We do. I promise you we do. I know at times when I’ve heard the word ‘gift’ in relation to a person, I’m envisioning two wild ends of the spectrum. Either someone so loud and obvious, like a mega star, think of the names of some favorites. The A-list types with the one-off voices, and albums you own multiple copies of, and would buy again and again. Or, for those with deeper pockets than mine, the conversation pieces from award-winning artists recognized by national galleries. Or on the other end, a child who’s a huge step ahead of their peers because, at the age of 2, they can double-tie their…
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Small Actions, Big Results: Celebrate What’s Really Working
Yes, I’m looking dead at you. When was the last time you actually celebrated something you did right? And I mean all those wins that you wrote off as small and didn’t even acknowledge. When you think about them, there’s so many, so while it’s unrealistic to hire a confetti ceiling net to drop each time, or pop some Veuve—who’s got that kind of money? You still need to pause long enough to say, “Hey, that was good! I did that! I did that!” Insert seat-shimmy dance. Here’s the sciencey (yes, that’s a word… kind of) truth to it. Big or small, your brain doesn’t care one bit. Every one of those wins…
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The Surprising Ways Book Clubs Better My Writing Process
When a new book club spun up in my ‘hood, and a friend invited me to join, I was like “Yeah, OK!”. I like books and writing but knowing it would be a monthly meet-up with some like-minded Babes, good wine, other drinks and a tasty but light spread to review books… oh, I was in. At the time we were confirming members, rules around hosting monthly etc., I was in the ugliest first stages of my book. Truthfully, I’d put it down. Stuck on which of five directions to take it in and no clear direction, no matter how much I Googled or hit Pinterest. This book club couldn’t…
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The Truth About Bad Titles and Your SEO Score
Got a problem being succinct? Love a melodic, lyrically infused blog title? Or a mysteriously clever promo header? I know I do. Well, guess what? SEO doesn’t love it as much. BOO! I know, I know. “Hands up, ‘Chatty Cathys’” Another thing to admit: I have a teeny-weeny tendency to… waffle on. I’ve been told this affliction is a bit more common in those of us over 40. Rude, but probably true. We (I) have a lot to say, learn, and share. And while that can work, to a point in your main blog content, it’s an absolute SEO killer, and leaves all your juicy content floating-in-the-wind-dot-com. Completely unnoticed. And…
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The Key to Knowing What Others Really Value…
So You Can Act Accordingly Honest mistakes aside. Way, waaay, over to the side. If someone said to you “I’ll text you back” four weeks ago and never did… they didn’t forget. They chose something else. If they’re too “busy” for a five-minute check-in, that’s a clear decision they’ve made. And yeah, it feels personal, because it is. At any age but especially ours, here’s where to stop internalizing it as a flaw in your character, your worth, or ability to maintain relationships. It’s not you. When I miss a call or text from any of my peeps, and it happens often because … well, life and no one’s perfect,…
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10 Extra Creative Writing Prompts to Get Your Imagination Flowing
I might be the oddest duck here, but who really needs another writing prompt like “describe a rainy day” or “write a letter to your younger self”? And no, I’m not saying those are wrong or useless, but (and hands up, I’ll fully own this one) they’ve sparked nothing in me stronger than a smirk, and not nearly enough to put fingers to keys. They didn’t flick that creative switch or launch me into an idea that felt sharp, wild, or like a real twist on the usual. And you don’t need 100 prompts, you need one, OK maybe 10, that actually gets you writing. Why these prompts work? Because they’re the kind I…
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Make Reflection Easy With These FREE Daily Journal PDFs
Grab a fresh start or a quiet finish in just 5 minutes. Because life is a lot right now, make room for care, clarity, and a lil’ courage. Download free journal sheets. Check in and shift your mindset, one page at a time. These two free printable journal sheets help you start and end your day with less noise and more ease. Friends of mine keep them near the coffee machine or tucked on a nightstand. This way, they’re always within reach and ready to go. And yes, everything feels urgent, but you’re allowed to pause. Get Your Mind RIGHT (Morning) Insert your favorite wake-up brew & take a moment…
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Ignore Perfect Photos and Just Publish Your Blog Now
I’m saying this with all the love in the world, to you (and me): your blog post is not auditioning for a Vogue cover spread. Nor a shout-out at whatever the Met Gala of web content is. You’re writing to connect, inform, encourage, or move something in someone to act. Not only does it not need to be perfect, it never will be, and it doesn’t need to be to deliver impact. I’ve been there, and I still take more time than I need to on the “right” images. Stalking my go-to sites, trying to match that gorgeous mental image I’ve been carrying around. Am I trying to convey a…
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Juneteenth: Learning & Celebrating Black Freedom in the U.S.
Today is not just another Thursday. It’s Juneteenth. A day that marks freedom finally getting to the enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Two and a half years! Let that sink in for more than a moment. So when you hear people say it’s a celebration, now you understand. I was born and raised in London, England, to parents with Ghanaian roots, so learning about the reason for this national American holiday brought both horror but ultimately joy in the power of Black Americans. Through my discovery, and it’s been over some years, I found Juneteenth was actually one of many…
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How to Find Light in Diabolical Times
(A note from Irene B.) These past days, or months, for many of us, it’s been almost impossible not to feel overwhelmed: fear, anger, rage… add anything else to that list, with what’s happening here. It’s touching everyone and is devastating on too many levels. The uncertainty. The constant “what’s coming next?”, rattles me daily. And I don’t have the answers. Yet, I still have to believe the good will outweigh the bad… at some point. And can that ‘some point‘ be right the hell now… please?! Even so, I keep moving forward, because I (we) have to. The world is still a big, beautiful, but deeply complicated place. We have to hold…
