The hottest Personal Growth Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics

Progress Not Perfection: Leveraging Resolutions to Change Your Life

Perspectives • 6 implied HN points • 01 Jan 26
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. Resolutions work when you turn them into small, consistent habits that pile up over time to create big change.
  2. Make goals doable: pick tiny, anchored actions, track them, seek accountability, and shape your environment so the right choice is the easy choice.
  3. Aim for progress, not perfection — stick with new actions long enough (roughly a couple months) and iterate year to year to build lasting change.

2024 for the Wins

Situation Normal • 147 implied HN points • 15 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. Celebrating small wins is important. It helps you recognize progress and feel good about your achievements.
  2. Facing personal challenges, like mental health, can lead to growth. Getting support can make a big difference.
  3. Trying new things and keeping promises, like going on trips, can bring joy. These experiences enrich your life.

When In Doubt...

Weekly Wisdom • 99 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. Doubting ourselves can be beneficial as it helps us be more cautious, avoid mistakes, and blend in social situations.
  2. Self-doubt can serve as a protective mechanism to conserve energy and maintain a positive self-identity.
  3. Many people may have creative aspirations but are held back by their own doubts, contributing to a majority of individuals consuming content rather than creating it.
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am I really the crab?

Psychology Onions • 98 implied HN points • 10 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. Evolutionary biology concept of carcinisation states that eventually everything becomes a crab.
  2. The idea of fatherhood can be appealing, but it's a long journey to navigate.
  3. Uncertainty arises about whether one is following a traditional father-son evolutionary path or if they're at the end point like a crab.

The Tao of River Trash

The Recovering Academic • 98 implied HN points • 09 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. Carol Dweck emphasizes the importance of a growth mindset with the phrase "the power of yet." It's crucial to shift from a fixed mindset to embrace growth, especially in challenging transitions like leaving academia for personal growth.
  2. River trash can offer a new perspective and teach valuable lessons. Collecting litter along the riverbank can spark reflections on individual choices, consumer behavior, and environmental impact.
  3. Engaging in service activities, like cleaning up trash with a group, can foster a sense of community and shared purpose. It goes beyond just physical cleanup, creating connections and learning opportunities.

Experiments and Endeavors

polymathematics • 39 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. Doing many small experiments can keep you feeling fresh and inspired. It helps you explore new ideas and stay in touch with what’s happening around you.
  2. Long-term projects help you build skills and create something meaningful. They bring joy and a sense of purpose to your work.
  3. It's important to let your small experiments naturally grow into bigger projects. This should feel organic, like you couldn't help but keep working on them.

My journey from ADHD skeptic to Adderall enthusiast

Building the Builders • 38 implied HN points • 16 Aug 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. ADHD is often misunderstood and can lead to feelings of shame about one's abilities. Understanding it as a real condition can help people realize they are not lazy or weak-willed.
  2. Adderall can significantly improve focus and executive function for those who need it, helping them achieve their goals and maintain their attention over time.
  3. It's important to think of ADHD not just as a diagnosis, but as a way to understand your brain's functioning. This perspective can empower individuals to take control of their lives and use tools like medication effectively.

A Tale from the Friend Zone

Bet On It • 135 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. Sometimes, people see you as a friend and not a partner, and it's important to accept that. Trying to change their mind often doesn't work.
  2. Many people end up staying friends even when they have feelings for someone, which can lead to regrets later on. It's crucial to recognize when to move on.
  3. Reflecting on past relationships can bring up feelings of regret, especially when we realize things about people we once cared for. It's a part of life.

Dare to dream

Soaring Twenties • 115 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🎨 Art & Illustration Personal Growth
  1. Dreaming big is important. Imagining what you could do with the right support can spark new ideas and goals.
  2. Having a structured schedule can help balance creative work and business tasks. This way, you can focus on your art without feeling overwhelmed.
  3. It's vital to build a community around your work. Sharing your journey can connect you with like-minded people and open up opportunities.

The Sacred Wound

Jyri And • 39 implied HN points • 23 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. Sometimes, a fight can feel like a big deal, but it can also show us our limits and what we're truly willing to face. In this story, the fight led to an important lesson about standing up for oneself.
  2. Giving up isn't always a sign of weakness. It can be a way to let things go and move on from a situation that feels too heavy to handle.
  3. Our struggles can lead us to better paths in life. Even when things seem tough, they can guide us to discover who we really are and what we want to do.

Rough Draft 2024, Part One: reflecting on 2023

polymathematics • 59 implied HN points • 01 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. Reflecting on the past year helps you understand what energizes you and what drains you. This can guide your choices for the new year.
  2. You can't fail a rough draft; it's about observing and improving rather than achieving specific goals. This mindset allows for creative flexibility.
  3. Focusing on one project at a time might lead to greater success. Experimenting with this approach could help you avoid feeling overwhelmed.

My meditation teacher, Roger Thisdell (21/30)

psychotechnology • 12 implied HN points • 22 Nov 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. A pragmatic, technical coach teaches Vipassana and frames enlightenment as a non-mystical psychological and phenomenological phase shift.
  2. This approach suits independent, non-religious practitioners who want skill-focused guidance rather than a spiritual master or a community, and it's not a substitute for professional mental-health treatment.
  3. He is open to discussing drugs and cognitive enhancers as tools to accelerate insight while emphasizing meditation's specificity, and he offers income-adjusted sliding-scale pricing for sessions.

Happy birthday and bon voyage

Splattern • 59 implied HN points • 31 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. It's normal to feel sad when making big changes, but it's good to acknowledge those feelings. To feel sadness before leaving can help you appreciate everything you’ve experienced.
  2. Friendship can overcome past issues. Even if there was a falling out, real friends can show up for each other when it matters most.
  3. Living a simpler, more connected life doesn’t depend on your location. You can create a fulfilling lifestyle anywhere, even in busy places like New York.

Good Bones

Notes in the Margins • 59 implied HN points • 30 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. Reflecting on past experiences is crucial before making plans for the future
  2. Sometimes big changes lead to unexpected self-discoveries and shifts in identity
  3. Unraveling limiting beliefs can reveal one's true self and strengths

Purpose anxiety

10x your mind • 99 implied HN points • 09 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. Purpose anxiety is the fear of not knowing your purpose in life, which can lead to emotional distress and depression. Finding your purpose can bring contentment, confidence, and optimism.
  2. Having a purpose in life is closely related to self-actualization and is an important ingredient for reaching one's full potential.
  3. To deal with purpose anxiety: rephrase the question from 'What's my purpose in life?' to 'What all really matters to me?', avoid comparing yourself to others, and be open to reinventing yourself. Remember, there's no deadline to discover your purpose.

I didn't keep the house, I built a new one

Men Yell at Me • 174 implied HN points • 20 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. When people split up, the question of who keeps the house can come up, and it can be a complicated issue. It touches on feelings of home and shared lives.
  2. Deciding what to keep from a shared life, like furniture or memories, can feel like separating parts of a relationship. It's about more than just physical items; it's emotional too.
  3. Building a new life after a split can be empowering. Instead of holding on to the past, creating something new can symbolize hope and fresh beginnings.

Cutting the Cord

Disaffected Newsletter • 259 implied HN points • 15 Dec 22
🎙 Podcasts Personal Growth
  1. It's important to protect yourself and your family from toxic relationships, even if they are with parents.
  2. Many people struggle with feelings of self-doubt after experiencing abuse, questioning if they are to blame.
  3. Supporting creators can help them continue their work, especially when facing financial challenges.

What are you letting go of in the New Year?

Men Yell at Me • 133 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. Think about what you want to leave behind as the New Year starts. It's a chance to reset and focus on what matters.
  2. Taking breaks and enjoying downtime is important for well-being. Don't feel bad about resting and recharging your energy.
  3. Reflecting on the past can help guide your future. Use your experiences to decide what changes to make in the coming year.

Expose Yourself

Disaffected Newsletter • 359 implied HN points • 04 Aug 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. Facing your fears can reduce their power over you. When you take steps to confront what scares you, like crossing a scary bridge, it can actually make it easier over time.
  2. Developing personal techniques to cope with anxiety is important. Things like distraction or reminding yourself that you are safe can make a difference.
  3. Avoiding situations that trigger your fears can sometimes make them worse. Instead, tackling those situations head-on might help you feel more in control and less anxious.

Embrace the plateau

Wednesday Wisdom • 151 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Personal Growth
  1. The plateau in life is a normal phase where you might feel stuck, but it's also the time you really start mastering skills. Instead of rushing through it, take it as an opportunity to deepen your understanding.
  2. As you age, your energy and focus shift, making it essential to choose where you invest your effort wisely. It's okay to slow down and be strategic about your goals.
  3. Recognizing the limits of your abilities can help you embrace the plateau and focus on refining what you already know, rather than constantly seeking new challenges.

Befriending the soul.

Neckar’s Notes • 60 implied HN points • 25 May 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Personal Growth
  1. Making time for your soul is important. It helps you connect with your true self and understand what you really want.
  2. Slowing down and being present can lead to deeper insights. Instead of just staying busy, it's good to reflect and listen to your inner thoughts.
  3. Asking yourself meaningful questions can spark creativity and understanding. These questions can help you explore who you are and what you truly care about.

Regret Maximization Sickness

Investing 101 • 55 implied HN points • 07 Jun 25
💰 Finance Personal Growth
  1. Regret can hold us back and often leads to worse decisions. Instead of focusing on what we've done wrong, it's better to learn from mistakes and move forward.
  2. There is a lot of pressure to maximize our regrets, but we can choose to focus on hope and redemption instead. We have the option to embrace grace for ourselves and others.
  3. Investing should be about hope for the future. Dwelling on past regrets stops us from looking forward and finding new opportunities.

What Goes Without Saying

Rough Diamonds • 128 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. It's important to distinguish between things that seem good and things that are truly good. Always look for the real value behind what's presented to you.
  2. We should strive to do better in our own lives, even if society has problems. It’s about taking action in your own local context instead of waiting for everyone else to change.
  3. Cut out pointless busywork in organizations. Focus on efficiency and ensuring that every task contributes to meaningful outcomes.

Ending the War with your Inner Critic

The Leadership Lab • 59 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. Inner criticism can serve a short-term motivating purpose, but its long-term effects can harm mental and physical health, relationships, and happiness.
  2. Identifying, separating from, and understanding your inner critic is key to rewiring your relationship with self-criticism.
  3. Instead of fighting the inner critic, approach it with curiosity and love, treating it like a frustrated child and learning to set boundaries to move forward positively.

Untethered

The Analog Family • 199 implied HN points • 08 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. Losing a job can feel really unsettling and emotional, especially after dedicating a long time to it. It’s normal to feel lost and to grieve the sudden change in routine.
  2. Even though losing a job is tough, it can also open up new opportunities and paths. With time, it’s possible to feel excited about what comes next.
  3. Having a personal project, like writing a book, can be really important as it showcases your skills and gives you something to be proud of. It can also help you find direction during a career change.

Put on your beginner hat!

box. • 159 implied HN points • 24 Apr 23
🚌 Education Personal Growth
  1. It's important to not limit yourself to one label, like 'engineer' or 'leadership kid.' Embrace all your skills and interests to grow as a person.
  2. Breaking down barriers between different groups, like tech and leadership, can lead to personal growth and better teamwork. Everyone has something valuable to share.
  3. Community support is key in learning new things. When we help each other, we all grow together and create a better environment for everyone.

Peter Attia's Powerful Final Chapter | #283

Boundless by Paul Millerd • 130 implied HN points • 07 Dec 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. Peter Attia shares a deeply personal story about how workaholism affected his family. He reflects on his mistakes and emphasizes the importance of emotional health.
  2. He argues that personal transformation often comes from sharing real, vulnerable stories rather than following strict guidelines or frameworks.
  3. Attia highlights the difference between mental and emotional health, suggesting that we need to focus more on emotional wellbeing to truly optimize our lives.

Weekly Wednesday Wisdom #7

Weekly Wisdom • 99 implied HN points • 02 Feb 23
🚌 Education Personal Growth
  1. Documenting your learning process and teaching along the way can be an effective method to learn and grow.
  2. Storytelling is essential in communication and can be a powerful tool, even in something as seemingly mundane as copywriting.
  3. Reflecting on your progress, implementing small planning practices, and exploring new learning challenges can help in personal growth and development.

Embracing Experiments of Living | #284

Boundless by Paul Millerd • 121 implied HN points • 21 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. Trying new things in life can lead to personal growth and discovery. It's important to run experiments to learn what works for you.
  2. Reinvention is a gradual process, not a one-time event. As you change your behaviors, you may feel lost, but that's part of finding your new path.
  3. Being self-employed allows for flexibility and exploration. It's a way to actively engage with life, rather than just following the usual routines.