The Art of Self-Improvement

Cutting-edge and ancient techniques for overcoming exhaustion.

Burnout
Are You Telling the Wrong Story About Your Exhaustion?

Anna Katharina Schaffner Ph.D. on May 28, 2026

Do you think of yourself as a procrastinator, differently wired, or a victim of a toxic workplace? The story you tell about your exhaustion shapes how you experience and cure it.

Do you think of yourself as a procrastinator, differently wired, or a victim of a toxic workplace? The story you tell about your exhaustion shapes how you experience and cure it.

Artificial Intelligence
Falling in Love With a Mirror

Anna Katharina Schaffner Ph.D. on April 1, 2026

What if the voice that understands you best is also the one that never challenges you? AI intimacy feels real but is it turning your toxic self-story into an unchallenged illusion?

What if the voice that understands you best is also the one that never challenges you? AI intimacy feels real but is it turning your toxic self-story into an unchallenged illusion?

Sleep
Why Our Brain Tells Us Horror Stories at Night

Anna Katharina Schaffner Ph.D. on March 17, 2026

Sleep science now explains why the “mind after midnight” specialises in horror stories, and why we should never trust our night-time cognitions, which are driven by negativity bias

Sleep science now explains why the “mind after midnight” specialises in horror stories, and why we should never trust our night-time cognitions, which are driven by negativity bias

Career
The Progress Trap

Anna Katharina Schaffner Ph.D. on February 18, 2026

The dark side of self-optimisation: Your personal story may be shaped by culture more than you realize.

The dark side of self-optimisation: Your personal story may be shaped by culture more than you realize.

Gaslighting
Are You Gaslighting Yourself?

Anna Katharina Schaffner Ph.D. on February 4, 2026

What if your harsh self-talk isn’t the truth but spin? The same DARVO tactics used by abusers and politicians can quietly shape our toxic self-stories, reversing blame and agency.

What if your harsh self-talk isn’t the truth but spin? The same DARVO tactics used by abusers and politicians can quietly shape our toxic self-stories, reversing blame and agency.

Burnout
Are You Trapped in a Golden Cage?

Anna Katharina Schaffner Ph.D. on January 22, 2026

Your life looks good on paper, but feels exhausting. You may be trapped in a golden-cage story, working to afford comforts that quietly drain your time, health, and freedom.

Your life looks good on paper, but feels exhausting. You may be trapped in a golden-cage story, working to afford comforts that quietly drain your time, health, and freedom.

Self-Talk
The "Not Good Enough" Lie

Anna Katharina Schaffner Ph.D. on January 13, 2026

What if the story keeping you stuck isn’t trauma or missing skills but the belief that you’re not good enough yet? Lack-stories drain agency but you can learn to break free.

What if the story keeping you stuck isn’t trauma or missing skills but the belief that you’re not good enough yet? Lack-stories drain agency but you can learn to break free.

Self-Talk
Exhausted by Your Own Mind?

Anna Katharina Schaffner Ph.D. on January 8, 2026

Exhausted by your hostile storytelling mind that keeps coming up with the most negative interpretations about you? You can address underlying self-stories.

Exhausted by your hostile storytelling mind that keeps coming up with the most negative interpretations about you? You can address underlying self-stories.

Burnout
What Kind of Animals Are We?

Anna Katharina Schaffner Ph.D. on May 5, 2025

Humans can be considered to be appreciating animals, and our chances of burning out rise by 48 percent if we don't feel appreciated at work,

Humans can be considered to be appreciating animals, and our chances of burning out rise by 48 percent if we don't feel appreciated at work,

Attention
Why Your Constant Phone Checking Is Digital Self-Harm

Anna Katharina Schaffner Ph.D. on April 18, 2025

Constant phone checking is an act of digital self-harm, potentially making us more depressed, anxious, and lonely. A digital detox can be more powerful than taking an antidepressant.

Constant phone checking is an act of digital self-harm, potentially making us more depressed, anxious, and lonely. A digital detox can be more powerful than taking an antidepressant.

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May 2026
The Best Ways to Begin Again

The best way to begin something new—in love, work, and life.

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Tests
Self Tests
Self Tests

Self Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist? Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today.

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