When the Bot Becomes Your Best Friend: AI, Validation, and the Risk of Losing the Real Thing
AI can feel safer than people — instant feedback, no judgment. But when a bot becomes our go-to for comfort and advice, our real-world connection muscles atrophy. This piece unpacks the benefits, the risks, and a better way to use AI without losing the human skills that make life work.
Single, Secure, and a Little Bit Scared
You’ve built a life you genuinely love — quiet, content, full of meaning. But what happens when the thought of letting someone in feels more like a threat than a thrill? In this honest reflection, we explore the quiet joys (and quiet fears) of thriving alone, and why real connection doesn’t have to cost your peace.
Beyond the Mirror: Why We Need to Break Free from the Clone Wars
On a recent trip to Sydney, I couldn’t help but notice something — every guy looked like they’d been rolled off the same production line. Stubble, muscles, cropped shirts, and white sneakers. When did standing out become so terrifying? And what are we losing when we trade individuality for the illusion of fitting in?
The 'Ick' Factor: What It Says About Us (and Whether We Can Overcome It)
We’ve all felt it—that sudden, gut-level repulsion that turns attraction into absolute no-go territory. But is the ick really about the other person, or does it say more about us? Maybe it’s not just a dealbreaker but a mirror, reflecting our own fears, expectations, and discomfort with intimacy. What if we could move past it?