• The Psychology of Being in a Rut: Why We Get Stuck

    I’ve already written about recognising you’re in a rut in life, or a rut at work, and what you can do to drag yourself out of it. In this post I want to circle back slightly, and look at the psychology of being in a rut, and why we fall into one. We’ve all been…

  • How to Get Unstuck by Adopting a Beginner’s Mind

    Beginner’s mind (Shoshin, 初心) is a key concept in Zen Buddhism, emphasising an open, curious, and non-judgmental approach to life and practice. It comes from the Zen teaching that we should approach everything as if we are seeing it for the first time, without preconceived notions or attachments. Shunryu Suzuki’s Definition Zen teacher Shunryu Suzuki,…

  • How to Reboot Your Life in Midlife: A Comprehensive Guide

    The phrase “midlife crisis” has become a cliché, but the desire for meaningful change during our middle years is very real and valid. Whether you’re feeling stuck, unfulfilled, or simply ready for a new chapter, here’s how to thoughtfully approach a midlife reboot. Start with Self-Reflection Before making any major changes, take time to understand…

  • Breaking Your Routine: A 48-Hour Experiment in Doing the Opposite

    The Power of Reverse Thinking Feeling stuck? Here’s a radical solution: spend 48 hours doing the opposite of your usual choices. This “reverse thinking” experiment might sound strange, but it can spark creativity and reveal blind spots in your approach. What does this look like in practice? If you typically check email first thing, wait…

  • Signs You’re Stuck in a Rut at Work (And What to Do About It)

    (Last in a two-part series. Part one covers getting out of a life rut.) Have you ever felt like you’re just going through the motions at work? Maybe your job used to excite you, but now every day feels like a repeat of the last. If this sounds familiar, you might be stuck in a…

  • Signs You’re Stuck in a Life Rut (And How to Break Free)

    (First in a two-part series. Part two covers breaking free from a work rut.) Have you ever felt like you’re just existing rather than truly living? If your days feel repetitive, unfulfilling, or directionless, you might be stuck in a life rut. Routines can be comforting, but when they become stagnant, they can leave you…

  • How I Discovered I was Losing My Hair

    It first occured to me that I might be losing my hair when I visited a barber in the village I would soon be moving to. He was proper old school, with the striped pole outside, nicotine-stained walls, fifties black-and-white prints in the windows, a white coat, and a direct manner of speaking that only…

  • No Regrets About Being Bald

    It’s now just over two years since I began my journey to becoming a bald man. Back in March 2020, I took the brave step of buzzing off my thinning, receding hair, and embraced my first ever buzz cut – something I think every man should try at least once in his life, whether he’s…