The hottest Self-reflection Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Literature Topics

The Patient

Sensible Medicine • 4088 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth Identity Self-reflection
  1. Identifying as a patient can sometimes overshadow your whole identity, and it's crucial to remember you are more than just the patient label.
  2. Being seen as a 'Patient' by others can affect how they interact with you, sometimes diminishing your identity beyond your health status.
  3. Despite the challenges of being defined by your health struggles, it's possible to regain aspects of your identity and redefine yourself beyond the patient role.
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dear bear: the secretary problem

bookbear express • 385 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Relationships Self-reflection Decision-making Personal Growth Advice
  1. Effort is most useful when correctly directed. Avoid over-optimizing or under-optimizing in relationships. Appreciate what you have while recognizing when to seek more fulfillment.
  2. Understand your values and what truly matters to you in a partner. Consider daily experiences, joy, and genuine connection in assessing your relationship.
  3. Seek advice from honest friends who know you well. Remember, infinite wrong choices won't satisfy, but the right one will bring a fulfilling weight.

Inside the Writerly Life of Joan Didion

MILLER’S BOOK REVIEW 📚 • 1159 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
📚 Literature Author Writing process Influences Journalism Self-reflection
  1. Joan Didion's early writing experiences shaped her as a writer since childhood, emphasizing the importance of practicing and developing writing skills from a young age.
  2. Joan Didion's keen attention to sentence structure and style was influenced by authors like Hemingway, Conrad, and James, showcasing how studying others' works can inform one's writing.
  3. Joan Didion viewed writing as an integral part of her thought process, using writing as a tool for exploration and self-discovery, and recognizing the impact of her writing tools on her thought process.

The masks we wear (rom com, act three)

Both Are True • 236 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Relationships Self-reflection Love Personal Growth
  1. The story shares a humorous yet heartfelt exploration of relationships through the lens of weird situations and masks, highlighting the importance of active choice and acceptance in love.
  2. The use of the term 'wowies' symbolizes fear of the unknown and transition in relationships, becoming a way to navigate difficult conversations or express deep emotions.
  3. Despite the surreal experiences, the story emphasizes finding joy and gratitude in the journey of building a life and a family together, even amidst unexpected challenges.

the essay formerly known as romcom (act two)

Both Are True • 198 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Relationships Personal Growth Self-reflection Entertainment
  1. In a relationship, communication and effort matter - like ending things with other people for the one you care about.
  2. Long distance relationships can be tough but manageable with support and commitment.
  3. Self-criticism can be damaging in a relationship, learning to let go and accept differences is important for personal growth and peace.

A Sadness That Holds Hope For Joy

The Recovering Academic • 1108 implied HN points • 12 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Recovery Emotions Grief Self-reflection Personal Growth
  1. The author's experience in academia made him doubt his profession and himself, leading to a significant shift in his life.
  2. The transition out of academia was filled with sadness and nostalgia, but also led to new beginnings and hope for the future.
  3. The recovery process involved accepting personal truths, finding support in others with similar experiences, and rediscovering joy after difficult times.

You Can't Win Them All

Between a Rock and a Card Place • 353 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity Inspiration Tarot Writing Self-reflection
  1. Success is not always about winning or creating hits, but about the quality and impact of the work you do.
  2. Don't let pressure hinder your creativity; approach tasks with curiosity and a beginner's mindset.
  3. Embrace that not every project will be a success, as outcomes are often beyond your control, so focus on creating meaningful work instead.

self-abandonment

bookbear express • 143 implied HN points • 09 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Emotions Therapy Self-reflection
  1. Learning to experience emotions in a new way involves understanding self-abandonment and its impact on personal well-being.
  2. The fear of abandonment is often rooted in the idea of abandoning oneself rather than fearing being abandoned by others.
  3. Personal challenges often stem from one's own attitude towards oneself, rather than solely from external influences.

Pursuits that can’t scale

Working Theorys • 211 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Entrepreneurship Personal Growth Creativity Self-reflection Hobbies
  1. Chasing things that scale may lead to burnout, and pursuing things that can't scale can be therapeutic.
  2. After achieving success in large-scale ventures, many people turn to pursuing activities that have clear limits, like hobbies or local businesses.
  3. Dreams of scaling often give way to the satisfaction of pursuing things at a smaller, more human scale, which can provide a sense of completion and fulfillment.

The Encyclopedia of Happiness

Why is this interesting? • 1930 implied HN points • 06 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Self-reflection Journaling
  1. Practicing gratitude journaling can help shift your focus to the positive and enhance self-understanding over time.
  2. Keeping a digital record of daily reflections allows for easy access, searchability, and deep self-reflection.
  3. Discovering consistent patterns of joy in your past can inform present and future decisions towards a happier life.

Sunday Brunch for March 31

Xavi Benjamin • 19 implied HN points • 31 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth Self-reflection Mental health
  1. The author shares a personal story about struggling with celebrating birthdays and feeling worthy of attention.
  2. Reflecting on a situation where someone else was uncomfortable during a birthday celebration helped the author realize their own feelings.
  3. The author encourages readers to recognize their self-worth and embrace celebrating themselves, despite any internal struggles.