By Jesse Logister
Sometimes, I stumble upon a true gem of a website. Mostly, such a gem sticks with me for a while, and then its magic slowly diminishes or I move on to another site that is sparkling in my eyes.
However, there are some rare gems that have stayed with me for a long time. They are not just very interesting, beautiful or fun but also life changing.
The following websites have really helped me to make an income online and become my own boss as a freelancer. They have improved my health, boosted my creativity, made me more productive and made me appreciate life more. They also helped me to unclutter and throw away all the ballast. They reshaped me and creeped into my ears and mind.
Therefore, I consider these websites as some of the most rewarding online sources in my life, and I really hope that they can offer some kind of positive effects to you as well.
3. Zenhabits.net
I have to admit that in the beginning I did not read Leo Babauta’s blog posts as often as I actually wanted. However, I was instantly impressed by his way of life and the minimalistic way of how he has designed his website. It inspired me to take a good look at my own blog, and I eventually decided to implement some changes to remove a lot of clutter.
Truth of the matter is, I was never very good at things like designing or making pictures. I am a writer. And Leo’s website made me realize that it should all be about the words. The rest is just a distraction from that.
I want to focus on writing and not on stressful side-tasks. Leo generously lets people use his site template and I decided to use it. It changed my life forever.
I have to admit that it was a big and uncomfortable step. No more comments, lesser pictures, almost no side elements. But the only way forward is the uncomfortable one.
And forward I went. The time that I save now is absolutely huge. I can spend it on more important things like writing blog posts and actually reading Leo’s article about other minimalistic implementations.
Therefore, I find Zenhabits.net a true life changer and I recommend it to everyone who is interested in uncluttering the mind.
2. Writertown.com
I have been a member of Writertown.com for a couple of years, and over those years I have seen it grow into a very friendly and useful platform for writers. Its creator, Elvis De Leon, is a great guy who really cares about his members, and he puts a genuine effort in making his members more successful writers.
The extensive and very useful writing gigs list on his website really changed my writing career. I stroll through it regularly and it has provided me with some amazing clients. Thus Elvis does what he promises, he will give your (online) writing career a real boost.
I wouldn’t be where I am today if it was not for this website. I highly encourage people to become a member of Writertown.com. Not only for the writing gig list, but Elvis also offers many other perks on his platform. For example, people can post their own interesting articles and even promote them.
1. MyNoise.net
I only recently discovered this gem but I already consider it as one of the best websites on the internet. There are many reasons why I do so. Let’s start with the most important one: it has noise, and that noise just so happens to be the noise that I was always looking for.
I always want to listen to something while working. I tried YouTube for music, but I got extremely distracted, plus a bit annoyed by the ads and the urge to read comments and check the accompanying video clips.
Therefore, I switched to random 8tracks.com music lists. That tactic was already much better, but it was still not enough. Music still was dominant and it distracted me, especially when it had spoken words in it.
But then came the real sound revolution.
When doing some research on being more productive, I accidentally stumbled upon MyNoise.net. I embarked on a magnificent sound adventure and from that moment on, my life was instantly chanced.
MyNoise offers a truly unique collection of random, free to use noise generators. No money to travel? Put on your headphones and turn on the sound of a railroad, sailboat, spaceship or aircraft cabin. Close your eyes and let the sounds guide you on your journey. Time to relax? Listen to Yakutian and Himalayan voices and feel the tension drifting from your body. Nature lover? Waterfalls, ocean waves, tropical birds and fairy ponds are waiting for you.
Listening to all these noises are not only extremely fun and relaxing, but it also makes the listener appreciate sounds so much more. Many sounds are always with us, but how often do we really pay attention to them or learn to appreciate them fully. Sometimes, we forget our appreciation and then suddenly remember and wonder again, whenever we hear the cherished sounds from our childhood days.
MyNoise taught me that sounds can heal and that they can have meditating and relaxing effects on people. Sounds are extremely powerful and all of them have beauty in their own way. We can hear and feel that beauty when we dedicate ourselves to listen and pay attention to the small wonders around us. These wonders are a part of everyday life, but we so often tend to overlook or forget about them.
One interesting fact is that some of those sounds even distracted or annoyed me in the past. I cringed at the sound of construction sounds while I was working. Now I deliberately play the demolition site generator to work more concentrated. I find that really funny.
I now have something to listen to while I work. Since I do it, I feel more relaxed more concentrated and also very importantly, more creative. My writing skills improved, I save huge chunks of time and I focus much better.
It are those benefits and the fact that the website is neatly designed with captivating pictures and well thought over descriptions of the sounds. You not simply listen to them. The creator of the site, Dr. Ir. Stéphane Pigeon, also teaches you how to listen to them, and what the effects of the sounds are in a scientific and psychological way.
The result is absolutely fabulous. I cannot stress enough how much I love Mynoise.net and I feel blessed that I found it. I hope to use it for many years to come and I encourage everyone to visit it and support the creator, so that he can keep this fantastic website online.
Websites Made With Love
These three websites are created by people who really love what they are doing and who are genuinely want to help others to feel that same love as well. It is more than just earning money with a website. It is creating positive changes in people’s lives and building communities.
I love to hear which websites changed your life? Send me an email or contact me on Twitter or Facebook.