A couple of weeks ago, I was berating myself for not being good at boundaries. My therapist kept asking me questions, pulling out specifics (like it’s his job or something, weird), until I saw something new: “Hey, wait… Maybe… I think… You know what? I’m not bad at having boundaries…

Being true to yourself sometimes means letting others down — Zeke has a friend coming for a sleepover. This is a common occurrence, no big deal. However, when I mentioned that this sleepover would be a screen-free evening, doom and gloom filled the air. It surprised me. Recently we’ve cut way back on screen time, and it’s been lovely. Initially…

Most of us never do — I like to wake up early. Before 5:00 is best, when the air is a smudge away from nighttime. It feels sacred, undiscovered. I go outside, yawning and stumbling on leftover dreams. The dog glows with happiness at being alive and moving. All the edges are soft. I walk down…

Anger is energy with a message, and it’s talking to you — For years, I was known in my friend group as “the calm one.” I took this label as a compliment because it meant I was stable. I could handle stress well. I could use a well-modulated voice and carefully chosen words in a conflict. I could articulate rather than emote. …

Our world isn’t perfect. Our work won’t be perfect. — There is a difference between striving for excellence and striving for perfection. The first is attainable, gratifying, and healthy. The second is unattainable, frustrating, and neurotic. It is also a terrible waste of time. – Edwin Bliss Imperfect progress realized is better than perfection imagined. A perfectly imagined work of…

Here are some tips and strategies to help you have the holiday you want. — The holidays are an important and meaningful time, but they can also bring pressure, an overloaded schedule, and added stress. Picture-perfect social media feeds may leave you feeling like you’re not doing enough. Invitations and special events can quickly fill your calendar. Your own beloved traditions bring you joy, but…

I didn’t become this fierce to make your life easier. — I know you do your best. I’m not writing this to blame you, disparage you, or judge you. We are all in different places. I have no issue with that. I have a big issue with this: you think I should use my strength to pull you up to this…

Changing your habits can change your life. — Here’s some practical advice that will help you review, analyze, and upgrade your old habits one at a time. How we build habits We create our habits based on the knowledge and resources we have at the time. Our reality and experiences set limits on what we can or can’t do. To make the most of our reality, we use the tools we can access and the knowledge we already have. Other options…

An illustrated guide to getting your art into the world — We have three distinct roles as creative beings: consumer, curator, and creator. (These roles apply to areas other than creativity, of course. But let’s focus.) Each is important. To reject the role of consumer because you’re focused on creativity is as deadly as rejecting the role of creator because you’re…