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31 Mar 202427K
How the Island Changes You
Sri Lanka as a destination for travel on any budget.
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30 cards
How the island changes you
Personal stories of how life on the island changes you.
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21 Feb 202321K
How the island changes a person
How secluded natural spots change the way you experience a holiday and travel around the island.
Open source003
2 Mar 202315K
How the island changes a person
A personal take on how people interact with wildlife and reflections on tourism.
Open source004
16 Apr 202327K
How the island changes a person
Beginners' progress in surfing and a personal experience of overcoming the fear of the ocean.
Open source005
16 Apr 202327K
How the island changes a person
Surfing as a way to get to know the island and overcome personal limitations.
Open source006
10 May 202320K
Sri Lanka for any budget
Sri Lanka as a destination accessible for travelers with any budget.
Open source007
9 Aug 202315K
Overcoming fear during extreme activities
Overcoming fear during extreme activities.
Open source008
9 Aug 202315K
The island's unusual sites for life's milestones
The island's unusual natural sites as venues for important life events.
Open source009
15 May 2026
Arak as Meditation: Demon and Freedom on the Island
The author reflects on how the sharp taste of local arak silences mental noise and delivers a sense of complete presence, comparing it to a meditative experience.
Open source010
12 May 2026
How to find yourself: from obedience to inner truth
A reflective text on three ways a person loses themselves — through safety, struggle, and retreat into nirvana — and how returning attention to the body and being honest with oneself restores vitality.
Open source011
10 May 2026
Island chill as illusion and trap
The author compares "island chill" to Maya's illusion from the Ramayana: a state of total relaxation feels like paradise but actually blocks growth and turns life into an endless "tomorrow".
Open source012
19 Apr 2026
The Fire Spirit travels the world like the Wandering Jew
A reflection on the Sri Lankan puppet Fire Spirit Maha Cola Sanyaka, which accompanies the authors on travels as a symbol of wandering and connection to Sri Lanka.
Open source013
27 Nov 2024
Emigration psychologist sponsors the Island photo contest
Emigration psychologist Victoria Buyakofu, author of 'My Foreign Country', sponsored the contest and offered the winner a free consultation.
Open source014
16 Oct 2024
Tour Guide Turns 30 and Notices His Body Changing
The author shares a personal story about feeling unexpectedly fatigued during a tour right after turning 30, prompting reflection on aging.
Open source015
22 Aug 2024
Decision to Return to Russia After Living in Sri Lanka
The author announces departure from the island as the children have decided to stay in Russia, changing the whole family's plans.
Open source016
28 Apr 2024
Island Spirituality and the Trap of Poverty Mindset
Olga Maksimenko reflects on how Sri Lanka's cultural field draws people into meditation and 'spirituality', but often leads to poverty mindset and self-deception.
Open source017
13 Mar 2024
Quiz: Rate Your Suffering Level on the Island
An interactive video post invites subscribers to rate their level of 'suffering' in Sri Lanka.
Open source018
1 Nov 2023
The matrix of automatisms: resentment as a childish emotion
A reflection on how resentment is suppressed childish aggression, and why adults need to recognise this automatism to make mature decisions.
Open source019
21 Sept 2023
Self-Criticism Blocks the Search for New Opportunities
Psychology post on the harm of self-criticism: self-deprecation leads to illness and stagnation — it is better to evaluate results rather than one's own personality.
Open source020
14 Sept 2023
Two Behavioral Drivers: Pain Avoidance and Pleasure Seeking
A psychology post on how two basic motivators — pain avoidance and pleasure seeking — drive life choices and can lead to self-defeating traps.
Open source021
30 Aug 2023
Unity of the psyche: harmony across all life spheres
Column explains that the psyche operates simultaneously across four life spheres — work, relationships, social connections, health — and a problem in one always affects the others.
Open source022
23 Aug 2023
The victim mindset prevents you from being lucky
A motivational column explains that a victim mindset surrenders control over your life to others and urges taking personal responsibility for your actions.
Open source023
15 Aug 2023
A fundamental crisis as a turning point for growth
Personal essay by experienced islander Jane on how a life crisis abroad forced her to master photography in leaps and bounds.
Open source024
10 Jul 2023
Why loss pain blocks action and how to change that
Psychological post by Roman Lazarev: the brain activates its pain centre when spending money, which is why people avoid loss rather than pursue pleasure.
Open source025
20 Jun 2023
How Sri Lanka Levels Up Your Aura
A fun post featuring a meme about 'leveling up your aura' in Sri Lanka, inviting readers to share their own versions in the comments.
Open source026
6 May 2023
Village Life in Habaraduwa: Art and Observations
Artist Art Abstractov shares observations about life in Habaraduwa: immersion in local society, nature, and a slow village rhythm reminiscent of visits to a grandparent's home.
Open source027
20 Feb 2023
Expat island syndrome: how to cope and find help
Final part of the series on expat island syndrome: tips for psychological self-help, specialist recommendations, and the metaphor of an anxious little bird.
Open source028
19 Feb 2023
Island Emigrant Syndrome: Stress and Grief
The author breaks down the 'island emigrant syndrome' through animal analogies, describing attachment, stress, and grief as inevitable stages of adapting to a new life.
Open source029
18 Feb 2023
The Island Expat Syndrome: Relocation Crisis
Part one of a piece on the stress of relocating to the island: from the euphoria of early days to apathy and nostalgia typical of most emigrants.
Open source030
12 Feb 2023
Sri Lanka's nature is addictive
A tongue-in-cheek warning: Sri Lanka's nature is addictive, and sooner or later you'll want to admire it every day.
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