Shows
The ArchivistHow to recognise the language of survivalWhat are the types of words you use most often when talking about work?
I have found myself using harsh, abrasive, and aggressive words when talking about my interactions with other people. I find that it extends to the way I think and respond to certain situations at work. I believe I might be treating work as if I am fighting for my own survival, rather than it just being a day job. This probably impacts my brain and my ability to respond to situations with the best of my thoughts, ideas, and empathy.
2021-06-2301 minThe ArchivistHow to tell better storiesWhy do you tell stories?
I am busy reading The Whole-Brain Child by Dr Dan Siegel with my mom. One of the points from the book I keep going back to is about how telling stories helps us integrate parts of our brains. Sometimes I struggle with self-doubt and wonder why I tell my stories at all. Perhaps there is a way to think about storytelling, not by looking at the quality of the story, but more by looking at what storytelling does for us and our ability to make sense of the world around us.
2021-06-2302 minThe ArchivistHow to connect coffee with the sacredHow strongly do you feel about your coffee?
Sometimes I feel I might be too dependent on the substance, so I have tried to create practices that will enhance my appreciation for it. Some days I feel like I depend on it more than others, and maybe sometimes, it becomes more of a prayer for me.
2021-06-2301 minThe ArchivistHow to find ground beneath youHave you also felt this sense of groundlessness in the last year?
At times I have felt stuck or like there isn't much to hold onto. I wonder if I could look at this sense of groundlessness like a plant being repotted into a space with greater opportunity to grow!
2021-06-2301 minThe ArchivistHow to have a good breakdownHow do you think about breakdowns?
I often look at breakdowns as bad and problematic for my long term well-being, but the other day, when reading through Pema Chödröns Welcoming the Unwelcome, I stopped to examine the way I approach breakdowns. What if, instead of seeing them as I would see the breakdown of a car, I think about them as the breaking of a wave—just as it is?
2021-06-2301 minThe ArchivistHow to build a space you want to live inIt is a privilege to talk about difficult and important topics with people that know you and understand you. This is a discussion between me and my university friend, Solo, about what it means to find your feet in a new city. In this case, it's Cape Town. I really appreciated his insights on everything from the idiosyncrasies of a new place to the wild dreams of what life could be when you commit to stepping outside of your comfort zone.
Here are some of my key takeouts
Good things take time
Make use of the...
2021-03-1443 minThe ArchivistHow to stay balanced using mundane momentsGlitter is a strange and often polarising object. Besides the environmental damage caused by these small pieces of plastic, in some instances, it has come to embody the self-indulgent behaviour of desecrating floor space with everlasting impact, just for a single event. To other people, it could be an indicator of something tasteless. I think this is part of what makes glitter such a wonderful concept to me, maybe part of me loves the irreverence? The other thought to consider is that if significant meaning and perspective can be found in even something like glitter, there is hope and...
2021-02-2111 minThe ArchivistHow to keep thinking innovative thoughtsRecently, I've experienced some creative and mental fatigue. I've still been trying to take in a lot of information, but have been trying to be more selective and go with the material that will inspire me. I happened to be sitting down with a cup of tea when a passing butterfly migration got me thinking and reflecting.
As a thought experiment, I've tied 5 different butterfly observations to ideas about thoughts, but in short, Let your thoughts move like the butterfly migration. These 5 themes are about paying attention, flight patterns, waiting, favourable conditions, and allowing fluctuation over time.
2021-01-1315 minThe ArchivistHow to overthink well (A public apology to Howard Gardner)This week, something sparked in my brain while listening to an episode of the Economist's Babbage. It was an interview with Howard Gardner on his theory of Multiple Intelligences and the Synthesizing Mind. I've always struggled with this theory, but this time it all made sense. I then looked into more of his work to try to understand why the way I think can be so different from others.
I often get told that I'm "overthinking" or "overcomplicating things" when I just feel like I'm thinking normally. I think Gardner's framework on synthesis can help me unpack...
2020-12-1715 minThe ArchivistHow to sit with failureIf you're anything like me, failure is avoided as far as possible and can be a terrifying or lonely place. My first reaction is a type of dysphoria where I push back against any acknowledgement of failure, but eventually, I have to come to terms with what is. Before getting to the productive aspects of failure, I need to go through the tragic confrontation of this fear and feeling of failure.
Soothe by letting go and offer yourself the kindness to sit in the sorrow
Wait and release your expectations, paying attention to this experience
Accept the groundlessness...
2020-10-0720 min