This week, things came easier — here’s why — Stuck outside on a scorching day, I was drenched in a mix of sunscreen, sweat, and last night’s margarita seeping through my pores. I huffed, I puffed, and I complained about mosquitos. But that’s when I noticed a shared book bin on the deck of our Tulum AirBnb. I picked…

What I’m taking with me and what I’m leaving behind — At the beginning of the pandemic, I was 25-years-old. I’m now halfway through 28, thinking a lot about the changes in myself I’ve seen not just during the pandemic, but in this specific year. Last year, we were living in partial lockdown in Italy, the Alpi in the background, fantasizing…

Protocol, PCR tests, and protection in Los Angeles schools — Yesterday, I decided to “double mask” before walking into the school where I teach programs part-time. What was previously a joy has become a stressful experience filled with a lot of COVID protocol. I still love my work, but unfortunately, the warm, social environment these elementary schools usually inspire has…

Their business is you giving them money — take your power back — I see the Internet splashed with amateur professionals, who aren’t even at the tops of their fields, peddling the promise of success. Newsflash? The only reason they’re successful is because you’re buying their overpriced snake oil. Social media has facilitated a class of “experts” that have a platform to create…

Save cash & the planet, all while staying off the Naughty list — I grew up completely in the dark about the health of our environment. Granted, I was raised in the midwest in the early 90s. The adults in our lives plied us with Furbys and D.A.R.E. teeshirts rather than teaching us about sustainability. …

What I learned, what I gained, and what was shocking — One month ago, I embarked on the journey of holding myself accountable for my writing time in order to re-commit to some sort of schedule. It involved waking up at 7 am, focusing on professional development (ie writing and all things related), and pursuing personal goals in the late afternoon. …

How a year of living while traveling impacted my creative life — From panic-inducing COVID exposure to travel fees to lacking space to spread out and work, our year abroad was anything but stable. From Italy to Spain to Mexico to the American Midwest, we were constantly on the go. Now that we’re back in Los Angeles and our careers and lives…

We are all about sittin’ pretty (on the cheap) — We’ve been back in Los Angeles for several months now and despite the sometimes hectic post-move to-do list, we’re loving it. We have huge bay windows, a backyard, two offices, and a ton of natural light. That being said, we got our dream house, but inherited its many problems: crabgrass…

My post-pandemic schedule was begging for an upgrade — Today, I woke up at 7 am while having a dream that I was painting a mural. That’s when my boyfriend rubbed my shoulder and murmured that my alarm had been going off for ten minutes. This week, I made myself a promise, and it involves the exact hours of…