If you’re looking for some hacks, recommendations, and motivation to read, this is it.

If your answer is “yes,” I have a few resources that could help you.

A few months ago, I realized that I, along with many people around me, felt a disturbing lack of freedom of the way we use our time when it came to social media. It no longer seemed like it was our decision whether to spend time on Instagram or not. These platforms are built on systems designed to generate massive amounts  of money, and they do so by stealing as much of your attention as possible.(Giraldo-Luque et al., 2020)

Do you ever feel like the latest stage of capitalism makes you lose money every time you want to stand, walk, or sit outside? Systemic issue? Sure. But before you try to take down the current economic and political systems, you might wanna try watching this video that will hopefully help you retain more of your income, and in this money-hungry world:).

After watching hours of productivity content online, I came to realize that around 80% of it is unrealistic, unnecessary, or pure BS by someone trying to game the algorithm - more likely to give you anxiety than to get rid of it.

One of the rare exceptions, however, is a video explaining the Trident Method of time management by Ali Abdaal. I watched it two years ago, set up the system for myself right after, and, with a few tweaks here and there, have been using it ever since.

I stumbled across the idea of street epistemology during the course Searching for Sustainable Livelihoods, and it has changed the way I talk with people about important issues. David McRaney’s core idea is: don’t approach someone with the goal of proving them wrong. Instead, stand shoulder to shoulder with them, look at the issue you're discussing, and try to find where you disagree and why.

After around three years, I got back into reading sections of Jaspers' “The Question of German Guilt.”

You don’t have to want to get rich or even care about money. However, the economy functions in a way that if you don’t care just a little bit, you are likely not to be adequately rewarded for your efforts and contributions to society.

A good example of effective communication: Talking to people whose views differ from mainstream beliefs—especially those influenced by misleading narratives — can help them reconnect with scientific consensus and lessen the hold of confirmation biases that benefit those who thrive on distrust of the media and authorities.

"Although I’m not really into poetry much, I read or listen to this poem by Lawrence Ferlinghetti every now and then since I was 16. Especially because I study international development, I often feel a slight anxiety about the state of the world. When I do, it is as if Ferlinghetti was telling me, “No, it is not good; it is never going to be good. It’s bad, but we can try to do something about it and smile while doing it.”

I recently listened to an interesting discussion between Alex O'Connor and Slavoj Žižek on topics including sex, identity politics, freedom, and religion. I highly recommend finding the topics you are interested in and hearing what Zizek has to say (they are labeled so it's easy to find)