A blog of lists by a generalist named Jen.
Without accountability, it's easy to cite too little time, too much to do, insufficient resources, the wrong context, an initial "no", or any number of other factors as a good enough reason to not advance a goal. An accountability buddy is a free, easy, and enjoyable way to built accountability into your life.
Jigsaw puzzles have made an enormous comeback during the pandemic, boasting a screen-free, meditative way to slow down and create something. It surprises me that the same has not been true for board games. But, I have a hunch about why.
Even though stock images are nobody's first choice, images are necessary for conveying stories, smart design, and marketing. Diverse photos aren't just about seeing people of different colors, sizes, genders, and abilities. (In fact, photos that appear to simply check these boxes are colloquially labeled "the diversity photo," which can do more harm than good at times.)
Whether it’s advice, a connection, a service, goods, recommendations, time, presence at an event, or financial support, people need things from others. It’s how we coexist and form societies and communities. And people are often very willing to give. But, how you ask matters both for immediate results and long-term implications.
I am taking the Science of Well-Being course through Coursera and Yale (free! highly recommend!), and a valuable reminder it offers is that doing things for others significantly increases happiness. For the first time, we're forced to think about how to practice this at a distance. Here are 7 practices to increase your happiness by being kind to others from a distance:
