Hannah Aster

SEO Team Lead

Hannah is a seasoned writer and editor who started her journey with Shortform nearly five years ago. She grew up reading mostly fiction books but transitioned to non-fiction writing when she started her travel website in 2018. When she's not writing or traveling, you can find Hannah working on home reno projects, crafting, or taking care of plants.

Expertise

Graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in English and minors in professional and creative writing

Manage Your Expectations to Avoid Disappointment

Have you heard the phrase “Expect the worst, but hope for the best”? Why shouldn’t you set your expectations too high? Why does having more options set your expectations higher? In the book The Paradox of Choice, author Barry Schwartz posits that having more choices sets your reference points, and thus your expectations, higher. He says that it’s important to manage your expectations so you’re not always disappointed by outcomes. Here’s a brief overview of Schwartz’s take on managing your expectations.

How to Process Emotions: 4 Tips for Well-Being

Do you struggle with how to process emotions? How can properly processing your emotions help you overcome codependent tendencies? Many codependent people tend to repress their emotions, because feeling numb is better than feeling pain. However, not processing your emotions can lead to a multitude of issues, including worsening your codependency issues. In order to gain back your self-esteem and work towards becoming more independent, you need to learn how to process your emotions. Here are four tips for processing your feelings.

Complex Decisions: Life’s Biggest Choices

In a life full of choices, what are some of the most complex decisions to make? What makes these decisions more difficult than others? Complex decisions are ones that have a great impact on your life, such as which insurance to choose, which college to attend, or which job will make you the happiest. Although the outcomes of these decisions are intangible, they are some of the biggest choices you’ll ever have to make. Let’s take a look at some of the complex decisions you’ll likely have to face.

Robin Sharma: How to Live Every Day to the Fullest

What does it mean to live every day to the fullest? Is it possible to live a full life without taking any risks? People often throw around the phrase “live your life to the fullest” as if it’s something straightforward and simple, but it’s easier said than done. In his book Who Will Cry When You Die?, Robin Sharma makes this advice actionable by providing five tips on how to make each day count. Here is Sharma’s advice on how to live life to the fullest.

How to Make an Impact on the World Around You

Do you want to know how to make an impact on the world? How can sharing your values with others make an impact on both of your happiness? According to Jay Shetty, the author of Think Like a Monk, the final step in adopting a monk mindset is to share your values, strength, and compassion with others. It can be difficult to know where to begin, so Shetty describes three opportunities where you can leave a mark. Here are tips on how to make a positive impact.

What Is Social Comparison and Why Is It So Bad?

What is social comparison? Why is comparing yourself to others so harmful? Is social comparison more common today than ever before? Social comparison is the act of comparing yourself to others—whether you know them or not. This act can come in two forms: upward comparison and downward comparison. The motivating factor for any social comparison, however, is the motivation to achieve status. Keep reading to learn all about social comparison and how it affects decision-making and mental health.

Stop Trying to Control Others—It Harms You Both

Do you have a bad habit of trying to control others? Why is it so important to take responsibility for yourself? If you have a codependent personality, then you probably try to control those around you, whether it’s intentional or not. However, when you spend your life trying to control others, you’re allowing other people’s lives to control you. To counter this bad habit, you need to start focusing on your own needs. Here’s how you can regain control of your life and stop focusing on others.

The Paradox of Choice: Quotes by Barry Schwartz

What are the most noteworthy The Paradox of Choice quotes? What do these quotes mean in the context of Schwartz’s book? In The Paradox of Choice, Barry Schwartz contends that the vast array of choices presented to us leaves us stressed and indecisive. To lift this burden, Schwartz, a professor of social theory and social action, recommends we learn how to better navigate our choices, from groceries to health insurance. Here are some of the top quotes with explanations.

Who Will Cry When You Die?: Book Overview

What advice does Robin Sharma share in his book Who Will Cry When You Die? What tactics can you use to seize back control of your life? Throughout their lives, many people tend to focus on things like money, work, prestige, and other superficial goals. However, those are also amongst some of the biggest regrets that palliative care nurses hear from their patients. That’s why Robin Sharma put together a book of advice that anybody can follow that will help you take back control in your life and focus on the things that really matter, before it’s too late. Here’s

The 6 Ways to Deal With Negative Thoughts

Do you want to know how to deal with negative thoughts? Do you often stress about circumstances that are out of your control? How can negative thoughts affect your mental health? The quality of your thoughts, both positive and negative, affect your mental health and state. Focusing on negative thoughts can cause overthinking, anxiety, and depression. So, rather than stressing about things that are beyond your control, learn to reframe your thoughts and improve your mental state. Here are some productive ways to process your fearful and negative thoughts.