Tag: Happiness

When the Writing Stops

I’m creatively empty — and I’m now at peace with that

There was a time, in 2014, when a full-time writing career seemed possible. My pieces were garnering tens of thousands of views, established writers and quasi-famous people were reaching out with kind words about something I had written, I was being interviewed as a talking head, and I was taking meetings with outlets about joining their teams. I had other very cool opportunities. The money just wasn’t there, and once I learned the economics of writing online I doubted it would ever be there, but I still had dreams…

It wasn’t a pipe dream and it wasn’t necessarily an attainable goal. It hovered somewhere between the two.

Then, something happened.

The attention economy changed. The internet changed. The way people consume content changed, especially the way they read (they don’t; they watch videos). The algorithm changed. My readership changed. I changed too — I moved away from my primary niche (hip-hop) and even my secondary niche (NBA) to write about other topics. This made me happier creatively, but almost certainly less successful.

Tags Happiness, Life, Success, Writing

Health Life

A Daily Walk Transformed My Life

Post author By Christopher Pierznik
Post date September 15, 2023
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“I’m not saying going for a walk will solve all your problems, I’m just saying there’s no problem that’s going to be made worse by going for a walk.”
— Ryan Holiday

It seems simple. So simple, in fact, that I was doubtful.

As someone that was reared on basketball practices where you ran until you vomited and exhaustive two-hour weightlifting sessions that left you feeling nearly paralyzed, I couldn’t imagine that something so slow, basic, and, well, pedestrian could have such an impact on my life.

I was wrong.

Tags Happiness, Health, Life, Mental Health, Walking, Weight Loss

Lessons Life

25 Short Lessons from 25 Years of Adulthood

Post author By Christopher Pierznik
Post date May 9, 2023
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When does adulthood begin?

Scientists say that, biologically, adulthood doesn’t truly begin until 30, but socially, culturally, and legally, it’s 18. You’re free to leave the nest, make your own decisions (and mistakes), and take control of your life.

I turned 43 in March.

It’s not a milestone birthday by traditional standards — we Americans love numbers that end in fives and zeroes — but if 18 is the age when we become adults, then that means I’ve been a grownup for a full twenty-five years. A quarter-century.

While it often still doesn’t feel like it, I’ve compiled a list of twenty-five things I’ve learned in the past twenty-five years.

Tags Adulthood, Fatherhood, Happiness, Life, LIfe Lessons

Parenting TV

The Comfort of Rewatching Things

Post author By Christopher Pierznik
Post date March 31, 2023
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Do you often rewatch old shows you’ve seen before? Do you think you’re alone? Well, you’re not.

Tags Comfort, Happiness, TV

Health Life

My Only Goal: Improve Daily

Post author By Christopher Pierznik
Post date February 14, 2023
1 Comment on My Only Goal: Improve Daily

In my moments of quiet reflection, I always ask myself the same few questions.

Am I improving? Are my choices and actions moving me closer to the person I want to be? Have I made progress over the past day/week/month/year?

These are often followed by questions of self-flagellation: Why did I say that? What was I thinking? Why did I make that decision?

Tags Happiness, Health, Life, Mental Health, Self-Improvement, Success

Craft Beer I Was There Life Nostalgia Philadelphia

Saying Goodbye to My Favorite Place – and My Youth

Post author By Christopher Pierznik
Post date January 25, 2023
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For most of us, life is not like a sitcom. We don’t meet up with our friends every single day at Central Perk or MacLaren’s or Cheers, but we do have our spots that we prefer over all others. We may not go there all the time, but we feel most comfortable there. It is where we are in our element, where we invite everyone to join us. It is our home field, as it were.

Mine was Memphis Taproom.

So I was quite dismayed a few weeks ago when I read the news that it would be closing its doors for good.

Tags Beer, Craft Beer, Happiness, Life, Memories, Memphis Taproom, Philadelphia, Philly, Sadness

Life

The Power of Perspective

“He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.”

— Socrates

I take a long walk nearly every single day.

It is one of the many reasons I was able to lose 40(ish) pounds, but I don’t do it only for the health benefits. I also do it for my mind. The walk allows me to get away from the spreadsheets and Zoom meetings, work on solving problems that seem unsolvable, and helps me generate ideas and breakthroughs, for both my personal and professional life. It helps my mental state as much as — if not more — than it helps my physical state.

Of course, there are side effects to everything and my daily stroll is no different.