Experience teaches us what books can’t. Our worldly encounters, from the most beautiful moments to the most challenges situations, help us understand ourselves and our world better. I know all too well how hard it can be to see things this way all the time. Difficult experiences can be especially difficult to view as opportunities, but in hindsight always seem to result in the most growth. As an aspiring flaneur, I’ve come to see

I’ve seen too many people I care about get stuck in bouts of negativity that affected their livelihoods. And looking back, I’ve definitely had periods like this myself, where I lacked the motivation and positive outlook I needed to dig myself out of the rut I was in. That’s why I put together this collection of quotes about optimism. I’ve come to see optimism as a default approach to life, almost synonymous with openness,

Regret is a powerful emotion. It can leave us feeling stuck in the past and unable to move on. And while it’s important to learn from our past experiences, it’s good to remind ourselves that we all make the wrong choices at times. Every experience in life is a chance to grow and evolve in our perspectives — even the ones we regret (or regret not pursuing). Sometimes it just takes looking at things

Since I first visited in 2011, Paris has always been special for me. It’s where I first learned of the flâneur, the purposely aimless city wanderer, and where I was inspired to explore more of the world. During my month-long visit there a few years back about, I set out to truly embody the flâneur lifestyle. I spend my time wandering Paris’ charming streets, appreciating architectural details, strolling along the Seine, stumbling upon hidden

Although I’ve loved writing since childhood, my mind has always gotten in the way. I could write in small bursts when there was a clear purpose or task, but I’ve struggled my whole adult life to make it a regular thing. That is, until I found a way to actually enjoy it. For me the “secret” was studying great writers from the past, learning their perspectives, and realizing that this type of writer’s block