Happy Tuesday! Thanksgiving is creeping up… next week, in fact. And if you’re fortunate enough to be able to fully enjoy Thanksgiving, just know it doesn’t have to be filled with chaos and stressful-arse to-dos. Who says gratitude can’t come with a playful side of fun (and a pause or ten)? Not me! Remember! Take all the pauses you need, sneak in some laughs, and sprinkle a ton of gratitude into your week (and life), starting with this fun Bingo game. Let’s keep it light this holiday season so we all get to rest and recharge. And who knows, we might see how much we love it, and it might…
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Need a Quick De-Stress From The Thanksgiving Crazy?
Pause the pre-Thanksgiving Day madness for a few minutes. Grab a pen and play: Jump right to the SincerelyIreneB Thanksgiving word search, if you need to! I get it! Squat, Diddly, Me For some years now, Thanksgiving has been a little (read: a lot) more nontraditional in my world. I went from doing the whole feast, to a few side dishes, to doing squat — as in diddly-squat, or squat-diddly, you choose. I don’t cook a single thing. Not a turkey leg, not a pie (because I don’t bake, but luckily my girls do), not even a wee pot of vegetables passes my hands. For me, Thanksgiving felt far too…
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Finding Gratitude in the Little Things This November
Anyone who knows me knows Christmas is absolute fave global holiday. I kind of enjoy the goofy, sweet-toothed ghouli-delicious-ness of Halloween, and by then it’s on to the countdown to Christmas. Thanksgiving is a nice couple of days off work to eat, ease up off the stress, and just enjoy too. But since I didn’t grow up celebrating Thanksgiving — I’ll admit, even after all these years stateside — it’s still not a major holiday for me. Not shade, not hate to all who do. None. And in 2025, with the way the world is acting (aka stank), I’ve decided to take the spirit of the word, at least, and…
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When It’s Not Your Turn
(A short story by Irene B.) “Yes, yes, yes… okay, girl! I’m going to lock up as soon as you get off my line, crazy!” she said, half-laughing into the phone.Then she paused.“Mmm-hmm. Bedroom’s already locked.” Another pause, then a soft giggle. “You and your single-girl fortress routine.”Silence lingered on the other end, until more laughter broke through.“And you know I appreciate you, so thank you.”Her voice dropped just slightly, as if still listening.The call ended, and the room went still. Tisha liked to measure her mornings by sound. The hum of the refrigerator intermittently followed the grinding of the ice machine. And now, with it being summer, the rush…
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When Your Perception Can Let You Down
We all think we know what we see. But do we really? Consider the last time you misjudged someone, or they misjudged you. Maybe because of your bubbly, loud, and silly personality, they assumed you were a “go-along-to-get-along” person and not someone with deeper thoughts or stronger beliefs. Or perhaps you misread them, thinking you understood their intentions. These moments remind us that our perceptions are not always accurate—or that, with time and knowing more, they’ve adjusted. It’s easy to get lulled into believing we have a clear view of the world around us. Our eyes are open, our ears alert. But perception isn’t just about what we see or…
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How to Redefine “Enough” in the Holiday Season
Lately, I’ve been hearing the collective exhale from people everywhere—friends, strangers online, across the globe, all saying some version of: “You know what? I don’t need anything this year.” “I’m so over all this unnecessary spending, going broke, and for what?” The mass consensus: Let’s cancel all the holidays! Woah Nelly! Hold up! Slow down! Christmas is LITERRALLY my FAVE holiday. It was the time in my childhood that my mum (RIP❤️) was the least nuts, and in fact, full of cheer – brimming over if you will! Me and my sister could damn near do no wrong, and cancelling?… That ‘aint happening! Nope! #IWillFightYou. OK fine. Calm down, cause…
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How to Find Help and Hope During Tough Times
Sadly, while this is not a new situation, people all over the world continue to fall into tougher and tougher situations. Everything from famine, wars, and poverty on many levels just keeps coming. Living in the DMV (D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia), the most recent hit that has many people walking yet another razor thin line, is because of the masses of federal workers on furlough, families dealing with layoffs, and folks trying to stretch one paycheck (or no paycheck) too far with the rising cost of everything. If that’s you, or someone you know, you’re not alone. You’re not invisible, and there are places to turn Hardworking federal workers,…
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How to Stay Steady: My “Good Human” Work-in-Progress List
As promised from my Tuesday post: Why “Good Human” Energy Matters — Now More Than Ever, here’s my list. No sugarcoating. No “perfect human” checklist — just a handful of things I try (and sometimes fumble) to show up a little better each day. Maybe you’ll see yourself in some. Maybe you’ll roll your eyes at a few. Either way, it’s real, and I welcome any ones you have. 1-20… Let’s go! 1. Be Around People Who Push You To Be An Even-Better You You might not have a ton of friends — but you have the right ones. Mentors, peers, and people who call you out (lovingly) when needed.…
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Why “Good Human” Energy Matters — Now More Than Ever
How Are You Showing Up Today? (Before My List Drops Thursday) Okay, no one’s pure angel—or all devil—but being a “good human” still sounds so simple… until life starts life-ing yet again. The love, laughs, and sheer delulu of my friends and family keep me kind, grounded, and helps me stay steady. I’m trying to stay out of foolishness. Work out (as regularly as I can), eat … decent-ish, schedule as much abundance in my life (not assignments) where I can, and essentially, drink water and mind my business. And yet daily (if not hourly), life keeps wanting to yank me back into its stank-filled mess! Yeah. It’s a lot,…
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Dear Wine: After The Happy Hour
(A short journal story by Irene B.) 📖 Accessible version: Read the full journal entry (PDF document) Practicing out loud Sharing some of my writing, these fiction bits as part of my creative reps, flaws and all. Keep going with your “thing,” too. Small consistent steps, even imperfect ones, make big moves forward.
