A break in usual programming…
Wigg’s Wednesdays is here again to share inspirational content on life hacks, self-development, sustainability, personal finance, minimalism, and travel tips.
Sooo, I’m back in USA this week for a personal development event + catching up with some friends I made this last year. It’ll be a whirlwind short trip to Washington DC, but I’m happy to have made the effort. In my current mission to optimise spending towards fulfilling experiences, this ticks the box for me.
If anyone has requests for USA treats for me to bring back to Adelaide at Christmas, let me know. I’m all about those Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter Cups…
Enjoy your week, friends. x Michelle Wigg
This Week’s Favourites
READ: Emotionally Extreme Experiences, Not Just “Positive” or “Negative” Experiences, Are More Meaningful in Life – Scott Barry Kaufman, Scientific American
Some interesting commentary here, including a fascinating counter-point to mindfulness and meditation. “At the end of our lives, will we look back and remember most poignantly all of the calm and tranquil meditation sessions we had, or will we remember the moments that plumbed the depths of our emotional life, that made us feel most alive?”
“Over 50 years ago, Abraham Maslow talked about the importance of “peak experiences”, which he described as “rare, exciting, oceanic, deeply moving, exhilarating, elevating experiences that generated an advanced form of perceiving reality, and are even mystic and magical in their effects…” Maslow often pointed out how overcoming intense challenges and setbacks can be a key trigger for a peak experience.”
READ: “No Worries If Not!”: The Apologetic Phrase Women Can’t Stop Using – Refinery 29
Oh gawd. I use this phrase too much. It stops now. How about you?
“As a particularly seasoned apologiser, I already know I use this phrase as a cheery way to cloak my insecurity and fears that the person receiving the message will have no interest. I’m setting it up pre-emptively, both so that they can reject me and not feel bad, and I can feel like I am less keen.”
“Most women feel the pressure to make ourselves smaller, to apologise for asking for what we’re owed.”
“Changing the language to more positive lines like ‘I look forward to working with you’ could make a huge difference to my self-worth and in turn, the outcome of responses”
LISTEN: Accept The Awkwardness: How To Make Friends (And Keep Them) – NPR
I definitely have to work on my friend-making game here in Auckland, or else it’ll be a loooong nine months during this work contract. This podcast (23mins) was a good reminder that, “Everybody is just squirming awkwardly through the universe just like you are.” Pretty amusing to hear about someone’s colour-coded spreadsheet they use to track their friendships.
“It’s OK to treat friendship as seriously as you would dating. Having friends is one of the most nourishing parts of being alive, so it’s not weird or bad or wrong to prioritize it. Get comfortable putting yourself out there a little bit. Carve the time and space you need to find and nourish your friendships. It’s what all the cool kids are doing.”
TIP: Use Zero app to track intermittent fasting
I’ve been trialing intermittent fasting 6 days a week since early July, using a 16:8 “time restricted fasting” approach (ie. 16 hours fasting + 8 hours eating window). I’ve mostly been missing breakfast, having my first meal about 12 noon, then fasting again after dinner by 8pm. The physiology of fasting is fascinating, with benefits for cell repair, weight loss and disease prevention. I also just like the time and money saved in the mornings too.
I’ve been using the free Zero app with its fast tracking history, countdown timer and reminders. Worth a look.
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