My Possibly Unhinged, Maybe Accurate, But Deeply Necessary List The holidays: a magical time of joy, connection, warmthβ¦ and an absurd number of expectations no one signed up for. Some traditions are sweet.Some trigger warm memories you actually want to hold on to.But those other ones? Jail. They need: So, in the spirit of healing, humor, and all the chaos I feel is needed, hereβs your (my) completely necessary list of… Holiday Traditions That Should Absolutely, Positively End in a Lawsuit… beginning in 2025. 1. Unnecessarily leaving the comfort of my home to go into the βWinterβ First of all? Why? Second of all, whoβs asking? Third-of allβ¦ why?Absolutely not!…
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The 48-Hour Pre-Holiday Survival Challenge
Non-apologetic. Completely necessary. Do it once, then repeat as needed. Iβm learning that the best skill for navigating any holiday isnβt planting a fake veneer of cheer on your face. Itβs doing what you actually want and fully enjoying it in the moment, and again when you look back once it’s all over. So before the chaos hits, hereβs the 48-hour reset that I praying will keep me sane, hydrated, and unbothered like a champ. Feel free to steal all or some of mine, or create your own, and then protect your peace like itβs the fragile sliver of calm before the internet gifts you more political clownery with a generous helping…
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Happy Thanksgiving 2025: Gratitude, Laughter, and Time with Loved Ones
A little hello from meβ¦ serving GOOD VIBES only β¨ Drop a π§‘ if youβre serving GOOD VIBES only today, and tell someone βIβm grateful for youβ, because it matters.
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When It’s Not Your Turn
(A short story by Irene B.) βYes, yes, yesβ¦ okay, girl! Iβm going to lock up as soon as you get off my line, crazy!β she said, half-laughing into the phone.Then she paused.βMmm-hmm. Bedroomβs already locked.β Another pause, then a soft giggle. βYou and your single-girl fortress routine.βSilence lingered on the other end, until more laughter broke through.βAnd you know I appreciate you, so thank you.βHer 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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How to Redefine “Enough” in the Holiday Season
Lately, Iβve been hearing the collective exhale from people everywhereβfriends, strangers online, across the globe, all saying some version of: βYou know what? I donβt need anything this year.β βIβm so over all this unnecessary spending, going broke, and for what?β The mass consensus: Letβs 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 (RIPβ€οΈ) 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 thatβs you, or someone you know, youβre not alone. Youβre not invisible, and there are places to turn Hardworking federal workers,…
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Why “Good Human” Energy Matters β Now More Than Ever
How Are You Showing Up Today? (Before My List Drops Thursday) Okay, no oneβs pure angelβor all devilβbut being a βgood humanβ 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. Iβm trying to stay out of foolishness. Work out (as regularly as I can), eat β¦ 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. Itβs a lot,…
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Messy Journaling: Your Secret Tool for Better Stress Relief
Two Moscow Mules, a Prosecco, and a deep conversation about something we all struggle with from time to timeβmanaging our emotions, especially when other people, situations, or life itself unintentionally trigger them. One friend shared that sheβd been trying to stay calm, respond better, not let things get to herβbut sometimes, it just felt impossible. Think: βI know Iβm being triggered, but I canβt seem to stop reacting. I donβt have control over it.β Iβve one hundred percent been there. Many times. Maybe, like me, you donβt yell or scream out loudβitβs more internalβbut either way, you feel it. Youβre not overreacting, being dramatic or βin your feelsβ, itβs real…
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How to Step In and Embrace Your Villain Era?
Villain = Evil, wicked person. Within this popular term or saying, “I’m in my villain-era”, Iβm not for one second buying the evil part, but the wicked part is in fact wickedly delectable to me. Not (no longer) giving a damn about what anybody else thinks, being the bigger person, or taking the high road isnβt about you now doing wrong to others who wronged you (well, not always), but about taking back your power to choose. Itβs not about resetting your personality to be stuck on cruel, but to finally be selfishβin the most positive sense of the word. Itβs a return to yourself. Disclaimer: Also, never be the…
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Why Birthday Milestones Aren’t Ends But New Paths Ahead
Last week, my baby girl turned 18. Like her sister, sheβs always been one of the youngest in their friend groups, so her βfinally turning 18β was a big deal for herβin more ways than one. And while I was right there with her, mostly, it took a little wind out of my seeing my forever baby girl officially become an adult. Ish. Just thinking about turning eighteen is that moment many of us imagine long before it comes. Imagining what this vision of βadult lifeβ is supposed to look like for us, from the TV shows, movies and books we consumed. Well, thatβs how I did it, anyway. Of…