TIL Journal: Remembering Life
We all like to believe that we’ll naturally remember what’s important to us. “That brilliant idea that came to me in the middle of the night? No need to take notes. I’ll remember it in the morning.”“That mistake I made again? Surely I’ll remember and know better next time.”“And I’ll definitely not forget that inspiring, life-changing TED Talk by tomorrow.”…
Keep readingThe Homebody Expat: Part III
Unlike my little hometown, Istanbul would not wake me to the sound of sweet birdsong and soft breezes through trees. On the contrary… From our windows came the calls of jackdaws: a clever sort of bird, black and gray with pale blue eyes. Once they discovered that I would leave out leftover bread outside the kitchen window, they would call…
Keep readingThe Homebody Expat: Part II
“Close your eyes, tap your heels together three times, and think to yourself, ‘there’s no place like home, there’s no place like home.’” I would stay in Turkey to visit my partner and his family for three months. Three months in a massive, crowded, noisy city which sharply contrasted from the quiet, sheltered life I’d grown up in and loved.Three…
Keep readingThe Homebody Expat: Part I
The Step Out the Door “The Ozarks is where I belong.” This wasn’t a declaration of pride, but rather a simple, subconscious inner agreement that I was satisfied where I was: in my small hometown, where things felt familiar, predictable. As an introvert with high levels of social anxiety, these were desirable qualities. I wanted peace and comfort; not adventure…
Keep readingKeeping a “Today I Learned” Journal in Notion
Why Not Use a Paper Journal?Journaling on paper, for me, is perfect for reflective or creative writing. It’s a treasured hobby.But in the case of my Today I Learned journal, the level of organization I desire is just too difficult to achieve with paper, despite all my efforts to make it work. I’ve been using Notion for nearly a year…
Keep readingThe Overlooked Trials of Grocery Shopping as an Expat
It was my first morning in the Netherlands. I got out of bed, light on my feet, the air charged with my own exhilaration. I poured my cereal, and stood looking out the window at my new home of Rotterdam as I took my first bite— And spit it out. Sour milk. I looked again at the liter of milk,…
Keep readingThe Sentimental Expat: Obsession with Memories
When a Homebody Becomes an Expat When I saw that orange box of Arm&Hammer baking soda in the aisle, I must have perplexed the customers around me as I suppressed a scream of excitement and ran to it, eyes glittering. This, strangely enough, was a reminder of my homeland.This was an unexpected part of me becoming an expat. Not all…
Keep readingA Socially-Anxious Expat’s Guide to Learning a Language from Books
Many expats move to a new country and have no problem learning the language. They simply immerse themselves in the culture, and start talking to people from day one.But what is a severely shy and introverted expat to do?Someone whose meek attempts to communicate with the locals end in confusion, frustration, and anxiety rather than an eagerness to learn from…
Keep readingRemembering What I’ve Learned with the TIL Journal
First of all, not everything I learn is transformative, and some things aren’t even worth the extra effort to revisit. But within this daily journey of learning, there is still plenty worth the extra thought. And for the things I want to fully know and use in life, there are a couple methods I use to make sure they get…
Keep readingHow I Keep Daily TIL Journaling Easy
I have a long history of failed habit attempts. But when it comes to my “Today I Learned” Journal, I’ve kept it consistent for the past 9.5 months, without missing a day! The difference between my failed habits and this one?I’m giving myself easy options. Why Make it Easier? Let’s look at some things that make keeping a habit difficult:…
Keep readingHow the TIL Journal Changed My Life
Every day, you write what you’ve learned. That was the plan with my “Today I Learned” journal. Just learn something every day, one little step at a time.Simple, complicated, however you like. As long as you learn it and write it down. How It Started My Reason I began this journey of daily learning as a timid attempt to confront…
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Brittany Bulut 