The Feed

Some people greet the sunrise like Disney woodland creatures. Others come alive at midnight like caffeinated raccoons. And then there are those of us who fall squarely—proudly—into the midday pigeon category. Not early, not late… just perfectly functional somewhere between “second cup of coffee” and “is it too early for pajamas?” Which is exactly why the annual spring forward  feels like a personal attack. When One Hour Feels Like a Whole Personality Shift Every year, I tell

I’ve been single most of my life (although I am blessed to know how an incredible S.O. in my life) — and a single mom on top of that. Not complaining, not lamenting, not wishing it different. Just setting the stage. Because when you’re the only adult in the room, you learn very quickly that you  are the cavalry, the logistics department, and the emotional support animal all rolled into one. Take the night I shot awake with excruciating back pain. Not the “I slept weird” kind.

Let’s be honest: a whole lot of women of a certain age are out there living alone — and thriving. And why wouldn’t we be? Living solo comes with perks so delicious they should be bottled and sold at Sephora. You control the thermostat like the benevolent queen you are. You watch whatever you want on TV without negotiating with someone who thinks Storage Wars  is “educational.” You adopt a dog… or two… or three… because no one is there to say, “Do we really need another one?”

Somewhere along the way, we were all told that patience is a virtue. A noble trait. A sign of maturity. A marker of emotional intelligence. And sure — in theory, it sounds lovely. Like something you’d embroider on a pillow or whisper to a toddler who’s two minutes away from a meltdown. But lately? I’ve been feeling about as patient as a cat watching someone dangle a string just out of reach. And honestly, I’m starting to wonder if patience is overrated. I don’t think I’ve alw

In my New Year “Keeping It Real” article, I declared that our theme for the year would be one simple word: keep . We’ve already covered keeping moving  — because stagnation is cute for no one — and now that February has rolled in with all its hearts, flowers, and chocolate‑covered everything, it’s time to shift into keeping loving . And yes, that includes loving other people. But let’s be honest: some of y’all are out here loving everyone but yourselves. Running on fumes. Gi

Paid vacation days are not a perk. They’re not a favor. They’re not a privilege bestowed upon you by a benevolent employer. Vacation days are a benefit —just like retirement contributions, health insurance, and life insurance. You earn them. You’re entitled to them. Full stop. And yet, according to a 2024 Pew Research Center poll, nearly half of American workers don’t take all of their vacation days. Half. It’s a statistic that fits neatly into the hustle‑culture mindset that

If you’re a Friends  fan, you probably remember the episode where Monica begs Phoebe for her grandmother’s legendary chocolate chip cookie recipe. Phoebe, sworn to secrecy by her French grandmother “Nestlé Toulouse,” finally agrees to share it… only for a fire to destroy the recipe. Cue Monica trying to reverse‑engineer the world’s greatest cookie from a single frozen leftover, Joey eating the evidence, and the big reveal that the treasured family recipe came straight off the

Anyone else feeling the winter blues creeping in like an uninvited houseguest who refuses  to take a hint? Not full-on seasonal affective disorder—that’s a clinical diagnosis and a whole different level of serious—but that low-grade “why am I suddenly powered by vibes and caffeine alone” feeling that shows up when the sun clocks out at 4:30. The winter blues are basically your body’s way of saying, “Ma’am, where is the sunlight? Where is the warmth? Why are we living like cav

Most people know FOMO — the fear of missing out. But there’s a newer, quieter, far more sabotaging cousin creeping around: FOFO, the fear of finding out . And yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. FOFO shows up when people avoid information because they’re terrified it might be uncomfortable, disappointing, or downright scary. Instead of facing the truth, they bury their heads in the sand and hope the problem magically evaporates. Spoiler: it doesn’t. According to recent dis

I know many of you have already lost your parents. I lost my father on May 19, 2023, and that day became a watershed moment for me — one of those life markers that quietly forces you to re-evaluate everything. Now my mother is living with the early stages of dementia. I treasure the moments I still have with her, but I also feel the fear of losing her every single day. And it’s not just our parents. Lately I’ve started losing classmates, friends, and co‑workers — people my ag

Many people dread Mondays. They mark the end of a weekend most of us would happily stretch just a little longer. For many, Monday signals the start of the work week — the return to schedules, responsibilities, and the pace of everyday life. It’s no surprise the day gets such a bad reputation. But Mondays aren’t necessarily a bad thing. They don’t have to be dreaded at all. In fact, they can be something to look forward to. One of the things I genuinely enjoy about Mondays is

Holidays with family are supposed to be happy, fun, and festive. But what if there’s a narcissist in the mix? Suddenly the season of joy becomes the season of “Oh no, here we go again.” A narcissist is someone who is excessively self‑centered, with an inflated sense of self‑importance, a deep need for admiration, and a baffling lack of empathy. Think of someone who could turn a simple gift exchange into a one‑person Broadway show—starring them, directed by them, and funded by

This is the first of what I hope will be many book reviews—because few things bring me more joy than getting lost in a good story. Whether I’m stretched out by the pool or curled up on the couch with my favorite blanket and my dogs nestled around me, reading is my ritual of choice. I recently bought Disrupt Everything and Win as a birthday gift for my friend Kristen. She’s a natural disrupter—bold, curious, and always shaking things up. The title practically shouted her name.

There’s a TikTok trend that says women unwind by watching true crime shows like they’re scented candles and bubble baths. And honestly? It’s not wrong. For many of us, curling up with a documentary about a serial killer is the emotional equivalent of a weighted blanket. True crime isn’t just entertainment—it’s a ritual, a coping mechanism, and sometimes, a very intense form of self-care. From podcasts and courtroom livestreams to Reddit threads and memes, true crime has becom

It’s not just you. Narcissistic traits are on the rise—and easier to spot. Here’s why: Social media rewards self-promotion and superficial charm, creating fertile ground for narcissistic behavior. (Bonus points if they caption their selfies with “just vibing” while plotting your emotional demise.) Cultural shifts toward individualism and “everyone gets a trophy” mentalities can inflate egos without building empathy. (Participation ribbons: great for kindergarten, less great f

Some friendships don’t fade — they hibernate, waiting for the perfect moment to bloom again. Brandy Wimmer (@rise_upstudios) and I go way back: sorority sisters, bridesmaids, co-conspirators in laughter and late-night talks. Life took us to different coasts, different rhythms. But every so often, the phone rings. No warning. No agenda. Just Brandy’s voice, and suddenly I’m home. We talk about everything and nothing — creative projects, parenting wins and woes, the latest hear

I’ve said good-bye to my daughter as she stepped into her college journey, her eyes bright with promise while mine brimmed with tears and quiet ache. I’ve held my father’s hand as he took his final breath, whispering love into the silence. I’ve waved to friends and colleagues as they retired, relocated, or simply drifted into new chapters. Each farewell has left its own distinct imprint—some etched in sorrow, others in deep gratitude. And yet, I’ve begun to wonder: is there a

It’s that time of year again—when fall festivals roll into town and Christmas markets begin to sparkle across the globe. Festivals are everywhere, from your own backyard to the far corners of the world, each offering a unique blend of culture, community, and culinary delight. Two years ago, my daughter and I fulfilled a long-held dream: we journeyed to the Christmas markets of Germany and Austria. *Wunderbar!* To call it magical feels like an understatement. The sights, the s

Had to try it at least once.

Austrian Doughnuts