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

What Are Counterfactuals—and How Do They Hurt You?

What are counterfactuals? What’s the difference between an upward and a downward counterfactual? Counterfactuals are the hypothetical situations you imagine—such as wondering what life would be like if you had taken that other job. Counterfactuals can go both ways. Upward counterfactuals are when you imagine how things could be better, and downward counterfactuals are when you think of how things could be worse. Learn more about counterfactuals and how they affect mental health.

What Is a Codependent Person? Traits and Causes

What is a codependent person? How does somebody become codependent? In her book Codependent No More, Melody Beattie explores what it means to be codependent and what causes codependency characteristics to develop. The good thing, though, is that—if you realize you have or are developing these negative traits—it’s not too late to reverse the behavior. Continue below to learn all about codependency.

The 3 Categories of Shopping Choices—Explained

What are the three different types of consumer choices? Why can having more shopping choices make you stressed out? According to Barry Schwartz, the author of The Paradox of Choice, there are three types of shopping choices you likely encounter in your life: groceries, electronics, and entertainment. With so many products out there to choose from, Schwartz explains each type of choice and why you should or shouldn’t spend time on them. Learn more about the three types of shopping choices below.

Robin Sharma: How to Give Yourself a Break

Do you take enough breaks in life? Why is it so important to give yourself a break? Robin Sharma, self-help guru and the author of Who Will Cry When You Die?, asserts that you should take intentional breaks in order to feel refreshed and energized. The three types of breaks he suggests are a weekly personal break, a short, imaginary holiday, and a one-day break from your watch. Here’s a rundown of the different types of breaks and why it’s so important to cut yourself some slack and let things go sometimes.

Find Your Values to Escape the Cycle of Dissatisfaction

Do you know what your values are in life? Why does Jay Shetty say it’s so important to find your values and live by them? Can you change your values? In his book Think Like a Monk, former monk, author, and life coach Jay Shetty discusses the importance of setting clear values for yourself. Once you’ve set those values, it’s your job to examine your life and your choices and decide whether your current life and decisions align with your values—if not, it’s time to make some changes. Here’s how to clarify your core values in life.

The Psychology of Regret: What Causes It?

What are the main factors that cause regret? Are there any benefits to feeling regret? There are three main contributors to regret: omission bias, the nearness effect, and responsibility. Regret often makes us feel bad, but in some cases, it can actually be a good thing. There are also some steps you can take to benefit from your regret. Continue below to learn about the psychology of regret.

8 Examples of Development Goals to Set for Yourself

Are you looking to better yourself? What are some examples of development goals that you should set for yourself? Setting personal development goals for yourself requires focusing on yourself and acknowledging your needs. For that reason, many people have a difficult time setting personal goals and following through with them. These goals are especially useful for people who struggle with codependency and self-esteem. Here are eight examples of good goals to set for yourself this year.

The Paradox of Choice: Book Review and Context

Is Barry Schwartz’s book The Paradox of Choice worth reading? How was the book received when it came out? Did it make an impact? 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 is our The Paradox of Choice book review.

How to Develop Self-Discipline: 6 Tips From Sharma

Why is self-discipline so important? What steps can you take to become more disciplined in your daily life? Self-discipline may sound harsh, but it’s actually a form of self-care. In his book Who Will Cry When You Die?, Robin Sharma goes over the six methods you can use to build your self-discipline so you can improve on your own terms. Here is how to develop self-discipline, according to Sharma.

Think Like a Monk: Quotes by Jay Shetty

What are some of the best Think Like a Monk quotes from Jay Shetty? What can Shetty teach you about adopting a monk mindset? Former Vedic monk and award-winning content creator Jay Shetty claims that the route to happiness and fulfillment is to think like a monk. According to him, monks are the calmest and happiest people in the world because they live with a sense of purpose that aligns with their true, inner selves. Continue reading for some of the best quotes from Think Like a Monk.