How to Cultivate Curiosity and Hope: A Practice for Personal Growth and Passion
[Photo credit: Daniel Faro]
Curiosity is a powerful form of self-care—especially when you're feeling burned out, stuck, or unsure of who you’re becoming. It invites you to explore without pressure, ask gentle “what ifs,” and follow what sparks interest or admiration. You don’t need a plan—just a willingness to wonder. In that wondering, hope begins.
Free Self-Care: 25 Bizarre Ways to Take Care of Yourself
[Photo credit: Franco Dupuy]
Tired of Bubble Baths? Try a Blanket Burrito Instead.
Let’s be honest: self-care advice starts to feel like déjà vu after a while. Bubble baths, journaling, meditation—great, but what if your brain just yawns at the thought? Sometimes, what we really need isn’t more calm—it’s a little chaos. A jolt of joy. A nudge toward the absurd.
This list is for when the usual self-care routines feel stale. These 25 weird, free, and slightly unhinged ideas are designed to reset your mood, not your credit card balance. Because sometimes, the most healing thing you can do is wrap yourself in a blanket like a burrito and roll around the living room. Trust me—it’s therapy, just louder.
Joy as Resistance: Why We Need Joy in Burnout Recovery
[Photo credit: Chris Abatzis]
In the midst of burnout, it can feel like joy is the first thing to go—and the last thing we think we deserve. But joy isn’t a reward for healing; it’s part of the healing itself. In a world that constantly demands more, choosing joy becomes a radical act. It’s a way of saying, I am more than what I produce. I deserve to feel alive, even when the world is on fire.
This piece explores how joy not only sustains us in our burnout recovery, but actively resists the systems that benefit from our exhaustion. Whether it’s dancing in your kitchen, laughing with a friend, or finding softness in silence—joy is proof that hope is still here. And that’s worth holding onto.