It’s on you to make your work suck less — Since I’ve started writing about young professionalism, I’ve been surprised by how many people have reached out wanting to talk about work. The dialogue goes something like this: “I’m overwhelmed! I thought WFH would bring some relief, but work continues to consume my life. But hey, we’re young. …

5. An unused guest bedroom in your apartment — I read Cheryl Strayed’s Wild recently. A memoir about a 26-year-old heartbroken, divorced, recovering heroin user who sought spiritual enlightenment on the Pacific Crest Trail. Like most twentysomethings braving the outdoors for the first time, she was overconfident and didn’t study how to properly pack for a 1,100-mile trek. …

Layoffs, heartbreak, bank failures. Remember this one thing when life gets bleak — In the winter of 1942, A Wisconsin kid named David Schreiner sat at his family’s kitchen table and journaled his “Rules for Life.” Never talk about anyone. Ambition. Always have drive. Regular habits of exercise. No smoking or drinking. Be more cheerful. Be more relaxed. David was a tight end…

My dream life turned into a nightmare — My first business venture failed miserably. I had it all figured out, too — that’s the scary part. As a senior in college, I started researching commercial real estate. I remember pulling up graphs in the school library illustrating the 10-year trajectory of commercial leasing. …

Southwest Airlines didn’t ruin my holiday, I did — Southwest airlines fucked me over. Christmas had ended. I desperately wanted to put 3,000 miles between me, my hometown, and my family. I needed to get the hell out of there. It was time to return to my youthful, carefree life in Austin. But because of Southwest’s scheduling software that…

There’s one common denominator among happy people At a Christmas party last week, I had an interesting conversation with an insanely happy and successful couple. I asked them about their morning routines. Why ask such a personal question? I don’t know, I’m obsessed with morning routines. I truly believe they…

An important life lesson from a Ryan Holiday TikTok — When I was 16, my dad told me I was born with a metaphorical Russian Roulette revolver aimed at my head. A curious thing to say to a teenager, but it was his way of driving home a point. Because of the history of alcoholism in my family, it was…

11. Don’t do it alone — None of us are supposed to have a creative side hustle. Society prefers people who give 100% effort to their day jobs and use their limited free time to shop at Target or gamble on NFL games. …

The second your idea leaves your hand, it’s no longer yours — History nearly missed out on Emily Dickinson. We know her name now — a name made even more famous by Hailee Steinfeld’s portrayal on Apple+, but she was unknown during her time on earth. She lived an enigmatic life and preferred her own company to others. The children in Amherst…