If you want to be with someone emotionally available, you first have to be emotionally available yourself. I learned this the hard way.

After my first big heartbreak, I didn’t want to grieve the loss of my relationship. The pain was just too much to bear. So, I would jump into another relationship as soon as possible.

Yet, the more I lived this way, the more I became emotionally unavailable. No matter how much I claimed to want real intimacy and connection, I actually didn’t know how it looked or felt. …

It’s common to seek the wisdom of people who have led remarkable lives. One such man is Keanu Reeves, who’s something of a pop-culture icon, not because of any particular film, but for being Keanu Reeves himself.

Much of what we know about his offscreen persona has been told or reported by others, in part because of his desire for privacy.

Yet perhaps it’s also why we’re so drawn to him. In a time rife with cynicism, hopelessness, and selfishness, he comes across as humble, kind, even almost heroic in every sense of the word.

With that in mind, here…

It’s no coincidence that Finland is statistically the happiest country in the world for the third consecutive time. But unlike the wellness trends that emerged from its Nordic neighbors — the Danes have hygge and the Swedes have lagom— the Finns have a more simplistic and realistic way to happiness.

Kalsarikännit, which loosely translates to päntsdrunk in English, literally means “drinking at home, alone, in your underwear.”

It’s such a widely celebrated pastime, that Finland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched two emojis of people drinking in their underwear to help explain Finnish culture to foreigners.

In many other countries, this…

What makes you happy?

Is it money? A viral post? Expensive wines?

In these last few months, I’ve found that old movies make me happy. It’s kept me alive and highly entertained during the height of the quarantine. It’s also made my partner and me closer than ever, which in turn, makes me even happier.

However, according to ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus, if we’re interested in living happily for a long time, we’re most likely going about it the wrong way.

That car you just bought? That joke you tweeted? …

“I should do this” or “I must do that.”

When was the last time you tried to motivate yourself by saying those phrases? And did it work?

I’m only asking because they’ve never worked for me. In fact, those statements have caused me unnecessary pressure and resentment all my life. Ironically, I only end up feeling apathetic and unmotivated.

Renowned psychologist Albert Ellis calls this “musturbation.”

It’s when you bully yourself and others to a perfectionistic standard. It’s the relentless voice in your head that’s beating you up with oppressive words such as should, must, have to.

• I should be…

Are you afraid to stop hustling? Do you think slowing down will reduce your chances of success?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you’re not alone.

According to the New York Post, almost half of Americans consider themselves workaholics. In fact, a survey by Business Insider showed that 30% of respondents said they would occupy themselves with work if they had more spare time.

Who can blame you? There’s too much work to be done and too little time to do it.

So what if you miss out on many family dinners to clock in some overtime…

There are always a million excuses not to do something.

For example, when I woke up today, I immediately found myself coming up with excuses not to workout or hop in the shower. My thoughts were so relentless, I was almost convinced that staying in bed all day was rational.

Sounds familiar?

The moment we think of doing something productive, we give ourselves excuses in the form of “buts.”

It’s so easy to do them. It’s basically in our nature.

Sometimes we like to procrastinate; other times we just don’t like certain tasks. Perhaps we find them boring, pointless, draining…

When it comes to success, there’s only one right answer.

Attitude. You got to have the right attitude for it.

We all know this. And yet, there are still many of us who fail to acknowledge this simply because we’re set in our ways.

Personally, I’m always ready to defeat and belittle myself every time I’ve accomplished something. Whenever I start celebrating my little milestones, my head is always screaming at me that it isn’t enough yet.

Ironically, however, it’s making me miserable and burned out quickly. And the more I’m frustrated with myself, the more I lose momentum to…