Many of us view working for a company as the safe choice due to benefits and security. However, self-reliance and an entrepreneurial spirit offer their own stability and advantages. Mary Contrary delves into an emerging, more nuanced perspective on work.

'Downshifting'— the perspective on a simpler, more meaningful life often involves moving to sun-drenched locations— but in Part 3 of our New Life Road Movie, we follow our Dutch protagonists who question: can we create that dream life without relocating and leaving everything behind?

A unique project in Nairobi is turning skateboards into tools of confidence, creativity, and community. Led by Jelimo Cheboi and Antoinette 'Tonyii' Apondi, GirlSkate Nairobi shows that everyone can have inner strength and self-confidence, but sometimes, it just needs the right place to help ignite it.

When it comes to something like synchronicity, we're either all in or a bit skeptical. But right between believing and scientific thinking, there's a whole world of possibilities. Want to explore it together? Four experts on synchronicity and coincidence are here to inspire us.

Music, movies, and conversations often suggest that having a life partner is better than being single, with science supporting the health and other benefits. However, is being single just about waiting for the right person, or can it be a fulfilling, lasting lifestyle choice? Is it time for a new narrative?

Walking helps us stay fit, but some innovative researchers found that walking in a silly manner, like John Cleese in Monty Python's 'Ministry of Silly Walks,' to be precise, burns more energy and boosts mood effectively. It can make you wonder: do our everyday activities have to be the same every day?

If there's one thing we've picked up in recent times, it's that we can successfully rethink big, long-standing beliefs and perspectives. Take work. The meaning of work, the daily grind, the rat race, 'the more we work the more successful we are,' the 5-day week in the workplace? All of that's definitely evolving and work is changing.

In a world overflowing with information, the news can overwhelm us. Columnist Mary Contrary tells us how exploring different news perspectives, backgrounds, and underreported voices, can offer us nuanced insights and context and a clearer picture. It can provide a deeper understanding of our complex world, beyond prevailing beliefs. Let's delve into the quiet news — the news we might otherwise miss.

Have you ever considered that true healing might sometimes come from within, rather than a battle fought externally? Join us in exploring the profound insights shared by Dr. Kim D’Eramo on why it sometimes pays to surrender to our innate healing.

There are people who age, there are people who age positively, and then there are people who have their own unique way of aging gracefully. Mary Contrary met such a person—her remarkable neighbor Rosie, an 'old' lady who saw right through you—yes, you, with all your stereotypes about life and the elderly! This is the story of Rosie, based on a real-life event.

Many of us in the Western world view older people as vulnerable (and a bit comical) and expect our own decline of mind and body to begin as early as middle age, as if it were inevitable. But could these expectations—especially when reinforced by societal norms—actually influence the outcome?

Did you know that, although we are naturally inclined to focus on the negative, we also possess the innate ability to concentrate on the positive? Our bodies are wired for this, and it promotes our well-being. Deb Dana introduces to us her easy-to-use concept of 'Glimmers' and shows how they can help us fall in love with life again.

A unique café in Vienna is a popular spot for all ages, offering not only authentic dishes but also a fresh perspective on ageing and café culture on the side. Run by savvy life experts—no senior citizens here—Vollpension fosters independence for everyone, and as it turns out, Grandma still has lots to do. This is their story.

An expert in psychology from the UK, Jenny Hamilton, has come up with an inspiring therapeutic idea called the MOVIE Model. It's a science-based, fun twist on therapy that lets us enjoy some therapeutic and self-healing benefits right from our couch... by simply watching a movie!

Ever feel just that bit too sensitive, complex, creative, intense, curious, or misunderstood? Psychotherapist Paula Prober tells us about the "Rainforest Mind." If we are all unique ecosystems, this one feels both too much and not enough. And it might just be you or someone you know. Meet the Rainforest Mind.

My Time In Ghana: During her filming trip to Ghana in the nineties, Mary Contrary, a perspectivator at heart, discovered aspects of African life which are so incredibly rich, they contrast sharply with the poverty and hardship often seen by Western visitors. This is her story.

When you think about it, life is like a palette of colours, where our perception is crucial. Mindful living with perspective means embracing different perspectives and finding meaning in life's mosaic. It encourages us to step back, breathe, and appreciate the bigger picture, even amidst the details. Are mindful living and perspective a perfect match? Let's explore this together.

So, we're open to a new perspective. But, are we really? Our subconscious voices and limiting beliefs can make genuine change difficult. Enter energy tapping. Intrigued? Read on as Mary Contrary explores the topic. Mary has successfully used tapping for years on various issues and often practices it while walking her dog.

Move over statistics, planning and strategies! As much as they have their place in business, there is also strength in integrity, responsibility, connection, and intuition for future success. Says successful London business psychologist Hema Vyas: The world is changing, and so is leadership and the time has come to start leading from the heart.

If only we had more self-control. We'd eat healthier, exercise regularly, avoid indulgences, eliminate procrastination, and increase savings. Achieving these goals sounds ideal. Right? Isn't it time to rethink our meaning of willpower?