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Welcome to The Brighter Side of Everything.
This newsletter serves a simple purpose → To help you build optimism, resilience and a solution-focused perspective.
Each week, I’ll share actionable insights that not only brighten your day but position you to be a leader within your own life and seize life’s opportunities.
Read time: 15-20 minutes.
Loose Ends = Tired Minds - Why closing loops can set your mind free.
Bright Reads - Quick links to fun or insightful articles.
Jono Lancaster - Turning stares into high fives.
Now Spinning - LOVED by Parcels.
A Bright Idea to Consider - Choose joy - What are you waiting for?
A Previous Post - Every individual matters.
Positively Hilarious - Smile like you mean it.
Daily Gratitude Journal - Transform your daily routine through reflection.
Hello, Brighter Side readers! ☀️
Do you have a bunch of half-finished to-dos rattling around in your head?
This week, we’re talking about pesky “open loops”.
Those unfinished tasks and half-made decisions that sneakily drain our energy.
We dig into why loose ends matter more than we think and how closing them can make a real difference to your peace of mind.
There’s also a dose of inspiration from Jono Lancaster, a new music pick, and a few other gems waiting inside.
I hope you find something here that brightens your week and if you’ve got a tip or a recommendation for me, hit reply, I’d love to hear it.
Alright, settle in and let’s learn what a little clarity can do.
See you on the Brighter Side,
Chris
P.S. Please feel free to send me feedback on how I can improve. I respond to every email.
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Have you ever settled into bed after a productive day, only for your mind to start racing and unease settle in?
Many of us blame full calendars and looming deadlines.
But often it’s the sneaky weight of “open loops” that quietly runs down our batteries.
You know, those unfinished tasks, unsent messages, or decisions you keep postponing.
These are the mental tabs we leave open, each demanding attention and energy.
Even when we think we’ve clocked out for the day.
Why Open Loops Drain Your Energy
Open loops involve anything left unresolved.
The email you left unanswered.
The errand you completely forgot about.
The apology you kicked down the road for another time.
Productivity expert David Allen describes them as any commitment (big or small) that hasn’t been finalised but still claims space in your mind.
Even if you’re busy with other things, these lingering to-dos “ping” for attention, nagging at your focus (and peace).
This isn’t just a quirky mental habit.
It’s rooted in science.
The Zeigarnik Effect, was identified by psychologist Bluma Zeigarnik, and shows that our brains are hardwired to prioritise unfinished business over completed tasks.
This creates mental clutter.
Forcing us to juggle reminders when we’d rather be present.
Research also suggests all these unresolved items can consume a startling portion of our working memory, clouding focus and increasing fatigue.
No wonder you can end a busy day feeling restless.
Your mind is still running through lists, even as your body begs for rest.
When Avoidance Becomes Exhaustion
It’s tempting to keep sidestepping uncomfortable tasks.
Ending a conversation, making a decision, or even just sending a reply.
But the more you avoid, the more mental space these loops begin to occupy.
Soon, the background noise crowds out genuine downtime and makes it nearly impossible to properly relax.
Give them too much time and open loops will do more than just drain your energy.
They start to fuel procrastination and overwhelm you.
With too many lingering, choosing where to begin can feel daunting.
And that’s when the guilt creeps in.
Over time, your reliability and confidence can take a hit.
Not from a lack of effort, but from the silent burden of unfinished business.
“Finish the work, otherwise an unfinished work will finish you.”
The Real Difference: Mental vs. Physical Fatigue
We can generally sleep off tiredness from a long hike or heavy lifting.
But that foggy, restless feeling in the morning (despite a full night’s sleep) often comes from mental clutter.
Not physical exhaustion.
A mind that is reviewing open loops all night can’t rest.
So neither will you.
Sleep is so much more than a way for the body to recharge, it’s vital for keeping our brains sharp and healthy.
During the night, our brains get to work.
They consolidate memories, organise information gathered during the day and clean out any toxins that build up while awake.
This is the time when neural pathways are strengthened and what you’ve learned takes root.
It's pretty remarkable.
If proper, restful sleep isn’t prioritised, these crucial processes are disrupted.
This can lead to grogginess in the morning but also reduced focus, mood swings and even long-term cognitive decline.
No wonder we often choose to “sleep on it” when it comes to major decisions.
Often we arise the next day with a much clearer perspective on the situation.
How to Close Loops and Reclaim Clarity
The process is simple, but requires real intention:
Write it down: Capture EVERY lingering task, worries and decisions you need to make. No matter how trivial. Getting them out of your head and onto paper is the first step.
Narrow your focus: Define only the very next action. For each outstanding loop, ask yourself, “What’s one step I can take?”
Act, or choose to let it go: If it takes under two minutes, finish it now. If not, schedule it, delegate it, or deliberately release it. Any of these outcomes can provide you with closure.
Make it a habit: Use a notepad (still my go to), app, or some part of your daily routine (morning prep or evening review) to check and close open loops before they multiply and start to overwhelm you.
Think of each loop as a piece of clutter.
Remove enough, and the room (and your mind) feels lighter and clearer.
Building the Loop-Closing Habit
Big changes often start with the smallest actions.
Start by closing just one nagging loop.
Reply to that text, complete the forgotten errand and jot down your top three priorities for tomorrow.
Then chip away.
Every closed loop frees up a bit more mental space and brings a fresh sense of relief.
Over time, this momentum will grow.
Making your mind the open, creative and resilient space you want it to be.
We’re taught to sigh and say we’re exhausted because we’re “so busy.”
But more often, it’s not what’s done, but what’s left lingering that drains us.
Once your mental to-do’s are cleared, you’ll find a sense of lightness that working less or sleeping more alone rarely delivers.
Lasting energy comes not from adding rest, but from subtracting nagging unresolved items.
Just like anything that is habit forming, this takes focus and it takes practice.
If it was easy, everyone would do it.
It’s mind blowing what we are capable of when our mind is clear and unburdened by clutter.
No pun intended (but I did laugh).
Once you build a habit of addressing these loops and freeing your mind there’s an endless well of creativlty and potential waiting to be released.
My Takeaway
Personally, my biggest shift came when I embraced regularly closing loops as they appear, but this takes practice.
Nothing has relieved my mind and boosted my creativity like the sense of resolution and calm that comes from completing loose ends.
Every little completion, an action, a message, a decision, brings a sense of satisfaction.
Excitingly, it creates space for something new, and surprisingly, plenty of energy.
Leaving loops open invites chaos and fatigue while closing them brings clarity, calm, and a real sense of progress.
Want more focus and mental freedom from the background hum of stress?
Start with one loop today.
The payoff is almost immediate.
Sometimes, rest isn’t about doing less.
It’s about finishing what you started.
“You’ve probably made many more agreements with yourself than you realize, and every single one of them - big or little - is being tracked by a less-than-conscious part of you. These are the 'incompletes,' or 'open loops,' which I define as anything pulling at your attention that doesn't belong where it is, the way it is.”
If you want to learn more about closing open loops, check out the following quick video:
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31 jaw-dropping space photos that will change how you see the Universe.
Want to be happier? The “Special Sauce” to practicing gratitude.
Jono Lancaster - born 31st October 1984 - West Yorkshire, England.
Sometimes courage is simply walking into a room where every face is unfamiliar.
Knowing you’ll draw stares.
But choosing to step forward and smile anyway.
Jono Lancaster has spent much of his life facing this kind of spotlight, from early childhood.
Born with Treacher Collins Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder affecting the bones and tissues in his face, Jono was abandoned at just 36 hours old.
After his birth parents left him at the hospital.
Overwhelmed by his appearance.
The shadow of that early rejection loomed large.
Yet, despite monumental challenges and the shadow of that rejection, Jono has embraced life with resilience and determination.
Not blending into the background but meeting the world head-on.
Even when the world wasn’t sure how to meet him back.
His journey is less about “fixing” what makes him different but transforming what once felt like a spotlight, into a beacon.
Not just for himself, but for thousands who need proof that belonging is possible.
Just as you are.
Surviving and Belonging
At age five, Jono was adopted by Jean, a mum with patience and heart.
With Jean’s care and support, Jono managed to find laughter and acceptance at home.
The world outside?
Much tougher.
School brought bullies, stares and daily reminders that he was the odd one out.
Regular haircuts would trigger waves of shame.
“I hated seeing my face in the mirror,” Jono said.
Still, Jean’s support and small acts of kindness kept him going, even when he doubted he’d ever fit in.
Gradually, those little nudges of encouragement helped Jono shift his thinking.
What if his difference was a starting point—not just a hurdle?
“We all have our own unique stamps, on our faces, on our bodies, and on our personalities. They need to be celebrated, and when you start to celebrate them, and you start to show them to people all over the world, people are attracted to that because it's real, and it's authentic.”
Turning Pain into Power
Jono more than survived, he became an advocate.
He founded the “Love Me Love My Face Foundation,” building connection and fighting for people with craniofacial differences.
He travels globally, speaking at schools, meeting kids who feel alone and showing families they are not isolated.
Jono’s honesty and humour create spaces where real belonging can happen.
He recalls meeting a young boy who, after hearing Jono’s story, finally looked at his own reflection with pride.
Proof that positive ripples are real and lasting.
Jono’s memoir, Not All Heroes Wear Capes, is as candid and heartfelt as his advocacy.
He shares his pain, his breakthroughs and the unfinished business of creating joy from hardship.
His story is living proof that life’s messiest moments can lift others up, powerfully.
Practical Lessons from Jono
Show up as yourself: Jono only began to feel confident when he stopped hiding and started sharing. Real confidence starts when we let ourselves be seen.
Share your journey: Opening up about real struggles, not just the highlights, helps others feel less alone. Vulnerability unlocks bravery, in both the speaker and the listener.
Turn pain into purpose: Jono’s advocacy started with his hardest chapters. Your own tough experiences can fuel compassion and action that matters.
Lean on your support crew: Lancaster credits his mum and his community for his resilience. You don’t need to go it alone, no one can. Once you realise this you can be that support for someone else too.
Celebrate what sets you apart: The very thing you once wished away could be the thing that inspires others most. Your difference can be your spark.
My Takeaway
What a guy Jono is.
Sadly, and perhaps unsurprisingly, our world remains obsessed with image.
Despite the growing awareness of its superficiality and the importance of deeper values.
People often judge or fear what they don’t understand.
Jono’s story shows how breaking that cycle (with honesty, courage and connection) can turn unfamiliarity into empathy.
And difference into genuine belonging.
His life reminds us that true belonging is about daring to be seen, even when it feels uncomfortable.
He proves that even a single person’s courage can spark hope, empathy and community that ripples outward.
Maybe that’s our gentle dare for the week.
Step forward, be seen for who you are and give someone else permission to do the same.
Courage, like joy, grows when we share it.
“It’s freedom just to be able to step out of the dark and say, ‘Hey world, this is me.’ That’s for people with facial differences but also for everybody. I hope and pray that people reach that point, because it just allows you to see so much beauty in this world.”
If you’re keen to learn more and hear from Jono himself, check out this video:
You know that feeling when an album just grabs you from the very first note?
That’s what Parcels’ LOVED does.
Especially the opener, “Tobeloved.” I put it on, expecting a little background beat, and next thing I know, I’m literally bouncing.
The real evidence though?
I’ve walked past my wife’s desk at times and she’s got the same album blaring, head down in emails, but grooving away in her chair.
This album has become our family’s unofficial end of summer pick-me-up.
Why It’s Worth Your Time
If you’re after music that instantly resets the energy in the room, look no further.
LOVED is Parcels doing what they do best.
Catchy disco-meets-funk grooves, smooth harmonies and effortless melodies that make it impossible to stand still.
The band is all about positive, boogie-inducing vibes and LOVED steps up the game even more.
From the build-up of that first track right through to the last, you’ll find yourself wanting to hit repeat.
That’s been our experience, I’d love to hear yours.
What Makes It Stand Out
What pulls me in is how the album balances brightness and joy and real feelings and heartache.
“Tobeloved” doesn’t waste a second.
The momentum builds and suddenly it’s like someone’s opened the blinds on your whole day.
What follows is incredibly tight musicianship, just the right touch of vintage inspiration and a sense of camaraderie that invites everyone to join in.
Every track mixes fresh pop sheen with something a little bit vulnerable and true, making it fun and relatable at once.
Lessons from LOVED
Move every day, even if it’s just a little: “Tobeloved” sets the tone. When a single song gets people dancing at their desks, you know you’ve found music that makes ordinary moments better. Sometimes a good groove is all it takes to shake off the blues.
Joy grows when shared: It’s not just one person moving though, these songs seem to spread the mood. Turning solo work sessions or family chores into quick parties. The best music invites participation, and Parcels delivers that in spades.
Embrace growth and change: While sticking to a lot of their proven formulas the band has leaned into more open, emotional songwriting here. This keeps things feeling fresh despite it’s familiarity.
Authenticity beats perfection: Each song sounds polished, but what really lands is the feeling. Genuine, fun and a little bit raw. It’s a great reminder that it’s okay to let go, enjoy the moment and not overthink things.
My Takeaway
What sticks with me is the way the upbeat vibe cuts through stress and routine.
It makes space for play, connection and a bit of joy.
No matter what else is going on.
Parcels remind me there’s room for feeling good even when the week is a grind, and maybe that’s why these tracks keep landing on repeat.
Bottom line?
LOVED doesn’t just get you to boogie, it lifts you higher, makes you grateful for the little moments, and leaves you buzzing long after the last song stops.
If you’re ready to turn the day around, this is your album.
Play it loud and don’t be surprised when you catch someone else dancing too.
If playing LOVED on the speakers at home gets us grooving, I can only imagine what it’ll be like seeing Parcels live.
From videos I’ve seen their concerts are a proper dance party.
Big harmonies, loads of energy and the kind of musicianship that makes you want to keep moving.
I’m genuinely buzzing to see them in Toronto soon, especially since I’m going with my wife for her birthday no less.
If their live show is even half as fun as our kitchen dance-offs?
We’ll be smiling all the way home.
"LOVED, the band’s third album, drills in deeper to that core than ever before. It’s the most intimate and pared-down that the group has ever sounded, with a massive emphasis on live instrumentation. You can physically hear them huddled together as they track vocals, with a kaleidoscopic blend of five-part harmonies waiting around every corner. The communal vibe is infectious — and better yet is their live show, which remains one of the most engaging and ecstatic around."
Got a recommendation?
Please share; I'm always keen for great suggestions.
The Lesson
Ever found yourself waiting for life to calm down?
Hoping you’ll finally get a chance to be happy?
The truth is, every season has its ups and downs.
If you keep waiting for things to get easier, there’s a real risk that your happiness will always be postponed.
What if the real secret is deciding to enjoy yourself right now, no matter what life throws your way?
Otherwise, time will keep ticking.
And your best moments might keep slipping by.
Go Deeper
Joy doesn’t depend on perfect circumstances.
Sometimes, it springs up in the middle of the ordinary mess.
Those who make it a habit to look for joy in their daily routines.
Like a quick walk, a coffee in the morning sun, or even a solo dance in the kitchen.
When you make time for it, you start to see the world in brighter colours.
Happiness can feel like it relies on outside forces, but joy comes from inside.
And anyone can choose it.
It’s a steady, ongoing decision to look for good moments, even when life is anything but simple.
Choosing joy, especially on tough days, can spark creativity, create calm, and a much deeper sense of enjoyment.
Maybe it means having a dance party in the kitchen, even if the dishes are piled up.
Maybe you sing about the dishes piling up.
Every micro-joy counts.
Practical Steps
Here are a few simple ways to bring joy into your week:
Spot the small stuff: Pause each morning and notice one thing that lifts your spirits. Your pet greeting you, the first sip of coffee, sunlight peeking through the window.
Write your joy list: Jot down tiny things that make your day brighter. Try returning to your list when things feel heavy and pick one to enjoy on purpose.
Enjoy the present: This is lost on so many. Pay attention to the moment. Slow down for a meal, savour a chat with a friend (don’t rush), or take a deep breath to reset before heading out the door to start your day.
Schedule joy: Sounds silly. Absolutely is not. Put something fun on your calendar, even if it’s just listening to a favourite song or calling someone who makes you laugh.
Share the light: Let others in on what made you smile today. Sometimes joy doubles when shared, or inspires someone else to choose it too. Share a joke, a meme, an old photo.
My Takeaway
One of the most powerful things I’ve learned is that happiness isn’t a destination you eventually arrive at.
It’s a way of being you choose every day.
Learning to choose joy (even when life is messy or busy) has made my world brighter and fuller.
Some days are easier, some harder, but when I actively look for moments of happiness (even the small ones), it changes my whole outlook.
Please remember though, choosing joy doesn’t mean you should ignore your problems.
Far from it.
It means living fully in the present and refusing to let life’s complications steal the good that’s right in front of us.
Perfect days are rare.
But a joyful way of being is always within reach.
So start with micro-joys today and keep choosing that way of being, again and again.
What’s your favourite small joy?
Hit reply and let me know!
“Happiness is a journey, not a destination. For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin—real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way … At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life. This perspective has helped me to see there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way.”
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