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In our journey through life, it is not uncommon to encounter moments of despair and inadequacy, especially when we feel unable to accomplish all the things we believe we should. This overwhelming sense of depression and guilt can stem from a demanding inner voice that constantly reminds us of our unmet expectations. However, upon closer…

Embarking on a journey to change professions and learn new skills from scratch can be a daunting and transformative experience. Similar to how children learn fundamental skills, such as walking and talking, individuals transitioning to unfamiliar professions must navigate the complexities of skill formation. To effectively master new abilities and adapt to novel roles, we…

We all face moments when we must tackle tasks we find difficult, unpleasant, or outright resist. Whether it’s starting a new exercise routine, studying for an exam, or facing a challenging project at work, we often struggle to muster the motivation to take action. In such instances, relying solely on willpower may not be enough…

I decided to write this article as a response to the many cases I encounter when antidepressants don’t help people with a diagnosed major depressive disorder. For these people the situation when drugs fail to produce relief from this debilitating experience is dire, but it doesn’t have to be. The hopelessness and helplessness that set…

I’m crossing an American border, entering the country with my new Green Card for the first time.I’ve lived in the US for three years, and finally, I could afford to visit my hometown in Kazakhstan and not worry about entering on the unreliable travel parole.This time I’m relaxed and happy.I confidently approach a border officer.I…

Yoga first happened to me when I was 15 years old. At the moment of writing, I’m 34, so it makes a scary number of “19 years ago”. Yoga happened in my life the scary 19 years ago. I hurt my knees at the martial art class I was taking then. No, I didn’t turn to…

Every so often I wonder: Are successful people happy? I would look at the people who have more than I have, and I would consider them successful. Earlier I believed that people who have more than I have must be happier than me. And since I am quite a happy person myself (in my own…

There is a problem with settings goals. A goal is this beautiful place where you really want to be, but you’re not there yet. And that is a problem. We address this problem differently. Some of us just get upset about the fact, but never move towards the goal. They make peace with such circumstances…

When I was 21 I started my first real job in the oil industry. I was a translator at a big international project — construction of a refinery plant. During the first few days at the plant, I was just following my more experienced colleague, watching him working and familiarizing myself with the job. This…