Personal essays by Magdalena
Clear thinking for the unmeasurable parts of life.
Personal essays for analytical people who have built a good life and are asking what would make it feel more meaningful, alive, and truly their own.
Latest essay
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I Don’t Like You. Yet.
Read essay →: I Don’t Like You. Yet.I once dismissed a colleague after a few brief interactions. A day together changed my mind and made me wonder what curiosity might reveal before I judge.
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Three essays that capture the questions at the heart of Magdalena’s Digest.
Where Are You Heading?
On finding direction when you do not yet know what you want.
Identity, Work & Relationships
Have You Forgotten Who You Are?
On the unwritten rules that can make us lose touch with who we are.
Planting Seeds of Joy
A practical way to make more room for joy in an ordinary, serious life.
Explore by topic
Direction & Life Design
Vision, growth, freedom, and changing course without a perfect map.
Meaning & Aliveness
Meaning, joy, wonder, and the small experiences that make life feel alive.
Identity, Work & Relationships
Identity, workplace culture, communication, integrity, and the ways people shape one another.
Latest reflections
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Modern Friendships
Read essay →: Modern FriendshipsA personal reflection on scheduled catch-ups, what a best friend means, and finding friendships with room for everyday closeness.
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The Book That Changed My Mind About Smoking
Read essay →: The Book That Changed My Mind About SmokingA personal reflection on how Allen Carr’s book changed my understanding of smoking, addiction, and what it meant to become a nonsmoker.
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Dignity
Read essay →: DignityA personal reflection on dignity after tragedy, the quiet strength of acceptance, and holding on to respect for ourselves when life changes without warning.
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The Good News of the Happiness Curve
Read essay →: The Good News of the Happiness CurveA personal reflection on the happiness curve, growing older, and why greater perspective, joy, and intention may mean better days ahead.
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Why Does It Matter Where You Live?
Read essay →: Why Does It Matter Where You Live?Not Just Who You Live With
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Are We Like a Fish in a Pond?
Read essay →: Are We Like a Fish in a Pond?A Reflection on Reality, or Better Yet, Our Experience of It