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...

 We don’t talk enough about rituals that aren’t glamorous. Not the big, aesthetic, Instagram-worthy ones — but the small, ordinary things we do over and over again because they make us feel… better. Calmer. More human. Slightly less feral. These are not habits I’m trying to “fix.” These are habits that are doing important emotional work. The Morning Coffee Ritual Coffee is not optional. It is not flexible. It is not negotiable. This is not about caffeine — it’s about transitioning into consciousness . The mug matters. The first sip must be uninterrupted. The rest of the world can wait until the coffee and I have finished our private meeting. If this ritual is rushed, the day notices. The Quiet Morning Ritual Early mornings have a very specific energy. No emails. No noise. No expectations. Just sitting. Thinking. Existing without needing to perform productivity yet. Even ten minutes of this makes the rest of the day feel less sharp around the edges. Like easing into co...

Winter has a way of forcing deep thoughts on us. Mostly because it’s cold, everything hurts, and we’re stuck inside with our own opinions. Naturally, this is when I start asking important questions. Like: What is my favorite season? And more confusingly: If I could return to one season of my life… which one would it be? Let’s start with the easy one. My favorite season is spring. Hands down. Spring feels like possibility without pressure. The air softens. The days get longer. Everyone collectively agrees to stop being grumpy and start pretending we enjoy walking again. Spring says, You survived. Here’s a reward. But here’s where it gets interesting. If I could return to a season—not on the calendar, but in my life—it might actually be winter. Not because it was fun. Not because it was easy. And definitely not because I enjoy being cold. I’d return to winter because that’s where things got real. Winter strips everything down. No distractions. No hiding. No pretending ...

I used to think getting older meant having everything figured out. You know—confidence, wisdom, maybe a solid understanding of what temperature “medium heat” actually is. Turns out… that part is questionable. But here’s the thing: I do feel smarter as I age. Not in a “let me explain compound interest at a dinner party” way—but in a been there, learned that, not doing it again kind of way. When I was younger, I thought being smart meant knowing answers. Now I realize it mostly means knowing when to: walk away stop explaining yourself not respond to that text and absolutely not argue with strangers on the internet That’s growth. I’ve learned that being “right” is wildly overrated. Being at peace? Much better return on investment. I also feel smarter because I finally understand that: Not every opportunity is for me Not every opinion deserves airtime And being quiet is sometimes the loudest flex in the room Younger me collected experiences. Current m...

Some people describe intuition as a whisper. Some say it’s a nudge. Some feel it as a heavy knowing — a quiet truth that settles in before your mind even has time to form a thought. For me, intuition has always shown up in that soft-but-sure way. And honestly? It goes all the way back to when I was a kid. I remember one moment so clearly: My mom was on the phone, and before she even said a name or gave a hint, I knew who she was talking to. I walked right up to her afterward and asked, “Why did Aunt Karen call?” I didn’t guess. I didn’t overhear anything. I just… knew. At the time, I didn’t think much of it beyond a strange little spark of awareness. But looking back now, that moment reminds me how naturally intuition shows itself when we’re young — before we learn to second-guess it, talk ourselves out of it, or override it with logic. And as an adult? It still happens. That tug in my gut when something is off. That quiet confirmation when something is right. That split-...

Yesterday reminded me of something simple but powerful: Gratitude doesn’t always come wrapped in grand gestures. Sometimes it’s found in a quiet moment with someone who listens… or a small kindness from a stranger… or even a memory that shows you how far you’ve come. We talk a lot about gratitude in big-picture ways — family, friends, partners, the “important people.” But what about the everyday humans who bring something meaningful to our lives without even realizing it? The coworker who makes you laugh on a stressful day. The barista who remembers your order. The neighbor who waves from across the yard. The friend who checks in at just the right time. The person who gives you space to breathe, think, or be yourself. Sometimes it’s even the person you didn’t expect to lean on, but did. And in those moments, you think, “I’m really thankful for you… even if you don’t know it.” Yesterday I felt that with my dad. Not in a dramatic, life-changing way — just in a real, grou...

Some mornings, I wake up with my coffee, three cozy dogs draped across me like furry accessories, and this gentle little thought sliding into my mind: “Let’s see what good shows up today.” Not necessarily money… not a giant windfall… just good fortune . A smooth day. A tiny surprise that makes me smile. A moment where life feels a little softer than usual. For me, manifesting isn’t always about “give me the big thing.” Sometimes it’s simply opening the door for the right things — calm, clarity, small joys, and the feeling that I’m aligned with the world instead of wrestling it. Over the years, I’ve realized something: When I stay open to good fortune — without forcing it, gripping it, or overthinking it — life tends to nudge me in the right direction. A gentle whisper rather than a dramatic parade. And honestly? Those tiny moments of alignment feel just as magical as the big stuff. So I’m curious… Is manifesting part of your life too? Do you: set intentions for your d...

Winter really doubled down this week. I cleared my sidewalks and patio around 4 p.m. yesterday, felt proud… and then woke up to another 2–3 inches of that heavy snow pretending to be fluffy. Iowa really said, “Do it again, Mychelle.” 😄 At least I wasn’t alone out there. Some mystery neighbor with a big two-stage snowblower swooped in and cleared the front sidewalk like a snow-removal superhero. No idea who it was — but if I ever find out, they’re getting a high five and maybe a cookie. Before tackling my own cleanup, I fed the birds. They were already waiting, fluffed up and judging me like, “Ma’am, where’s breakfast?” I swear they know my schedule better than I do. Once I stepped out onto the patio, I realized: Yep. This is the heavy stuff. The kind that makes you grateful for a snowblower that actually works. My Toro handled it like a champ — eco mode OFF, beast mode ON. Shoveling this? Not happening. All this snow has me thinking about summer tools already. Between the snowb...

Let’s be honest: deciding to make a big purchase is a whole emotional journey. Some people say they “sit down and crunch the numbers.” Me? I sit down, crunch a cookie, stare into space, and ask myself if this is how adulthood works. Here’s how most of us actually decide: Step 1: See something shiny. Step 2: Convince yourself you’re “just looking.” Step 3: Read reviews, watch three videos, and become a certified expert in the product within 20 minutes. Step 4: Say, “Well, I work hard…” at least once. Step 5: Go stare at your budget like it’s going to start speaking in tongues. Step 6: Ask the universe for a sign. Anything. A bird chirping. A coupon. A sudden warm breeze. Something. Step 7: Add it to your cart. Remove it. Add it again. Remove it again. Threaten it. Add it again. Step 8: Finally hit purchase because “life is short” and also because you’re tired of thinking about it. And listen — making a large money purchase doesn’t mean you’re reckless. It means y...

Some parents are difficult without even realizing it. Not cruel. Not hateful. Just… unintentionally poking at sore spots with comments like: “Are you sure you should be eating that?” “You’re really going to spend money on that?” “I’m just being honest!” Their words land heavier than they think, and suddenly you’re 12 years old again, trying to breathe through hurt feelings you didn’t ask for. So how do you handle it as an adult? Start by reminding yourself that most of their comments come from their habits, fears, and blind spots — not from anything you’re doing wrong. You don’t have to argue, defend, or explain your choices. A simple “I’m good, thanks,” or a topic change works wonders and protects your peace without creating a scene. Boundaries help, too. Deciding ahead of time what you’ll talk about, what you’ll ignore, and when you’ll take a step back keeps you from getting swept into old patterns. Sometimes limiting certain conversations — or shortening a visit — is...