Philosophy, as they say, “was conceived as wedded to death.” Legions of A-list existential thinkers have tried to “dress the wound of mortality” by making sense of the absurdity and fragility of life: Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, Camus ... a veritable who’s who list of intellectuals have weighed in on the infinite conundrum, and annoyingly haven’t reached a...

Tired of hearing the “LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE” maxims ... yelling at you in all caps? Yeah, me too. (We spoke about it here when I seemingly-irresponsibly encouraged us to get in touch with our worst lives.) But today I’m going to contradict myself, as I’m wont to do. I’m going to get us all...

I have mixed emotions about self-control, and I know you do too. Mixed Emotion about Self-Control #1: Self-control is code for “the fun around here is definitely going to end,” and while I might not be blonde, I do like to have more fun. I bristle at the idea of fun being contained, of fun...

Any other rule-followers out there? Hi. I see you, deep into your obedient and compliant soul. This is an “it takes one to know one” situation, because I too am unwaveringly law-abiding (other than a serious desire to be recruited into an Oceans 8 sort of heist ... something we will never speak of again,...

‘Tis the season to give and receive meaningless gifts built for one purpose: trashing regifting. That chai-banana-balsam scented candle you received from Mindy at the office holiday mixer? That puppy has made the rounds. And if you plan on wrapping that monstrosity back up and putting it under the tree/ Festivus pole for your Great...

With Thanksgiving on the horizon, I’m feeling a wee bit petulant about All Things Gratitude. Is it because I’m a spoiled ingrate? No! (I mean, mostly no!) (Okay fine, I take mostly everything in my life for granted. But that’s not why I’m giving gratitude the side-eye.) I’m worried that amidst the ubiquity of said...

There is just so much we want to do in this “limited time only” life, and while most of us are aware we’ll barely reach the tip of the tip of the tip of the iceberg(s) we aim to conquer in the 4,000 Mondays we’ve got to work with, we do like to fantasize about...

Here’s the fantasy: Book a private island for a week. Stock it full of your libation of choice (I’m thinking Kahlúa but you do you). Crack open a brand-new fabulous-looking journal to capture the stream of epiphanies, world-class ideas, and life-changing transformations that will surely flow out of you. Here’s the reality: You like the...

Dearest Grim, This is your busy time of year, what with it being the Day of the Dead and all, so I’ll try to keep this short. I’m Jodi (yes—that’s me! Your #1 Fangirl!) and I’ve become rather obsessed with you and your work. What a role-reversal, right? You’re the one who usually stalks people...