I’m home. I didn’t stray too far from home—after all, I do live in the suburbs of Chicago. But I just took what has become my new annual “mini-vacation” (it counts as annual since it’s been two years in a row, right?) I was at Riot Fest, all three days, yes, even when it rained. And while I’m exhausted, as I texted my friends, it was “SO WORTH IT.” From a killer lineup on Friday, with Alkaline … [Read more...]
The Kids Are Back in School! Here’s My Work-From-Home Schedule
Sure, it may still be summer, and it's still in the high 80s, but it feels like a new season when the kids go back to school. The house feels “empty.” Routines are changing… and I’m no longer able to wake up at 8 a.m. Just like the kids need a few days in the classroom to acclimate and get used to their new schedules, I need some adjustment time, too. My kids returned to school on … [Read more...]
Network Marketing was a Mistake… But I Don’t Regret It (Completely)
I used to sell makeup through network marketing. Oof, that felt a bit hard to admit! The industry as a whole is controversial, and I get that. To some, it seems scammy and annoying. To others, it feels empowering and a great way to earn financial freedom on your own terms. It was that second part that got me. When my first was born, money was tight. I had gone from working full-time to … [Read more...]
Work, Purpose, and Success Don’t Have to Be Linked
Is it society? How we were collectively raised? What’s portrayed in the movies and TV? I’m talking about the pressure we often put on ourselves to make money and find success in whatever way we can. This pressure often means we put the things that light us up or bring us joy to the wayside. Maybe it’s the age I’m at now, or the fact that I lost a job I loved due to the devastating cuts to … [Read more...]
Writing Tips: The Best and Worst Writing Advice I’ve Ever Received
My English professor sorted through a stack of books on his desk in his poorly-lit office, searching for an anthology that had a story he wanted me to read. We were meeting to discuss my creative writing, but as my time at college was coming to a close, he asked the question I looked forward to but also dreaded. “Have you thought about what you want to do after college?” I sat … [Read more...]
