#23: The miseducation of the American boy

For instance, why do boys laugh at rape jokes, think having a girlfriend is “gay,” and have such a tough time being in touch with their emotions?

Although the piece is based on US boys, I’m sure you’ll find much of what is covered is pretty universal.  Pour yourself a cuppa, and put your feet up for this one.

Even when we think we’re on top of things, it only takes a few surprise jobs-to-be-done, or disruptions to our usual routine and things can pile up and become overwhelming again.
So it’s incredibly beneficial to have a toolbox of stress relief strategies to turn to at these times.

This comprehensive guide from VeryWellMind can be exactly that. Bookmark it for when you need it most, or better still, start practising some of the recommended tips today.

This article looks at 20 current trends that seem to have the secret sauce to stand the test of time.

From evolutions of time tested methods like yoga & HIIT, to the increasing use of wearables and fitness data, to dietary nutrition like fermented foods and meatless meat, this list could also give you some fresh inspiration for your fitness routine, or eating options.

And given that most people want to be happy, we fall into the habit of chasing success like the proverbial carrot on a stick – thinking that contentment lurks just the other side of getting into college, landing a dream job, being promoted or making six figures. But for many chasers, both success and happiness remain perpetually out of reach.

This interesting piece posits that this could be because we’re looking at the equation backwards.

What if being happy first is actually the key determinant of success? And if that is the case, how might that change the way we prioritise our time every day?

“Our chances of leading a fulfilled adult life depend overwhelmingly on our knowledge of and engagement with the nature of our own childhoods,” he says. “Because it is in this period that the dominant share of our adult identity is being moulded and our characteristic expectations and responses set.”

With quirky animation and a powerful message, it’s a great short watch, and wonderfully reassuring to be reminded that there are very few amongst us who would have experienced ‘normal’ childhoods.