Call it “voluntary simplicity”, call it “lifehacking”, call it “downshifting”, or call it what you will, bigger is no longer better. Now “less” is chic and trendy. If you can whittle the sum total of your possessions down to 100 or less, you could be the next Internet celebrity. But the simplicity movement, like most movements, has a shadow. Let’s take a look at what can go wrong when you hop on the simplicity bandwagon.

Even though we’re not always inclined toward empathy and generosity or to live out our best ideals, perhaps the biggest blessing we all share is that we live in a world where so many people really do care for one another.

How many times have we heard the tired advice “take care of yourself”? Great…but how are we supposed to do that when work seems to consume all our time? Here’s how I developed my own “me time” bit by bit over the years.

Sometimes, sticking with familiar routines for too long can lead to staleness and a sense of living life on auto-pilot. Introducing a bit of novelty here and there can give that much-needed jolt to the senses and promote new ways of experiencing the world.

Why is it so easy to get caught up in a video game, even a complex, difficult and sometimes frustrating game, but it’s harder to study or work in “real life?” Understanding the deep dividing line between games and our “serious work” has a lot to teach us about our minds and maybe even a way to bring some of the game-world excitement into our cubicles.

Of all the work I do with clients, I find organization to be one of the “secret weapons” to better mental health. From Fortune 500 high-fliers to those struggling just to get enough to eat every day, finding a way to collect, control, and act on all the “stuff” in life increases not only productivity, but also peace of mind. And if you understand organizing, you also understand several concepts central to the therapeutic process.

Are modern traffic flow devices a good application of science and technology to tame what ultimately comes down to human behavior — or are they just getting our blood pressure up?