The psychology of desire: excitement vs. fulfilment
👋 Welcome to the Personal Growth Newsletter
Here are 3 pieces of wisdom, one great quote, concepts worth understanding, what I’ve been reading on Medium and personal recommendations.
- The psychology of desire: excitement vs. fulfilment. In the words of Naval, “The modern devil is cheap dopamine.” Dopamine can either make or break you. I believe getting ahead of this powerful chemical is how I can live a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling life. The first step with my breakup is awareness.
- Start by doing nothing. Dan Pedersen makes a good argument for “You have the gift of thought, the gift of wisdom, the gift of ideas. Use those gifts. Get familiar with them. You’ll want to distract yourself with other things, because sitting quietly takes some discipline and the world wants you to be busy. But that is what we need to do — sit quietly more often.”
- I choose to be alive while I’m alive. How not to fall for provisional living. “Psychologists have a concept they call “provisional living.” That’s the insistence, so often heard from people whose lives are stuck on a dysfunctional merry-go-round of self-inflicted crisis, that everything they don’t like about their lives will change just as soon as something else happens: as soon as they lose twenty pounds, get a divorce, quit their lousy job, or what have you.”
Great quotes
Charles Bukowski’s rules for life
One of the most powerful truth I’ve read in a very long time. Poet and novelist Charles Bukowski’s rule for life made sense when I came across it the very first time. “If something burns your soul with purpose and desire, it’s your duty to be reduced to ashes by it. Any other form of existence will be yet another dull book in the library of life.”
Concepts worth understanding
Triangulation: the gathering and confirming information from more than one source before making a decision. It gives you a better perspective and helps you eliminate bias by not relying on one source.
Shinrin yoku (forest bathing): An ancient Japanese act of spending time in a forest, opening your senses to the natural surroundings and taking in the forest atmosphere during a leisurely walk. According to research, it can boost the immune system, lower blood pressure and aid sleep.
5 lesser-known Japanese concepts that have changed my life the most.
A post from my reading list
The 28 Best Things to Eat, According to 10 Nutrition Experts. Robert asked registered dietitians and other nutrition specialists what they’d eat if they had to choose only a few foods. A great read by Robert Roy Britt.
Latest PG post
I Live, Because I Must — “Sometimes, carrying on, just carrying on, is the superhuman achievement.” — Albert Camus
One more thing
> My best newsletter recommendations (outside Medium).
I want to invest in better knowledge sources. These are some of my favourite newsletters. I’m using selected newsletters to build my learning engine for personal growth. Have a look at my favourite picks → Topics covered: learning, finance, starting up, productivity, technology, career, better living, venture capital and more.
