From Idea to Action: Starting a New Project When You’re Overthinking Everything

The Myth of the Perfect Start

If you’re the type of person who has 1,039 ideas but never takes the plunge – this one’s for you!

Waiting for the “right time” is usually just fear in disguise. You don’t need clarity, confidence, or even competence to start something meaningful.

Screw perfection – Start now. Fuck shit up. Fix it later.

Know What You’re Chasing

Use the Japanese idea of Ikigai as your compass :

What do you love?
What are you good at? (Or willing to get good at.)
What could make money or even support you financially?
What does the world (or your world) need more of?

Don’t aim for a perfect life plan – aim for a starting point that feels aligned. What do you want to try?

From Vibe to Vision (The Idea to Reality Map)

Step 1 : The Idea. Jot it down, doodle it, whatever – Turn the abstract into something.
Step 2 : The Pre-Screen. Ask yourself :
- How will this benefit me?
- Who else would benefit?
- What sparked this idea?
- What’s the best case scenario?
- How bad do I want this? (1-10)
  - If it’s a 7+, GO FOR IT! If not, ditch it guilt-free.
Step 3 : Brainstorm & break down into actionable planning tiers :
- Monthly : big research, tools, skills; break it down into the smallest steps possible
- Weekly : pick 2-3 small actions from monthly tasks
- Daily : 10-20 minutes of movement = momentum

Use the “5 Whys” to Crush Fear & Find Truth

According to Ryder Carroll in “The Bullet Journal Method”, designers at Toyota have been using the following exercise for decades to get to the root of problems.

Identify a problem. Answer why it’s a problem. Answer why that’s a problem. And so on.

For example :

Problem – I’m afraid to start.

Why? Because I might fail.

Why? Because I haven’t practiced.

Why? Because I haven’t started.

Why? …oh.

This method forces clarity. It hurts in all the best ways.

Channel Your Inner Cato (Or Whoever You Admire)

Cato didn’t wait for applause. He practiced discomfort, led by example, and acted.

Who do you admire, who’s doing what you want to do?

What are they doing, and how can you do that in your own unique ways?

What would they do? (They’d just fucking do the things.)

Build in Public, Brand Organically

There’s no need to look polished right out the gate – all brands evolve. Share the mess, and let people watch you grow – we should all inspire each other, don’t you think?

I’ve done it twice!

I thought being a reseller would be fun (& it was at first). So I did a little research, got the supplies I needed, & spent a few years selling stuff online. I learned that it wasn’t nearly as hard as I’d built it up to be in my head once I was actually doing it. In time, it became almost effortless!

zen BLITZ started as a jewelry shop online. Why? I have no idea LOL! I had fun making stuff, & hubby told me to try selling it. I hated it, but I never gave up my brand. And here we are now, doing the things I enjoy (writing & creating digital products) & growing by the day!

Use the 20 Minute Rule to Make Big Decisions Easy

I read a fun newsletter from Ali Abdaal, where he expanded on an idea from Tim Ferriss.

Create a hypothesis. “I think I might want to…”
Run a “minimum viable experiment”. Write a post. Launch a landing page. Try it for 20 minutes a day for 2 weeks.

Learn fast. Adjust faster. Don’t bet your life – just test the water.

The Only Thing You Need : Action

Perfection is procrastination in a fancier outfit. Take one weird, ugly, probably wrong step. Then another. And another. Momentum leads to mastery.

If it sucks, GOOD! That means you’re making progress.

You’re Required to Start Small & Weird

Forget polished. If you’re excited, you’re already ready. Just start.

You can be a professional witch, digital punk, homeschooler entrepreneur, or whatever wild idea you’ve got.

Burn your idea of “the right way” and build a new one.

You don’t need to be sure. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to begin.

🔥 Got a wild idea simmering? Leave a comment, share your dream, or DM me what you’re finally starting.

Subscribe here for more anti-fluff fuel & creative rebellion tips every week. Let’s make shit happen.

Rock on!

How to Manifest Without the Woo: A Real-World Guide for Rebels

Uncategorized

Manifestation…But Make It Punk

Here’s my rally cry to my fellow weirdos, skeptics, overthinkers, & black sheep dreamers who want more out of life but refuse to vision board it with a fake smile & a $6 latte. The word “manifesting” itself might sound like glitter & girlbossing – but fuck all that.

This isn’t about fake positivity & mood boards, or waiting on the universe like it’s Uber Eats. True manifestation is about clarity, commitment, & creation, not crystals & vibes. It’s about owning what you want, & doing the work to get it.

“Manifesting sounds silly, but it’s real.” – Darius Foroux

Manifestation = Focus, Not Magic

You don’t need rituals directed to the spirits of the universe or a woke third eye – just a decision & a direction. All manifestation really means is putting your energy toward something specific instead of letting it leak everywhere.

It’s clarity & consistent action. That’s it. You don’t even have to believe in yourself to begin, you just have to start. Confidence is the result, not the starting requirement.

Daydream With Purpose

The “misfit” version of manifestation isn’t about pretending things are already perfect, it’s about getting honest about what you want. Let yourself imagine your wild, weird, perfect life shit – that’s your target.

Ask yourself:

What do I keep fantasizing about?
What kind of day do I want to wake up to?
If no one were watching, what would I create?

The Misfit Manifestation Method

Here’s the no-frills, anti-fairy-dust game plan :

Step 1 : Choose ONE thing. Don’t try to manifest everything – start with one goal. Money? Energy? Space to create? You’ll gain momentum once you start.
Step 2 : Make a rough plan. It doesn’t need to be a 90-day strategic breakdown. Just…what can you do today? What needs to happen this week? Even a messy plan beats waiting for the planets to align in your favor.
Step 3 : Do the stuff. Show up. Make the call. Post the thing. Build the system. Learn the tool. Action builds belief, not the other way around.
Step 4 : Adjust, don’t quit. If it’s not working, then whatever. Tweak it. Pivot. Realign. Your goals are supposed to evolve. Just don’t ghost yourself when it gets uncomfortable.

Why “Believing in Yourself” is Overrated

It’s normal to lack confidence when you start anything – how else can you learn?

Action builds confidence. Every time you show up, you grow. Stronger regret comes from what you didn’t do, not from trying & shifting course as needed.

Rebel Energy & Relentless Faith

You’re not here to live a quiet, tiny life full of half-finished dreams. And you don’t need perfect clarity or inner peace to begin – you need grit, vision, & the willingness to try.

Daydream. Focus. Act. Adjust. Repeat.

Manifest like a misfit & create the weird, wild life you were made for.

You don’t need a vision board. You need a spine, a soul, & a reason.

If this fired you up, share it with a fellow misfit who’s tired of waiting for signs and ready to make moves. Let’s manifest like we mean it — no glitter required.

🖤 Want more no-fluff self-help for rebels? Subscribe to my newsletter and never miss a hit of clarity. Next week we’ll take this to the next level!!

Rock on!

How to Use Novelty to Feel More Alive Every Day

Uncategorized

Routines Are Great…Until They’re Not

Routines can be sacred. Especially if you’re a homeschooling parent, productivity junkie, or even just trying to survive.

But even the most solid system can become a cage if you never step outside of it – “Don’t let your rituals become ruts”.

Novelty Slows Down Time

While structure is great, so is knowing when to burn it down for a day or two.

I was reminded by Ali Abdaal’s “Holiday Paradox” video that our sense of time flies by when every day looks the same because our brains switch into autopilot.

But when you experience something new, your brain takes more mental “snapshots”, making time feel longer, fuller, richer.

“Life is long if you know how to use it.” – Seneca

Give Your Brain a Jolt (On Purpose)

Schedule regular adventures, & treat them like an appointment you’ll get arrested for if you miss.

You don’t have to get too crazy or too rigid about it – it could be a random Tuesday hike, working from a grocery store cafe, or even a spontaneous dance party in the kitchen.

The point is to get weird on purpose. Let your brain break the pattern. Novelty naturally makes you more creative, resilient, & present.

The Power of a “Fuck It” Day

I’ve mentioned my “Do Nothing Days” before – once a week, I give myself full permission to say “fuck it” to my whole routine. And it’s a breath of fresh air!

So skip the lesson plan, leave the dishes, & toss your planner out the window (metaphorically).

These days are to recalibrate your spirit, & remind you that you’re not a robot.

Flexibility is Strength

While routines can help us thrive, adaptability keeps us alive.

Don’t let your days blur into one big beige loop. Add some neon. Smash a routine or two. And if you try it this week — I wanna hear about it! Let’s swap weird ideas in the comments.

✨If this post sparked something, hit like, share it with your people, and subscribe to zen BLITZ (my weekly newsletter) for more unconventional ways to stay human.✨

You’re not a robot. Rock on.

Screw the Bland Diet : A No-BS Approach to Lowering Cholesterol Without Losing Your Mind

Uncategorized

The Wake Up Call : Why I’m Even Talking About This

A couple of weeks ago, I went and got my annual lab work done for my PCP. Unexpectedly, I got a call from one of the nurses letting me know my cholesterol levels are a bit elevated—she said, ”Heart healthy diet & exercise, and follow-up lipid panel in six months.” And that’s literally it. That was the whole conversation.

My father had cardiovascular issues, and as his primary caregiver I already knew how to approach a “heart healthy diet” and whatnot. If I didn’t, I’d be freaking out. (Which is one of many reasons why I loathe the current state of the American “healthcare” system, but that’s a rant for another day. Don’t be afraid to ask questions — your health team works for you.) So, the information in this post is based on past and current research. While I do have some healthcare education and experience, I am not a doctor and this article is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice. I just want to share what I’ve learned and how I’m approaching this situation.

Bite Sized Explanation – LDL vs non-HDL Cholesterol

Both of these were noted as “high” in my lab report, which means my overall cholesterol levels are considered elevated.

LDL cholesterol refers to one specific type of lipoprotein, while non-HDL cholesterol refers to “all potentially harmful cholesterol particles in the blood”.

In other words, LDL is like the reckless driver and non-HDL is a full report of all the troublemakers in the area. HDL is the good guy.

I’m choosing empowerment over panic – I’ve been wanting to improve my physical health game, and this is just a nudge to level up!

Cholesterol Isn’t Evil, But You Might Be Eating Like An Asshole

(I know I’ve been!)

The real villains are saturated and trans fats (not cholesterol itself), so check your nutrition labels accordingly. Everything in moderation.

Simple dietary swaps won’t ruin your life –

Instead of butter & cream > use olive oil or avocado
Instead of fatty meats & processed snacks > go for leaner proteins (chicken, salmon, legumes) & whole foods (fresh fruits & veggies)
Instead of hard cheeses > try softer, less processed options (like feta)
Instead of having coffee with your creamer (lol) > sip on black coffee (you’ll get the same kick!)

Foods that actively help :

Soluble fiber (oats, beans, fruits) sweeps away cholesterol like a janitor listening to the Dead Kennedys
Foods fortified with plant sterols & stanols. (What the hell are those you ask? Me too!) Apparently these naturally occurring plant chemicals reduce absorption of dietary cholesterol in the body, but they’re found in such small amounts in the plants themselves that some food manufacturers will fortify certain (often high caloric) foods with them. They can also be found in supplements. (Just drink some OJ, eat some nuts & seeds, and…don’t eat like an asshole?)

Move Like You Mean It

Exercise isn’t just for getting shredded – it raises HDL (good) cholesterol and improves heart health.

You don’t need a gym membership – walking, dancing, lifting your kid 600 times a day all count. The key is to find some movement that doesn’t bore you to death – skateboarding, hiking, karate – whatever keeps you coming back!

I’m pretty fond of Juice & Toya on YouTube – they use fun music, different routines & moves in each video, and there’s plenty to choose from!

Vices & Fixes : Smoking, Vaping, & Stress

Smoking is an HDL killer – so quitting gives your good cholesterol a boost! And studies have shown that vaping isn’t a loophole (damn.) – it has similar effects as smoking. Both stress out your liver (which regulates cholesterol), cause inflammation, & expose your body to more toxins than you already do just by being alive. So stop it (I’m yelling at myself here.)

Psychological stress & cholesterol are BFFs too (& not in a good way). Practice stoicism or selective apathy, meditate, or just scream into the void – find a way to decompress.

Genetics : Are You Screwed At Birth?!?

Yes, but no. Genetics do play a role (40-60% of HDL levels are inherited). Your lifestyle is more important though – you can outmaneuver your DNA.

Your Body, Your Rules : The (Punk Rock) Experiment

Instead of blindly following health advice, track what actually works for you. On Notion, I keep a daily health log that includes dietary goals, exercise tracking, a food log, & room for reflection.

Start small, & reduce your misery :

Swap one bad habit at a time
Experiment with food, movement, & stress management
Get labwork redone periodically & see what helps

Own Your Health Without Losing Your Edge

Lowering cholesterol doesn’t mean selling out – you can take control without becoming a health obsessed robot. It’s more about balance than restriction. Don’t eat like a jerk, move your ass, & chill the fuck out. Just like any other goal or habit – plan some stuff, test it out, keep track, reflect, & pivot as needed. Find what works, & screw the rest.

✊ If this fired you up in a good way, give it a share, hit “like,” and don’t forget to sign up for my weekly newsletter zen BLITZ — where punk meets practical and we figure out this whole health/life thing without losing our edge.

Rock on!

Where I’m At #8

Where I'm At

“All I want for Easter is my 2 front teeth” 😂

“Where I’m at” posts are just regular updates about what’s going on, based on the areas / roles in my life. Any particular goals I’m working on will be highlighted, so you can easily see what I’m actively working on improving. Leave a comment & give me ideas for things you’d like to see me write individual posts about!

planner : I SOO want to do a BuJo again, & it just doesn’t make any sense lol! I use my blog BuJo, but I miss setting up daily pages for my life – adding stickers & washi, & just having a linear notebook. It’s such a waste of time & money though. Notion has been rocking my world for like a year now lol. Anyway, I’m planning for BooBoo’s 6th birthday – I hope she has fun!! Our little tea party this past month was cute & fun (& I found out I’m gonna be a step grandma! Omfg!! 😭) And I really need to plan a concert or 2 this summer – it’s been too long (last show I went to was Flogging Molly in 2019 😭)!
self (body & mind, emotion & education) : Well, I’ve been on a pretty interesting DIY diet & doing more intentional exercise, & it’s all been going pretty well (as far as I can tell) – I feel better, overall. (Stay tuned for my next post to see why I’m going crazy with it now, heh.) I set up a class that I’ve been taking with ChatGPT on various topics within Stoicism, Buddhism, & psychology, & I’ve been loving every second of it!
marriage (relationship & libido) : All’s pretty good hehe. We’re both working on being more intentional with our time together. I got my wedding rings resized, & so I’m super excited to be able to wear them all the time again!!!
mom (BooBoo & Bubby) : The girls are good! Both are super excited to get outside more!
teacher (K & PK) : School’s been chugging along. They both love science & art. Bubby’s doctor agrees that she’s probably dyslexic, so I need to have her tested with the school soon – Hubby’s dyslexic, so he’s been working with her to identify letters more ❤️
zB : I’m loving writing this blog! 🥰 I started a weekly newsletter (sign up here!), & I’m hoping to expand it a bit in the future, but I’m glad I’ve got it started hehe. I’m working on my social media strategy this month, but I’m a bit behind because I needed to write an extra post for the month heh. That’s ok though – “Throw the timeline out the window, it’ll take what it takes!”
homemaker (finance, cleaning, gardening, prepping, travel) : Uh… All’s pretty good! Lots of cleaning to do, but at least I’m keeping up with maintenance fairly well heh. I’ve decided to say fuck it to the garden this year; hubby can do what he wants, if he wants. Same with travel – I’ll wait til our bus is ready to camp in before I bother to start making plans.

Currently

eating : Vegetables LOL

drinking : black coffee ☕

watching : Echoes seems pretty interesting. Younger is still a favorite! Alpha Males has been pretty funny!

reading : Everything is Fucked by Mark Manson

playing : Nothing, really

buying : Birthday gifts for BooBoo, & Pair Eyewear (I’m excited – hopefully they’re not too dorky hehe)

listening to : “Wish I Knew You” by The Revivalists, “Revolution Radio” by Green Day, & “Burritos” by Sublime are current favorites

celebrating : BooBoo!!

pinning : Green Day, exercise, fashion, & food

planning : BooBoo’s bday

feeling : Ok. My back’s been bothering me a lot though 😕

From Burnout to Bliss: Build a Life That Fuels You

Uncategorized

The Problem : Your Life Feels Like a Hamster Wheel

Hustle culture sells burnout as a sign of success. Working for the escape of the weekend every week, and for what? To play it on repeat for half a century?

You don’t need an escape – You need a life you don’t want to escape from!

What if you could live a life that felt good today — not decades from now?

Redefine What Success Actually Means To You

Success is a life that feels like freedom. Granted, we all have to pay the bills and consider future savings (hot tip: some online high-interest savings accounts still pay 4% APY or higher!), but is that what success looks like? Hell no.

Pillars of a meaningful life :

Job : a bread and butter bill payer that doesn’t suck the life out of you
Passion : Ikigai, what fuels you (Ikigai is a Japanese concept that combines what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can get paid for. What fires you up? What could you chase even without a paycheck?)
Adventure : experiences that keep life interesting

The way to feel more successful? Infuse more life into your life. You’re gonna regret wasting away on the couch every weekend when life’s clock starts ticking louder.

Design a Life You Love, On Purpose

What would your days look like if you didn’t have to work? (Make that your baseline.)
Borrow from Olly Staniland’s “Dopamine Journal” :
- Plan and schedule adventures, big or small
- Reflect on what truly brings you joy, and adjust accordingly
“Fit more lives into the time you have” (Darius Foroux)
- Don’t just exist – Live a handful of lives before you’re done

The zenBLITZ Formula (Because Balance Matters)

Rejuvenating leisure (zen) : Rest, mindfulness, journaling, deep conversations, long walks
Exciting action (BLITZ) : Adventures, spontaneous plans, learning cool shit
Plan, experiment, reflect, and adjust – And keep fucking going.

The Punk Rock Life Design Manifesto

Don’t grind your life into something you want to escape from, and stop waiting for vacation time to feel alive.

Create a life where the everyday is enough — and the future is even better.

Hustle culture won’t design your dream life. You will. Subscribe for weekly doses of rebellion-fueled self-help.

If you liked this post, please give it a “like”, & share it with your friends.

Rock on!

Spring Cleaning For Your Mind : Dump the Junk and Reset Your Mindset

Uncategorized

Your Brain is Hoarding Trash : Time to Take It Out!

Your mind can get like a messy room – cluttered with random junk, half thoughts, and emotional dust bunnies. If you let it linger, just like environmental clutter, it can drain your focus, energy, and sanity. It’s spring – let’s tidy that shit!

Step 1 : Braindump the Chaos

Get a piece of paper (or five) and purge every single thought, worry, or task onto the page. Don’t do this digitally – it’ll be much more cathartic if you make it a physical list.

Now go through each item and ask, “Does this matter? Why am I holding onto this?” If there’s no good reason, and it really doesn’t matter, toss it.

Spend a few minutes afterward in mindful meditation to help you reset.

Step 2 : Cut the Energy Vampires

Energy monitoring. Keep track of what (or who) leaves you feeling energized vs exhausted. If it consistently drains you, unsubscribe.
Regrets and “what ifs”. Living in the past is like keeping rotten food in the fridge – Toss it!
Guilt and obligation that isn’t yours. Not your problem? Drop it!
Toxic relationships. Some mental clutter comes from people draining the life out of you. If they harshen your vibe, cut them out.
Self-doubt and imposter syndrome. If it’s not making you better, it’s weighing you down.
Mindless distractions and doomscrolling. Don’t let the algorithm dictate your mental real estate. If it doesn’t add value to your life, it’s a distraction.
Embrace minimalism in mind. If a thought, relationship, or commitment isn’t a “hell yes!”, it’s a “fuck no!”

Set hard boundaries, and stick to them – No apologies, no guilt. What needs to be cleared away so that you have room to grow?

Step 3 : Hit the “Reset” Button on Your Mindset

Sometimes a deep reflection can help you evaluate where you are vs where you want to be.

Sometimes you just need a kick in the ass. Here are some quick reset ideas :

Cold shower : Shocks you into a different mindset
Brisk walk : Moves stagnant energy out of your body
Powerful affirmations : Repeat something that actually hits (not just “I am strong”, but more like “fuck it!”)

Keep Your Mental Space Clean (Or At Least Less Messy)

Decluttering isn’t a one-time thing – make it a daily habit! Your mind should be a place you enjoy, not a cluttered attic full of ghosts and rabid mice. If a thought, habit, or person isn’t paying rent for your mental real estate, evict them immediately.

Any “quick reset” ideas? Drop them in the comments below!

If you liked this post, please give it a “like”, share it with friends, and subscribe if you’re new.

Rock on!

Bullet Journaling to Improve Your Life (Because Your Memory Sucks)

Uncategorized

Your Biggest Enemy is an Uncontrolled Mind

Your thoughts are scattered. Your emotions run amok. Your memory? Unreliable at best. Enter – the Bullet Journal Method.

Bullet Journaling isn’t just a planner – it’s a mental command center that helps you track, process, and problem-solve.

And when everything seems to suck, it can help remind you that it really doesn’t – you just tend to forget the good stuff.

What Bullet Journaling Really Is (And Isn’t)

Contrary to popular belief, the Bullet Journal Method wasn’t meant to be a DIY planner system. It’s a tool for mindfulness, clarity, and reflection.

Also contrary – You don’t need any fancy layouts – Just a pen, notebook (analog is key!), and whatever elements work for you.

Some people even use two notebooks alongside each other – a portable pocket notebook for on the go, and a larger journal for deep dives.

Core BuJo Elements That Actually Improve Your Life

Basic system and symbols. Keep it functional – tasks, events, notes, & feelings.
Daily highlights and/or gratitude. Negativity bias is real (your brain overlooks the good to protect you from the bad) – combat it by tracking your wins, even small ones. (Bonus points if you turn your highlight log into relevant song or show titles!)
Habit trackers. When motivation wanes, proof of progress will encourage you to practice discipline & resilience.
Braindumps & freewriting. Mental decluttering = less stress and better focus (more on that next week!)
Goal reflections. Are you moving toward the life you want? (More on that in a couple weeks!)
Interstitial journaling. Practice mindfulness by taking a pause throughout your day to log your real-life moments in real time (who, what, where). Your future self will thank you.

There’s Always a Way to Deal With It : BuJo Problem Solving

Instead of freaking out, work through it using these prompts:

What’s bothering you? (Name it.)
Why is it bothering you? (Dig deeper.)
Do you have control over it?
1. Yes? Brainstorm real solutions, then create a mini action plan.
2. No? How can you reframe your perspective and reactions? Control what you can.

Get Your Mind Under Control

Bullet Journaling isn’t about being organized just for the hell of it – it’s about taking control of your thoughts, actions, and emotions. You can’t trust your brain to remember everything or to be rational in every moment.

Write it down. Track what matters. Improve your life.

Have a favorite bullet journaling hack? Drop it in the comments!

If you liked this post, please give it a “like”, share it with friends, and subscribe if you’re new.

And here’s a couple related things I’ve found interesting lately :

An article about reflections in your Bullet Journal

A video with a helpful explanation of daily logging / interstitial journaling

Rock on!

How to Make an Emergency Binder (Without the Doomsday Vibes)

Uncategorized

Why Everyone Needs an Emergency Binder (Yes, Even You)

The only constant in life is change.

Unexpected curveballs—family emergencies, natural disasters, financial setbacks—can throw everything into chaos. The smartest thing you can do? Minimize that chaos before it happens.

If something happened to me, my husband would be completely lost. That’s why I put together an emergency binder. It’s like a cheat sheet for life’s worst-case scenarios.

Imagine having everything important in one place, ready to grab when shit hits the fan…

Keep It Simple, Stay Sane

You don’t have to go full doomsday prepper unless you want to (here’s an extreme version if you’re feeling extra). But for most of us, the key is only collecting the essentials. Overcomplicating it just makes it less likely you’ll ever finish.

What to Include

Pro tip: Build it in stages! Start small and add as you go.

📝 Personal Information: Birth certificates, IDs, Social Security cards, marriage licenses, death certificates, medical records

🏡 Home & Financial Info: Usernames and passwords, mortgage/rent documents, deeds, car titles/payments, insurance policies (home, medical, auto, life), bill list with due dates, investment info

🩺 Health Records: Allergies, medications, primary doctor contacts, important medical devices (pacemakers, etc.)

📞 Emergency Contacts: Family, neighbors, local emergency services

⛑ Survival & Reference Info: I like the Doomsday Preppers Survival Guide because it’s thorough without going full bunker mode. But having any physical survival guide is smart.

Digital vs. Physical: What’s Best?

A digital copy is accessible anywhere, but let’s be real—storing all your sensitive info in the cloud (even encrypted) feels risky.

My ideal setup? A physical binder stored in a fireproof safe, with a secure USB backup inside.

That way, you have both digital and hard copies, but you control access.

Keeping It Updated (Without Overcomplicating It)

Set a reminder once or twice a year to review and update your binder. For small, temporary changes, use sticky notes—just swap them out as needed!

Make It Personal (Because You’ll Actually Use It That Way)

Use bold colors or labeled tabs
Create custom covers for each section
Name your binder something fun (Apocalypse Playbook? The Oh Shit File? Your call.)

Preparedness Is Power

This isn’t about living in fear—it’s about taking control. When life throws the unexpected at you, you won’t be scrambling.

💡 Your challenge: Start small. Gather just three essential documents today. Future You will thank you.

If you found this helpful, hit like, share it with a friend, and subscribe for more!

Rock on! 🤘

What Green Day Taught Me About Resilience and Authenticity (Over the Last 30 Years)

Uncategorized

*Image borrowed from Pinterest & edited in Canva*

Green Day As a Rebel Anthem For Life (My OG Cred)

I remember hearing “When I Come Around” on the radio all the time when it first came out.

A friend of mine was all excited about Insomniac once it was released, so I stayed up late one night to record their performance of “86” on Letterman for her (and I was pretty horrified to be honest – All I could think was “drugs are bad”)

(Am I wrong?)

Regardless, this was my introduction to 90’s punk and ska, which shaped my golden rule of life – Do whatever makes you happy so long as you don’t hurt yourself or anyone else. This was the beginning of my journey into rebellion, introspection, and growth. In a lot of ways, this was the “dawning of the rest of my life”.

By the time Nimrod came out I was officially a fan (I think I’d even joined their “Idiot Club” LOL!) To this day, Nimrod is my favorite album because it really started to showcase the range of their musical talents, from the soothing beach tune “Last Ride In” to the hardcore “Platypus” – That was the most “punk” thing they’d ever done. Good Riddance is still played at some high school graduations! Not to mention that this tour was my first big concert; during “King for a Day”, I started pumping my fist in the air, and Billie Joe with his leopard print thong pointed right at me and got the whole crowd doing it! And I still feel special!

My friend and I accidentally wandered backstage after Warped Tour 2000 – We just wanted to hang out by Lake Erie while we waited for her mom to come take us home. Mike Dirnt walked right up and started chatting with us – I was so shocked and he was so chill, I didn’t even recognize him! A little later, we spotted Billie Joe having a beer with a couple guys – I started crying, MXPX consoled me, and I was speechless when I finally walked up to him. He said “you have really curly hair…I have curly hair too…do you want an autograph?” (Spoiler alert – I lost both Billie & Mike’s autographs, and I am devastated). Mike and Billie were absolutely the two nicest musicians I’ve ever met.

So of course I hated American Idiot. The eyeliner, the whiny emo, the perpetual black and red, and the new wimpy generation that fell in love with them just didn’t sit right with me. (Yes, I know that’s how the true OG punks felt about my fluffy 90’s punk and ska generation.) However, I respect it with every fiber of my being. Even though it’s obnoxiously emo, it’s also perfectly punk – They did what they wanted to do, and earned themselves multiple accolades as a result. They came back bigger, better, and bolder than they started.

To me, American Idiot is akin to Pink Floyd’s epic album The Wall. I can’t even imagine trying to write a story with music and lyrics. And to then see it turned into a Broadway musical?!? It makes me cringe, but it also makes me incredibly proud to have watched how far they’ve come. I adore & respect them regardless, and I’m just happy that they’re all happy, healthy, and empowering generation after generation with authenticity and resilience.

Lesson 1 : Authenticity is Everything

I liked 21st Century Breakdown, but the Foxboro Hot Tubs was just about my favorite thing ever. They wanted to lean into some “garage rock” and play some smaller shows, and so they did. And it was awesome!

Has a song ever randomly caught your attention that you wanted to take serious action in your life? One day, the song “Sally” came on my laptop super loud and slapped some sense into me :

Ok Billie, stop yelling at me!

It reminded me to push for what I want and don’t let anything get in the way. It reminded me to be who I am despite judgmental shit-talking extended family members, and to overcome the internal barriers I’d put up because of them.

Green Day plays music they want to play and they do what they want to do, reminding everyone to embrace who they are unapologetically, even when it doesn’t fit in with other peoples’ expectations.

How can you ditch one way you’re “faking it” this week?

Lesson 2 : Resilience Means Riding Out the Hard Times

Transformation is inevitable through difficulties – For better or worse depends on you.

Billie’s openness with his struggles over some of the things he’s dealt with gives hope to those who are dealing with similar circumstances. My mom passed away when I had just turned 15, and I felt completely lost. But knowing that Billie lost his dad when he was young, and seeing the beautifully inspirational man he’d grown up to become gave me hope that I’d figure it out.

Another example is how the whole band suffered a ton of stress as young punk “celebrities” – As fun as it could be at times, there was still tons of pressure from the record company, guilt for not spending more time with their growing families, and so on. With time, they learned to adapt and do what they had to do to preserve their own sanity as much as possible. A small example being that Billie occasionally shuts down his social media to clear his head (something we should all probably do!)

A big example is all the hate they got after releasing Warning, which was blown out of the water when they released American Idiot.

Suck it, haters – Just LOOK at that CROWD!

Failure or stagnation is just a part of growth, unfortunately. Write down a past failure or struggle in your own life, and how it led to something better (or could in the future).

Live Loud

What’s one way you’ve embraced authenticity or resilience in your own life? Drop a comment & let’s geek out about punk, ska, and all things rebellious!

Give this post a like, share it with friends, and subscribe if you’re new!

Rock on!!

Top 5 Green Day Songs for Authenticity

Minority
Longview
American Idiot
King for a Day
Sally (Foxboro Hot Tubs)

Top 5 Green Day Songs for Resilience

Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Good Riddance
Wake Me Up When September Ends
Last Night On Earth
21 Guns