You’ve done the work. You’ve set the boundaries. Your phone doesn’t buzz with work emails after 6 p.m. You’ve curated your social media feeds into spaces of inspiration rather than comparison. You say "no" to protect your energy and your time. By all accounts, you are a master of the healthy boundary. And yet, you feel a deep, persistent pull to simply… disconnect. Not just for an hour, but for a day, a weekend, maybe even longer.

In an age of deep political divides, we’re often encouraged to retreat into our own echo chambers. We curate our social media feeds, our news sources, and sometimes even our friendships to align with our own viewpoints. So, it’s understandable to feel a jolt of anxiety at the thought that the person you share your most vulnerable thoughts with—your therapist—might have voted differently than you in the last election.

We've all heard the advice, likely dispensed during a moment of frustration or injustice: "Just be the bigger person." It's presented as the pinnacle of maturity, a way to rise above, maintain dignity, and perhaps even teach the other party a lesson in grace.

Scroll, scroll, tap. Another perfectly filtered sunset from a beach you're not on. A video montage of an event you didn't attend. A triumphant post about a project completed while you feel stuck in neutral. That familiar little pang hits – maybe a twinge of jealousy, maybe a surge of anxiety – fcking FOMO!

In our hyper-connected, productivity-obsessed world, there's immense pressure to always be doing.

In our increasingly polarized world, it's almost inevitable: you'll find yourself sitting across from a friend or family member, a person you genuinely care about, and realize you're on completely opposite sides of a political or religious chasm. You might even find yourself questioning, "Can we still be friends?"

Travel. It's romanticized, filtered, and often presented as a seamless montage of breathtaking landscapes and effortless cultural immersion. But the truth, as any seasoned traveler knows, is far more complex, and often, far more rewarding.

Let's ditch the sugar coating. Travel isn't always sunshine and gelato.

In a world that is constantly clamoring for our attention, it can be difficult to find moments of peace and quiet. But sometimes, the best way to find clarity and understanding is to simply say less (it's been hard for me to learn this lesson, I'm Cuban). But I've learned that sometimes, when someone says "oh look Puff the Magic Dragon is in the sky," I respond with "make sure to say hello for me!"