Tag: mental-health

  • The Joy of Writing: Connecting Thoughts and People

    The Joy of Writing: Connecting Thoughts and People

    What do you enjoy most about writing? Some years ago someone asked me this question over coffee, and I found myself stumbling over the answer. This wasn’t because I don’t love writing. It was because isolating what I love most felt like trying to pick a favorite star. It is a combinations of things that…

  • What I’m Really Curious About After 30 Years of International Work

    What I’m Really Curious About After 30 Years of International Work

    Don’t wait until you’re shaking in a conference room to realize that taking care of yourself isn’t selfish—it’s essential for doing the work that matters.

  • Two Tickets to Anywhere: Why Choosing Between Asian Dreams Keeps Me Up at Night

    Two Tickets to Anywhere: Why Choosing Between Asian Dreams Keeps Me Up at Night

    Someone asked me last week where I’d go if I won two airline tickets to anywhere. I laughed and said, “Somewhere in Asia,” then spent the next three days obsessing over whether I meant Japan, India, Malaysia, or Thailand. You know that paralyzing moment when you have too many good options? That’s where I am…

  • 10 Certainties from 15 Years in Global Development

    10 Certainties from 15 Years in Global Development

    This is a reflection on hard-won truths from island life and global health work.

  • How I Create Comfort in a Life of Constant Change

    How I Create Comfort in a Life of Constant Change

    The Quiet Power of a Portable Sanctuary It was just past 5:00 in the morning in a dim, overheated hotel room in Antananarivo, two decades ago. The air conditioner had stopped working during the night. I lay half-awake. I was mentally rehearsing. This meeting was likely to be one of the most politically sensitive of…

  • Mastering Sustainable Self-Care for Professionals

    Mastering Sustainable Self-Care for Professionals

    Discover authentic self-care practices that actually work for busy professionals—from island wisdom to conference strategies that prevent burnout.

  • Managing Global Health Across Cultures: The Art of Unplugging

    Managing Global Health Across Cultures: The Art of Unplugging

    A UN professional shares authentic strategies for unplugging from global health demands, blending Seychellois wisdom with international development experience.

  • Conversations with Myself: The Power of Self-Reflection

    Conversations with Myself: The Power of Self-Reflection

    The machete cracks through the green husk with a satisfying thud. Steam rises from fresh coconut water in Toamasina’s market, while coffee beans release their earthy aroma in Antsirabe’s highland air. These aren’t just beverages—they’re invitations to pause and connect authentically. After fifteen years navigating boardrooms from Mumbai to Munich, I’ve learned that transformative conversations…

  • The Collections That Define Us: Books, Trust, and Skills

    The Collections That Define Us: Books, Trust, and Skills

    Discover how three essential collections—books, trusted relationships, and skills—shape professional success and personal growth in our interconnected world.

  • Achieving True Work-Life Balance: My Journey

    Achieving True Work-Life Balance: My Journey

    “Finding Solid Ground: My Messy Journey to Work-Life Balance” After years of living out of suitcases and putting work above everything else, I finally learned what balance actually means (spoiler: it’s not about perfect time management). If you’ve ever felt the constant tug-of-war between career demands and personal life, this one’s for you. I get…