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Hi from Spain, I'm Matt...

I celebrated a birthday this week and spent most of the week away from screens and in the sunshine, it was a gift of its own. I'm hoping this week's mail finds you healthy and well.

Thank you for being a part of Stuff. If you received this email from an excellent friend, and would like to subscribe, please go here. If you'd like an archive of Stuff from the beginning of 2022 - it's here.

Onward with the Stuff that MattRs this week...
  1. Monday Motivation:  This week, let's all work on our listening skills.  It's the greatest gift that we can give others, and ourselves.   Not only that, but great listening skills also make you a better conversationalist.  Bonus stuff: six ways you can improve your listening skills.
  2. Your new superpower: The average human makes in the region of 35000 conscious decisions per day, I find it exhausting.   I've looked at several ways of optimising decisions but journaling them could be a game-changer.
  3. Essential Reading: Learn how social media can distort reality in 8 specific ways.   Forewarned is forearmed.
  4. Take care: Getting to know the neurotransmitters that power your brain, and your well-being.   Along with some practical tips to help them work FOR you.
  5. TWIL:  Researchers found that among 9,751 residents of the German city of Leipzig, those who lived within 100 meters of street trees were taking fewer antidepressants.
  6. The art of controversy: 38 ways to win an argument.  I cannot guarantee that any of these will work, but #18 feels like a great solution to any dispute.
  7. That'll be 20 blah please:  The Icelandic Central Bank recently ran a competition to design the first currency symbol for the Island nation.  They've entered a world I had no idea was so complex.
  8. Recreate your childhood:   I used to love playing with a spirograph, now you can do it in your browser.
  9. Stupid is as stupid does:  The seven varieties of stupidity, and what you can do about them.  
  10. Finally: Happy Birthday to me (last week - chill) - here are twenty versions of Happy Birthday that you can save and send to friends on their big day.  Super useful!
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I use Refind to uncover new insights and links to share each week on Stuff - Refind will send you 7 links that make you smarter every day.
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My aural stuff for you this week is old, but fantastic. Blossom Dearie was a US jazz singer with a voice you'll recognise, and some songs that I guarantee you'll love.

This collection of her greatest hits has just been re-released and its well worth a listen.

Listen to Blossom Dearie - Blossom Dearie on Spotify here. 

Stuff that someone said:

"Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier." Mother Mary Teresa Bojaxhiu
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