A skeptical dive into the weird, sketchy, occasionally life-changing world
of self-improvement.

  • The best self-help book I’ve read

    The best self-help book I’ve read

    tworuru

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    It was only a few short months ago, not long after the birth of our second child, that I had the vain – and, in hindsight, very funny – hope that I could continue writing this newsletter during her early infancy. As it turned out, I could not. Or perhaps I could have. I dunno. […]

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  • This one weird self-improvement trick works instantly

    tworuru

    ,

    Gidday Cynics, I’m on holiday in Straya at the moment so you’re enjoying a shorter newsletter than normal. Subscribe You’re in luck, though, because this newsletter contains my number one life pro tip: one weird trick that…

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  • The portable ocean

    tworuru

    ,

    Gidday Cynics, My routine has, as routinely happens, gone completely to shit. I mentioned that I’d got sick: barring a nagging cough, I am now pretty much better, so naturally my wife and son wanted a turn.…

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  • You, Me, and Ennui

    tworuru

    ,

    Gidday Cynics, I was planning to write a follow-up to the previous piece on routines, but it turns out I have the gift of prophecy. Here’s what I said last week: The problem with a planned schedule…

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  • Wake up (wake up)

    tworuru

    ,

    Every day, the first thing I do is wake up. In my experience, that’s the best way to start a successful day, and I haven’t missed one yet. It is, of course, 3 AM, the time all…

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  • We’re updating our pricing – here’s why

    tworuru

    ,

    Gidday [CYNIC NAME HERE], We hope you’re enjoying all the cynicism and self-improvement the Cynic’s Guide to Self-Improvement has to offer. We’re updating our our prices to bring you more great entertainment. This update will allow us…

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  • The 7 most effective self-improvement subject lines

    tworuru

    ,

    Gidday Cynics, You’ll be pleased to know I have been extremely productive in nearly every facet of my life except writing this newsletter. Subscribe As far as writing goes, I’ve been busy. On top of a fairly…

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  • Self-Improvement In Spite Of The Legend of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

    tworuru

    ,

    Gidday Cynics, Important news: There is a new video game out called The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, it is the best video game I’ve played in years, possibly ever, and it is ruining my…

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  • Fellas, are you OK?

    tworuru

    ,

    Gidday Cynics, We’re a few months in to this project now and I’ve noticed something interesting: the most engaged subscribers here aren’t men. Subscribe There’s nothing wrong with this. But it’s definitely not what I expected. I…

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  • Always read the comments?

    tworuru

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    Gidday Cynics, It has been a Week. The day job Matrix has me, and while this is definitely cause for celebration — having a job is an increasingly rare privilege these days, plus I actually like what…

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  • The life-altering magic of “meh”

    tworuru

    ,

    Gidday Cynics, I hope you like my new idea, which is to give every newsletter a title that looks like it’s straight from a self-help book. Readers should be able to pick which one I’m riffing on.…

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