The hottest Personal Growth Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics

New Year's Challenge: 30 Days of Bite-Sized Self-Care

QUALITY BOSS • 19 implied HN points • 27 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. A 30-day self-care challenge starts on January 1, 2024, with small tips that take 5 minutes or less. It's an easy way to make self-care a daily habit.
  2. The goal is to encourage people to focus on things they enjoy rather than what they feel they should do. Enjoying life more can help reduce burnout.
  3. Besides self-care tips, other content like Quality Engineering Basics will continue in February. This shows that even while focusing on self-care, other interests can still be pursued.

The Trap of New Year's Resolutions

David Spinks' Newsletter • 3 implied HN points • 12 Dec 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. New year goals often come from a belief that you are broken and need to be fixed, which just reinforces feelings of not being enough.
  2. A better approach is to start from a place of enoughness and pick goals because they bring joy, meaning, or align with your values, not to prove your worth.
  3. When goals come from enoughness you feel less stressed about outcomes and can focus on growth, connection, and what genuinely makes you happy; regular reflection helps you stay oriented toward that place.

How To Start

Day One • 339 implied HN points • 28 Apr 20
🚌 Education Personal Growth
  1. Feeling stuck is common; many people struggle with finding their purpose. It's okay if you're unsure about what to do.
  2. Discipline is crucial for learning. Seeking knowledge and understanding are essential steps towards gaining wisdom.
  3. Start taking action and learning, even if you feel confused. Failure can lead to valuable lessons and success. Take responsibility for your growth.

Letter #17: Source Temple

Charles Eisenstein • 1 implied HN point • 28 Jan 26
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Personal Growth
  1. Traveling to other countries reveals that the worries and obsessions people shout about online aren’t universal, and different places have different priorities. It’s a useful reminder that local noise doesn’t equal global reality.
  2. Stepping away for a retreat or focused time can refresh your perspective and supply new stories and insights. Returning after that time often brings clearer thinking and renewed creativity.
  3. Some material is reserved for paying subscribers, so fuller or deeper content may be gated behind subscriptions. That creates a split between brief public pieces and more extensive subscriber-only writing.

My year of releasing differently

The Ideaspace • 39 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. Taking your time with ideas can make them stronger. It's okay to wait for an idea to develop fully before sharing it with others.
  2. Working with others can lead to amazing results. Collaboration often brings new perspectives and can amplify individual creativity.
  3. Releasing work should be about authenticity and connection, not just seeking approval. Finding the right way to share your ideas can create more meaningful engagement.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

The Way of Mediocre Man | #228

Boundless by Paul Millerd • 165 implied HN points • 24 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. Mediocre effort can lead to surprising success over time by consistently doing things you enjoy.
  2. Avoid wasting effort on things you don't want to do to prevent wasting years of your life.
  3. Embrace a stance toward life that is different from traditional success paths, focusing on emotional sophistication, ambiguity tolerance, and sustained effort.

Liminal Thinking

QUALITY BOSS • 2 HN points • 16 Jul 24
📖 Philosophy Personal Growth
  1. Changing your beliefs can change your life. By shifting how you think, you can create a new reality for yourself.
  2. Liminal thinking encourages you to look at the patterns in your life. Identify negative cycles and imagine ways to turn them into positive experiences.
  3. Understanding that beliefs shape our identity is key. If we challenge and reshape our beliefs, we can change how we see ourselves and improve our lives.

Commentary on The Constitution

Splattern • 19 implied HN points • 14 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. Many people stay in bad relationships because of societal pressure or a sense of duty, which can hold them back from finding better, healthier connections.
  2. When partying or dancing, a person's energy can affect the whole group's mood. Positive, relaxed vibes can make everyone feel safe and have fun.
  3. Predators tend to target those who seem weak or alone in social settings, so it's important to recognize your own strength and stay aware of your surroundings.

Following My Trails of Breadcrumbs

The Reclamation Era • 39 implied HN points • 27 Jun 23
📚 Literature Personal Growth
  1. The journey of writing a memoir is ongoing and personal. It involves revisiting places and memories that shape who we are.
  2. Nostalgia plays a big role in the writing process. Going back to old homes and memories helps clarify thoughts and feelings.
  3. The experience of retracing past steps can bring unexpected gifts, making the journey as meaningful as the final product.

The Gamble of Meeting New People

Devansh’s Newsletter • 15 implied HN points • 27 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. Meeting new people can be tiring and often feels like a gamble. Most of the time, it doesn't lead to exciting conversations.
  2. But sometimes, you meet someone who surprises you and makes the experience worth it. Those few amazing connections are like hitting the jackpot.
  3. This thrill of meeting new people is addictive because you never know when you'll find that special, fascinating conversation that expands your world.

Why, actually, I am doing this

Sex and the State • 16 implied HN points • 13 Jun 25
📚 Literature Personal Growth
  1. Writing can be both enjoyable and challenging. It's great when it's easy, but sometimes it feels tough.
  2. A helpful way to deal with perfectionism is to just keep trying and not worry about making things perfect.
  3. Finding motivation and reasons to write is important, even if you feel pressure to produce something great.

Flying After Our Wings Have Been Cut Bleeding Off

Tessa Fights Robots • 30 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Personal Growth
  1. Healing from our past pain helps us regain control of our lives. When we carry unprocessed hurt, it makes us more vulnerable to outside influences.
  2. Recognizing that everyone struggles with their own pain can help us be more understanding. Instead of judging others, we can see them as people trying to navigate their challenges.
  3. It's time for us to remember our strength and take back our freedom. By focusing on healing ourselves and our past, we can rise above what holds us down.

Peak Performance #25 | What would you do if you were world class?

The Leadership Lab • 78 implied HN points • 13 Mar 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. Being stuck on a problem doesn't mean there are no solutions, it often means being wrapped up in uncertainty or tradeoffs. Try to focus on creative possibilities and action instead of getting caught up in stories about the paths.
  2. When feeling stuck, shift your mindset by asking 'What if?' or 'I wonder' questions. These questions can help you identify new possibilities and bring out your creativity.
  3. It's important to balance seriousness with playfulness. Challenge yourself with the question 'What would you do if you were world class at this?' to tap into your ambition and strive for excellence in a more positive and engaging way.

What I Learned from My Mom - An Essay by Bethany Liu Age 16

Perspectives • 13 implied HN points • 01 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. Family matters a lot. Even when busy, a mom can still make time for family dinners and walks, showing how important those moments are.
  2. Procrastination is a big no-no. It's better to tackle tasks right away instead of letting them pile up because it just makes them seem worse.
  3. Being active is key. Instead of just consuming things like media, it's good to create and contribute something positive to the world.

Your Heart Knows It-

Charles Eisenstein • 1 implied HN point • 22 Jan 26
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Personal Growth
  1. Comments on Substack are being turned off so the creator doesn’t spread themself too thin.
  2. Conversation is being moved to a dedicated forum on Mighty Networks (naascommunity.org) for discussion.
  3. Short videos will keep being posted frequently, and readers are encouraged to subscribe or support via Substack.

The map is clear but the road is bumpy.

Castles in the Sky • 41 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. Training for a half marathon has shifted my view on what's possible. I used to think certain goals were unreachable, but now I'm running regularly and feeling empowered.
  2. Reflecting on my past goal-setting has shown me the value of having big goals. It's interesting how I used to see myself as driven by small goals, but I might shift back to aiming higher.
  3. Understanding ADHD has been a journey filled with mixed feelings. During testing, I felt shame for past behaviors, highlighting the need to see these challenges in a more compassionate light.

2024 Review

Ben’s Blog 🏉 🧠🧑‍💻 • 32 implied HN points • 01 Jan 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. Being kind to yourself is really important. It helps you feel proud just for being you, not just for what you achieve.
  2. Self-compassion can improve personal growth. Accepting where you are in life brings a sense of peace.
  3. Taking a more relaxed approach to your career can lead to better results. Stop forcing things and let them happen naturally.

Another day in paradise

Splattern • 19 implied HN points • 16 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. The creative process has two phases: gathering ideas freely and then adding structure to them. It's important to let each phase finish naturally.
  2. Setbacks in habits can be framed positively, like a market 'correction'. This can help you stay mindful and improve your habits.
  3. Experiences can vary wildly, like the contrast between a fancy club dinner and a social dance. These moments show the diverse experiences life offers.

the joy of browsing

visa's voltaic verses ⚡️ • 14 implied HN points • 13 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. Browsing bookstores can lead to unexpected discoveries and joy. It's exciting to find interesting books that you weren't specifically looking for.
  2. Book browsing is not just about buying books; it's also a social activity. Sharing this experience with friends can help deepen connections.
  3. Understanding the variety of genres and reader preferences in bookstores highlights the diverse interests people have. Everyone has their unique tastes when it comes to reading.

Geese and Wholeness

Charles Eisenstein • 1 implied HN point • 20 Jan 26
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Personal Growth
  1. Sometimes you suddenly feel deep gratitude for all the events that led you to this exact moment.
  2. Comments on the post are being turned off and discussions are being moved to a separate online forum.
  3. The creator will keep releasing short videos frequently and invites people to join, follow, or support the work.

Inspiration potluck

Splattern • 19 implied HN points • 12 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. People can accomplish amazing feats, like climbing all 100 peaks in a summer while biking between them. It shows that with determination, anyone can do extraordinary things.
  2. When planning your own adventure, having clear and original parameters can help. Talking to others can inspire new ideas and approaches.
  3. It's important to speak out about tough experiences, even in places you're connected to. Sharing stories can help bring attention to issues and inspire others to be brave.

My journey overcoming Anxiety, ADHD and Depression

Ben’s Blog 🏉 🧠🧑‍💻 • 40 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. Low energy can be a major cause of anxiety, ADHD, and depression. Improving your energy levels might help improve your mental health.
  2. Small lifestyle changes like better sleep and nutrition can make a big difference. It's important to figure out what keeps your energy up.
  3. Talking about your struggles is valuable. Many people feel the same way, and sharing your story can create connections and support.

The Overlooked Aspects of Successful Development Teams

🔮 Crafting Tech Teams • 2 HN points • 06 Jul 24
💼 Business Personal Growth
  1. Look beyond technical abilities to traits like negotiator, empath, athlete, pessimist, motivator, and hustler to predict team success.
  2. Recruit for the team, not just based on technical skills. Align personal core values with the company and team.
  3. Focus on building and maintaining a positive relationship with your immediate boss and closest team members for overall satisfaction and success in your career.

I'm 40 🎂

Ben’s Blog 🏉 🧠🧑‍💻 • 36 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. You are more than your job. It's important to remember that your worth isn't tied to your work performance.
  2. Taking care of yourself is crucial. If you want to support others, make sure you're prioritizing your own well-being.
  3. Your energy affects your mental health. It's not just about sleeping well or eating right; how you manage stress and spend time with loved ones also matters.

The last supper

Splattern • 19 implied HN points • 04 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. It's okay to have mixed feelings about work and life changes. Sometimes you want to adventure, and other times you just want stability, like getting another job.
  2. Team meals can be really important for bonding and closure. They help people connect, reflect, and share feelings, especially when saying goodbye.
  3. Feeling lost or uncertain at work is normal. Learning from experiences like performance reviews can help you find your way and improve in the future.

assorted thoughts on beliefs and emotions

Midnight Musings • 39 implied HN points • 24 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Personal Growth
  1. Beliefs can really shape who we are and how we interact with others. People often stick to their beliefs and form communities around them, making it tough to change opinions later.
  2. Self-sabotage and guilt can mess up our daily routines. Instead of feeling good about progress, we often focus on what we didn’t achieve and feel bad about it.
  3. Our emotions impact our relationships more than we realize. If we can let go of negative feelings and understand that others are doing their best, we can create healthier connections.

Cheers to a (California) sober 2025

Sex and the State • 29 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. Going sober for a year can help you realize what alcohol actually adds or takes away from your life. It's about finding clarity and feeling more present.
  2. Being sober means facing your emotions rather than hiding from them with drinks. This can help you deal with social anxiety and other feelings more effectively.
  3. Living without alcohol can lead to better energy and memory. The focus shifts from seeking fun through drinking to enjoying life as it is.

Thoughts on Therapy

The Carousel • 33 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. Therapy often feels repetitive and doesn't lead to real solutions. It can sometimes feel like you're just getting vague compliments without any real help.
  2. Career coaching can actually be more useful than traditional therapy. It focuses on specific goals and practical improvements in your life.
  3. Organized religion is seen as a deeper, more meaningful practice than therapy. It provides structure and purpose that therapy lacks.

Spewing at training

Ben’s Blog 🏉 🧠🧑‍💻 • 25 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🎾 Sports Personal Growth
  1. It's important to connect nutrition and rest with performance. Eating well and getting enough sleep can help you train harder and feel better.
  2. The focus should be on overall well-being, not just hard work. Taking care of yourself can lead to better results in sports and other areas of life.
  3. Burnout happens when we prioritize work over health. Making time for self-care can help boost our energy and improve performance.

Finding my way...

Notes in the Margins • 19 implied HN points • 22 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. The author faced uncertainty and numbness in their coaching practice, considering returning to work for someone else.
  2. During an interview for a product role, the idea of proving oneself sparked clarity on the right path.
  3. By dreaming bigger and crafting a vision, the author found renewed energy and joy in their work.

A Reason to Celebrate YOU

Tessa Fights Robots • 31 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. You are important and deserve love. Focusing on your connection to your family and roots is more valuable than what's happening with celebrities.
  2. Instead of getting lost in news and drama, focus on your inner self. You have the power to change your life by understanding your feelings and healing from within.
  3. Your relationships start with how you feel about yourself and your ancestry. Loving your roots can help you heal and connect with others in a more meaningful way.

The Delusion Factor

Malt Liquidity • 10 implied HN points • 17 Jul 25
📖 Philosophy Personal Growth
  1. Balancing between focusing on the present and planning for the future is important. It's okay to take things as they come, but you also need to work towards your goals.
  2. Understanding people’s motivations can help differentiate between conservative and liberal thinking. Conservatives tend to limit risky behavior while liberals focus on resolving negative situations.
  3. Success and achievements can feel unsatisfying if not connected to deeper personal fulfillment. It’s essential to look beyond accomplishments to find lasting happiness in life.

Nugget interactions

Splattern • 19 implied HN points • 18 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. Team bonding is important for a positive work environment. Everyone had fun during the lunch meeting, showing that a high-performing team can still enjoy each other's company.
  2. Setting clear goals and planning tasks can increase productivity. One engineer felt proud to share that his work velocity improved when he had defined milestones.
  3. Ambition can be a double-edged sword in creative work. A local artist believes that staying present and less ambitious helps him create better art.