I was on the train with my friend, complaining about how I sweat so much (it’s really hot in Tokyo right now…) when she brought up how she switched deodorants and how it changed her life (with no exaggeration). She began using this Japanese deodorant called “Soft Stone Double”, which is made from a naturally […]
The 30-Second Writing Exercise That’ll Help You Feel Confident When Pursuing The Impossible
I recently came across an old HONY post (a popular photoblog called Humans of New York, that shares stories of people from all over the world) and on one post, the comments section did something very cool. They took the quote that was featured and then turned into a mad lib. It goes like: “It […]
Reframing Aesthetics of Have-To-Do Tasks with Spotify
What are aesthetics of Have-To-Do tasks? To read my explanation of these terms and why we need to combat them directly to address the root causes of procrastination, read my article here! Goal of Reframing Aesthetics The goal of aesthetic-combating strategies is to provide yourself with resources that will help you when you’re feeling unmotivated, […]
Applying the MDA Framework for Video Game Design to Productivity
To read first what video games can teach us about productivity, click here. What is the MDA Framework? The MDA framework was developed by Robin Hunicke, Marc LeBlanc, Robert Zubek, as a way to define a clear way we can approach engaging video game design. MDA stands for Mechanics, Dynamics, and Aesthetics. Each of these […]
Want to Be More Productive? Maybe Video Games Can Teach Us How
We all love to play video games. Maybe you play Words with Friends on your commute to work, or maybe there was a time in your life where you would play Minesweeper on your laptop. Maybe you only reserve playing video games when you’re with your family, or maybe you dedicate hours playing Dark Souls […]
Hojicha to Address my Coffee Problem
What is hojicha? Hojicha is quite simply roasted green tea. While it is a type of green tea, it is light brown or tan in color, and tastes very different from green tea like matcha or sencha. While I love coffee, it’s not so great for me to have a lot of it in my […]
Lotus root? What is it, why should I incorporate in my diet, and how do I eat it? (+delicious recipe!)
Lotus Root? Lotus root is the bottom, edible part of the lotus plant. It’s crunchy and mild-flavored, resembling the flavor and texture of a raw potato. For centuries, lotus root has been used in East Asian cuisines, particularly in Japanese and Chinese cultures. It can be deep-fried, stir-fried, braised, or steamed. It is also commonly […]
Postcards Helped Me Deal With Loneliness
Being an introvert is not easy in a society that primarily rewards extroverted personalities. While I am not anti-social, I frequently find myself tired after extended periods of socializing, and will spend time alone to recharge myself. But prolonged periods in solitude sometimes causes me to feel lonely, and unattended, this loneliness can be detrimental […]
Making kabocha pumpkin soup (5-ingredient easy recipe!)
Health benefits of kabocha My mom asked me to buy a kabocha pumpkin from the supermarket one day, but then later texted me that she didn’t need it, but I had already gotten it anyways. We ended up with two kabocha pumpkins, so I took this opportunity to look up a recipe that would use […]
Onsens as the perfect place to relax
One of my favorite Japan-exclusive activities is going to the onsen with friends. Onsens are public baths, a popular leisure activity in Japan, and are a place to socialize, relax, and get some peace and quiet away from the busy and work-centric stresses and pressures from society. Many of my western friends are initially off […]
