For the inner work that doesn’t shout. Emotional steadiness, self-trust, meaning, and the kinds of insights you only earn by living long enough to notice what actually matters.
Editor’s note: This article was reviewed and updated in May 2026 to meet The Vessel’s latest editorial standards. Meet “Karen”… She’s 51, middling height, and sports a haircut worthy of an early 2000s scene kid (short, bleached, and flat ironed within an inch of its life). Oh, and don’t forget her winning personality. Not only […]
How to respond when someone acts as if rules don’t apply Read More »
There’s a distinct line between knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge comes by learning facts and skills, but wisdom? That’s the tough one. Wisdom often comes from hard lessons and it’s usually learned too late in life. I’m Lachlan Brown, founder of Hack Spirit and a long-time student of Buddhism and mindfulness. I’ve spent years studying life’s
8 lessons people often learn too late in life (a little toolkit for life) Read More »
There are three primary ways to see somebody’s level of confidence: What they do, what they say and what their body language and behavior indicates. When it comes to the kinds of things men say when they lack self-confidence, there are a number of phrases many of us have heard before that will ring a
12 classic phrases men often say when they lack self-confidence Read More »
It’s widely recognized that childhood experiences follow us well into adulthood. This is true for both positive and negative experiences. But when we think about negative childhood experiences, many people jump straight to things that happened and overlook things that didn’t. What do I mean by this? Well, I am talking about emotional validation –
People who rarely felt validated as a child often display these 7 behaviors in adulthood Read More »
Navigating the nuances of communication can be a tricky business. We often use polite phrases to mask our true feelings or intentions, but sometimes, these seemingly courteous words carry a subtly aggressive undertone. This is the world of passive-aggressive interactions, where niceties can often cloak a sharper intent. It’s a form of communication that allows
8 phrases that sound polite on the surface, but are actually passive aggressive Read More »
Editor’s note: This article was reviewed and updated in May 2026 to meet The Vessel’s latest editorial standards. It discusses themes of trauma, grief, and difficult life experiences. If you’re experiencing something similar, speaking with a mental health professional can be a valuable source of support. You don’t have to be a country music fan
Aging is a journey, not a destination. And as I’ve navigated my own aging process, I’ve come to realize that the key to a joyful later life is gratitude. As a Life Transition coach and the creator of Reset Your Life Compass, I’ve discovered that being grateful is more than just saying “thank you.” It’s
The art of aging gratefully: 8 things that can make you happier as you get older Read More »
Editor’s note: This article was reviewed and updated in May 2026 to meet The Vessel’s latest editorial standards. How approachable are you? It’s a question that can come up from time to time when reflecting on how we come across to others. There are certain behaviors that can make you come across as standoffish even
How ordinary behaviors can read as standoffishness Read More »
Empathy is a word that gets bandied about a lot these days. We hear about the importance of being empathetic in leadership roles, with our children, and when considering the plight of others. But what exactly constitutes an empathetic person? Having empathy means being deeply attuned to the emotions and energies of other people. The
12 Signs of a truly empathetic person Read More »
