The hottest Self-awareness Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Health & Wellness Topics

Cognitive Filters in the Age of Information Overload

The Forgotten Side of Medicine • 4992 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Wellness Spirituality Holistic Medicine Self-awareness
  1. Being able to identify key signals and patterns in a vast amount of data is a vital skill in the modern age.
  2. As humans, our subconscious filters what information is valuable for our conscious mind to notice.
  3. Expanding awareness to perceive a large amount of information without withdrawing can help navigate the overwhelming sea of data.

BBC, Dangerous Women, Self-Awareness

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 1287 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Social Status Self-awareness Psychology Media influence
  1. Women on hormonal contraceptives are more likely to experience depression and be prescribed antidepressants later on.
  2. Many people think they're self-aware, but research shows that true self-awareness is quite rare.
  3. Having more education doesn't necessarily stop people from holding strong, biased views; even smart people can be influenced by extreme ideas.

Gen X: Marriage Failures

The Reclamation Era • 239 implied HN points • 29 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Marriage Generations Relationships Parenting Self-awareness
  1. Getting married young can lead to problems because people often carry unresolved issues from their childhood into relationships. It's important to know yourself before tying the knot.
  2. Sometimes, societal pressure pushes people to marry quickly, without fully understanding their own needs and patterns. Taking time to figure things out can lead to healthier relationships.
  3. Middle-aged people, especially from Gen X, often face a tough choice: stay in a troubled marriage or leave for a chance at happiness. It's crucial to listen to one's gut and seek authenticity.

There's Nothing Wrong with Being Alone

OK Doomer • 183 implied HN points • 22 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Self-awareness Psychology Reflection Mental health
  1. Many people struggle to be alone because they feel uncomfortable with their own thoughts. It's common for folks to prefer distraction over quiet reflection.
  2. A study showed that half of adults would rather give themselves electric shocks than sit alone for just fifteen minutes. This highlights how difficult solitude can be for some.
  3. Pascal noted that our problems often arise from not being able to tolerate silence and being alone. This idea has been relevant for centuries.
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About Being of Two Minds

Technohumanism • 79 implied HN points • 15 Aug 24
📖 Philosophy Consciousness Self-awareness Rationality Modernity History
  1. The shift from Fortune to Reason marks a big change in how people see themselves and the world. People started to believe they could improve themselves instead of just relying on luck.
  2. The rise of new ideas and technology during the Renaissance helped create this sense of self-awareness. It changed how people thought about their place in the world and their ability to impact it.
  3. Even with all the changes, many old ideas and beliefs still linger. Our present largely builds on the past, showing that even with progress, the past isn't completely gone.

Virtual Event: Paying Attention to Your Attention Span

Range Widely • 648 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Task management Self-awareness Stress management
  1. Work in planned intervals, alternating periods of focused work with breaks, to improve productivity and focus.
  2. Avoid constant distractions from your phone by turning it off or putting it away when you need deep focus.
  3. Be mindful of managing your attentional resources throughout the day, noticing patterns of focus and taking breaks to avoid burnout.

Are You Anxious?

Are You Okay? • 878 implied HN points • 24 Jul 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Anxiety Therapy Physical health Self-awareness
  1. Anxiety is a natural part of being human and has been essential for our survival throughout history.
  2. Anxiety can have serious negative effects if triggered excessively or inappropriately over time, impacting both mental and physical health.
  3. Understanding your baseline anxiety level, triggers, coping mechanisms, and seeking help when needed are crucial steps in managing anxiety and improving overall well-being.

the puer and puella aeternus

Midnight Musings • 59 implied HN points • 14 Jul 24
📖 Philosophy Self-awareness Archetypes Psychology Responsibility Personal Growth
  1. The puer and puella aeternus represent the idea of staying childlike and avoiding responsibility. This can lead to a life where people are stuck in a cycle of fun but don't achieve their true goals.
  2. People often chase happiness through pleasure without recognizing it might hold them back. Creating a reality based on fantasies can stop personal growth.
  3. To move forward, it's important to be aware of these childish tendencies and commit to meaningful work that requires responsibility and discipline. This helps create a more fulfilling life.

Delusion

Venture Prose • 698 implied HN points • 30 Jul 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Investing Self-awareness Startups Leadership
  1. Self-awareness is crucial to avoid delusion. Recognize your failures, flaws, and biases to make better decisions.
  2. Surround yourself with the right people who can provide constructive criticism. Be open to inner and outer conflicts to improve.
  3. Ask for clear feedback and address concerns about your business. Work towards understanding and extracting value from others' perspectives.

The Most Important Skill in the 21st Century

The Algorithmic Bridge • 668 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy Human nature Existentialism Ethics Self-awareness Knowledge
  1. Boredom was never the problem, but not experiencing it is a challenge in the modern world.
  2. The most crucial skill in the 21st century is learning how to be bored and find tranquility in silence.
  3. Constant external stimulation has made us fear boredom, but embracing it can help us grow and stand out in a world of overwhelming entertainment.

Animal

Venture Prose • 379 implied HN points • 16 Jul 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-awareness Work-life balance Personal Growth
  1. Reflect on your actions and how they impact others, strive for genuine intentions in your interactions.
  2. Recognize your strengths and weaknesses in managing relationships and commitments, while maintaining your individuality.
  3. Understand your personal needs and preferences, and embrace them even if they differ from societal norms.

Attached.

Finding Joy • 176 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Relationships Therapy Self-awareness
  1. Neuroplasticity influences our relationships by shaping our attachment patterns from early experiences.
  2. Understanding your attachment style can help navigate relationships and develop self-awareness.
  3. Attachment styles are not fixed and can be modified through corrective experiences and forming new mental pathways.

The worse bullshitter

Sunday Letters • 139 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Self-awareness Cognition Impostor syndrome Personal Growth
  1. It's easy to think we understand something fully, but we often realize we don't when we actually try to do it. This can happen in both math and programming.
  2. Sometimes we can fool ourselves into believing we know more than we do, which can make us the worst kind of bullshitter. This is especially tricky because it can tie into feelings of impostor syndrome.
  3. To avoid deceiving ourselves, it's important to be honest about our results. Whether in math, programming, or management, focusing on real outcomes can keep us grounded.

A Sensitive Question

Desk Notes by Charles Schifano • 243 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Emotions Personal Growth Mindfulness Self-awareness
  1. Sensitivity is a complex trait that cannot easily be controlled or changed. It's not about achieving perfection or adjusting like a dial, but understanding and acceptance.
  2. Sensitivity affects how we perceive and interact with the world around us. It's not just about emotional reactions but also about sensory experiences and nuances.
  3. Being sensitive can lead to deeper connections and insights, but also makes a person more vulnerable to pain and suffering. It's important to find a balance between sensitivity and resilience.

What happened four years ago feels more like four lifetimes ago, no?

Tessa Fights Robots • 29 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Ethics Metaphysics Freedom Self-awareness
  1. It's important to understand who you truly are and why you're here. Once you figure that out, the right actions will follow naturally.
  2. There’s a lot of noise in the world that seems important, but it often distracts us from what really matters. Focus on genuine love and connection instead of getting caught up in trends.
  3. Real change and understanding come from love and unity, not division or judgment. Emphasizing kindness can help break free from negative influences.

If you're not succeeding, try being earnest | #23

pole • 275 implied HN points • 30 May 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Personal Stories Lessons Learned Self-awareness Mindfulness Inner peace
  1. When facing challenges, pretend you have all the time in the world to approach them calmly.
  2. Success doesn't come from following a formula, but from paying attention and surrendering to the process.
  3. Earnestness is key to success, as it involves expanding awareness and offering attention without local expectations.

What is Emotional Intelligence and How do you Build it?

The Leadership Lab • 98 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Emotional Intelligence Self-awareness Mental health Well-being Personal Growth
  1. Emotional intelligence goes beyond empathy and involves being in conscious choice when dealing with emotions.
  2. Automatic responses to emotions like avoidance or attempting to 'fix' stimulus don't showcase emotional intelligence. It's about feeling and holding wisdom from emotions.
  3. To build emotional intelligence, one must feel emotions physically, match these feelings, and then choose how to respond after identifying the wisdom they offer.

Commentary on - Orage - "HOW NOT TO GIVE ONESELF AWAY"

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies • 59 implied HN points • 05 Apr 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Spirituality Self-awareness Inner growth
  1. Orage emphasizes the importance of becoming transparent to oneself, suggesting that by observing our external behaviors, we can gain insight into our internal states.
  2. Orage highlights the idea of learning to control one's expressions for personal and others' happiness, recommending training to become a 'trained observer' of oneself.
  3. Orage's indirect aim in 'HOW NOT TO GIVE ONESELF AWAY' seems to be transforming one's inner negative states into something beneficial for personal growth.

The creative imperative

Erifili • 159 implied HN points • 03 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Creativity Personal Growth Self-awareness Wellbeing
  1. Everyone has some level of creativity within them, it's just a matter of prioritizing and nurturing it.
  2. Engaging in creative expression, like writing or art, is crucial for personal growth, self-awareness, and emotional catharsis.
  3. Being intentional about making time for creative expression is essential for overall wellbeing, self-discovery, and personal fulfillment.

Your sign to start journaling

Erifili • 179 implied HN points • 06 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Journaling Self-awareness Mindfulness Personal Growth Health Benefits
  1. Journaling helps in processing life and practicing mindfulness by slowing down and being present, leading to better emotional and life processing.
  2. Writing regularly improves thinking skills and self-awareness by forcing clear articulation of thoughts and providing a tool for self-reflection and personal growth.
  3. Journaling aids in problem-solving and decision-making, preserves life experiences and memories, and creates a connection between past and present selves, allowing for continuous personal development.