Are You Too Comfortable? A Question To Consider
It is easier to teach English than to care for a parent with dementia. Sometimes we choose the service that feels good over the service that actually costs us something.
Overthinking
Identifying and trying to break free from the exhausting mental loops of overthinking when life gets a bit too heavy.
When You Get Good at Things You Never Felt Passionate About
I used to think passion had to come first. But after 505 days of Japanese practice, I realized I had it backwards. Here is why competence creates passion, not the other way around.
When AI Summarizes Your Life (And You’re Not Sure If It’s Being Too Kind)
AI analyzed my life choices and I wasn’t sure if it was being too kind. From helicopter pilot to Japan teacher to farmer – do my decisions show purpose or drift?
Is Everyone Real or Are Some People NPCs/Bots?
You do not get mad at a vending machine for not listening. So why get mad at people who cannot connect? Viewing unresponsive people as “NPCs” might be the secret to your sanity.
The Family Outsider: When You Love Them But Live Differently
My sister sent a photo of her and my dad eating at McDonald’s. It reminded me of everything I am missing. But it also made me realize something else: I am the family outsider.
It’s All Relative (But Is That Comfort or Cop-Out?)
Yesterday, I cycled to work in the pouring rain. At 56, it felt both liberating and slightly absurd. Part of me felt like a happy kid. Another part wondered if this is “failure to launch.”
The Quiet Art of Checking In With Yourself
For 20 years, my wife was my reality check. When she left, I lost my mirror. Now, 552 days into living alone, I have to perform my own daily audits to make sure I haven’t disappeared.
Something I’ve Been Noticing About Being Busy
I caught myself rushing through my morning walk, calculating how soon I could start being “productive.” Even my free time felt like something I had to justify. When did being busy become a badge of honor?
My Struggle with Using AI for Blogging
We are constantly told that AI is the ultimate shortcut for content creation. But what happens when you actually want your writing to sound like you? Here is a look at the addictive promise of AI, and the glaring “AI tells” to avoid.
