Brainstorm

Resilience

Can We Grow After Hardship?

Lybi Ma on July 5, 2026

Realistic optimism may shape resilience and growth after disaster.

Realistic optimism may shape resilience and growth after disaster.

Emotions

Be Like Buddha, See Moods Like the Weather

Lybi Ma on June 25, 2026

How to consider your emotions with an impartial eye and see through your desires, 看破 kàn pò.

How to consider your emotions with an impartial eye and see through your desires, 看破 kàn pò.

Cognition

What Sets Off Our Self-Destructive Habits?

Lybi Ma on June 19, 2026

Habitual negative thinking can lead to many bad habits—坏习惯 huài xíguàn.

Habitual negative thinking can lead to many bad habits—坏习惯 huài xíguàn.

Diet

We Eat 23 Percent More Than We Did in the 1970s

Lybi Ma on June 11, 2026

Evolution dictates that we eat a lot, whenever we can, and store that fat.

Evolution dictates that we eat a lot, whenever we can, and store that fat.

Procrastination

How Procrastination Holds Us Back

Lybi Ma on June 3, 2026

The third character of procrastination 拖延症—tuō yán zhèng, means disease. Delay is a habit that resides somewhere between one’s intent and one’s action.

The third character of procrastination 拖延症—tuō yán zhèng, means disease. Delay is a habit that resides somewhere between one’s intent and one’s action.

Self-Sabotage

How We Sabotage Our Growth

Lybi Ma on May 22, 2026

We can stop fighting with ourselves through wu wei 無為, non-action.

We can stop fighting with ourselves through wu wei 無為, non-action.

Perfectionism

You Don't Have to Be Perfect

Lybi Ma on May 14, 2026

Striving for perfection or wan mei, 完美, is a waste of time.

Striving for perfection or wan mei, 完美, is a waste of time.

Resilience

Successful People Fail the Most

Lybi Ma on May 4, 2026

After a setback, we can adopt the Hui-Chinese approach of suanli, 酸了, and move on.

After a setback, we can adopt the Hui-Chinese approach of suanli, 酸了, and move on.

Awe

Nature Gets You Out of Your Head

Lybi Ma on April 25, 2026

How to stop stewing over the small infractions of life.

How to stop stewing over the small infractions of life.

Emotion Regulation

How to Get Chummy With Your Discomfort

Lybi Ma on April 1, 2026

We have to work through our feelings—ourselves. No one else can do it for us.

We have to work through our feelings—ourselves. No one else can do it for us.

Shame

Guilt and Shame Are Not the Same

Lybi Ma on March 12, 2026

Guilt equals "I did something bad," while shame equals "I am something bad."

Guilt equals "I did something bad," while shame equals "I am something bad."

Positive Psychology

What We Feel, Others Feel

Lybi Ma on March 11, 2026

If our emotions are contagious, why not spread a little sunshine?

If our emotions are contagious, why not spread a little sunshine?

Relationships

Are You Sabotaging Your Joy?

Lybi Ma on February 20, 2026

We need to feel all of life’s emotions to live a rich life.

We need to feel all of life’s emotions to live a rich life.

Positive Psychology

Your Emotions Are Not the Enemy

Lybi Ma on February 13, 2026

We negate half the emotions we experience, but we don't have to.

We negate half the emotions we experience, but we don't have to.

Psychiatry

People With Mental Illness Are Too Easily 'Othered'

Lybi Ma on February 6, 2026

We do not have to fear the mind and how diverse it can be.

We do not have to fear the mind and how diverse it can be.

Catastrophizing

How to Stop Obsessing Over the Bad Stuff

Lybi Ma on January 30, 2026

The mind can set itself on a brooding track and remain there.

The mind can set itself on a brooding track and remain there.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

How to Combat Irrational Thoughts

Lybi Ma on January 23, 2026

We have impossible requirements and expectations, but the world does not cooperate.

We have impossible requirements and expectations, but the world does not cooperate.

Self-Talk

How to Get Over Petty Resentments

Lybi Ma on January 7, 2026

We don't have to mope in misery.

We don't have to mope in misery.

Positive Psychology

How to Handle Uncertainty

Lybi Ma on December 28, 2025

If we are not standing on firm ground, uncertainty can take us for a spin.

If we are not standing on firm ground, uncertainty can take us for a spin.

Happiness

How to Live a Good Enough Life

Lybi Ma on December 19, 2025

Finding contentment in 80 percent happiness.

Finding contentment in 80 percent happiness.