The Creative Nest

This morning, Bear had one of his “good” treats. Not the casual chew-it-and-move-on kind, but the special kind — the kind that changes posture. Instead of eating it right away, he laid directly on top of it. Full body weight. Chin slightly lifted. Eyes half-open but alert. If Mocha wandered too close, there was a low growl — not aggressive, just informational. Boundary established. Watching him guard that treat made me pause. When was the last time I protected something that way? Not money. Not responsibilities. Not other people’s feelings. But something that felt like a treat to me. If you had one thing you wouldn’t share, wouldn’t apologize for, wouldn’t hand over just because someone else wanted a bite, what would it be? Maybe it’s your quiet morning coffee before the house wakes up. Maybe it’s your creative projects, your peace, your time, or a slow Sunday that no one gets to rearrange. And how would you protect it? Would you block it on your calendar and treat it like a non-ne...

Winter doesn’t slowly arrive — it just shows up one day and decides you will no longer see the sun. Suddenly it’s dark at 4:30 p.m. Your couch looks extra inviting. And leaving the house feels like a personal attack. If you’ve been feeling a little “meh,” a little tired, or like your motivation packed a bag and went on vacation, congratulations — you may be experiencing the winter blues. The good news? You’re not broken. The bad news? Winter is still winter. One of the first things that helps is accepting that productivity looks different right now. If you’re expecting summer-level energy in the middle of winter, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. This is the season of slower mornings, cozy clothes, and doing the bare minimum with confidence . Next: get outside, even when you don’t want to. I’m not saying go on a hike or become an outdoorsy person. I’m saying stand outside for five minutes like a houseplant that needs sunlight and fresh air. That alone counts. Also...

Some people don’t annoy you — they just don’t fit . And the older you get, the faster you learn that forcing the fit is exhausting. You know the type. Nothing technically wrong with them… but your spirit tightens the second they walk into the room. That’s not you being dramatic. That’s your nervous system filing a formal complaint. The first rule of avoiding someone you don’t jive with? Stop explaining yourself. You do not owe anyone a PowerPoint presentation on why you’re suddenly “busy,” “running late,” or “headed the opposite direction with intention.” Short answers save energy. “Well, it was good seeing you!” is a complete sentence. Next up: master the strategic exit. Bathroom break. Phone call. Refilling your drink… very slowly. Checking on something that absolutely does not need checking. If you disappear long enough, most people assume adulthood happened and move on. Then there’s the soft fade — an elite-level skill. This is not ghosting. This is a respectful...