Hey Reader! I recently bought a new car, and let me tell you—it was a wild ride. The back-and-forth with the dealership felt like I was negotiating with a bunch of high-stakes poker players. One day the price was too high, the next day they were "willing to work with me." I spent hours reading reviews, comparing models, checking safety ratings, and calculating monthly payments. Should I go with a sedan or an SUV? Should I opt for the extra features, or stick to the basics? It seemed like...
9 days ago • 4 min read
Hey Reader! So, there I was again on that Saturday morning, staring down the chaos. The 16-year-old was barking orders like she was the commander-in-chief of the house (The Boss), the 14-year-old had already disappeared into her cave—er, I mean, her room—where she’d be for hours (The Burrowed), and the 11-year-old was attached to my side like a shadow, making sure he was never more than a foot away from me (The Backpack). And of course, it got me thinking... ADHD is a family trait, but it’s...
16 days ago • 5 min read
Hey Reader! I was at a game the other day, watching one of the young women on the team sitting on the sidelines, clearly frustrated. Her body language said it all—arms crossed, eyes glued to the ground, avoiding any interaction with her coach. As the game went on, I overheard a parent asking the coach why their daughter wasn’t getting more playtime. And that’s when it hit me. We’ve all heard it before: “Your daughter needs to learn how to advocate for herself—talk to the coach, not you!” It’s...
23 days ago • 4 min read
Hey Reader! I used to be a very active skier and volleyball player. I mean, I was out there, living my best life on the slopes and crushing volleyballs with the best of them. But, as time has moved on, my body has decided it’s had enough. Skiing and volleyball? Yeah, not so much anymore. I used to think it was just the aches and pains catching up with me, but recently, it hit me—those are just part of the story. The real reason I’ve stopped is that I’m scared. Scared that these new, limited...
about 1 month ago • 4 min read
Hey reader! I just wanted a pickle. Nothing hard. Nothing complex. I grabbed the jar, expecting a quick twist and snack. But apparently, Hercules himself had closed it. I tried everything—gripping tighter, using a towel for traction, even that awkward under-the-arm torque move. Nothing. Full effort, veins popping, borderline rage. I was one step away from smashing it open when I decided to put it down and walk away. Five minutes later, I came back. Poof. Like magic, the lid twisted right off....
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Hey Reader! I woke up this morning, and as soon as I stepped outside, the cold hit me like a brick wall. It was dark, I was tired, and all I could think was, “I don’t want to do this today.” I get it. Some days, it feels easier to just stay cozy inside, ignore the world, and not face whatever’s out there. But I’ve learned something over the years: it’s those very moments of discomfort that hold the key to growth. And it got me thinking... How often do I try to avoid discomfort? How many times...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Hey Reader! I have lived on the same road since 1979. That means I’ve been taking the same route, making the same left turn onto the main road for over four decades. I could do it blindfolded (but didn’t, because, you know, laws). It was perfect—a quick left, on my way, no hassle. Until they changed the traffic pattern. Now, I can’t turn left anymore. Nope. My once-efficient route has been stolen from me, replaced with some convoluted "loop around and turn right" nonsense. It adds maybe a...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Hey Reader! So there I was, craving some quick, greasy, regret-laden fast food because, clearly, I make excellent life choices. I roll up to the drive-thru, place my order, and—miracle of miracles—everything seems to be running smoothly. Then, disaster strikes. The employee hands me my drinks and hits me with the dreaded, "Can you just pull forward and wait?" Fantastic. Because nothing says "fast food" like parking in a numbered slot and contemplating my life choices while my ice melts into a...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Hey Reader! I lost my headphones for the millionth time. Naturally, everyone had the same oh-so-helpful advice: “Where was the last place you had them?” If I knew that, I wouldn’t be looking for them, right? The frustration started building as I rifled through drawers, bags, and every corner of the house where random single socks and rogue Tupperware lids mysteriously gather. Just as I was ready to give up, I took a step back, let out a deep breath, and relaxed. That’s when I found them—in a...
2 months ago • 3 min read