Good day to all you amazing writers, editors, and content creators! This week I’ll be reflecting on the seminal works of Marcus Aurelius from Meditations. There’s a wealth of information in the masterpiece and I urge you to give the book a read when you have the chance. It’s been life-changing for me to say the least. So here’s how I’ll be doing this week-long series. I’ll share a quote from the legendary book and attempt to interpret the message and relate it to my life. I’ll conclude by inviting you to chime in with your thoughts. Just like the holy Bible, there’s no one true way to interpret Meditations. So it’s always great to hear varying perspectives. Today’s reflection comes from Book 1 of Meditations (Marcus wrote 12 in all). “From Catulus, not to be indifferent when a friend finds fault, even if he should find fault without reason, but to try to restore him to his usual disposition; and to be ready to speak well of teachers, as it is reported of Domitius and Athenodotus: and to love my children truly.” My thoughts: The beautiful thing about Meditations is that there’s no need to Google the people who Marcus Aurelius alludes to in his writings. Each of us probably know a “Domitius” or “Catulus” in our lives. And that’s why the book has remained practical for centuries. The quote felt fitting since I had been reflecting about my professional relationship with editors over the last week. To me, an editor is like a teacher (the good ones at least). They’re meant to help you create the most powerful impact with your writing. They guide you through syntax, style, and delivery. They’re not the enemy. Yet, I’m guilty of losing my cool with editors more times than I’m proud to admit. You see, when I slow down to mull over my editors’ feedback, they actually make sense! I just need to accept that criticism, let it boil for a bit, and it starts to fall into place. I guess it’s just so easy to become defensive over your writing when you take full ownership of it. And more so when it’s your pride and joy; your bread and butter.

Good day everyone! It’s been awhile, but as you might know, there was a dark cloud in my family and I had to take time away to rest and recharge the senses. I’m still in the midst of the process but figured that I’d drop something here to keep the Skool alive. Always remember that slop is slop, regardless whether it’s human or AI. As my old colleague would say, “same waste, different cubicle.” So don’t be too obsessed over AI slop. It’s not our first rodeo as readers and writers, we’ve seen it all before. It’s just that AI makes it easier to create crap when abused. And as for the question of the day: What are some of the most telling signs that you’re dealing with AI slop?

I used to think it was global warming. Boy was I wrong. If I’m being brutally honest, I am convinced it’s brain rot. Thinking back to a recent statement that I made about AI, I truly believe that too many folks are starting to depend on the tech for ideation. It’s okay to leverage AI but not use it as a crutch though. That leads to brain rot. And the blight doesn’t end there. It’s all about instant gratification these days and I truly commiserate. I don’t like the state of content and by extension, how we as humans process information. Just look at the blazing success of short-form video platforms like TikTok and YouTube reels dominating an average person’s “me time.” It’s become a preferred alternative to reading a book or enjoying a stimulating podcast. It’s all fast, wham bam, thank you mam. AI-generated galore, to feed a perpetually attention-starved society. And to think people in the silent generation era enjoyed lengthy “talkies”, where one could savor witty dialogues, like a nice, warm, satisfying mug of hot cocoa. There was no need for AI-generated tricks (slop really) or clinically stylised cinematography. People were more focused and had less fleeting attention spans. Sadly, these days, we’re living in the era of “iced water” content. People just gulp everything down in a hurry to relieve their thirst for amusement, even if for just a while. There’s more quantity churned but the quality leaves much to be desired. Standards are bound to plummet and brain rot becomes an inevitability. My question for you today is: what do you think of the prevalence of brain rot and how do you overcome it in your wellness/writing practices?

The smallest routine in your life can go a long way. Take showers, for example. To me, it's a process that transcends a physical cleanse. I picture all the troubles, worries, and concerns flushed from the system as I watch the water seep into the drainage. I feel reinvigorated as I step out of the shower, all fresh and alert to take my work to the next level. What about you? What are some daily rituals that boost your day?

You probably heard of the number of the beast and its angelic counterpart (777). But have you heard of the 333 method? The 333 method is a way to get organized by restoring some semblance of control over your life. It’s also a great technique to prevent writers from getting unhinged. Here’s how it works: Dedicate three hours to the top item on your to-do list. Like slaying that tedious listicle on “The 10 best knitting clubs in Florida.” Set three hours of minimal disturbance and get down to it, no excuses. It’s basically “eating the frog.” Next, it’s time to settle three maintenance tasks. These are the chores that you got to do to maintain your professionalism and credibility. For me, it’s typically something like clearing my emails, sending X client pitches, and finishing the outstanding article edits from yesterday. Lastly (and certainly not the least), you got to mindfully unwind and fulfil three self-care activities. Note: I consider this the linchpin for preserving one‘s sanity in modern times. Spa treatments, walking the dog, and retail therapy are all wonderful options here. So, would you give the 333 technique a go? I think it’s a nifty way to compartmentalise a chaotic day, don’t you agree?