This list of 26 Useful Concepts for 2026 is offered as lenses or perspective shifts for staying afloat in this new age of “slop.” Each one has a short definition—some expose the invisible forces trying to hijack your attention or distort your perception of reality, while others help you stay aligned with your own truth and meaning. I especially loved Cammarata’s Razor: If you want more agency, ask yourself what you’d do if you had ten times more agency — then do it, and The Shower Test: “We’re socially conditioned to chase what we think everyone else wants. But your true heart’s desire can often be found in the thoughts you gravitate to while undistracted, such as in the shower. As Walt Whitman said, ‘If you want to know where your heart is, look to where your mind goes when it wanders.’” I wish I could remember where I first came across this to give credit, but it’s absolutely worth passing around. — CD

I used Bookshelf.so to create an interactive bookshelf for free. The easiest way to do this is by exporting and importing your Goodreads list. I then used markup to add links and a favorite quote from each book. I added my personalized bookshelf link to my social media bios, and I would love to see your digital bookshelves if you create one. My bookshelf is comprised solely of my favorite books on Spirit, New Age, Psychedelics, Jungian Psychology, and Mindfulness. — CD

Small gatherings are perfect for renewing old friendships and more importantly, for making new friends. Nick Gray has written a short book – The 2-Hour Cocktail Party – that gives you explicit step by step instructions on how to host highly structured parties at your home that maximize conversations. Gray has hosted hundreds of these non-dinner parties and his tips are exactly what works in my experience. I didn’t think I’d needed a book to help me throw a party, but his directions and check lists – down to what the emails should say, and what to do each day in the countdown before the party are incredibly useful, and even inspiring. Get this book, throw a 2-hour party with name tags and icebreaker questions, and it will be great! — KK