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  • I’ve been lying to you

    I’ve been lying to you

    If you’re friends with people who live on different continents, you’re probably aware of the existence of the formal, quarterly-ish Catch-up call™. Both parties commit to talking to each other on video for an hour or so so as not to rely on Instagram story replies and sending memes as the only communication method…

  • The 3 Phrases of Making a Major (or Minor) Life Change

    The 3 Phrases of Making a Major (or Minor) Life Change

    This title has been borrowed and altered slightly from Harvard Business Review‘s The 3 Phases of Making a Major Life Change. I’m in awe of the sheer number of people thinking at this exact moment about changing their lives. From this stranger near me spending her Saturday morning alone in a coffee shop, taking…

  • Boundaries and starting over: Haircuts & blood samples

    Boundaries and starting over: Haircuts & blood samples

    What do they sprinkle on new beginnings to make them so intoxicating?! Nothing acts as a catalyst of change more than a new start: birthdays, New Years, moving houses, new jobs. You have the power to change your life at any time, but “I’ll stop smoking in the new year” or “I’m gonna start…

  • Becoming you

    Becoming you

    Dear café, I’m back! You may not remember me. A decade has passed since the last time I was here. You may also not remember me because you’re a coffee shop, not a living, breathing being with the ability to remember. You can’t even read this article. I digress. Last time we met, I…

  • Six solo eating reflections

    Six solo eating reflections

    Hi. It feels like a long time has passed since the last time I was here. I’ve been quasi-actively trying to remove filler words like “I think” and “honestly” and “it feels like,” but I had to specify that it only feels like it. I write on the first Sunday of every month. This…

  • Less in Paris

    Less in Paris

    “On the run from a drug deal gone bad, brilliant college dropout Mike Ross finds himself working with Harvey Specter, one of New York City’s best lawyers.” That’s Suits, one of my favorite TV shows, according to the IMDb synopsis. A moment in Season 8, Episode 15 really stuck with me. It was a…

  • A guide: What to post on social media when something terrible just happened

    A guide: What to post on social media when something terrible just happened

    photo by me, Sarandë, Albania Trigger warning: Studies have found that trigger warnings do not work. Still, if you’ve experienced trauma and were further traumatized by the shocking lack of support by the people around you (parents, friends, strangers in the street that heard you screaming and did nothing), and if this is something relatively new you’re dealing…

  • How I take notes (4 apps, 5 journals, 12 angry men)

    How I take notes (4 apps, 5 journals, 12 angry men)

    No angry men in here, I just had the strong urge to include that in the title. Watch the movie if you haven’t, there’s a reason it has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s very early and I’m at one of my favorite places, Tirana’s artificial lake. Granted, I don’t find it amusing…

  • Lies, Albania, and online reviews

    Lies, Albania, and online reviews

    I found a new sushi place I really liked. I was almost fighting the urge to leave them a positive review mentioning their fantastic customer service skills, punctuality, delicious food, cleanliness, and their chic, elegant restaurant decor. The day before this, my partner and I returned to this healthy food place we liked. This…