Make It Contributors
33-year-old American living in Germany: ‘I don’t worry about not being able to pay my bills here’
At the age of 33, I sometimes feel like I’ve already lived a thousand lives. I’m originally from Los Angeles, and over the last decade, I’ve done everything from teaching English in China to serving as an emergency aid worker in Turkey during the war in Syria. After I completed my master’s degree in London, […]
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I’ve worked with over 1,000 kids—the ones with high emotional intelligence use these 6 phrases
A parent’s job isn’t to shield their child from life’s challenges, but to guide them through — offering support and tools to help them thrive in tough times. As a child life specialist and therapist, I’ve worked with thousands of children and families facing illness, trauma, grief, and loss. I’ve observed the words and actions […]
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44-year-old who left the U.S. for Spain: I have ‘shorter work hours’ and ‘more energy’
From the moment I set foot in the Netherlands at 17, I knew I wanted to move abroad. But my dream of living overseas always felt just out of reach. I made several attempts: studying Spanish in Spain at 21, teaching English there at 26, and even returning to pursue a master’s degree at 29. […]
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I’ve studied over 200 kids—the ones with high emotional intelligence have parents who do 7 things early on
Raising a child in today’s fast-paced, achievement-driven world is no small feat. While many parents focus on grades and extracurriculars, one of the most overlooked skills is emotional intelligence. This doesn’t just help kids don’t excel socially; it helps them grow into resilient, empathetic, and successful adults who can navigate challenges with confidence, foster meaningful […]
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I’m from Japan, home to some of the world’s longest living people: What I eat for breakfast every day
When I moved from Japan to the U.S. in the 1990s, it wasn’t always easy to get the ingredients I knew and loved. But there were some staples that were easier to come by, like whole grains and beans. From there, I built my favorite breakfast: brown rice, beans, “natto” (fermented soybeans), “nukazuke” (pickled vegetables), […]
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I’ve written over 175 books, though I never set out to be an author: Creativity ‘has absolutely nothing to do with IQ’
Over the last 45 years, I have written and published over 175 books for adults and children. Sometimes the number surprises me, as I didn’t set out to be an author. Early on in my career, I realized that being a successful writer wasn’t just about crafting compelling stories. I needed to be a sponge, […]
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I interviewed 70 parents who raised highly successful adults: 4 things they wish they had known
Over 15 years, I interviewed hundreds of entrepreneurs and their parents to learn how they were raised. On the whole, these families are very happy with how their kids turned out. The parents say their grown children are not only accomplished and financially successful, but generous and kind. But looking back now, so many of […]
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I spent $34,563.38 to travel the world for 18 months and tracked every cent: My budget breakdown
In 2022, I quit my job to fulfill my longtime dream of traveling the world full-time for a year and a half. My journey through 12 countries in Asia and six in South America cost exactly $34,563.38. I stayed meticulous about one thing from beginning to end: I tracked every penny I spent, from a […]
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5 phrases the most mentally strong people use to spark happiness in hard times, from an expert
Do you smile every time you hear a specific song, or light up when you see a certain old friend? Those are both what I like to call happiness sparks. We need them now more than ever to thrive despite challenges, distractions, and overwhelming current events. Unfortunately, as I wrote in my recent book, “The […]
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Side hustle expert: 4 great, easy, ‘low-maintenance’ ways to make money from your house
For nearly seven years, as the founder, CEO and editor of SideHusl, I’ve devoted my time to researching and reviewing platforms that aim to help people make some extra money. A common question I’m asked is, “How can I turn what I already own into a side hustle?” If you find that you are house […]
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