TODAY I WILL:  

Let “no” be a full and complete sentence.

Grab your favorite protein snack, because today’s group chat is serving a full plate of convos.

• Saying goodbye to after-work drinks.

• Should we be getting our protein from celebs?

• The ADHD x money problems connection.

• The complexion factor we hadn’t considered.

• Parents do actually play favorites.

Make Changes, Your Way. 

A few years ago (and basically every January after), the 75 Hard challenge took the internet by storm. But the good news is, you don’t need 75 grueling days to overhaul your life so drastically to see positive results. Meet 75 Soft. The rules (also done for 75 days to encourage permanent change) are as follows:

• Eat well and limit alcohol to special occasions. You don’t need to follow a specific meal plan or hire a nutritionist, but try to prioritize getting enough to eat, incorporating protein and fiber to keep you fueled.

• Exercise for 45 minutes a day, with one day a week dedicated to active recovery. Choose an exercise that you actually enjoy, so this becomes a fun habit instead of a chore.

• Drink 3 liters of water daily. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

• Read 10 pages of any book each day. Consider alternating between a fiction book and a non-fiction book each day so you can get the best of both worlds.

There’s no penalty for missing one of the steps, and you don’t have to start the whole challenge over (like 75 Hard). Instead, you should try to get back on track and be gentle with yourself, understanding that real change takes time—and giving yourself grace. 

When the First Place Becomes the Gathering Place

With true third places becoming harder to come by, people are reworking the space they already have. Instead of bars, cafes, or communal hangouts, the home (aka the “first place”) is being rebranded as somewhere to gather, connect, and spend time together on purpose.

This is less about opting out of social life and more about adapting to what feels accessible, affordable, and emotionally easier right now.

Why Third Places Are Disappearing

Rising costs, overcrowding, shorter hours, and social burnout have made many traditional third places feel less welcoming or sustainable. Grabbing a drink out can turn expensive fast. Coffee shops are packed or laptop-hostile. Even casual dinners out require more planning and energy than they used to.

As a result, people are creating their own version of a third place within their homes.

How People Are Rebranding Home

This isn’t about formal hosting or playing entertainer. It’s casual, intentional, and repeatable.

• Tiny dinners with a capped guest list and minimal prep

• Themed movie nights with a set start time and shared pick

• Early-evening hangs that fit into real-life schedules

• Low-pressure invites where the space does the work

The goal is connection without chaos.

What This Shift Says About Social Life

Hosting at home offers control. Over the environment, the noise level, the guest list, and the energy. It allows people to show up as they are, leave when they need to, and build routines around socializing instead of treating it like an event.

Home is no longer just where plans end. It’s where they begin.

When Social Media Advice Crosses a Line

It feels like our algorithms know us. You’re tired, overwhelmed, and need to set work boundaries yesterday… and all of a sudden, you’re being served videos about “the best tips to get ahead in your career.” The tips sound clever, but the truth is that what plays well online doesn’t necessarily work well at the office. 

Trends like “quiet quitting,” for example, started as self-care, which turned into “quiet cracking.” And did any of it really pay off? Plus, that tip to use AI to read and respond to your emails for you? Realistically, a fast track way of sending the wrong message. 

The truth is that while social media can help to make you feel seen, your career deserves more than a peppy soundbite. You’re building something real, and the best way to do that is to engage. Burnt out? Try talking to your manager before you disengage. Ready to level up? The perfect time to connect with a mentor. Ditch the trends and take a more tailored approach to your life.