The School Life

A good life is the result of good decisions. However, we seldom accord the business of decision-making the careful attention it requires. When faced with a major decision, we lack rituals and procedures. We typically procrastinate, lean on the nearest person or rush headlong into an unexamined solution. Fortunately, decision-making is a skill that can be learnt. The chief enemy of wise decision-making is a lack of sufficient perspectives on a problem. The Decision Dice invites us to think through an issue from twelve distinct angles: Enemy, Gut, Death, Caution, Courage, Parent, Friend, Eternity, Child, Success, Billionaire and WTF. As we try out, juggle with and then synthesise these perspectives, our sense of possibility will expand, and a tolerable way forward will gradually emerge from our present confusion.

We may spend years mastering the external world – acquiring degrees, advancing careers, building families – without ever turning inwards to make sense of the person orchestrating it all: ourselves. This book is a guide to the elusive, essential task of self-knowledge. With clarity, gentleness and depth, it explores why we are often mysteries to ourselves, how our childhoods quietly script our behaviours and why seemingly trivial experiences – an abrupt word, a strange dream, a lingering mood – can hold the keys to profound insight. Drawing on the wisdom of philosophy and psychotherapy, Know Yourself teaches us how to tune in to our inner signals, revisit the past without fear and better understand our desires, fears, patterns and longings. It is a call to begin the lifelong project of making sense of who we are – so that we might suffer less, connect more deeply with others and lead calmer, freer lives.

A strong relationship isn’t the product of magic or luck. It grows through the small, repeated acts of honesty, vulnerability and humour we are brave enough to share. Yet even the most loving couples can struggle to begin these important conversations. We’re blocked by shyness, resentment or the unfamiliarity of putting certain thoughts into words. The Couple’s Dice is a tool to help partners connect. It gently encourages us to say things we long to express but often repress. Each of the six sides prompts a kind of communication we tend to neglect or avoid. Together, these prompts open the door to tenderness, catharsis, laughter and deeper trust. Along the way, the game may reveal truths we hadn’t fully grasped – unspoken desires, quiet disappointments or forgotten hopes – giving us a chance to grow closer to our partner and more in touch with ourselves.

We spend our lives inside ourselves and yet understanding our inner world remains one of our most complex challenges. This enlightening and practical book offers a collection of transformative psychological tests designed to illuminate the hidden dimensions of our psyches. Through a curated selection of 50 psychological exercises, you’ll embark on an intimate journey of self-discovery. These tests invite you to look beneath the surface of your conscious thoughts, uncovering the subtle narratives that shape your emotions, relationships and sense of self. Each test is an invitation to explore your unspoken fears, your deepest desires and the unconscious patterns that drive your behaviours, providing unprecedented insight into your inner workings.

50 heartfelt photographs and interviews, reflecting on the universal experience of loneliness.It?s easy to feel that we are alone in feeling alone. Not only do we suffer, but we also destroy our self-confidence with repeated convictions that we are the only ones who are so confused and at sea, the only ones without a partner and who will be alone (again) on Saturday night.Through fifty touching interviews and captivating portraits by the talented photographer Julia Hawkins, this transformative book uncovers the ways that loneliness touches so many of us. We hear from a diverse array of individuals whose lives have been shaped by isolation ? those who feel invisible, misunderstood and alienated, as well as those who have found unexpected paths to understanding and connection.We come to understand that we are not unique in our solitude, and that being alone is a natural part of the human experience - and so we have every reason to hold out a hand to our similarly complicated, kind and lonely neighbours. 

Science is all around us, helping to explain the ideas that matter in our life. By asking questions about how things work, we can gain a deeper understanding of the world and our place in it. Big Ideas from Science introduces children to some of the most influential scientists throughout history, and the amazing scientific breakthroughs that have changed the way we live – from the discovery of bronze to the invention of the microscope. With engaging facts and playful illustrations, children are encouraged to follow their innate curiosity, to look at the world in different ways and to try and make sense of it.  The book shows us how science not only helps us invent incredible new technology, understand the structure of atoms or reach the moon, but can also help us with some of the most important questions in our lives: how can I become a wiser person, a better friend and a kinder, more compassionate human?

A card set to help you feel grounded and more present, by being mindful of the world around usMany of us struggle to feel ?present? ? that is, fully in tune with our surroundings. We remain locked inside our own heads, so distracted by stress and anxiety that we fail to take notice of ? and pleasure in ? the world outside.What we need are some lessons in the forgotten art of noticing. This card set contains a collection of small yet remarkable things to watch out for as we go about our day, with exercises for how to make the most of their wisdom - such as making a note of lost things, or actively listening to birdsong. It encourages us to seek beauty in the everyday things we might otherwise overlook, reminding us how, in even the most mundane of settings, there is much to interest, excite, distract and delight us.By studying these cards and following their suggestions, we stand to rediscover presence and serenity.

The second book in The School of Life''s ''Secrets'' series, offering lessons on the emotional skills necessary to build and maintain friendships Few things promise as much potential happiness as friendship, yet the challenge of finding and maintaining meaningful connections remains one of life''s great struggles. Through The School of Life''s unique approach to psychology, philosophy and cultural history, The Secrets of Successful Friendships offers a thoughtful exploration of why friendship is both more complex and more rewarding than we typically imagine, and offers strategic for creating strong bonds with others. It examines why we get lonely, what holds us back from deeper connections, and how we might develop the emotional intelligence needed for lasting bonds. With characteristic wisdom and warmth, the book explores different varieties of friendship, from casual acquaintances to profound lifelong connections, while offering practical insights into overcoming common obstacles like shyness, envy and fear of vulnerability. By explaining friendship''s true purpose, the book gives us a chance to build new relationships of genuine depth and meaning.

All of us have – to a greater or lesser extent – suffered from traumas in our lives, often at a young age. The less we address these traumas, the more they have a habit of causing us difficulties in the form of broken relationships, nagging anxieties, depression, or physical symptoms like insomnia, digestive issues or backache. This book helps us understand what trauma is, how it can affect us for decades, and how we can liberate ourselves from its unfair and painful legacy. At once deeply practical and packed with ideas, the book functions like a humane and wise guide through a range of our most puzzling psychological difficulties. We are shown how to understand our pasts, assess our pains and finally say goodbye to troubles and repetitive patterns that have dogged us for too long. This – at last – is a route to liberation and the calm self-awareness and fulfilment we have been searching for.

Here is a set of cards that offer us an entertaining and unique way to learn about what’s really going on in our minds. Each card presents us with the beginnings of a story and invites us to imagine the rest. What might happen to the little boy and girl lost in the forest, or the old wizard who has just come across an ancient book in a monastery, or the shipwrecked sailor on a dark volcanic island? How we complete these stories reveals a remarkable amount about our values, fears, concerns and hopes. Play the game in company for entertainment and confession; play it alone to mine the contents of your deep self.

"Broadens horizons and provokes critical thought about an essential issue." - Kirkus Reviews A practical and inspiring children''s guide to money, careers, and the futureChildren frequently ask what they should be when they grow up. Surrounded by adults whose jobs seem to define them, they learn to expect simple answers, like "a doctor," or "a teacher, '''' or "a lawyer."But the truth can be a lot more complicated. Deciding what to do with your working life is one of the biggest, most difficult questions of all. This beautifully illustrated guide helps expand children''s ideas about work and inspire them to think creatively about their future, while reminding them that their dream job might not even exist yet!Written expressly for children, this unique book works through important questions like: How can I discover my passions? What does a "good" job involve? How much money should I make? How does the economy function?Perfect for curious kids ages eight and up, What Can I Do When I Grow Up is sure to spark fruitful conversations that excite and inspire the next generation.

The second in a line of journals from The School of Life? a tool for checking inThis beautifully produced and high quality journal invites us to regularly check in on ourselves ? what we want, where we want to change, where we need to go ? in order to maximize our chances of leading a fulfilled and contented life.With well-focused questions repeated throughout, interspersed with quotes on growth from The School of Life, this journal prompts us to clarify our goals, assess our options and plot a route to a flourishing future. By regularly answering the repeated questions, such as ''In five years, I would be pleased if...'' , we can clearly track our achievements and assess where we still have room to grow.This is a tool for a newfound feeling of lightness, creativity and purpose.

To wonder too openly or intensely about the meaning of life can seem a peculiar, ill-fated and faintly ridiculous pastime. It can seem like a topic on which ordinary mortals cannot make much progress. In truth, it is for all of us to wonder about, define and work towards a more meaningful existence. This book considers a range of options for where the meaning of life can be found, including love, family, friendship, work, self-knowledge and nature. We learn why certain things feel meaningful while others do not, and consider how we might introduce more meaning into our activities. What follows is a hugely thought-provoking and practical guide to one of the greatest questions we will ever face.

This is an ingenious tool – based on decades of psychological research – for working out what you really think and want. It’s made up of 52 cards, each featuring a different unfinished sentence (for example, ‘Men are …’, ‘I want …’, or ‘What I really need is …’). The idea is to complete them as fast as possible, without censoring whatever comes into your mind, so that you can discover a range of things you might deep down really feel, fear, want, regret or are cross about, that may be just outside of ordinary consciousness. Using the cards offers a newfound sense of self-understanding and clarity, as well as the sheer good fun of self-discovery.

From The School of Life? a roadmap for the emotionally mature adult Most of us want to be more emotionally mature and better able to face up to life?s challenges with poise, confidence, kindness and good-natured intelligence. We want to be grown-ups! With gentleness and insight, How Emotionally Mature Are You?  helps us to zero in on the key markers of psychological adulthood. It prompts us to look at how we respond to rejection, frustration, anxiety, ambiguity and hope, by asking questions such as: How much do we like ourselves? Do we worry too much about the opinions of other people? What might be the best way to become a more interesting person? This questionnaire considers the childhood, the role of self-love and the perils of perfectionism ? as well as the best ways to achieve self-belief and overcome impostor syndrome. In a series of accompanying essays, we are given material to reflect on ? and shown how to reach the emotional age we aspire to be.Pair with the Emotional Barometer to reach a clearer understanding of our inner emotional weather.

A therapeutic and inspiring workbook with exercises to build confidence The difference between a successful and a disappointing life often comes down to a critical ingredient that we overlook at our peril: confidence. This is a book with a practical purpose: to take us through exercises that help us rediscover the confidence we all already have inside us?the confidence that we have neglected out of habit, fear or meekness. It?s a faculty we are all endowed with and confidence can flourish with the right kind of practice and encouragement. This workbook contains over fifty exercises that flex our confident faculties and guide us to greater effectiveness in our relationships, in our working lives and in our approach to ourselves. This includes a Self-Esteem Audit to identify what we might have gone through in our early lives, asking  questions such as: Do you think you are essentially a good person? Were your parents essentially supportive or not? Do you hate or like being you? There are sections focusing on confidence in relationships, friendships, and at work.This is a tool to unlock our latent powers ? and help us become who we long, and deserve, to be. Pair with the Confidence Prompt Cards, designed to help you find confidence and battle against timidity.