Darya Sinusoid

Darya’s love for reading started with fantasy novels (The LOTR trilogy is still her all-time-favorite). Growing up, however, she found herself transitioning to non-fiction, psychological, and self-help books. She has a degree in Psychology and a deep passion for the subject. She likes reading research-informed books that distill the workings of the human brain/mind/consciousness and thinking of ways to apply the insights to her own life. Some of her favorites include Thinking, Fast and Slow, How We Decide, and The Wisdom of the Enneagram.

How to Control Your Thoughts: Take Responsibility

Do you sometimes think something and wonder: “How on earth could I have thought that?” Where do thoughts come from? Is it possible to control your thoughts? As the popular adage goes, you shouldn’t believe everything you think. While you can’t totally control the stream of your consciousness, you can control how to react to the thoughts that come to your mind—whether to brush them off or to give them weight by entertaining them further. With this in mind, here’s how to control your thoughts.

Best Pregnancy Blogs and Podcasts to Follow in 2022

Are you expecting a baby? What are the best sources to consult for advice on pregnancy? Pregnancy comes with many questions, emotions, and challenges. To navigate it all, you’ll need a lot of help along the way. The problem is that the internet is full of unsolicited advice—you should be careful which sources you consult, especially when it comes to bringing another human into the world. Whether you’re a first-time parent or have been through it all already, we’ve got you covered with the best pregnancy blogs and podcasts to follow in the run-up to the big day.

Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman

What lies at the core of human nature? If you stripped away civilization, would we be fundamentally compassionate creatures? Or would we cheat, lie, and steal, with only self-interest in mind? In Humankind: A Hopeful History, Rutger Bregman argues that our species evolved to be friendly and compassionate. When we do evil things, he maintains, it’s not because we’re evil by nature, but for a variety of other reasons, including our desire to conform and to act for the greater good. Below is a brief overview of Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman.

How to Stay True to Yourself: Brianna Wiest’s Advice

You can heal with love. Discover how the love you feel in your heart can improve your physical health and help you overcome illness.

What does it mean to “be true to yourself”? What does staying true to yourself entail in practice? People inherit values and beliefs about the world from their family and society at large—this is a natural part of socialization. The problem is that some people never question these values, beliefs, and ideals, even if they are in stark opposition to what feels right to them. Though social conditioning is pervasive, you can overcome it, learn to think for yourself, and feel better about yourself and your experiences. With that in mind, here’s how to stay true to yourself.

Human Violence Is the By-Product of Civilization

Is violence a part of human nature? Or was our good nature corrupted by civilization? In his book Humankind, Bregman argues that human violence is not a natural impulse. He maintains that humans’ transition from foraging to civilization created societies that were more violent, less equitable, and less healthy. However, human nature by itself is fundamentally good. Let’s take a closer look at the negative effects that began to arise when our ancestors made this transition.

Daydreaming: The Psychology of Zoning Out

Do you zone out a lot? What is the psychology behind daydreaming? Daydreaming is a mundane act, but it can reveal a lot about your subconscious. According to Brianna Wiest, the author of 101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think, your daydreams are the projection of the things that you feel you most lack and are relying on others to fulfill. Here’s what your daydreams may reveal about your subconscious needs and desires.

Thomas Hobbes: Human Nature Is Cruel and Selfish

What is Thomas Hobbes known for? How did Hobbes’ views influence modern-day moral philosophy? Thomas Hobbes was an English philosopher who lived during the 17th century and who exerted a significant influence on modern philosophy. According to Thomas Hobbes, human nature is essentially cruel and selfish, and the only way to subdue humanity’s evil impulses is through power. Here’s how Hobbes’ philosophy influenced modern-day societal order.

People-Pleasing: The Psychology of Prioritizing Others

What’s the problem with people-pleasing? How does trying to make others happy sabotage your own happiness? People-pleasers go to great lengths to make other people happy and to avoid conflict and confrontation. If you make other people’s happiness your main priority, it’s very hard to be comfortable and happy with yourself because it compels you to second-guess everything you do and to negatively judge yourself whenever you get unwanted feedback. Keep reading to learn about the psychology of people-pleasing.

Diotima’s Ladder of Love: From Lust to Beauty

What is the “Ladder of Love” in Plato’s Symposium? What are the six steps of Diotima’s Ladder? What kind of love does each step represent? Diotima’s Ladder of Love is a metaphor for different types of love that originated in Plato’s Symposium. It conceptualizes love in terms of progressive stages or steps: The higher the steps, the higher and the more sophisticated one’s love is. Keep reading to learn about Diotima’s Ladder of Love.

What Is Human Nature? Philosophy of Rutger Bregman

What is human nature in philosophy? Are humans benevolent or evil by their nature? In philosophy, human nature has been debated extensively. Some philosophers argue that humans are naturally deceitful and cruel, seemingly with a lot of evidence to back us up: Throughout history, groups of humans have gone to war, committed genocide, and owned slaves. But despite our history of evil, humans are fundamentally good. Here’s why the basic nature of humankind is inherently good, according to historian Rutger Bregman.