It's that T.I.M.E of the week again!

The newsletter that provides actionable life lessons to a wealthier, healthier, and happier future.

The Hidden Cost of Ambivalent Relationships

I’ve reached a point in my life where I am very conscious of how I spend my time and who I give my energy to. Maybe you can relate?

Not all bad relationships are obviously bad.

Some relationships are ambivalent, which means they are sometimes kind but also sometimes hurtful, and these are often the most damaging.

A study on social stressors and cadiovascular response showed that people in unpredictable relationships had higher stress, anxiety, and blood pressure, even when nothing bad was happening in the moment.

That’s because your body stays on alert when it doesn’t know what to expect.

Over time, that constant stress harms your health.

Enter….. The Relationship Map

One of the most underrated factors in your health, energy, and happiness is the quality of your relationships.

Not just who you spend time with, but how those relationships feel.

Picture a simple 2×2 grid.

• Horizontal axis: Relationship quality (demeaning → supportive)

• Vertical axis: Frequency (rare → daily)

This creates four zones:

Green Zone(Protect these relationships): Supportive and frequent.
These people ground you, energise you, and make life lighter.

Opportunity Zone(Worth leaning into more): Supportive but infrequent.
People who lift you up, but you don’t see enough of.

Red Zone(Reduce exposure or create boundaries): Demeaning and frequent.
These relationships drain you.

Danger Zone(Reassess these): Unpredictable and frequent.
Sometimes supportive, sometimes critical. Hot and cold. This is the most exhausting zone.

The goal isn’t to cut everyone off. It’s awareness.

Your relationships shape your nervous system.

And peace is a prerequisite for progress.

Choose your people wisely.

Check out Sahil Bloom’s version for a deeper explanation.

I listened to this on my run yesterday. Arthur Brooks never misses.

There was one particular concept that stuck with me. “To want what you think you want.”

This concept talks to the idea that we want certain things because of the influence of society norms and culture. Examples include money status, beauty, or success.

The reason it is so profound is that it points to a disconnect between what you believe you think you want versus what your inner values and deeper needs actually want.

A glaring example is people who chase goals that aren’t truly their own. I am and have been guilty of this.

The concept helps you to examine your desires and check if those desires actually bring meaning to your life.

This framing is a way to train you to genuinely want what is good for you rather than the superficial surface-level stuff.

Next time you make a life decision or chase a big goal, ask yourself, “Do I really want this? Or do I just think I should?”

Food for thought!

Great Episode. Make sure to check it out.

A classic cliche, yet a valuable lesson that landed last year.

You can’t put a price on your well-being. If it brings you distress, cut it out.

Ever seen those talking Yeti videos on Instagram?

If not, you probably have excellent social media habits.

These AI-generated reels are made by first creating images with AI, then animating them using image-to-video tools.

One platform I’m currently experimenting with is FAL.AI, an AI hub that gives access to a wide range of image, video, and creative tools in one place.

You do need to top up your account, but the costs are low, and you can produce high-quality visuals surprisingly cheaply.

Check it out here.

Ambitious Question

If a competent CEO could run your life for a day, what is the first thing they would eliminate?

James Clear with an absolute banger here.

In case you missed last week's newsletter, I spoke about:

TEACH: Key lessons from 2025, covering life, relationships, health, integrity, risk, and personal growth to carry into 2026.

INSIGHTS: A podcast conversation packed with honest life lessons and practical nuggets worth taking into the new year.

MOTIVATION: A reminder that “one day” is a trap; life moves fast, so take action now.

EXPLORE: Experimenting with AI music creation using Suno and sharing a track made with the platform.

Check it out here.

Feel free to share this if you gained any value from it. Feedback is also welcome.

THANKS FOR READING LEGENDS!