We all have setbacks. From personal crises to failing at habit change to having a really messy week … this kind of stuff can get us feeling discouraged. I’ve been thinking a lot about how we can pick ourselves back up again, and what I’ve been loving is the idea of fresh starts. A fresh start is putting the discouraging stuff behind you, and starting anew. It’s exciting and hopeful! And we can have a fresh start on any day we choose. That’s the topic of our November Fearless Living Academy...

The questions I get from the Zen Habits community — in comments, emails, and conversations — are a gift. They remind me how much we’re all navigating, and I wanted to create a space to explore them more fully. That’s what this month’s YouTube Live is about. It will be an open Q&A session where I’ll respond to your questions on habits, mindfulness, simplicity, and the challenges of creating meaningful change. I’ll be answering some of the questions you’ve shared ahead of time, and I’ll also...

These days, it can be hard to be true to who you are — we might have the tendency to people-please, to try to not be judged, to protect ourselves from criticism — and so we feel like we either have to be someone we’re not … or withdraw from engaging with others. How can we put ourselves out there, express ourselves, and still be authentic? In our October Fearless Living Academy workshop, we’re going to explore how to express our core values even under the pressure to conform. Topics we’ll...