( 3 minute read ) Thanksgiving isn’t just about family, travel, and turkey–it’s also a great opportunity to practice real thankfulness 🙌. Gratitude is a practice, like meditation. That means it might feel unnatural if you’re unfamiliar with it. But, like meditating, the benefits of practicing gratitude are profound. Thankfulness…

( 3 minute read ) Sharing your thoughts isn’t always easy, especially when the topic at hand is sensitive. Maybe you’re tired of constant questions about your plans to have kids. Perhaps you want to negotiate a raise. Or you might be aiming to help a loved one with a…

( 3 minute read ) Here at illumy, we love sharing science-backed tips for communication, relationships, and conversations. But with Halloween around the corner, we’re taking this week’s tips in a different direction. Pumpkins! We’ve uncovered expert pumpkin-carving tips from around the internet—read on for Halloween inspiration. 1. Get the…

( 4 minute read ) In the sciences, Black and Indigenous people of color (BIPOC) have made incredible contributions. You may know of George Washington Carver (who did NOT invent peanut butter, by the way), but have you heard of heart researcher Marie M. Daly? Browse these inspirational words from…

( 2 minute read ) We’re all about better communication at illumy. That’s why we created the first app to bring together text, email, and phone into searchable, threaded conversations. But sometimes, good communication is about what you DON’T say. Here are some words you should avoid in delicate conversations—at…

( 4 minute read ) American English is chock full of idioms–phrases that have a very specific meaning different from the way they’re worded. One example is “hold your horses.” If you say this to someone, you’re not really referring to horses: you’re just telling them to wait a moment….

( 3 minute read ) Have you hit the road this summer? Hotels, restaurants, and event venues are welcoming guests, and we at illumy are thinking hard about what we want to do (and where we want to go). Here’s 5 expert tips for jumping back on the travel horse…

( 2 minute read ) Labor Day has been on the American calendar for more than 120 years. Today, it marks the traditional end of summer–a time for travel, BBQs, and relaxation. But the day’s origins lay with union leaders in New York City who wanted to honor workers and…

( 2 minute read ) In a zero-sum game, one person’s gain is the other’s loss. The two players have no common interests and every incentive to try to outwit each other. But in real life, conflict doesn’t have to be zero-sum. Win-win 🤝 🏆 outcomes are possible when everyone’s…