Life is Best Lived Because of Its Unpredictable Nature
By: Nicole Akers
Tags: Parenting, Life Lessons, Travel, Writing, Self Improvement

You are awesome too, and continue to write some of the best quality writing we’re proud to feature:

Ditching My iPhone for a Flip Phone Made Me See How Useless Smartphones Can Be by Megan Holstein

Sunday night before last, I was lying in bed and looking at my Screen Time stats as I do every Sunday night. This weekly review is meant to help me keep an eye on my phone use and identify problems before they balloon out of proportion. → READ MORE.

And you’ll love Megan for this one too… (Honest truth, I hate shopping, so I fell in love with this piece).

My 2021 New Year’s Resolution is to Save My Wallet, Sanity, and the Earth by Doing a Clothes Shopping Ban

Clothes shopping is a normal part of being a person, especially in 21st century America. Women plan girls’ night out with a stop to the mall, and parents plan shopping days with their children. → READ MORE.

Why One-Word Intentions Work Better Than Goals and New Year Resolutions by Omar Itani

“What’s your new year’s resolution?” That’s the one question that will flaunt around toward the final few days of every year. → READ MORE.

5 Unusual Things That Might Be Ruining Your Sleep by J.J. Pryor

I still remember faking sick when I was a kid. I’d rub my forehead until it was red, wait a few minutes, walk into my parent’s room and raspily say “I don’t feel so good.” → READ MORE.

How Public Health Crises Affect Literature by Jane Trombley

In a sobering essay in March 2020, The New York Times’ columnist David Brooks tapped into a human truth: when things get ugly, we tend to leave the details to the dry record of historical fact. → READ MORE.

Focus on Your Strengths to Reach Your Goals Faster by Jon Hawkins

According to Psychologist Alison Ledgerwood, our perception of the world is naturally negative. → READ MORE.

Time Is Your Most Valuable Resource by Pamela Hazelton

Your time is worth everything. This undervalued asset is easily spent way quicker than money. It’s frequently wasted, with little regard to the fact it cannot be recouped. → READ MORE.

‘Hillbilly Elegy’ Does Not Need to Be a Political Analysis by Ryan Fan

Last night, I watched Hillbilly Elegy on Netflix the Ron Howard adaptation of the 2016 memoir of the same name by J.D. Vance. I thought it was a very good movie with touching personal testimony and family drama. → READ MORE.

Anxiety is a Smoldering Flame That Can Easily Ignite by Kristina H

Anxiety is no joke. It is the one emotional challenge that, probably everyone, has at one time or another, and at varying levels. → READ MORE.

How To Have Difficult Conversations When You Don’t Like Conflict by Matt Lillywhite

For the longest time, I genuinely believed that avoiding conflict was smart. “If I don’t argue with anyone, all of my relationships will be absolutely perfect.” At least, that’s what I told myself. → READ MORE.

Interrupt Often as an Effective Communication Tool by Mathias Barra

As a child, I was taught to be silent when listening or interrupt my interlocutor. That’s how conversations unfold in France. → READ MORE.

How Losing My Keys Made Me Question My Attachments by Crystal Jackson

Paddling on the lake is just standard operating procedure for me. Paddling with a puppy — well, that’s new. So, it shouldn’t be surprising that the ultimate mishap happened when I was managing a puppy on a paddleboard. → READ MORE.

Why Being Smart is No Guarantee of Success by Dr. Audrey

I was only a kid, but I still clearly remember the day my mom returned from Germany and her grammar school reunion.

Both my parents are German, and trips back and forth between Germany and the States weren’t a big deal. → READ MORE.

Grow Your Mental Resilience to Stress Less About People’s Opinions by Martina Doleckova

Next door to us lives a guy who is the embodiment of happy confidence. Whenever he walks past our windows, he’s singing out loud to his headphones. → READ MORE.

Anxious Parents Don’t Have to Raise Anxious Kids by Eric Sangerma

As a dad, I want to keep my children safe from all the dangers of the world. When they’re distressed or scared, I want to be the one to protect them. But according to all the parenting advice I’ve ever read → READ MORE.

Two of the most powerful heart stories I’ve written recently can be found here and here.

Sending peace and blessings with you now and into the new year,

Nicole

PS: Do you know I have a writing course?