Emily Kitazawa

Emily found her love of reading and writing at a young age, learning to enjoy these activities thanks to being taught them by her mom—Goodnight Moon will forever be a favorite. As a young adult, Emily graduated with her English degree, specializing in Creative Writing and TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language), from the University of Central Florida. She later earned her master’s degree in Higher Education from Pennsylvania State University. Emily loves reading fiction, especially modern Japanese, historical, crime, and philosophical fiction. Her personal writing is inspired by observations of people and nature.

Universal Emotions: Psychology Says They Don’t Exist

What are universal emotions in psychology? Do universal emotions even exist? Which emotions are universal? In her book, How Emotions Are Made, neuroscientist and psychologist Lisa Feldman Barrett examined past psychological experiments to create a new theory of emotions in psychology. According to Barrett’s findings, universal emotions don’t exist as many psychologists previously believed. Keep reading to find out why Barrett says universal emotions are a myth, according to psychology.

The Sun and Her Flowers: Analysis of Kaur’s Poetry

Looking for an analysis of The Sun and Her Flowers? What are the key takeaways from Rupi Kaur’s poems? In Rupi Kaur’s book of poems, The Sun and Her Flowers, she explores feelings of loss, emptiness, insecurity, and growth. By analyzing Kaur’s poems for these themes, it’s easier to understand Kaur’s commentary on these larger social issues. Read on for our analysis of The Sun and Her Flowers, based on the themes in Kaur’s poems.

Being a Supportive Parent: Importance & Benefits

What does it mean to be a supportive parent? Why is it important to be supportive? How does being a supportive parent benefit children? According to author Alfie Kohn, today’s parenting advice focuses almost exclusively on a punishment-and-reward system of discipline. Not enough attention is paid to learning how to be a supportive parent outside of disciplining kids. Keep reading for Kohn’s advice on being a supportive parent and why it’s so important.

Defining Learned Optimism: Self-Taught Positivity

How does Martin Seligman define learned optimism? What is an optimistic mindset? How can you learn to be more optimistic? Psychologist Martin Seligman coined the term “learned optimism” as a way of demonstrating that the traits of an optimistic person can be learned by anyone, even natural pessimists. In his book, Learned Optimism, Seligman explains the concept of learned optimism, including techniques for breaking out of a pessimistic mindset. Read on to learn Seligman’s definition of learned optimism, plus how you can teach yourself optimism.

Lisa Feldman Barrett: “Emotions Don’t Happen to You”

What does Lisa Feldman Barrett say about emotions? How can it help you better understand your own emotions? According to neuroscientist and psychologist Lisa Feldman Barrett, emotions don’t simply happen to you, rather they are constructed by you depending on your past experiences. Barrett has spent years studying emotions in the human brain, publishing her book, How Emotions Are Made, to share her findings. Keep reading for Lisa Feldman Barrett’s surprising explanation of how you create your own emotions.

Cultural Differences in Emotions: Do We All “Feel” the Same?

Are there cultural differences in emotions? How does your culture shape your emotions? Are some emotions unique to certain cultures? Lisa Feldman Barrett says emotions don’t necessarily cross borders—cultural differences shape how you experience and express emotions. According to Barrett, universal emotions are mostly a myth because the experiments they’re based on were flawed. Keep reading to learn why there are cultural differences in emotions, according to Barrett’s research.

Martin Seligman: Optimism Can Be Learned

Can optimism be learned? How can you learn to be optimistic? What is Martin Seligman’s advice? According to Martin Seligman, optimism means having an empowered and confident mindset. Seligman says you can learn to be optimistic just like you learn a new skill—through practice and dedication. Keep reading to find out how you can learn to be optimistic, according to Seligman’s advice.

The Sun and Her Flowers: Chapter Themes & Meanings

Looking for an overview of The Sun and Her Flowers chapters? What is the meaning behind each chapter in the book? What themes can we pull out? In Rupi Kaur’s book of poems, The Sun and Her Flowers, there are five chapters: Wilting, Falling, Rooting, Rising, and Blooming. Each chapter explores themes from Kaur’s own life, such as love and loss, and connects them to broader social issues. Read on for an overview of the key themes and meanings behind The Sun and Her Flowers chapters.

Best Bodybuilding Books, Blogs, & Podcasts

Do you want to learn the basics of bodybuilding training? What are the best bodybuilding resources for learning or improving your bodybuilding routine? There are plenty of bodybuilding resources these days, which means learning how to be a bodybuilder is more accessible and affordable than ever before. However, if you want to teach yourself bodybuilding techniques, it’s important to find reliable information that has a track record of getting results. The best bodybuilding resources are created by fitness and nutrition experts who have experience in strength training and competitive bodybuilding. Keep reading for our picks of the best bodybuilding books,

Best Frugal Blogs & Websites to Follow in 2022

What does frugal living mean? What are the best frugal blogs and websites to follow currently? How can you begin living more frugally today? Many people are feeling the effects of rising inflation, especially within the last year, and this has caused more interest in wise spending habits to make your money go further. Living a frugal lifestyle simply means saving more than you spend, and when you do spend money, spending carefully by researching the most affordable options before making a purchase. If you want to learn more about frugal living, read on for Shortform’s selection of the best