Originally posted in our May 2025 Top of Mind Newsletter.
What if you approached your own life the way an anthropologist approaches a culture—curious, observant, and open to discovery? In a recent Ness Labs piece, previously featured Anne-Laure Le Cunff encourages us to do just that. By keeping “field notes” on our habits, decisions, and experiences, we can begin to uncover the unseen patterns that shape our lives.
At ELI, we view this kind of reflective practice as essential for making change within and outside ourselves. Developing the ability to observe your own thoughts and behaviors without judgment creates space for growth, persistence, and better decision-making. When individuals can identify what’s holding them back, they’re better positioned to take meaningful steps forward. Le Cunff’s idea of self-anthropology offers a practical and empathetic tool for that work.
Like all good anthropologists, we must observe with humility and curiosity—only then can we start to reimagine what’s possible.