Nathan Machoka

The Magic of Fairy Tales: Keeping the Art of Storytelling Alive

From the treasure trove of our childhood memories emerge the enchanting stories told by grandparents, parents, or caregivers. Fairy tales, those captivating narratives, whisked us away to realms where dragons soared, ogres devoured misbehaving children, princesses discovered love in the most unexpected places, and ordinary objects concealed extraordinary secrets. But these stories offer us more ...

Nathan Machoka

Girl reading a story to her stuffed animals.

The Art of Tsundoku: Why Owning Unread Books Is Good for You

The word tsundoku comes from the verb “doku,” which means “reading,” and “tsumu,” meaning “pile up.” Tsundoku is a Japanese phrase that describes buying books and letting them pile up without reading or using them. It may also be a noun that refers to someone who accumulates books. But aren’t you just a hoarder if ...

Nathan Machoka

A home library.

Foraging in the Modern World: A Guide to Responsible Harvesting

A few hunter-gatherer societies still live on what they get off the land. But for most of the population worldwide, foraging is a lost art that disappeared a few generations ago. Fortunately, foraging is making a comeback. Foraging is the age-old practice of gathering edibles from your surroundings. It involves searching for fruits, herbs, berries, ...

Nathan Machoka

Dandelions.

The Cambodian Legend Behind the Resurgence of Irrawaddy Dolphins

The Mekong River, winding its way through Southeast Asia, is a vital lifeline for several communities and home to a mythical creature in Cambodian folklore — the Irrawaddy dolphin. This Cambodian folklore is among the main reasons the endangered dolphins have bounced back. Before the 1970s, it’s believed that thousands of dolphins thrived in Cambodia’s ...

Nathan Machoka

An Irrawaddy dolphin.

Commitment Issues and How to Overcome Them

Commitment issues — also known as gamophobia — can hinder personal growth and fulfilling relationships. This term is usually thrown around casually, but this is a complex issue that may affect professional and romantic relationships. Overcoming commitment issues needs self-reflection, willingness to face underlying problems, and communication. If you want to know what causes these ...

Nathan Machoka

A couple sitting on the sofa, back to back, with arms crossed and with unhappy expressions.

9 Effective Strategies for Removing Dust Mites

Dust mites are a common yet often overlooked concern in many households. These tiny creatures, invisible to the naked eye, are not directly harmful. However, their droppings are known to trigger allergic reactions in individuals with respiratory problems and allergies. If you want to know more about mites, why they are dangerous, and how to ...

Nathan Machoka

3D renering of a dust mite on a household carpet.

9 Tips for Eco-Friendly Clothes Maintenance

The impact of fast fashion on our planet is daunting. Most of us throw away our clothes long before their intended lifespan, and it’s estimated that US$460 billion worth of usable clothing ends up in landfills every year.  Loss of resources aside, fast fashion contributes to environmental degradation and the expansion of the manipulative consumer ...

Nathan Machoka

Woman in the laundry room loading clothes into a washing machine.