Nick J Stevens

Newsletter

Saturday Blueprint on Researching and Learning

Find your love of learning

Newsletter

Saturday Blueprint on Work-Life Balance

Work-life balance is not an equation to solve, but there are some tips to help navigate the choppy seas of work and life.

Newsletter

Saturday Blueprint on Flow

A flow state is a state of optimal performance and deep immersion in an activity, characterised by a heightened sense of focus.

Meditation

Saturday Blueprint on Free Will and the Self

We explore the illusion of free will and the absence of a self, highlighting the realisation that thoughts and actions arise unconsciously.

Newsletter

Saturday Blueprint on Injury

Another late-night trip to Accident and Emergency with my daughter and a bit of reflection on the experience.

Newsletter

Saturday Blueprint on the Sidmouth Saunter

The Sidmouth Saunter is an 18 or 30-mile walk or run event organized by the Long Distance Walkers Association (LDWA). This is a summary of my race in 2023, and some lessons learnt from the experience.

Newsletter

Saturday Blueprint on the Seasons

The combination of sun, water, and family in Spring is uplifting for my soul.

Newsletter

Saturday Blueprint on Adventure

My wanderlust is calling me to challenge myself physically and mentally again. A Springtime rebirth if you will.

Newsletter

Saturday Blueprint on Parental Love

My perspective on love, particularly parental love, and how it is expressed through actions such as creating traditions for children. There is a tension to explore between having high standards for children and simultaneously showing unconditional love.

Newsletter

Saturday Blueprint on 100 Days of Meditation

I never thought I could meditate, but after 100 days, I changed my mind.

Leadership

Saturday Blueprint on Parenting

A parenting reflection on the nature of children and the importance of being present and patient. Children live in the moment and are naturally resilient and resourceful. We can learn from that.

Newsletter

Saturday Blueprint on Keto to Carbs

A self-experiment in diet and performance: from ketogenic to carbohydrates

Health

Saturday Blueprint on the two best homemade health foods

Two potent health foods - kefir and bone broth - that you can make at home cheaply and quickly

Newsletter

Saturday Blueprint on the Monthly Review

My suggested prompts for a Monthly Review, plus my full Monthly Review template.

Newsletter

Saturday Blueprint on Contrast and Dichotomy

An exploration of the dichotomies we see in everyday life and how to embrace imperfection.

Newsletter

Saturday Blueprint on Why I Write

I explore the benefits of writing, how writing helps you think, and how writing is a great creativity enabler. I’ll also cover how I write and the tools I use.

Newsletter

Saturday Blueprint on Turning 40

Things I wished I knew a decade ago, and other musings on turning 40.

Writing

Saturday Blueprint on Writing Your Story

Writing what you know, think and believe is a great gift to yourself, in terms of clarity and purpose, and a great gift to your future generations, so that they may truly know you.

Newsletter

Saturday Blueprint on Dartmoor

Everyone can benefit from time in nature. Dartmoor is one such open space that I find hugely uplifting.

Newsletter

Saturday Blueprint on Habits and Routines

How simple, daily habits transformed my life and at nearly 40 I look and feel better than I did a decade ago.

Newsletter

Saturday Blueprint on Directives

Take action on what you read by creating personal directives, or instructions, to follow.

Philosophy

The case against time management

There will never be enough time to do all the things you wish to do, so a new approach is called for. Starting with acceptance.

Philosophy

An essay on Dartmoor

An essay on Dartmoor and the beauty of this wild landscape.

Philosophy

Saturday Blueprint on Stress Sick

A reflection a year on from having a breakdown and how I have changed in response to this.

Newsletter

Saturday Blueprint on Suffering

Hi 👋. Here is this week's Saturday Blueprint. 🤔 Quote I’m thinking about On suffering: Pathei mathos (An Ancient Greek saying meaning 'through suffering comes understanding') Dean Karnazes had once said, that people mistake comfort for happiness. ‘Happiness needs to be earned’. If happiness wasn’t in comfort, was it somehow