The Productivity Trap (And Why We Secretly Want to Fake the Flu)

The other day, as I mindlessly scrolled through Facebook (which I swear was just for five minutes, but then somehow an hour disappeared—Facebook time is not real time), I saw an ad that stopped me cold.

It asked:

"Have you ever wished for a minor accident or illness—not serious, just enough to stay in bed for a few days and rest?"

My immediate, gut reaction? Absolutely, yes.

And apparently, I wasn’t alone. The comments were a chorus of, “Oh my gosh, YES!” and “All the time.” and “Where do I sign up for a light, non-life-threatening illness that involves tea, naps, and binge-watching detective shows?”

Wait. Hold on. When did we, as a society, reach the point where the dream of self-care involves a medically justified break from life? When did we go from "Omg, I hope I never get sick" to "Look, I don’t want anything permanent, but if the universe wanted to drop a mild, fever-free flu on me, I wouldn’t fight it”?

Welcome to the Productivity Cult

Somewhere along the way, we traded in our humanity for hustle. We stopped measuring our worth by how we feel and started measuring it by how much we can get done in a single day. And let’s be honest—if you finish everything on your to-do list, your reward isn’t rest. No, no. Your reward is a bigger to-do list because now you’re “so capable” that you can “handle more.” Congratulations, you played yourself.

Productivity has become the new moral compass. You’re not tired because you’ve been juggling 500 things—no, no, you just need better time management. You don’t need rest, you need a morning routine optimized for peak efficiency. You don’t need a break, you need a standing desk, blue light glasses, and three different types of planners.

And God forbid you sit down to do absolutely nothing. What are you doing? Why are you sitting? Are you okay? Do you need a hobby? Have you considered monetizing that hobby?

How Did We Get Here?

I suspect it started with the Industrial Revolution, but I don’t have time to go that far back because I have deadlines. So let’s fast forward.

The internet promised us convenience. It was supposed to make life easier, free up time. But instead, it turned into a 24/7 hamster wheel of infinite possibility where if you’re not learning a new skill, working on a side hustle, or optimizing your grocery shopping routine, you are simply not living to your full potential.

And here’s the thing—we don’t even like it! That’s why we daydream about a “light sprain” that gets us three guilt-free days of lounging.

So What’s the Solution?

It’s time we, as a society, stage an intervention. For ourselves. With snacks.

We need to normalize rest without guilt. We need to reclaim our right to be unproductive sometimes. Not because we’re sick. Not because we’ve “earned” it. But because it’s okay to just exist.

Imagine a world where you could say, “I’m taking a day off” without following it up with an elaborate explanation that involves a fake dentist appointment, a dog emergency, and a suspiciously vague “personal issue.”

Imagine waking up, looking at your to-do list, and saying, “Nope. Not today.” Without feeling like you’re personally responsible for the collapse of society.

Maybe we start small. A nap here. An afternoon spent staring at clouds without wondering if that cloud could be turned into a productivity metaphor. A full day off where we don’t apologize for it.

Because if we don’t? Well. Then I’ll see you all in the comments section of the next “minor illness vacation” ad.

The Absolute Madness of Naming Characters

Let’s talk about one of the most ridiculous struggles of writing a book. No, I’m not talking about the part where you stare at the blinking cursor like it personally insulted your ancestors. I’m talking about naming characters. It should be easy, right? Just slap a name on them and move on? Oh, my sweet summer child. If only. See, naming a character is like naming your kid—except worse, because nobody is going to complain if your kid and their cousin both end up being named Liam. But if your main villain is named Liam and you accidentally give the quirky coffee shop owner in book three the same name? Cue the existential crisis. Let’s walk through the madness. The Overthinking Spiral of Doom You start writing, and there’s that moment: your brand-new character walks onto the page, full of potential. All they need is a name. A simple name. Something strong, something fitting, something— Oh no. Nothing sounds right. This one is too complicated. That one is too simple. ...

DIY Audiobook. A bit of equipment, good advice and lots of patience

I want to create an Audiobook - should I? Ever since the release of book one in the "Cannabis Preacher" series of thrillers, that question has been on my mind. The "Cannabis Preacher" books were quite long. To produce an audiobook from each of the four, including voice actors and audio production with a turn key service, I was looking at around $15,000 per book. Financially, that was a non-starter for me at the time. That amount represented a LOT of books and audiobooks to sell to recover the investment, and I shelved my plan again. With the popularity of the "Magical Papillon" cozy mystery series, I found myself coming back to the growing popularity of audiobooks. I knew that audiobooks could reach a wider audience and catered to busy readers who prefer listening while multitasking. The idea of bringing my characters to life through narration excited me, as it offered a new dimension to my storytelling. The cozy mysteries were only 60-65,000...

Stories Are Everywhere: The Writer’s Endless Inspiration

As a writer, one of the most common questions I’m asked is, “How do you come up with your stories?” It’s a question that often makes me smile because the answer is as simple as it is profound: stories are everywhere. Inspiration doesn’t always strike in grand, dramatic moments. More often than not, it emerges quietly, weaving its way into the fabric of everyday life. Conversations with friends, the sights and sounds of a bustling city, or even the stillness of a room can spark the seed of an idea. Writers aren’t just storytellers; we’re observers, collecting fragments of life and spinning them into tales. Let me share a recent example of how a simple evening turned into the genesis of a new story idea. Over two perfectly crafted negronis, I was discussing the schedule for an upcoming event with a friend. Their house, a treasure trove of artwork, surrounded us. Every piece of art seemed to hum with a story of its own. Midway through the second drink, I remarked, “One day, someb...

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