Notes to self
Recommendations and insights based on research, books, films and more
In praise of not-quite-friends
Learning about the Korean concept of ‘jeong’ helped me understand the importance of my not-quite-friends at the gym
by Christian Jarrett
The marks we leave each day
The protagonist of On the Calculation of Volume gets a unique view of how her actions matter. What if we saw the same?
by Hannah Seo
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Absence of presence and presence of absence
Mindfulness experts teach us to be present in the moment. I suggest an antidote – a meditation that’s focused on absence
by Nigel Warburton
Being lonely taught me how to be me
When I moved to a new city where I had no friends, Olivia Laing’s book helped me find my own rhythm and enjoy time alone
by Anandi Mishra
Emotions were felt differently in the past
A profile of a scholar of the history of emotions provoked a remarkable backlash. But critics of the field misunderstand it
by Sam Haselby
The satisfaction of doing work that lasts
In Studs Terkel’s oral history ‘Working’, some of the people happiest with their work have something in common
by Matt Huston
In praise of not-quite-friends
Learning about the Korean concept of ‘jeong’ helped me understand the importance of my not-quite-friends at the gym
by Christian Jarrett
Don’t let nature slip out of reach
Research on the ‘extinction of experience’ suggests many of us are losing vital connections to the natural world
by Hannah Seo
The joy of falling down together
My reluctant participation in a line-dancing class showed me how moving as one promotes feelings of group unity – and joy
by Amy Arthur
Climbing gives me a break from my brain
When I took up indoor climbing, I didn’t anticipate the special appeal it held for someone with ADHD
by Alizeh Kohari
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View allAbsence of presence and presence of absence
Mindfulness experts teach us to be present in the moment. I suggest an antidote – a meditation that’s focused on absence
by Nigel Warburton
Being lonely taught me how to be me
When I moved to a new city where I had no friends, Olivia Laing’s book helped me find my own rhythm and enjoy time alone
by Anandi Mishra
Emotions were felt differently in the past
A profile of a scholar of the history of emotions provoked a remarkable backlash. But critics of the field misunderstand it
by Sam Haselby
