The hottest Personal Growth Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Perspectives • 3 implied HN points • 21 Aug 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. The right environment is crucial for growth. Just like plants need sunlight, people also thrive in the right surroundings.
  2. Attention and care matter. If you want something to grow—whether it's a plant or a relationship—you need to consistently nurture it.
  3. Learning from mistakes is part of the process. Just like a gardener might move a plant around to find the best spot, we also need to adapt and try again in life.

A Whole New World

What's Important? • 11 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. Being present means feeling the moment within you, not just thinking about it. It's important to connect with your senses and surroundings to truly experience life.
  2. The focus should be on the body's wisdom, which can guide our choices and actions better than just relying on the mind. This means paying attention to how you feel physically and emotionally.
  3. Practices like the 'Embodied Present Process' help us connect deeper with ourselves. Simple exercises can lead to a better sense of overall balance and wholeness.

Say it Imperfectly

David Spinks' Newsletter • 15 implied HN points • 26 Oct 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. It's okay to not have the perfect words when sharing vulnerable feelings. You can let others know you want to talk about something but may not express it perfectly.
  2. Asking for permission to speak imperfectly helps create a more relaxed conversation. It allows for exploration and understanding without the fear of being judged.
  3. Being honest about not knowing your own thoughts yet can lead to deeper connections. It frees you to think out loud and figure things out with someone else's support.

I’ve got an idea

Austin Kleon • 79 implied HN points • 29 Jan 21
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. Thinking about stuttering as a shared experience can change how we approach it, focusing on silence and its importance as a space for new things to emerge.
  2. Books like _The Poetics of Space_ and _Range_ offer valuable insights that can help us understand our world better.
  3. Honoring the legacies of creators, like Cicely Tyson, reminds us of their wisdom and the importance of being true to ourselves.
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The Dangers of "Repressed Special"- Part One

What's Important? • 15 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Personal Growth
  1. Intelligent and successful people can face unique challenges when they pursue a spiritual life. This can lead to mistakes if they're not careful.
  2. Having spiritual awareness can make someone more powerful, but it can also amplify their ego, which can cause problems.
  3. It's important to create safe and loving environments for personal growth, to help reduce unnecessary suffering during the journey.

23 principles

Midnight Musings • 39 implied HN points • 04 Apr 22
📖 Philosophy Personal Growth
  1. Forgiveness helps you heal and frees you from the weight of anger. It's good for both you and the people you forgive.
  2. Focus on what you can control and react positively to life’s ups and downs. Embracing challenges with love and gratitude can make life more enjoyable.
  3. Be kind and compassionate to others without needing to understand their situation completely. Compassion opens the door to real connections.

I'm still insecure

The Next Chapter • 4 implied HN points • 01 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. Feeling insecure can happen even after a lot of self-improvement work. It’s common to struggle with self-doubt no matter how far you think you've come.
  2. People often seek validation from others instead of trusting themselves. It's important to recognize your own strengths and feelings rather than relying solely on feedback from friends.
  3. Moving forward despite doubt is key. It's okay to have insecurities; what matters is continuing to pursue your goals and passions regardless of those feelings.

Beyond What's Next

Perspectives • 9 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. Taking time off can help you figure out what you really want in life. It's okay to embrace nothingness and let your mind wander.
  2. Life isn't just about being busy; it's valuable to simply enjoy moments with family and friends. Sometimes doing nothing leads to meaningful experiences.
  3. Having space in your schedule allows for spontaneity and connection. Not every moment needs to be planned out to be meaningful.

Underwhelmed

coreygarvey • 1 HN point • 08 Jun 24
💼 Business Personal Growth
  1. Struggling with feelings of underachievement in career despite a fulfilling personal life
  2. Reflecting on past choices and recognizing the impact they have had on career progression
  3. Realizing the importance of focus, consistency, and building relationships to pave the way for a more fulfilling career

A study of the heart

The Pamplet • 27 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. The heart has its own intelligence and plays a significant role in our emotions and decisions.
  2. Family connections can evolve and impact personal growth, even through challenging relationships.
  3. Personal experiences and stories can inspire creativity and transform perspectives.

Start the week #86

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 10 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
📚 Literature Personal Growth
  1. Writing can be tough sometimes, and it's normal to feel stuck or unsure about what to create. It's important to remember that finding joy and laughter in writing can be valuable for others.
  2. Social media can feel overwhelming with constant bragging and selling. It's okay to mute or block content that doesn’t interest you, and it’s important to focus on what truly matters to us.
  3. Learning an instrument, like the saxophone, involves a lot of patience and practice. Success often comes just when we feel like giving up, so it's good to keep showing up and trying.

What's Ready to Die?

David Spinks' Newsletter • 10 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Personal Growth
  1. Everything in life goes through cycles of death and rebirth. We should embrace these changes instead of resisting them.
  2. Letting go of what no longer serves us can lead to new beginnings and opportunities. It's important to recognize what might be holding us back.
  3. Facing the unknown can be scary, but trusting in the process can lead to growth and a better understanding of ourselves.

Peter Jeppsen: I travelled to London to celebrate Hitchmas with Lawrence, Stephen, Richard, and Douglas

Critical Mass • 9 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. The Merry Hitchmas event in London was a celebration of Christopher Hitchens's life, featuring talks by notable figures like Stephen Fry and Richard Dawkins.
  2. Attending the event was a personal journey for the author, sparked by a humorous suggestion and a deep appreciation for Hitchens's legacy.
  3. The experience taught the author the importance of pursuing one's passions and not being afraid to connect with influential people, emphasizing the value of dialogue and exploration.

Less Goals, More Being

David Spinks' Newsletter • 10 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. Setting goals can sometimes make you feel like you're not enough. It's important to think about why you're setting these goals and how they affect your self-worth.
  2. Shifting from focusing on goals to focusing on being can lead to a more fulfilling life. Instead of chasing achievements, consider how you want to experience life.
  3. Intentions can be a powerful alternative to goals. Rather than setting strict targets, think about how you want to feel or show up in different areas of your life.

Dear Shame

Just Enough to Get Me in Trouble • 24 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Personal Growth
  1. The author reflects on dealing with shame and embracing other emotions as part of self-discovery.
  2. Acknowledging and understanding one's emotions, even challenging ones like shame, is essential for personal growth.
  3. Finding balance and space for various emotions within oneself is important for inner peace and self-acceptance.

A Full Life

We're Gonna Get Those Bastards • 9 implied HN points • 14 Dec 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. Being busy in a meaningful way is good for happiness. It's important to have a lot to do that engages your mind and body.
  2. Living a full life means challenging yourself and setting goals, both physically and mentally. It's about pushing yourself to grow and improve.
  3. Building strong relationships and giving your time to others is crucial. The quality of your life is often measured by how much you connect with and support those around you.

Mental Obsessions and Letting Go

We're Gonna Get Those Bastards • 10 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. Letting go is important when helping friends or family. You can support someone without needing a response; it's their choice how to handle their problems.
  2. Mental obsessions can drain your happiness. Instead of getting caught up in worries about others, focus on things you can control and help others when possible.
  3. Most people aren't thinking about you as much as you think they are. Everyone has their own issues, so try not to take things personally and remember, it’s okay to let go.

Looking Back and Looking Ahead

Perspectives • 8 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
💼 Business Personal Growth
  1. Ancestry helps people discover their family stories and create connections. They have made it easier for many to explore their heritage and find personal connections through their platform.
  2. The author enjoyed building a company culture and connecting with team members through shared experiences. They valued discussions and ideas, which led to new products that benefited customers.
  3. The author is taking a break for personal health and family reasons, while continuing to document their own family's history. They believe in the importance of legacy, both in work and family.

Five Easy Ways to Declutter Your Life

Perspectives • 4 implied HN points • 29 May 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. To regain control over your space, you need to confront your clutter and let go of things that no longer serve you. It's important to recognize that holding onto too much can lead to stress and chaos instead of comfort.
  2. Decluttering is more about a change in mindset than just organizing your belongings. By letting go of items that hold sentimental value but don't fit your current life, you can create room for new opportunities.
  3. It's key to have a specific place for everything to help everyone in the house find and put things back easily. This prevents piles of forgotten items from building up and brings order to your living space.

Lessons from Alaska

Splattern • 19 implied HN points • 14 Sep 22
🏝 Travel Personal Growth
  1. Teaching what you love makes the experience enjoyable for both you and your students. Your enthusiasm can spark their interest.
  2. Connecting with students on a personal level matters. Treat them with respect and kindness, and listen to what they have to say.
  3. Community support is vital, especially in tough environments. Building relationships and helping each other makes a big difference in everyone's experience.

The Dangers of "Repressed Special"- Part Two

What's Important? • 11 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. Transformational growth can be scary, but it's important to embrace your fears. Noticing when your fear speaks up can help guide your decisions.
  2. Making friends with your fears involves connecting with them, understanding their feelings, accepting their role, and finding a way to work together. This approach can lead to positive change.
  3. Using tools like Brian's decision-making framework can help you navigate choices better. Listening to your intuition and understanding your fear can lead to smarter and more fulfilling decisions.

Forward Motion

We're Gonna Get Those Bastards • 8 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. To keep living fully, it's important to keep creating and challenging yourself. Whether it's a new project, learning a skill, or tackling a personal goal, ongoing motion is key.
  2. Staying mentally active and engaged can help with longevity. People who create and have a purpose tend to live longer and feel more fulfilled than those who don't.
  3. Don't waste time just waiting around or being passive. Use your time to work on things that matter to you, because time is precious and shouldn't just be 'killed.'

Happiness Is a Choice

We're Gonna Get Those Bastards • 9 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. Happiness comes from within, not from external things like money or success. It’s important to realize that your mindset can change how you feel about what happens in life.
  2. People often seek therapy to find happiness, but true contentment is about how you choose to respond to life’s challenges. How you view and react to problems is key.
  3. Praying for the ability to accept outcomes gracefully can lead to happiness, regardless of those outcomes. It’s about finding peace in what life gives you, not stressing over what you want.

I Love Pain

We're Gonna Get Those Bastards • 7 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. Getting out of your comfort zone is important. If you only stick to what's easy, you won't achieve much and might end up feeling regret.
  2. Embracing pain can lead to growth. Instead of avoiding difficult situations, running headfirst into them can open up new opportunities and experiences.
  3. Success is about perspective. Even if things don't work out as planned, you'll still learn something valuable from the experience.

In-person event, an interview, a personal note and a political comment

Charles Eisenstein • 6 implied HN points • 03 Mar 25
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. Take breaks for mental and physical health. Rest is really important to recharge and enjoy life.
  2. Many people feel torn between different political views. It's valuable to understand various perspectives without choosing sides.
  3. There's a unique gathering happening at the Omega Institute focused on a new and ancient story. It blends different financial contributions to make it accessible for everyone.

Essays on writing, life, and my journey.

Neckar’s Notes • 6 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
📚 Literature Personal Growth
  1. Writing can help us find meaning in difficult experiences. It lets us explore our emotions and transform our pain into something valuable.
  2. Being honest and writing from the heart is important. It helps us connect with ourselves and our readers genuinely.
  3. Life is about the journey, not just the end goal. We should focus on growing and appreciating where we are right now.

How to Curate Your Own Midlife Crisis

The Reclamation Era • 2 HN points • 04 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. Midlife can feel like a time of big questions about who we really are. It's a moment to reflect on our lives and make changes if we need to.
  2. Going through difficult times, like health issues or family challenges, can lead to personal growth. Embracing these challenges can help us find new paths and passions.
  3. Taking time for self-discovery is important. Looking deep inside ourselves and exploring our feelings can lead to better understanding and make us feel more fulfilled.

The Suicidal Founder

Reboot • 32 implied HN points • 15 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. Founders often face mental health challenges such as depression and suicidal ideation.
  2. The tech startup culture in San Francisco can foster a sense of loneliness and intense pressure for success.
  3. It's crucial for founders to prioritize their well-being and not sacrifice everything for their startup's success.

DruGroup Forming

DruGroup • 39 implied HN points • 27 May 21
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Personal Growth
  1. DruGroup is a community where you can get updates and writings from David Drury. It's a place for connecting and sharing ideas.
  2. The goal of DruGroup is to help simplify your spiritual life. David wants to make spiritual concepts easier to understand.
  3. By signing up, you can receive free goodies like an eBook and other resources that aim to add value to your life.

Getting Out of Your Own Way

Perspectives • 6 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. Your past experiences, especially from childhood, can shape how you see yourself and your abilities. Understanding this can help you unlock your true potential.
  2. Instead of giving direct advice, it's important to help people discover their own solutions. This can lead to powerful realizations about how to move forward.
  3. We often hold ourselves back by repeating negative thought patterns. Changing how we think can open up new possibilities and help us achieve success.

lifestyle design

Midnight Musings • 19 implied HN points • 21 Jun 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. Having a routine doesn't work for everyone. It's okay to follow what feels good and flows naturally instead of forcing a strict schedule.
  2. Finding depth in activities brings more satisfaction. Spending quality time on fewer things often leads to greater fulfillment than rushing through many tasks.
  3. Being spontaneous adds joy and creativity to life. Allowing yourself flexibility and choice can lead to a more enjoyable and intentional daily experience.

creating space

Midnight Musings • 19 implied HN points • 08 Jun 22
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. Cleaning out old items can be an emotional process as it brings back memories of dreams and pain from the past. It's not just about throwing things away; it's about reflecting on what those items meant.
  2. Letting go of old possessions can create a feeling of lightness and space in your life. It’s like making room for new experiences and opportunities to come in.
  3. Ultimately, learning to carry your own pain instead of relying on objects is a way to grow. It's important to let go of what no longer defines you and focus on finding yourself from within.