Henriette – Page 11 – Henriette Nolte

Mindfulness | A strategy for life.

Posted on June 2, 2023February 15, 2024 by Henriette

Life is pain.

Life is suffering

This is true on Earth—but truer on Olrania

These are the introductory sentences of Chasing the Sun, a sci-fi novel that took me multiple years to write. I wanted to touch on a universal truth in those sentences. That everyone—no matter who they are—suffers. Also, things can always get worse. This is certainly the case for the crew of the Algora when they crash land on a desert planet. The story also touches on the idea that, as humans, we are often our own worst enemy.

But this post is not about Chasing the Sun. Rather it is about the suffering that we all have to endure while we are here on Earth. It’s about how we can counter that suffering with a strategy of mindfulness, a strategy to stay present even when things get difficult. My view is that mindfulness lessens our suffering in the moment, but it also moves us closer to peace as we cultivate it.

Why it’s Easier to do Hard Things in Computer Games Than Real Life

Posted on May 31, 2023January 29, 2024 by Henriette

I can write two books in Sims 4 in a single day—a Sim day, not a human day. I can probably finish a library of books in a human day as a Sim. And I can just keep on writing and writing. Sure you have to empty your Sim’s bladder now and then, eat, shower and sleep. But mostly, as a Sim, I can just keep on writing. No thought given to physical aches and pains, doubts, or creative capacity. Never mind the time it actually takes to finish a book. Hint: Not one day. Socialising as a Sim? Only once or twice a week if you take the loner trait. Writers are loners after all. Sure, you get some writer’s block now and then. This lasts a few Sim hours, but you can just fast forward past it. Like Adam Sandler in Click.

A Case Against Cynicism

Posted on May 29, 2023February 15, 2024 by Henriette

Some things get better. Other things get worse. But to hold on to an idea that everything is getting worse is just not accurate. Also, to be absolutely certain that things can’t get better is not only foolhardy but also destructive. Why? You might ask. After all, if we are cynical about things, we can’t really be disappointed. We can’t get criticised for being too idealistic. We can’t be accused of wishful thinking, and we don’t have to disagree with the hordes of naysayers who so aggressively want to convince us that they are right. It means we can stay safe.

But I’ve thought a lot about this. A few years actually. And I’ve come to the conclusion that cynicism is not only bad for your emotional health but actually destructive to many aspects of your life. Here are a few reasons why.

Maximising Time Spent in Flow State

Posted on May 27, 2023February 15, 2024 by Henriette

Life’s getting increasingly complex. I have many days where I feel fearful about the future. In South Africa, many things are exceptionally unstable. Many things that happen are out of our control too. But there are certain things that are not out of our control. These are the things that I come back to again and again. These are things that centre me. Things that strengthen my sense of agency. Things that help me access more flow in my life.

The Only Two Habit Books You Need to Read

Posted on May 24, 2023January 29, 2024 by Henriette

Habits are pretty important and habit building has been an ongoing process for me. There is so much information on habits that I think we can sometimes drown in the information without actually getting to the implementation and action side.

There are two books that I usually recommend to people. I’ve found these the most helpful and practical.

Emotional Reactivity Dissipates a lot of Energy

Posted on May 22, 2023February 15, 2024 by Henriette

I recently made a short video on how to get creative work done. The gist of the video is that if we spend a lot of time either stuck in mental loops or being emotionally reactive, we wont get a lot of creative work done.

This video was intended for creatives but really applies to any work, any craft, any pursuit. It’s hard to get any meaningful work done if you’re siphoning off your attention to fear or outrage or any of these difficult emotions.

The Best Way to do Math (Or Anything Else That Seems Hard)

Posted on May 19, 2023January 29, 2024 by Henriette 1 Comment

I was fortunate to have quite a few good teachers back in high school. One awesome teacher was my math teacher. (How often do you hear that?) She once told us that one should aim to do an hour of math everyday rather than study long hours before a test. She said that one should aim to be so familiar with the work by the time that the test comes around, that one should take it easy the day before.

Don’t Aim to Read More. Read Slower.

Posted on May 17, 2023February 15, 2024 by Henriette 1 Comment

Over the last few years, I’ve probably seen dozens of videos and blog posts that discuss methods and tips on how to read more. But my big breakthrough in reading came when I shifted from reading more to reading more slowly. Reading really slowly fits in nicely with my commitment to mindfulness and presence, but it also made me a better writer and reader. I think we can learn a lot, not by reading more, but by reading with more focus and effort.

Future Achievements Cannot Set Us Free from the Disappointments of the Past

Posted on May 15, 2023February 15, 2024 by Henriette

There’s a reason I spend so much time writing about being in the present moment. I believe that being mindful and in the moment can transform our experience of life.

In my twenties, I used to chase certain achievements because I thought that it would counterbalance some of the suffering that I was experiencing. I thought that if I could only achieve a few key things, I would feel better.

But I’ve realised that there are very few external conditions that can bring us inner joy. Yes, certain things might lift our spirits for a while, but if we want to have a more sustained experience of joyfulness, equanimity and focus, then we need to be with our internal suffering for long periods of time.

Work is Love Made Visible – Kahlil Gibran

Posted on May 12, 2023January 29, 2024 by Henriette 1 Comment

About thirteen years ago, someone told me that he can’t believe that he gets paid to do the work that he does. He stated that he enjoys his work so much, that he would gladly do it for free. That conversation kind of planted a seed in me. My idea of work up to that point was mostly that it was a harsh slog of difficulties. But the conversation told me that maybe it doesn’t have to be that way. I thought about it a lot and kept encountering the idea in different ways and on other occasions.

Author: Henriette