10 Things I've Loved Lately

(maybe you'll love them too)

Here are 10 things I’ve loved lately, in case you might love them too. No affiliate links, just genuine recommendations.

1. Glucose management

I gave up sugar 1.5 years ago, and it's among the best decisions I've ever made. Recently I've gone beyond looking at sugar, noticing that glucose spikes in general are often the culprit for feeling irritable, tired, or hungry-but-not-really-hungry.

Though initially dubious, my partner found that glucose management removed the post-lunch slump. And a nice side effect of managing glucose is that you automatically gravitate towards your ideal weight, as you’re avoiding excess glucose, which is stored as fat.

Noooo don’t do it, anon

Here's a YouTube on what glucose spikes are and how to avoid them.

2. Bodyweight exercises

I've never found any exercise protocol to be particularly effective, until I discovered the classic book Convict Conditioning. The book's prescribed bodyweight exercises take just ~15 minutes ~3x/week at home with little equipment, yet are giving me more strength and muscle than anything I’ve tried before.

The progression path for one exercise

The secret here is progressions—going from easier to more difficult versions of six exercises—so you're always working to the edge of your strength. (h/t Tasshin)

3. Jogen on Why Buddhism

At a meditation retreat, Jogen gave a “Why Buddhism” talk that helped unlock my motivation to consistently meditate. Rather than repeating Buddhist teachings—which often feel out of reach for me—he spoke from personal insight in plain language. See how it lands for you.

Turns out Buddhism is about more than good aesthetics

4. The Hidden Brain — Relationships 2.0

I loved Hidden Brain’s “Relationships 2.0” podcast series, especially the episode on keeping love alive, the episode on finding happiness in talking to strangers, and the episode on connection. (h/t my favorite food blogger, Rainbow Plant Life)

5. Meditations for Mortals

If you’re what Oliver Burkeman calls an “anxious overachiever,” reading Meditations for Mortals feels like he’s been quietly observing the inner workings of your mind. He sees your prison of self-flagellating striving and offers a way out. Startling in its simplicity, the key is: you actually can’t do it all.

As with his previous book, Four Thousand Weeks, I pretty much highlighted the whole thing. Here’s one of those highlights:

6. Wind, Sand and Stars

From The Little Prince author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry comes this absolute gem of a memoir, first published in 1939. It recounts his work as a pioneering airmail pilot, navigating fragile aircraft across Europe, Africa, and South America during aviation’s heroic age. But this is more than an adventure tale: it’s a lyrical meditation on courage, wonder, and what it means to be human. I now understand why the person who recommended it returns to it every year.

vibes

7. Nine Lives: In Search of the Sacred in Modern India

In Nine Lives, William Dalrymple journeys through the spiritual heart of contemporary India by telling the stories of nine remarkable individuals—each following a distinct religious path. Through these intimate portraits, he explores how devotion offers meaning and purpose amidst change and hardship.

8. Milk Oolong tea

I’ve discovered a nectar of the gods, and it is milk oolong tea. Somehow milky—as its name implies—it’s richly aromatic with a shortbread sweetness.

Here's the stuff I got, though all the Taiwanese teas I tried from that shop were sublime. Just take care to not under or over brew—sample while brewing to hone in on the sweet spot.

9. Barefoot shoes

Barefoot shoes help with ankle and knee pain and improving balance and proprioception (your body’s awareness of its position in space). I won’t be a trendsetter talking about barefoot shoes, but I’ve found a benefit I hadn’t heard before—wearing barefoot shoes put arches on my previously flat feet.

These are by far the best barefoot shoes I’ve tried—they’re like a grippy foot glove.

10. Endel ambient noise app

Endel is an ambient noise app for focus, sleep, and relaxation. I use it pretty much nonstop when working, and play the sleep track whenever sleeping in a noisy environment.

My Endel stats. I possibly use it too much.

Bonus: Something for you!

You too can receive MAY YOU BE HAPPY stickers in the mail!

MAY YOU BE HAPPY stickers

I've been enjoying mailing out MAY YOU BE HAPPY stickers (origin story). It's a bit of spiritual activism, born from the sense that maybe what the world needs is a little more love and well-wishing for our fellow human, no matter their views.

If you'd like a sticker, comment below and I’ll send you one. ❤️

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What have you loved lately? I’d love to hear your recommendations! 🤗