I’ve spent years chasing gold stars—checking boxes, building, creating, doing. And while the applause felt good, somewhere along the way I forgot how to rest. In this post, I’m confronting the burnout masked as ambition, the praise I’ve mistaken for purpose, and the quiet question I’ve been avoiding: Who am I when I’m not achieving?

After watching The Residence on Netflix, I found myself deeply curious about the real people who keep the White House running behind the scenes. This blog dives into the hidden labor, complex power dynamics, and generational contributions—particularly by Black staff—that rarely make the headlines. Inspired by the show's mix of mystery and history, I explore the real-life Chief Ushers, the emotional labor of domestic staff, and how race and class quietly shape America’s most iconic residence.

Intuition and instincts guide us, but ignoring them can be dangerous. The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden proves just that—jaw-dropping twists