The Creative Nest

I like to think my pets see me as a strong, capable adult who has her life together. They do not. If pets could talk, I’m fairly certain they’d be sitting around doing a group interview about us—comparing notes, exchanging looks, and silently agreeing on one thing: humans are weird. Which got me thinking… What do our pets actually say about us as their owners? The Dog Who Thinks You’re the Boss (But Still Judges You) You’re the one who opens the door. You control the food. You decide when walks happen. So yes, in their eyes, you’re powerful. But also… questionable. They’ve watched you: Talk to yourself Lose your phone while holding your phone Get excited over packages that are clearly not treats They respect you. They just don’t understand you. The Dog Who Knows Your Routine Better Than You Do Pets don’t need clocks. They are clocks. They know: When it’s supposed to be dinner When you’re “late” When you said “in a minute” and absolutely meant “eventually” This t...

There’s a moment—right after something good happens—where excitement bubbles up so fast you want to grab the nearest person and say, “GUESS WHAT.” A raise. A bonus. An inheritance. A win that feels personal, earned, or life-shifting. And then… you pause. Because experience teaches you something no one tells you early enough: Not everyone knows how to hold your good news. The Instinct to Share Excitement is human. It wants air. It wants acknowledgment. It wants someone to say, “That’s amazing—I’m happy for you.” But not all ears hear celebration the same way. Some people hear: comparison obligation jealousy opportunity And suddenly your joy feels… heavier. What I’ve Learned the Hard Way Good news doesn’t always land as joy for others. Sometimes it lands as: “Must be nice.” “So, what are you going to do with it?” “Don’t forget about…” or worse—silence that feels louder than words. That’s when excitement quietly turns into regret. A New Rule ...

Every holiday season, the same question rises like fruitcake at an office potluck: Do I want to go… or do I want to stay home in sweatpants and protect my peace? Let’s discuss. The Case for Yes Holiday parties sound fun in theory. Free food (sometimes good, sometimes suspicious) Sparkly outfits you don’t normally wear at 6 p.m. That brief moment where you think, “I’m festive. I’m social. Look at me thriving.” And occasionally— occasionally —you laugh, connect, and leave thinking, “Okay… that wasn’t terrible.” Miracles happen. The Case for Absolutely Not Now, let’s be honest. Holiday parties also include: Small talk that feels like speed dating but without the romance Loud music you didn’t consent to One person who corners you with a life story you didn’t request And the internal clock that starts counting down until it’s socially acceptable to leave Plus, there’s the mental math: Is this party worth giving up my couch, my dogs, my snacks, and my p...