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I Watched Margot’s Got Money Problems—and Suddenly I Got It
I binged Margot’s Got Money Problems and, as a new mom who was also RIFed from a longtime career, found myself unexpectedly relating to the economics behind Margot’s OnlyFans decision. Motherhood has changed the way I think about childcare, flexible work—and why we’re so quick to judge the unconventional ways women make money.
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My Favorite Year Ever
2019 was the year I finally felt like I had it together—not because my life was perfect, but because I was genuinely content with it. I was happily single, surrounded by incredible friends, doing work I loved, traveling on my own, and making choices for my future without feeling like I was waiting for my…
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The Dance Party Continues
I’ve been having dance parties for as long as I can remember—from Michael Jackson and Madonna in preschool, to weekends dancing with my best friend in high school, college afternoons and late nights dancing until 5 a.m., to making Bailey Bear my reluctant partner. Now I have a new, very willing dance partner: Baby J.…
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Is AI This Generation’s Internet?
At 12 years old, I told my dad I didn’t need dial up internet. A few years later, it became my lifeline while living overseas. Today, as AI reshapes work and society, I find myself asking a familiar question: Is this another internet moment, and do I embrace it or watch from the sidelines?
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Am I Training My Replacement? Thoughts From a Former USAID Officer
After leaving USAID, I found myself exploring AI training work—and wrestling with an uncomfortable question: am I adapting to the future, or helping build my own replacement? This is one career transition I never expected.
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The Future of Development: The Book Isn’t Finished
Earlier this month marked one year since thousands of us at USAID were separated from the agency through the Reduction in Force. While I’ve come to terms with the end of that chapter in my career, I don’t believe the story of American foreign assistance is over. As policymakers debate what comes next, perhaps the…
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The Quiet Isolation of Motherhood in the Suburbs
After becoming a mother, the author grapples with unexpected loneliness, especially after moving to San Antonio. She reflects on the loss of her career, community, and daily interactions, realizing the importance of rebuilding connections. Despite her love for motherhood, she craves social ties and acknowledges that mothers need a supportive community as well.
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Becoming an Orphan in My Forties
You spend your entire life knowing that one day your parents will leave this world, but nothing truly prepares you for the day you realize you’re an orphan—even in your forties. Losing my parents wasn’t sudden; it was a long goodbye that somehow still ended too soon. This is a reflection on anticipatory grief, the…
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The Missing Middle: Why Having Children Feels Out of Reach for So Many Americans
But after budgeting for motherhood as a GS-14 in Washington, DC—and later experiencing the benefits cliff after losing my job—I began to understand why so many middle-class families feel squeezed. This is a reflection on the growing affordability gap facing the “missing middle” and why raising children shouldn’t feel like a luxury.
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One Client Is Enough: My First Step Into Fractional Work as a New Mom
After leaving USAID and becoming a mother, I started my first fractional social media management role with a nonprofit. Here’s what I learned about balancing meaningful work, motherhood, and realistic expectations.
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