The Creative Nest

There comes a point in adulthood when you realize that having a good handyman is almost as valuable as having a good hairdresser, a trustworthy mechanic, and a doctor who actually calls you back. If you have one, you know exactly what I mean. You find someone who shows up when they say they will, does what they said they were going to do, charges a reasonable amount, and—this is important—doesn’t leave you standing in your driveway wondering if you just paid someone $400 to make the problem slightly more interesting. And then you have a decision to make. Do you call your trusted handyman and say, “Hey, can you take a look at this?” Or do you get three quotes? I have discovered that there are apparently two kinds of homeowners. There are the “I have a guy” people. Then there are the “I need at least three estimates so I can compare the labor, materials, warranty, and the astrological alignment of Mercury” people.  I understand both sides. Getting multiple quotes makes sense. Sometim...

Let’s settle an important question. When you wake up in the morning and realize you have to be a functioning human being for the next several hours, what’s your weapon of choice? Are you reaching for a steaming cup of coffee, or are you cracking open an energy drink like you’re about to qualify for the Formula 1? Because apparently, there are two types of people in this world: coffee people and energy-drink people. And both sides are absolutely convinced they have discovered the superior method of getting through the day. Coffee people are a special breed. We don’t simply drink coffee. We have a relationship with coffee. There’s a whole ritual involved. Wake up. Stumble toward the kitchen. Start the coffee maker. Stare blankly into the distance while the coffee brews. Pour that glorious first cup and suddenly remember that life may actually be worth living. The first sip is practically a personality reset. Before coffee, it’s “Please don’t talk to me.” After coffee, it’s “Okay, I supp...

Have you ever worked really hard, done your job well, become dependable, and generally made yourself useful? Congratulations! You have just unlocked the next level of your career: more work. And the best part? It may come with absolutely no additional money. What a time to be alive. Apparently, there is a strange little workplace equation that nobody teaches you about when you start your career: Do a good job, become reliable, gain everyone’s confidence, receive additional responsibilities, and continue receiving the exact same paycheck. It’s basically a loyalty rewards program, except instead of earning points, you earn tasks. Lots and lots of tasks. There are certain words in the workplace that should probably come with a warning label. One of them is, “We think you’d be really good at this.” On the surface, that sounds wonderful. It sounds like recognition. It sounds like someone sees your potential and wants to help you grow. And sometimes, that is exactly what it means. But somet...