Happiness Archives - 7 Takeaways

An individual sitting comfortably in an overstuff chair in a used book store reading a book and surrounded by shelves of used books. There's a Corgi asleep in the corner.

The Strange Wistfulness of Used Bookstores – 7 Takeaways No. 293

The value of time. Information consumption habits. Go for a walk. Learning versus passing the test. Learning versus cheating. Beautiful and exotic words. Get a job, kids.

A character standing between two giant boxes — one solid black labeled 'total success,' one solid white labeled 'total failure' — trying to squeeze themselves into one or the other, while a soft rainbow of smaller, differently-shaded boxes sits ignored in the background, unused.

All or Nothing – 7 Takeaways No. 292

Public behavior. Brain failure, just when you need it. Chocolate, caffeine, and the rain forest. Yes, things can get better. Fleeting interactions matter. Knowing when to stop. Black and white. Seeing both sides.

A Corgi in a lab wearing a lab coat holding up a test tube and looking at it quizzically.

Your Brain Evolved to Solve Problems – 7 Takeaways No. 286

Critical thinking is a superpower. Problem solving is a superpower. How to improve happiness. Fewer options can be better. Science doesn’t stop (or care). The internet is for chatbots. Reading is on the decline.

two people talking with one holding up their hand palm forward to say "no"

A Good No Is an Act of Self-respect – 7 Takeaways No. 273

Everyone hurts. Waiting for happiness. AI fear. All or nothing. Unforgivable reality. Pessimism is a cop-out. Just say no.

Four vignettes stitched together in one image: An elderly man and his dog leaning gently toward each other. A little girl racing past on her tassel-bright bike. A snail carefully inching across a sidewalk crack. A single bright leaf unfurling.

Choose Joy – 7 Takeaways No. 251

Moar anger! Storm chasing. Hope power. Enough already. Rest up. Find joy. Find people.

a person holding out their hands cupped containing a small block that has the word "No" on it, as if offering a gift

The Most Generous Thing You Can Do – 7 Takeaways No. 246

Just say no. Change ain’t easy. Crisis reveals values. The last time. Happy with coffee. Know yourself better. There’s much to be grateful for.

Focus on 24 Hours – 7 Takeaways No. 226

Lighten up. Personal entitlement. One day at a time. Genius ≠ asshole. Boredom vs. change. Lasting 6 minutes. You might be wrong.

A medieval scribe at a table carefully writing a book.

Writing That’s Thoughtfully Crafted – 7 Takeaways No. 225

Too old? Find joy. Artisanal writing. Increased expectations. Your responsibility. Judging others. Making good new things.

A person sitting in a chair, holding their head in their hands, with intricate woodgrain patterns and texture covering the entire piece.

You Are Not Broken – 7 Takeaways No. 210

Watching the inexplicable. In-your-face advice. The sum of who you are. Acting “as if.” Journaling. Beautiful facts. Efficiently lazy.

A peaceful scene where an individual is reflecting on life. In the foreground, the person sits on a bench overlooking a serene landscape of rolling hills, trees, and a bright sky. Birds fly gently in the distance, and a flowing river adds to the tranquility. The figure's face is content, looking up towards the sky.

Tell Me How to Be Happy – 7 Takeaways No. 200

Happy Happy. Leave me alone. Curiosity FTW. Books FTW. Being unshakeable. Serendiptiy + curiosity = inspiration. Understanding the enemy.