The Art of Living Free

Optimism

Are You an Optimist or Pessimist About Our Changing World?

Anthony Silard Ph.D. on October 15, 2024

Are you generally an optimistic or pessimistic person? How is your general outlook affecting you?

Are you generally an optimistic or pessimistic person? How is your general outlook affecting you?

Relationships

The Power of Screen-Free Togetherness

Anthony Silard Ph.D. on July 9, 2024

Being on screens too much distances you from social relationships. If you try a day without screens you may be surprised at what you have been missing.

Being on screens too much distances you from social relationships. If you try a day without screens you may be surprised at what you have been missing.

Cognition

Want to Transform Your Life? Reclaim Floodlight Thinking

Anthony Silard Ph.D. on June 24, 2024

How can you connect with others and your deepest values in our current age of distraction?

How can you connect with others and your deepest values in our current age of distraction?

Relationships

The Presence Cure: What Do Other People Most Need From You?

Anthony Silard Ph.D. on May 14, 2024

Make the decision to offer other people an important gift: your unmitigated presence.

Make the decision to offer other people an important gift: your unmitigated presence.

Loneliness

The Loneliness of Working for Social Change

Anthony Silard Ph.D. on April 19, 2024

How can people support social change leaders to sustain their motivation and reduce the loneliness of being out on their own trying to improve the world?

How can people support social change leaders to sustain their motivation and reduce the loneliness of being out on their own trying to improve the world?

Gender

Our Misguided Image of Masculinity Still Prevails

Anthony Silard Ph.D. on February 28, 2024

Cooperation and aggression are two controversial dimensions of how men and women interact. We are collectively responsible for updating the image of what a real man is.

Cooperation and aggression are two controversial dimensions of how men and women interact. We are collectively responsible for updating the image of what a real man is.

Social Media

Why Our Narcissism Is Growing

Anthony Silard Ph.D. on February 12, 2024

Narcissism has notably grown thanks to social media. What can you do about it?

Narcissism has notably grown thanks to social media. What can you do about it?

Attention

Dating in the Age of Distraction

Anthony Silard Ph.D. on October 23, 2023

We now have the possibility of meeting the right partner without departing from behind our beloved megapixels. Yet it all comes crashing down, again and again.

We now have the possibility of meeting the right partner without departing from behind our beloved megapixels. Yet it all comes crashing down, again and again.

Motivation

The Great Resignation of Engagement

Anthony Silard Ph.D. on September 18, 2023

We all need a new season in our lives to renew our passion. Lessons from "The Boss."

We all need a new season in our lives to renew our passion. Lessons from "The Boss."

Media

Too Much Viewing, Not Enough Listening

Anthony Silard Ph.D. on August 14, 2023

How is social media affecting your relationships with the people you care about?

How is social media affecting your relationships with the people you care about?

Relationships

3 Ways to Change Your Relationship with Your Smartphone

Anthony Silard Ph.D. on April 3, 2023

We are living in a passive era of distractions. Here's how changing your relationship with technology could help you build more meaningful relationships.

We are living in a passive era of distractions. Here's how changing your relationship with technology could help you build more meaningful relationships.

Jealousy

How Envy Became the Roadblock to Genuine Friendship 

Anthony Silard Ph.D. on January 23, 2023

What would you be able to create in your life if you stopped posting on social media in the hopes of gaining the approval of others?

What would you be able to create in your life if you stopped posting on social media in the hopes of gaining the approval of others?

Social Networking

The Effect of Social Media on Life Satisfaction

Anthony Silard Ph.D. on January 16, 2023

On social media, we’re not admiring others (a positive emotion) but envying them (a negative one)—leading to our decline in life satisfaction.

On social media, we’re not admiring others (a positive emotion) but envying them (a negative one)—leading to our decline in life satisfaction.

Loneliness

One More Email, No Less Loneliness

Anthony Silard Ph.D. on January 9, 2023

Social media users now routinely inflate images of their lives while hiding the flab and unhappiness.

Social media users now routinely inflate images of their lives while hiding the flab and unhappiness.

Relationships

The Story of Your Relationships

Anthony Silard Ph.D. on December 19, 2022

When you transcend the drama of your story, you will also begin to develop an all-consuming love for humanity.

When you transcend the drama of your story, you will also begin to develop an all-consuming love for humanity.

Anxiety

Transcend Your Story

Anthony Silard Ph.D. on December 13, 2022

A Personal Perspective: Each time you attain an object, you may realize that you are still stuck with yourself, desperately alone with only your story to keep you company.

A Personal Perspective: Each time you attain an object, you may realize that you are still stuck with yourself, desperately alone with only your story to keep you company.

Career

Our Crisis of Belonging: Our Deepest Motivation at Work

Anthony Silard Ph.D. on September 5, 2022

What is our primary motivation at work? Money? Job enjoyment? It's neither. Instead, it's something we’ve long overlooked.

What is our primary motivation at work? Money? Job enjoyment? It's neither. Instead, it's something we’ve long overlooked.

Media

The Role of Social Media in Our Empathy Crisis

Anthony Silard Ph.D. on July 11, 2022

Get up from your screen and interact with people. Be the change.

Get up from your screen and interact with people. Be the change.

Media

When Social Media Accelerates Conflict

Anthony Silard Ph.D. on June 30, 2022

Would the tragedy in Buffalo have unfolded differently had the perpetrator not been live-streaming?

Would the tragedy in Buffalo have unfolded differently had the perpetrator not been live-streaming?

Narcissism

The Growth of Narcissism

Anthony Silard Ph.D. on May 17, 2022

While the behavior of a few at the top can make it seem that we exist in a society characterized by conceit and entitlement, we also live in a society characterized by kindness.

While the behavior of a few at the top can make it seem that we exist in a society characterized by conceit and entitlement, we also live in a society characterized by kindness.