how to answer the question “what do you do?” without boozing, sleazing, or wanting to die (part 2)
The holidays are upon us, and you know what that means…huge dinners, road trips, and meeting new people at parties! I got a jumpstart on family visits when I drove to New Jersey to celebrate my birthday. We went into NYC and saw An American in Paris on Broadway! My sister and …
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How to answer the question “What do you do?” without boozing, sleazing, or wanting to die (part 1)
Picture this: You’re standing at a holiday party, bopping along to a festive playlist and piling bleu cheese onto butterfly-shaped butter crackers. You feel FANTASTIC. Maybe it’s the candlelight, the rum punch, or your cute velvet dress. Who knows? Who cares? (Side note: Velvet is BACK, according to teen.com. Since …
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Sneaky writing habits that zap your authority
Remember when you were 2.25 years old and you cuddled on the couch with your mom? You both stared at a picture book splayed out in your lap, and she pointed to an illustration and asked, “What animal is that?” “DEER!” you shouted, beaming. And your mom smiled back. Or …
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“What do you want to do with your life?” 3 ways to answer the world’s worst question
It’s the nightmare inquiry made of every soon-to-graduate liberal arts major in America. The niggling worry of every newly committed entrepreneur. The unscratchable itch burning every person who hits upper tiers in Maslow’s hierarchy. “What do you want to do with your life?” The question sounds harmless when posed by …
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The Perks of Being an Outcast in Middle School
I’ll never forget the look on Amy’s face when she stopped me in the school hallway and said, “Congrats on winning Most Original. You really deserve it.” Amy (not her real name) was one of the cool kids. Even though we were both in 8th grade, she was a woman: …
Read MoreBrand You is timeless. Here’s a writing prompt to help you define it.
I was 18 the day my friend Alex stood at one end of the pharmacy aisle, looking at me and fidgeting with the trim of his official(ly hideous) CVS-issued vest. When I finally noticed he was staring, I paused my careful arrangement of Vitamin C bottles on the crowded shelf. …
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