Image by Luma Candles of Unsplash There’s nothing like lighting your favorite candle after a long day, whether it’s the comforting warmth of vanilla or the crisp, spa-like notes of eucalyptus. Candles have become a staple in self-care routines, home decor, and even wellness practices. But what if that soothing scent is doing more harm than good? In recent years, the conversation around “clean” products has extended far beyond food and skincare into the world of home fragrance. The term “clean scent” now appears on more and more candle labels, but what does it actually mean? And more importantly, can…

Image by Billy Freeman of Unsplash Streaming used to be simple. You curled up with your favorite show on Netflix, hit “next episode,” and settled into the kind of binge-watch culture that defined the 2010s. But recently, a quiet shift has been happening in how Americans consume long-form content. More people, especially younger viewers, are turning away from subscription-based giants like Netflix in favor of something a little more raw, a little more accessible, and often, a lot more real: YouTube documentaries. At first, it might sound like a downgrade. Why trade sleek, million-dollar Netflix productions for homemade videos on…

Image by Rachel Park of Unsplash In the rush of modern life, breakfast has become an easy sacrifice. Whether you’re running late for work, committed to intermittent fasting, or simply trying to cut down on food expenses, skipping breakfast has quietly become the norm for many Americans. After all, skipping that $7 smoothie or egg sandwich a few times a week can feel like a win for your budget. But while your wallet might be benefiting, your brain could be paying the price. More and more research is pointing to the critical role breakfast plays in mental clarity, memory retention,…

Smart doorbells have become a must-have in the modern home. With just a tap on your smartphone, you can see who’s at your door, chat with delivery drivers, or monitor package theft in real time. Brands like Ring, Nest, and Eufy have turned simple doorbells into sleek surveillance systems, promising peace of mind through cutting-edge technology. But as these devices become more widespread, so do the questions surrounding them, particularly when it comes to privacy, consent, and legality. Are smart doorbells truly making neighborhoods safer? Or could they be blurring legal lines in ways that might land well-meaning users in…

We’re conditioned to believe that sleep is the ultimate cure for exhaustion. And while getting a solid eight hours is undeniably essential for physical health, many people wake up feeling just as tired as when they went to bed. Why? Because not all tiredness is solved with sleep. Your brain, which is constantly processing, planning, reacting, and creating, needs more than just physical rest. It craves deeper, more nuanced kinds of restoration. And if you’re feeling unfocused, irritable, creatively blocked, or emotionally drained, you may be missing out on exactly the type of rest your mind is silently begging for.…

Image by Luca Onniboni of Unsplash Typewriters clicking in a modern coffee shop may seem like a contradiction. But lately, you might find a young adult sipping an iced oat milk latte while pounding away on a vintage Smith-Corona. At first glance, it feels like performance art or another Instagram aesthetic. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find something more meaningful—something that says a lot about Gen Z’s relationship with technology, identity, and creativity. The return of the typewriter isn’t just quirky nostalgia. It’s a quiet rebellion against constant connectivity and an embrace of slower, more intentional living. So…

Image by Alexandra Maria of Pexels The phrase “high maintenance” has become a casual insult, especially aimed at women who enjoy a certain lifestyle, appearance, or level of care. But beneath that label is often a deeper misunderstanding: it’s not that she’s asking for too much. It’s that you haven’t accounted for what she values and whether you can or want to afford it. When we call someone “high maintenance,” we usually mean they require more time, effort, or money than we think is reasonable. But whose standards are we measuring against? And more importantly, why is that always framed…

Image by Ivan Samkov of Pexels There was a time when renting was seen as a temporary stepping stone—a financial necessity for young people on their way to “real” adulthood, aka homeownership. But today, many couples with steady incomes, good credit, and enough savings to afford a down payment are actively choosing to rent. Not because they can’t buy, but because they don’t want to. It may sound backward to previous generations, but the trend is real. More couples are weighing the emotional, financial, and lifestyle pros and cons of homeownership and realizing that renting can offer more freedom, flexibility,…

It’s not as though we weren’t warned. Everything Trump Touches Dies: A Republican Strategist Gets Real About the Worst President Ever. That was published in 2018. This was published a few days after Trump won, digesting Timothy Snyder’s warning: Is Trump trying to kill us? Authoritarian expert says yes. Here’s how. (Professor Snyder has since moved to Canada.) Yesterday, The Economist gave us The Age of Chaos:  How Trump’s Incoherent Trade Policy Will Do Lasting Damage. Just a few months ago, The Economist dubbed our economy “the envy of the world.” Because — despite its problems — it was. And here we are today with The Third-Worlding…

Image by Anna Nekrashvich of Unsplash Becoming a content creator looks like a dream job. You’re your own boss, you get paid to post online, and people send you free stuff. What’s not to love? But behind the filters and edited videos is a job that demands time, money, mental stamina, and relentless consistency. Before you quit your 9-to-5 or launch your first video, it’s worth asking: what does it really cost to be a content creator—and is the investment worth the payoff? Startup Costs Are Higher Than You Think At first glance, content creation seems like something you can…