Two antidotes to anxiety
Helping Friendly Newsletter, 07.09.21
GM! ☕️
Here’s what you’ll find in today’s email:
Two antidotes to anxiety
What’s the idea?
How to spot a good thought partner
Cult of busyness, cont…
1. Two antidotes to anxiety
Psychiatrist, professor, and mindfulness teacher Jud Brewer recently spoke with Ezra Klein about how we learn (and can unlearn) habits, including anxiety. Of note is Brewer’s emphasis on curiosity and kindness as antidotes to worry and fear.
2. What’s the idea?
In a 1957 interview, Frank Lloyd Wright spoke to the power of built spaces to reflect ideals and support flourishing. His point: physical environments can empower us to live differently and therefore should convey our deepest values. Of every space, he would ask: “What’s the idea?”
3. How to spot a good thought partner
A thought partner can help you explore an idea, unravel a problem, study a question, or reach a decision. Here’s how to spot a good one:
4. Cult of busyness, cont…
Last week, I shared an article on the “cult of busyness,” and I heard from you that it hit home. Here’s a prompt to help you investigate:
What qualities (negative and positive) do you associate with a busy person? Do you wish to emulate any of those characteristics? If yes…Can you envision a less busy way to embody them? Be honest about any trade offs—how will you handle that?
Thank you for reading
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Treasure chest
I bet you find a gem ➔ how to work hard1 | multiyear research from Iceland helps validate the 4-day work week2 | the promises at the heart of AA | rewire your brain for joy | Elvis Costello, Olivia Rodrigo, and the art of the remix | I feel ya, Vince👇🏼
Have a great weekend! I’ll see you again soon.
Jenny
Via The Hustle.