The Curious Engineer

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Nick Wignall

nickwignall.com

Nick Wignall is a clinical psychologist and author writing about practical psychology for meaningful personal growth and wellbeing.

Essays / personalScience

’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26
Posts
398 from 25 Aug 2017 to 26 Oct 2026
Posting
monthly (22 in the last year)
Kind
personal blog
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https://nickwignall.com/feed/

2026 14

  1. Narcissism, Curiosity, and the Art of Insubordination with Todd Kashdan
  2. Generalized Negativity Disorder Revisited
  3. Cognitive Reframing
  4. Reclaiming Ambition
  5. Jung’s Window
  6. Reader Mailbag: Winter 2026
  7. How to Forgive Yourself
  8. A Mind for Adventure with Alastair Humphreys
  9. 4 Anxiety Tricks You’ll Wish You Learned Sooner
  10. 10 Ideas I’ve Been Thinking About Lately
  11. Reader Mailbag: Guest Edition with Dr. Ryan Martin
  12. Why You’re So Self-Critical
  13. How to (Not) Find Your Purpose with Dr. Ross White
  14. How to Be Disciplined, Even If You’re Lazy

2025 38

  1. My 10 Most Popular Essays from 2025
  2. 5 Alternative New Year’s Resolutions
  3. 10 End of Year Reflection Questions
  4. Advice for Managing Holiday Stress
  5. Reader Mailbag: Fall 2025
  6. 3 Habits Making You Indecisive
  7. The Hidden Mechanism at the Root of Chronic Stress
  8. 10 Values Discovery Questions
  9. All Anxiety Is Anxiety About Anxiety
  10. The Strange Psychology of Anger with Dr. Ryan Martin
  11. 10 Self-Coaching Questions to Get Unstuck
  12. 3 Deep Causes of Procrastination
  13. The 5 Types of Overthinking
  14. 7 Interview Questions to Assess Self-Awareness
  15. How to Be a B Student
  16. Shadow Mapping: A Beginner’s Guide to Shadow Work
  17. Maybe You Are an Imposter
  18. Emotional Strength Training
  19. 7 Journaling Prompts to Overcome Perfectionism
  20. Optimize for Pride
  21. 41 Pieces of Very Bad Emotional Advice
  22. 7 Signs You’re an Anxious High-Achiever
  23. The Psychology of Craving
  24. 4 Causes of Revenge Bedtime Procrastination
  25. 3 Reasons You’re Stuck in a Low Agency Mindset
  26. The AVA Method: How to Process Emotions in a Healthy Way
  27. How to Clarify Your Values
  28. Cognitive Mediation: How Mind Makes Mood
  29. How to Be More Assertive
  30. Invisible Habits
  31. Novel Remedies: Can Reading Classic Literature Ease Anxiety?
  32. 4 Subtle Causes of Chronic Anxiety
  33. How to Stop Taking Things Personally
  34. Beware Reverse Causality in Mental Health
  35. 3 Qualities of Great Coaches and Therapists
  36. How to Identify High Agency People
  37. How to Take Feedback without Getting Defensive
  38. The High Agency Mindset

2024 20

  1. A Brief Taxonomy of Emotional Health
  2. My 10 Most Popular Articles and Videos from 2024
  3. Sleep Compression
  4. 3 Things Your Therapist Is Wrong About
  5. 5 Limiting Beliefs of Anxious High-Achievers
  6. The Imperfectionist Mindset with Oliver Burkeman
  7. How to Reduce Anxiety by Regulating Your Nervous System with Jonny Miller
  8. How to Overcome Fear of Failure
  9. 6 Expert Tips for Overcoming Social Anxiety with Emma McAdam
  10. 3 Hidden Risk-Factors for Depression
  11. 7 Rules for Emotional Health
  12. How a Nuclear Physicist Overcame Self-Doubt
  13. Who’s Afraid of Emotional Suppression?
  14. The End of Trauma with Dr. George Bonanno
  15. Better Sleep for High-Achievers with Dr. Daniel Erichsen
  16. Scheduled Worry
  17. How to Help an Anxious Person Like a Pro
  18. Manage Your Stressors, Not Your Stress
  19. Why Emotional Intelligence Is Overrated
  20. 3 Reasons Coping Skills Are Bad for You

2023 18

  1. My 10 Most Popular Articles from 2023
  2. How to Think About Trauma
  3. 7 Ways to Reduce Chronic Anxiety
  4. To Be More Emotionally Stable, Break These 5 Bad Habits
  5. 3 Bad Habits Emotionally Resilient People Avoid
  6. 13 Spiky Points of View on Emotional Health
  7. How to Be Less Self-Critical
  8. 4 Mindset Shifts That Will Boost Your Confidence
  9. 3 Root Causes of Low Self-Confidence
  10. 5 Habits of Emotional Stable People
  11. 4 Signs of Hidden Anxiety
  12. 4 Habits of Genuinely Happy Couples
  13. 4 Habits Emotionally Mature People Avoid
  14. The Underrated Psychology of Pity
  15. 3 Procrastination Tips That Nobody Wants to Hear
  16. 4 Habits of Emotionally Intelligent People
  17. 3 Signs of an Emotionally Secure Relationship
  18. 3 Psychological Tips for Healthy Eating

2022 58

  1. 9 Signs You Have an Unhealthy Relationship with Your Emotions
  2. My 10 Most Popular Articles of 2022
  3. The Sacrifice Test: How to Know What You Really Want
  4. There Is No Happiness Dial
  5. 6 Habits That Are Making You Insecure
  6. How to Stop Catastrophizing: 4 Simple Tips
  7. 6 Psychological Reasons There’s So Much Conflict in Your Relationship
  8. A Psychologist’s 5 Tips for Making the Holidays Less Stressful
  9. 4 Questions That Will Improve Your Emotional Intelligence
  10. How to Improve Your Self-Esteem in 5 Minutes or Less
  11. 10 Ways to Be More Productive (Without Being Hard on Yourself)
  12. How to Stop Reassurance Seeking
  13. Jealousy vs Envy
  14. 5 Things About Depression Everyone Should Know
  15. 4 Deep Fears Holding You Back
  16. 6 Ways to Improve Your Emotional Intuition
  17. How to Deal with Regrets in a Healthy Way
  18. In Defense of Feeling Bad
  19. 5 Bad Habits Emotionally Resilient People Avoid
  20. The Two Sides of Confidence
  21. 5 Stress Management Tips Nobody Wants to Hear
  22. 3 Tips for Building Stronger, More Trusting Relationships
  23. 4 Reasons Your Emotions Feel So Out of Control
  24. 7 Skills That Will Make You Emotionally Strong
  25. How to Be More Decisive
  26. 4 Habits Everyone Needs for Better Mental Health
  27. 3 Core Beliefs Making You Unhappy
  28. 3 Ways to Handle Difficult Relationships with Confidence
  29. How to Find a Great Therapist
  30. 10 Ways to Stay Calm In Difficult Conversations
  31. Confidence Killers: 10 Habits You Should Give Up to Feel More Confident
  32. Navigating Big Feelings Well with Liz Fosslien
  33. Psychological Flexibility with Steve Hayes
  34. 2 Unusual Tips for Dealing with Procrastination
  35. Why You Keep Avoiding Difficult Conversations + 5 Tips to Help You Stop
  36. 7 Ways to Stop Anxiety Before It Starts
  37. Stop Trying to Silence Your Inner Critic and Learn to Make Friends with It Instead
  38. How to Care Less About What Other People Think of You
  39. 4 Rules for Better Self-Esteem
  40. 4 Tips for Building a Healthier Relationship with Your Emotions
  41. Return to Wonder: A Review of Awareness by Anthony De Mello
  42. 4 Habits that Will Keep You Calm in Stressful Times
  43. A Liberated Mind: How to Find Authentic Freedom from Emotional Suffering
  44. 4 Subtle Reasons You Always Feel Anxious
  45. 10 Tiny Habits that Will Improve Your Emotional Health
  46. Reclaiming Your Ambition with Michael Bungay Stanier
  47. 3 Psychological Reasons You Always Compare Yourself to Others
  48. 7 Anxiety Myths Everyone (Mistakenly) Believes
  49. Mental Boundaries: How to Say No to Your Own Mind
  50. How to Stop People Pleasing
  51. 3 Dos and Don’ts for Dealing with Negative Self-Talk
  52. How to Stop Self-Sabotaging: 4 Simple Tips
  53. To Let Go of Unhealthy Expectations, Ask Yourself These 3 Questions
  54. 3 Psychological Reasons You Struggle to Regulate Your Emotions
  55. Stop Calling Them Negative Emotions
  56. 3 Psychological Reasons You Can’t Stick to Your Goals
  57. 3 Uncomfortable Emotions You Should Pay More Attention To
  58. 7 Psychological Habits of Highly Successful People

2021 98

  1. 3 Habits That Will Make You Mentally Strong
  2. My Most Popular Articles of 2021
  3. My 9 Favorite Books of 2021
  4. 7 Habits of Exceptionally Good Sleepers
  5. 3 Psychological Reasons You’re Not As Happy As You Could Be
  6. Advice for Doormats: Stop Trying to Be Nice and Do This Instead
  7. Using Technology to Build Emotional Intelligence with Kai Koch
  8. Wanting and the Hidden Power of Mimetic Desire: Summary & Review
  9. 4 Habits of Emotionally Savvy Leaders
  10. 3 Psychological Ways to Improve Your Motivation
  11. Better Sleep for New Moms with Dr. Jade Wu
  12. Don’t Be Anti-Anxiety. Be Pro-Confidence.
  13. You Can Love Yourself Even If You Don’t Like Yourself
  14. Rethinking Sleep Health with Dr. Jade Wu
  15. 10 Questions for Better Self-Awareness
  16. Emotional Opportunity Cost
  17. 10 Simple Ways to Improve Your Self-Awareness [With Examples]
  18. 10 Ways to Overcome Social Anxiety for Good
  19. 7 Psychological Reasons You Keep Self-Sabotaging
  20. 4 Perfectly Good Reasons to Ignore Your Emotions
  21. Face the Real Fear
  22. 3 Psychological Reasons You’re Always Anxious
  23. How to Get Over Fear of Disappointing Others (FODO)
  24. Raising Indistractable Kids with Nir Eyal
  25. 3 Anti-Skills That Will Make You Emotionally Strong
  26. 5 Psychological Reasons You Don’t Feel Confident
  27. Hold on to hope—let go of expectation
  28. 8 Simple Ways to Trust Yourself More (with Examples)
  29. 10 Ways to Stop Early Morning Anxiety for Good
  30. 5 Ways to Improve Your Self-Worth
  31. 7 Types of Self-Talk Making You Unhappy
  32. The Metacognitive Way Through Overthinking with Pia Callesen
  33. Reckless Parenting and Authentic Self-Care with Rosie Sherry
  34. 7 Subtle Signs of Low Self-Esteem
  35. 4 Habits of Emotionally Strong People
  36. 11 Ways to Stop Feeling Insecure in a Relationship
  37. 6 Habits of Remarkably Calm People
  38. 7 Signs of Emotionally Fragile People
  39. 3 Psychological Reasons You’re Always Unhappy
  40. Managing Creative Overwhelm with Jay Clouse
  41. 17 Ways to Overcome Your Fear of Death and Death Anxiety
  42. Manage Your Energy, Not Your Time
  43. 8 Traits of Emotionally Stable People
  44. 7 Psychological Reasons You Don’t Trust Yourself
  45. Existential Time Management with Oliver Burkeman
  46. 5 Signs of Low Emotional Maturity
  47. 5 Rules for Setting Healthy Boundaries
  48. 7 Habits of Emotionally Courageous People
  49. 8 Mini-Lessons to Lower Your Anxiety
  50. 4 Simple Skills That Will Make You A Much Better Listener
  51. 4 Psychological Reasons You Struggle with Low Self-Worth
  52. How to Validate Your Emotions in 3 Simple Steps
  53. 3 Tricks to Outsmart Procrastination and Stay Focused
  54. 5 Simple Mantras for Less Worry and Anxiety
  55. 10 Psychological Reasons Your Relationships Never Seem to Last
  56. Healthy Emotional Processing with Emma McAdam
  57. 4 Habits of Emotionally Intelligent People
  58. Why You Should Write Your Worries Down on Paper
  59. 3 Limiting Beliefs Sabotaging Your Confidence
  60. 4 Emotional Benefits of a Consistent Creative Habit
  61. 4 Psychological Reasons You Feel Angry All the Time
  62. 4 Habits of Highly Disciplined Creators
  63. 3 Productivity Myths Sabotaging Your Work
  64. The Science of Personality Change with Dr. Christian Jarrett
  65. 4 Mental Habits that Cause Low Self-Esteem
  66. Better Sleep with Insomnia Coach Martin Reed
  67. 5 Bad Habits Happy Couples Avoid
  68. 4 Habits of Emotionally Balanced People
  69. How to Deal with Burnout at Work
  70. Sensitive Strivers and Imposter Syndrome with Melody Wilding
  71. 4 Psychological Reasons You’re So Self-Critical
  72. When Hard Work Doesn’t Work
  73. The Real Reason We’re So Critical of Others
  74. 4 Signs of Unhealthy Boundaries
  75. The Dangers of Fad Psychology with Jesse Singal
  76. 3 Painful Emotions That Might Be Trying to Tell You Something
  77. Worry Is the Engine of Anxiety
  78. Designing Better Conversations with Fred Dust
  79. 4 Psychological Reasons You Feel Inadequate All the Time
  80. 4 Habits of Emotionally Confident People
  81. How to Give Yourself Insomnia: 10 Simple Steps
  82. The Tao of Pooh: Lessons on Living Well from Winnie-the-Pooh and Taoist Philosophy
  83. 4 Habits You Should Give Up to Be More Disciplined
  84. Emotional Kryptonite: The Feeling You’re Most Afraid to Feel
  85. 7 Psychological Reasons You Overthink Everything
  86. The Case for Life Coaching with Dr. Caitlin Faas
  87. 5 Signs You’re Angrier Than You Think
  88. 10 Self-Help Books That Might Actually Help
  89. The Beginner’s Guide to Self-Compassion
  90. The Buddhist Way Through Anxiety with Lodro Rinzler
  91. How to Give Negative Feedback Well: 4 Psychological Principles
  92. 4 Psychological Reasons You Feel Anxious All the Time
  93. Rule Thyself
  94. The Psychology of Jealousy: Why You Get Jealous and How to Handle It in a Healthy Way
  95. Exploring the Adaptive Unconscious with Dr. Sarah Sarkis
  96. 8 Traits of Emotionally Intelligent People
  97. 10 Lessons in Self-Mastery from the Tao Te Ching
  98. Perfectly Hidden Depression with Dr. Margaret Rutherford

2020 77

  1. 10 Tips for Sticking With Your New Year’s Goals
  2. The 4 Biggest Anxiety Myths Everyone Believes
  3. How to Have Difficult Conversations Well with Adar Cohen
  4. 10 Powerful Ways to Stop Ruminating and Finally Let Go
  5. 4 Psychological Habits that Will Make You More Productive
  6. 7 Signs of Low Self-Esteem
  7. How to Raise Emotionally Resilient Kids
  8. 4 Psychological Habits that Will Bring You Inner Peace
  9. Why You Should Keep a Self-Gratitude Diary
  10. From Addiction to Entrepreneurship with Tim Stoddart
  11. 5 Mental Habits Sabotaging Your Happiness
  12. The 3 Levels of Emotion Regulation
  13. Why You Should Ignore Self-Esteem and Focus on Self-Efficacy Instead
  14. 5 Types of Negative Self-Talk Making You Miserable
  15. The Psychology of Loneliness: Why You’re Lonely and What to Do About It
  16. 6 Psychological Reasons You Feel So Emotional All the Time
  17. Career Transitions with Lisa Lewis
  18. 10 Simple Ways to Stop Overthinking Everything
  19. 59 Ideas for Better Mental Health
  20. 4 Habits You Should Give Up to Feel More Confident
  21. 5 Rules for a Happy Mind
  22. 8 Ways to End Imposter Syndrome for Good
  23. 6 Habits of Highly Insecure People
  24. Curiosity Quotes: 20 Ideas to Help You Be More Curious
  25. 7 Reasons Why You Take Things Personally (And How to Stop for Good)
  26. Starting a Meditation Practice with Lodro Rinzler
  27. 4 Things Self-Disciplined People Don’t Do
  28. Confidence Quotes: 12 Inspiring Quotes to Help You Be More Confident
  29. Productivity Spelled Backward is Self-Discovery
  30. 7 Habits Making You Emotionally Fragile
  31. 4 Things People with High Self-Esteem Don’t Do
  32. How to Stay Productive (Even When You Feel Like Garbage)
  33. 7 Signs of Low Emotional Intelligence
  34. Stop Giving Yourself Bad Options
  35. 5 Signs You Have an Unhealthy Relationship with Emotions
  36. Defensiveness: How It Works and What to Do About It
  37. 5 Coping Strategies That Just Aren’t Worth It
  38. Psychological Skepticism
  39. 7 Emotional Mistakes Even Smart People Make
  40. Ultralearning with Scott Young
  41. 5 Things Happy Couples Don’t Do
  42. 10 Ways to Free Yourself from Self-Doubt
  43. The Problem with Positive Thinking
  44. 6 Habits of Highly Focused People
  45. Cultivating Joy: How to Get More of the Good Stuff from Life
  46. 5 Things Empathetic People Don’t Do
  47. Happiness Is a Subtraction Problem
  48. Ancient Chinese Philosophy and Mental Health with Alexus McLeod
  49. 5 Habits for Greater Peace of Mind
  50. 15 Ways to Handle Confrontations with Confidence
  51. The Science of Procrastination with Piers Steel
  52. Language and Emotion with Yvonne Barnes-Holmes
  53. Self-Sabotage: Why You Do It and How to Stop for Good
  54. 7 Signs You’re Dating an Emotionally Immature Adult
  55. Secrets to a Happy Marriage with Sam Hamburg
  56. 5 Habits of Emotionally Resilient People
  57. Emotional Vulnerability: What It Is and Why It Matters
  58. The Case for Emotional Fitness
  59. Self-Care: What It Really Is and How to Do It Well
  60. 6 Secrets of Highly Motivated People
  61. How to Be Grumpy: A Guide to Managing Grumpiness Well
  62. 4 Things Emotionally Intelligent People Don’t Do
  63. An Expert Guide to Assertive Communication with Dr. Randy Paterson
  64. Insomnia Myths & Misconceptions with Dr. Daniel Erichsen
  65. Hypnosis Revealed with Traci Stein
  66. Rethinking Addiction with Thomas Horvath
  67. 7 Habits of Psychologically Sophisticated People
  68. How to Improve Any Relationship by Thinking Like a Therapist
  69. 6 Signs You Have an Unhealthy Relationship with Your Emotions
  70. 3 Hidden Reasons You’re Stressed Out All the Time
  71. 5 Habits of Highly Self-Aware People
  72. How to Like Yourself More: 4 Daily Decisions for Higher Self-Esteem
  73. How to Cope with Grief in a Healthy Way
  74. How to Handle Other People’s Anger Like a Pro
  75. 10 Healthy Ways to Manage Anger Issues
  76. 5 Things Confident People Don’t Do
  77. How to Build Mental Toughness: A Psychologist’s Letter to His 22-Year-old Self

2019 53

  1. Ditch Your New Year’s Resolutions and Pick a New Year’s Virtue Instead.
  2. The Secret Life of Anger
  3. To Quickly Shake Off a Bad Mood, Remember the 3 Ms
  4. How to Quiet Negative Thoughts with Self-Compassion
  5. 3 Ways to Free Yourself from Chronic Anxiety
  6. 5 Ways to Be a Better Listener
  7. Stillness Is the Key: A Brief Summary and Review
  8. Big Magic: A Brief Review and Summary
  9. The Prophet: A Brief Review and Summary
  10. The Coaching Habit: A Brief Summary and Review
  11. 3 Bad Sleep Habits Keeping You Exhausted​
  12. The Analects​ of Confucius: A Brief Summary & Review
  13. How to Handle Other People’s Bad Moods Like a Pro
  14. The Mindful Way Through Depression: A Brief Summary & Review
  15. There’s No Self-Improvement without Self-Compassion
  16. The Joy of Missing Out: Why a Life Well-Lived Depends on Saying No
  17. Schopenhauer’s Dark Philosophy of Living Well
  18. Know Thyself: 3 Essential Skills for Better Self-Reflection
  19. Will Our Love Last? Why the Key to a Happy Marriage Is to Pick the Right Person
  20. The Psychology of Forgiveness: 7 Lessons on How to Finally Let Go and Forgive Someone
  21. 7 Ways to Build High Self-Esteem
  22. Sit Like a Buddha: Friendly Lessons on Mindfulness and Meditation
  23. 10 Psychological Tricks to Stay Motivated and Stick with Your Goals
  24. Do You Suffer from Fake Guilt?
  25. The Dip: Lessons on the Art of Perseverance​​ and Quitting Intelligently
  26. F*ck Feelings: Why Happiness Comes from Choosing Values Over Feelings
  27. Emotional Intelligence is Overrated. Aim for Emotional Fitness Instead.
  28. Essentialism: The Disciplined ​Pursuit of Less But Better
  29. Growth Mindset: The Surprising Psychology of Self-Belief
  30. Scheduled Sadness: Why You Should Make Time to Be Sad on Purpose
  31. Sex, Drugs, Gambling, & Chocolate: A Different Way to Think About Addiction
  32. The Art of Living: Stoic Lessons on Making the Most of Life
  33. Precrastination: The Dark Side of Getting Things Done
  34. The Inner Game of Tennis: Lessons on the Psychology of High Performance
  35. Ever Wonder Why You’re So Judgmental?
  36. Atomic Habits: Master Your Habits to Master Your Life
  37. The Complete Guide to Cognitive Restructuring
  38. Wherever You Go, There You Are: How to Be Present for Your Own Life
  39. The War of Art: How to Fall in Love with Hard Work
  40. Rethinking the Battle Against Depression
  41. On the Shortness of Life: 15 Bits of Stoic Wisdom to Cultivate Inner Peace
  42. Differential Reinforcement: How to Change Other People’s Behavior without Damaging the Relationship
  43. Fear of Success: How It Works and What to Do About It
  44. Peak by Anders Ericsson
  45. Mastering the Art of Quitting by Peg Streep & Alan Bernstein: A Quick Summary
  46. Trying to Sleep Is an Oxymoron
  47. Adaptive Thinking: How High-Performers Think When It Matters Most
  48. 19 Powerful Techniques to Build a Reading Habit
  49. Atomic Habits by James Clear: A Quick Summary
  50. F*ck Feelings by Michael and Sarah Bennett: A Quick Summary
  51. Emotional Fitness: 3 Essential Habits for Better Mental Health
  52. The Subtle Threat of High-Quality Distractions
  53. The Ulysses Pact: An Ancient Technique for Building Better Habits

2018 20

  1. Divergent Thinking: The Mental Muscle Behind Consistent Creativity
  2. How to Stop a Panic Attack
  3. Identity Diversification: The Case for a Well-Balanced Sense of Self
  4. Paradoxical Problems: When Hard Work Doesn’t Work
  5. How to Sleep Well Before a Big Day
  6. Trying to Control Anxiety Will Always Backfire
  7. The Case for Mental Minimalism
  8. 10 Types of Negative Self-Talk (and How to Correct Them)
  9. Cheerfulness Is Not a Personality Trait. It’s a Virtue.
  10. The Stress-Reducing Magic of Punctuating Your Life
  11. The 4:55 Drill
  12. Why We Worry (and How to Stop)
  13. Sleep Drive: A Brief Introduction
  14. Is Blue Light Destroying Your Sleep? No, but Worrying About it Is.
  15. The Sleep Effort Paradox
  16. Mindfulness Isn’t Magic
  17. The 4 Causes of Procrastination According to Research
  18. What Causes Perfectionism and How to Get Over It
  19. The Dangers of Intellectualized Emotions
  20. The Cognitive Model: How to Retrain Your Brain to Feel Better

2017 2

  1. The Complete Guide to Insomnia: Symptoms, Causes & Cures
  2. Understanding Anxiety: The Complete Beginner’s Guide