we don’t show our raw, imperfect selves to the world, we’ll be protected from judgment, criticism, or rejection. But what if I told you that vulnerability isn’t a weakness at all? In fact, it’s the greatest source of our connection, creativity, and courage.
Why Processing Feelings is Non-Negotiable for a High-Quality Life
In the fast-paced, always-on world we live in, it’s easy to get caught up in the hamster wheel of doing. We’re constantly in motion—working, hustling, striving, achieving. While there’s nothing wrong with being ambitious and going after what you want, there’s a critical piece of the puzzle that most of us are missing: making space to actually feel.
Linkage
The 31 Most Rewatchable Movies Ever Made – Collider
14 People Reveal What Is It like Being Married to the Right Person – Ned Hardy
The Dark Web Marketplace: How Your Data Ends Up for Sale – Shield and Fortify
A carrying case for various household batteries. Sounds a bit silly, but it really helps keep them organized – Amazon
Trapped in a prison of his own making: when Stanley Kubrick’s perfectionism got the better of him – Far Out
Has anything gotten cheaper? We shopped at Walmart to find the answer – NPR
Lucky foods to eat on the Lunar New Year – Axios
How does DeepSeek R1 really fare against OpenAI’s best reasoning models? – ARS Technica
Spencer’s Gifts Was the Mall’s Fever Dream—And We Loved It – Ned Hardy
If you have problems with keeping your air-fryer clean, these are a game changer – Amazon
7 Famous Crimes That Were Never Solved – Linkiest
Eagles fan dies after fall from pole in celebration – ESPN
Mexico to send Google letter over Gulf of Mexico name change – Reuters
Rare Glimpses of 1870s New York: Some of the Oldest Photos Ever Captured – Rare Historical Photos
Which Foods Are the Most Ultraprocessed? New System Ranks Them – Scientific American
This Is How Often You Should Ditch Your Kitchen Sponge, According to Microbiologists – Kitchn
The Dumping Grounds
