2024

  • 🧘🏾 Embracing Evolving Minimalism and Mental Clarity

    Ever notice how clearing your physical space somehow clears your mind too? I’ve discovered that each phase of letting go in my minimalist journey corresponds directly with moments of mental breakthrough and healing. Earlier this year in Chicago, I finally confronted the dresses I’d bought in Europe – the same ones I wore during the…

  • Building a Better Future Through the Bakery Grind

    Working at the bakery is a whole different kind of exhausting. It’s not just my feet that ache by the end of the day—it’s like every part of me feels the impact of standing and physical work. After years in IT and InfoSec, nearly seven years working from my bed, a chair, a cafe, etc……

  • 🍞 Using AI to Boost Efficiency at the Bakery

    🌅 From Racing the Clock to Reclaiming My Time Every morning felt like a race. No matter how fast I worked, I barely had time to keep up with the demands at the bakery. Have you ever felt like there aren’t enough hours in the day? That’s where I was—constantly stretched thin, especially with my…

  • 🫶🏾Learning When to Save My Kindness, Love, & Care for Those Who Value It

    I’ve had a profound realization lately about the way I give of myself to others. Having a kind and peaceful heart in an often unkind world can be both a blessing and a challenge. I’ve always believed in treating others with the same kindness and respect I hope to receive. It’s not about pleasing others…

  • 🗂️ Essential Organization Systems for IT Professionals: A Practical Guide

    “Hey, where’s the latest version of the security audit?” “Which folder has the API documentation?” “Did anyone save the backup of that configuration file?” Sound familiar? I’ve been there too. After a particularly stressful incident where our team spent three hours looking for a critical configuration file (which turned out to be named ‘final_FINAL_v2_actually_final.conf’), I…

  • Ultra-Processed Foods Are Destroying Our Mental Health

    Have you ever noticed how your mind feels after a week of microwave meals versus homemade dishes? I’ve experienced both sides, and the mental toll of relying on ultra-processed foods is far greater than we often realize. Over the past nine years—and especially during my time in Europe, I completely changed how I ate, and…

  • 💜 Building Resilient Communities During Unprecedented Times

    As political divides widen and societal structures buckle under unprecedented pressures, a deep truth emerges: our survival and well-being increasingly hinge on the strength of our local communities and villages. The systems we once unquestioningly relied on are showing their limitations, struggling to fully address today’s complex challenges. It’s becoming clear that the solution isn’t…

  • 💜 Why We Need Emotional and Practical Support When Life Gets Tough

    Ever feel like life’s challenges are simply too big to handle alone? I’ve been there, feeling like the weight of the world is on my shoulders. But I’ve also learned that leaning on others can be the difference between sinking and swimming. When life gets rough, having a support network isn’t just comforting—it’s essential. 💪…

  • 😡 Can Negative Thoughts Hijack Your Focus? New Research Shows How Rumination Affects Attention

    Ever wondered why deep work feels impossible when you’re caught in a cycle of negative thoughts? Whether you’re preparing for a crucial presentation or tackling an important project, rumination can derail even our most focused efforts.

  • 🚶🏾‍♀️Overcoming Tough Times: My 5-7-10 Walking Rule for Mental Health and Fitness

    Ever felt like you’re stuck in a rut, unable to shake off the weight of tough times? I’ve been there, and I’ve got something that might just be the game-changer you need. Personal Experience with Depression Let’s get real for a second. There have been times when I couldn’t even drag myself out of bed…

  • 🔖 How to Create a Custom GPT that Pulls Your Raindrop.io Bookmarks for a Newsletter

    If you love organizing information and sharing it, you might have already discovered Raindrop.io, a popular tool for collecting and categorizing bookmarks. But did you know that you can connect it to a custom ChatGPT and automatically turn your latest bookmarks into a beautifully formatted list for your newsletters? Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide on…

  • 🧗🏽‍♀️From Tragedy to Triumph: Navigating Life’s Challenges

    Published on: June 23, 2024 👋🏾 Hey there fren, Three weeks ago, on a quiet Saturday morning, I finally sat down to work on my newsletter. It was a serene moment, a rare calm after the storms of recent life events. I felt productive, and for the first time in months, everything felt right. Behind…