No one knows what they want anymore because the grass is forever greener. There’s always a new trend, a new concept, a new way to optimise… there’s always something new to have and to hold until death do us part. We think the trend is the one, then a new shiny trend comes along so we divorce the first trend and then quickly replace it with the new one. We’re just sluts for trends.

And it’s seemingly never ending... We go from one end of the spectrum to the other. The pendulum is always swinging.

And guess what? According to philosophers René Girard and Schopenhauer, the will to want something never really goes away. It’s just replaced with the next thing. This can be as small as a pair of shoes or a whole new career path.

René Girard (1923) basically says—we want something because someone else has it and then when you get it, you realise you don’t really want it. Cute. How annoying.

Schopenhauer in 1788— yes in 1788—Our issues never really change, hey? Evolution where?— So he basically says—when we want something, it’s because we feel we are lacking and then when we get it, the satisfaction is fleeting and we fall into boredom. Also annoying and basically the same thing.

So we’re just monkeys walking around with a bit less hair, copying what the other monkey’s are doing and then realising actually, no I don’t like bananas–fuck, now I have so many bananas.

This is what’s happened and happening and will forever happen. And there’s not much you can do about it unless you’re aware of it and have strong foundations/cornerstones to keep you grounded in yourself.

Don’t fret. I too am a little sheep in the wheel of capitalism. Lining up for TikTok hyped food stores, becoming a digital nomad because the lifestyle looked cool and just like everyone starting an online business and content creation in like 2022, I too listened to Bartlet’s podcasts about business and optimisation. Some topics met me where I was at at the time but maybe I would feel differently if I listened now.

I’m a malleable person, which I thought would go away when my frontal lope developed. But maybe the need to try new things never will. I’m just a curious person I guess and that is beautiful and I’ll live a million lives and forever be creative. But it can also be a dangerous thing. My life may never be my own if I’m not careful.

I’ve realised, I do like trends but apparently so does everyone else—we’re just monkeys remember? And we want to be included—not “left” behind. I think it’s fun and good and nice to discover new things and try them—truly. I also think trends can tell us what we don’t like too but maybe we have to try it before we know. I don’t regret becoming a digital nomad. I don’t regret lining up for Flippers in Tokyo for 2 hours for some pancakes. But I am also happy not being influenced by the next wave of whatever’s coming—or at least trying not to be. Right now, I want to be left behind.

They will always be telling us we HAVE to do this. We HAVE to do that. But in fact, you don’t have to do anything. Everyone telling you or influencing you that you’ll be left behind is just trying to make a buck.

And that’s where we come back to foundations—your values, your cornerstones. Your true likes and true tastes. And being strong enough to defend them when the time comes—mostly to yourself. I’m lucky enough to know what I like now, which I think comes after your messy 20s and in my case—isolating myself for a couple of years to put things into perspective. Now, I’ve got my values that I run through when making personal decisions. I have my own business that I built and can develop as I please (with my biz partner Eden ofc). On a smaller scale, I’ve got my preferences that I run through when I order food or buy a piece of clothing. Because for me, true freedom looks a lot like silence from external sources.

Life is easier when you have your own guidebook that you made for yourself. You’ve got your own grass and you can water it instead of looking over your neighbour’s fence and seeing that their grass is greener. Because here’s a secret, it’s probably not even real grass.

So as the wellness industry collapses and the pursuit of optimisation ends, I predict this new era will be a bit more hedonistic. Maybe it will be the collapse of trends all together. Possibly, people will start to dance like they used to and Berlin will become a party capital again. Maybe people will start drinking again or stop going to therapy, and maybe… just maybe we will stop trying to be at our ultimate peak or fully “optimised”.

Or maybe I’m just getting old and I’m tired of the trends. But right now all I know is that someone will always be telling us something is better. Maybe it is, maybe it’s not and it’s up to you whether you want to try it or not. Not because you HAVE to or some guy on a podcast told you to. Understand that advice often has a motive behind it; money from a capitalist or even advice from a friend’s projected jealousy or fear. Capitalism isn’t going anywhere–every industry is in it to make their fortune.

All I know is that the pendulum will keep swinging and if you don’t jump on this new wave, don’t worry, there’s another one just over the horizon. But don’t be fooled when the next wave feels like a must. It’s up to you to look away from the pendulum before you get motion sick.

Be strong in what you like and what you do because there will be a new trend tomorrow coming for the lifestyle you were told was the ultimate one just yesterday.

XX

P

So the Monday just past, I woke up dreading the day. Not because I had a particularly bad day ahead, I didn’t at all. On paper, it was a good day—write my novel, a bit of Boring Studios work, gym, burger bowls for dinner, play Stardew Valley… But when I woke up, all I wanted to do was watch TV. I was tired, cranky. And well I bet you’re surprised to hear that I did just that.

I made a coffee and put on The Pursuit of Jade, letting my mood level out. I succumbed to my desires, despite having a schedule and routine I wanted to adhere to. Then after an episode or so, breakfast and two coffees, at around 9-10am, I got on with my day as planned. I wrote a chapter of my novel, did a bit of work and went to the gym. I didn’t let my bad mood ruin my whole day—only the morning, in a sense. I allowed myself to be in a bad mood and slowly, it turned into a better mood. Sometimes we need to listen to bodies and rest, even if it means wasting your precious Monday morning with something “unproductive”.

I remember a time when starting my day with scrolling little videos was normal and it would ruin my entire day. It would slowly cook my brain and transport me back to my default settings of being a chimp. Then I would not be able to think or do anything for the rest of the day. It actually makes me feel a bit sick to think about it… And yes, if I started my day with my phone now, it would probably be the same. But I would never allow such a thing nor do I have the apps on my phone to even warrant the possibility.

Also back then, even if I had chosen the lesser evils of starting my day with TV or an enticing book, I’d be like “oh well, day’s ruined—better ruin the whole day and be a chimp.” This was also when I had a “real” 9-5 with an employer so I’d log on to the work laptop and pretend to work—occasionally keeping the screen on or pressing buttons, ticking stuff off—I don’t even know what I used to do when I was employed. And those days would be gone in a flash. I’d feel bad about my life but I’d still rinse and repeat, waking up feeling shit again and again—allowing myself to ruin everyday just because I had woken up feeling a bit shit. I didn’t understand how to shift the mood or change the tone of the day. I had no tools or knowledge.

Now, I don’t put that pressure on myself. Your morning sets your nervous system up and sometimes it needs a cold plunge and sometimes it needs an hour of TV to regulate. Just… for the love of god… don’t scroll—or look at your phone first thing or add urgency or panic. Then you’re fucked, and nothing—not this article or yourself can regulate a day from a panicked morning. Well… not easily. You might have to do that cold plunge after all.

But the day doesn’t have to be gone if the morning is “wasted.” If I wake up and feel shit and want to watch an episode of The Pursuit of Jade with my morning coffee at 7am, who gives a fuck–I do it. And 95% of the time, I’ll get on with my day as normal.

But here’s the kicker… If I wake up and want to do that a second day, then we have a problem. That’s when we start to build a bad habit. Waking up and watching TV everyday is not something I want to do—it doesn’t align with who I want to be.

So on Tuesday, yep you guessed it, I wanted to chimp again upon waking. But this time I didn’t allow it. And here’s where it’s important to have your own tools to kick your mood into gear. Because the mood shouldn’t decide our day, we can.

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So how did I change my mood on Tuesday to not chimp all day?

I wanted to watch The Pursuit of Jade again. But I didn’t. I had a shower and got dressed for the day in an outside outfit, not trackpants or pjs—an important way to let your brain know the day has started and we’re not chimping around. Then I got a huge glass of warm water and sat outside to journal. Yes, groundbreaking… journaling. I bet you’ve never heard that before.

Although I hadn’t journalled in a long time—months, maybe a year, I sat down in the morning light and wrote down why I was feeling so shitty. No prompts, no bullshit gratitude… just a stream of consciousness to clear my mind of everything I needed to get out. And it wasn’t even anything crazy. Turns out I just had a lot of small things that were stressing me out and I needed to see on paper to understand. You don’t need to hear my dirty laundry but literally some of the things were to go to the bookstore and re-pot a plant that had outgrown his pot. But other things I wrote included feeling frustrated in not having enough socialising last week or that I was drinking too much coffee and that’s why I was waking up tired. And sometimes journaling can turn into poems, stories or prose inspired by feelings or even people watching. There’s no rules. I just write. And every time, without fail, I feel better.

Journaling—and writing in general—doesn’t need to be this big la-di-da event. You don’t need prompts to tell you how to think—you know how to think. You don’t need to write down everything you’re grateful for—you’re not a monk and God’s not coming down to smite you if you’re not appreciating the roof over your head daily*. And you don’t need a routine or a schedule or a reason to write.

*God I am so grateful for my life. Thank you. Genuinely, please don’t smite me for my ungrateful behaviour in this piece.

Journalling is best done with no pressure, no expectations and no fkn uploading to the world that you’re journaling—okay, this article doesn’t count—I just mean don’t buy some aesthetic pens and leather books or spend money on a “journal set-up” that you think you need. You don’t need to post about it either—this can add pressure to your journalling which should be for you. But also I’m not the posting police, post your cute aesthetic journalling photo if it makes you happy.

Sometimes your brain just needs to know you’re listening. And that’s as simple as sitting down—in the morning or whenever you need—and letting your consciousness stream.

Writing has saved my life more times than I could count. In small moments where I needed clarity or large moments where I needed someone to listen but had no one. It centres you. Grounds you. It’s your brain saying “hello friend, thanks for listening to me today, you’re okay.”

In times of need, turn to your pen—you might find the answers you’re looking for waiting to come out.

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This week I got a blood test. Not because anything was particularly wrong but because Eden, my boyfriend, was getting a genetic test done. So like the little sheep I am following my boyfriend around, he shepherded me into the Bangkok Hospital to accompany him and I thought why not also check how I could be even more optimal in life. Because isn’t that what life’s all about? Reaching our optimal, genetic peaks? Or is life just about feeling good all the time?

At the moment I sit somewhere in-between Bryan Johnson and Kramer. But I have found myself at both extreme ends of the living forever→living like there’s no tomorrow spectrum, throughout different eras of my life.

I live a little… but also know when to reel it in.

So back to the blood test—this wasn’t my first blood test nor would it be my last, but just like every other blood test before it, the same thing happened—it’s like clockwork… every time I enter any form of medical space…

As soon as I smell that hospital-grade cleanliness, see the gurneys, people in wheelchairs, nurses and doctors, take a ticket or see the waiting room—the world begins to slow and speed up at the same time. I can see a fly from 10 metres away, I can hear someone’s conversation three rooms away. I note all exits, touch nothing. The fluorescent lights begin to rain down on me. I get dizzy—like death is near. And my brain thinks it’s my death…from a blood test.

My body flushes with heat—fear, anxiety. I know blood tests don’t hurt and nothing has ever gone even remotely wrong while getting a blood test. Even though this was my 50th (give or take) time getting one, I still…can’t… not cry.

So we head to reception and she gives me (and Eden) a patient wristband and tells us where to go. We walk through the different areas of the hospital and my impending doom begins to form into actual doom as we get closer and closer to phlebotomy. No tears yet. I get my number and sit with the other 15 people ready to get their blood taken too—young and old.

My number is called and it’s my turn. My phlebotomist is a young man with earbuds in. I get an extra ping of anxiety. Is it better than he’s young? Steady hands? Newer knowledge? Or bad that’s he’s maybe listening to a podcast and not listening if something goes wrong? I sit down in the plastic chair and pass him my sheet so he knows how much blood to take. He asks me to check my name. It’s right—not that I even looked.

I tell him I’m scared and that I would like the baby needle because I bruise easily. I know it takes longer, but i don’t care. He agreed and we chose the arm with the biggest veins visible—a trick I have learnt for minimal bruising to occur—because if I see a bruise over the days following the blood test, it will take me right back to that phlebotomy room. Yes… I know that’s not normal.

So I look away from the phlebotomist and let him do his thing and I know what’s coming. The tears. I feel my body heat up as the flush rises from my toes up to my head. As soon as the phlebotomist places that antiseptic wipe on my skin I begin to ball my eyes out… albeit quietly, but my entire face is wet within seconds. There’s a few older ladies in the room which weirdly make me feel better—getting a blood test in front of others waiting, especially women, like they are my mothers for that moment. They give me soft smiles and nods to let me know it’s okay… And within like 30 seconds it’s done and the bandaid is on. It’s over and I’m off to get some form of sweet treat to curb my dizziness.

Anyway, enough about me and my undiagnosed, unreasonable and unexplainable medical trauma. Why do I put myself through this? I quite literally didn’t even need to. I’m healthy and feel 100%. I’ll tell you why… Because I am brave.

Penelope, you literally cried the whole time.

Yeah but crying isn’t lacking bravery. Crying is just fear. And fear and bravery can coexist—In fact, they must co-exist, because you can’t be brave without fear. Bravery without fear is just not being scared.

Bravery is not the absence of fear. It’s being scared and doing it anyway. I’m scared of a lot of things—I was scared to quit my stable, well-paid senior role in corporate. I was scared to start a business with 10k savings between me and my business partner. I was scared to move across the world and start a new life in Bangkok.

I’m scared all the fkn time—to get on a motorbike, to get on planes, to tell someone how I feel.

But I do it and get through it (most of the time). I’m not Irena Sendler brave, who rescued around 2,500 Jewish children. Or David who chose to fight Goliath from the bible brave.

But on a smaller level, I am brave. And just like David chose to fight and not run away from Goliath, your choice to be brave is the same—a choice between yes, I’ll face this fear and come out the other side better or no I’ll just be scared and do nothing and wonder “what if?”

Bravery is just a choice like choosing between chicken or fish.

You’ll always be scared in this life. Of small things like riding the rollercoaster or getting a blood test. Or big things like getting an operation or moving across the world to a country where you don’t speak the language.

The choice is yours whether you decide to be scared and say no or to be scared and say yes.

Make fear your companion. It’s not something you should run from. Welcome fear because without it, you can never be brave.

Love,
Penelope
Writer, Brave

Yes, sure, if capitalism didn’t exist and we lived in a village where we had a range of mediocre skills to trade for goods and services. Then, being a jack of all trades might be good. But alas, we do not, we live in now, and being a jack of all trades makes you…watered-down. A bit soggy.

Being a master of 100 trades though… now that’s a bit more fun isn’t it?

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As a jack of all trades, no one thinks you’re good enough, focused enough or serious enough about the 100 things you’re offering. And they’re probably right. You’re probably shit at the 100 things you’re trying to do—especially if you’re doing them all at the same time. You look… average and no one trusts you.

Like Old Gil from the Simpsons who job hops every episode and sucks at all of them. Or like a 20 year old trying to be a life coach. No one trusts you.

Trying to be a jack of all trades is like being a teaspoon of butter for a whole loaf of bread—spread so thin you can barely see it.

But being a master of 100 trades is like a tablespoon of butter on each piece of bread. You can see it, feel it and taste it. It’s obvious.

So the entire quote reads: A jack of all trades is a master of none, oftentimes better than a master of one. In 1618 when this quote was first documented, it might have been true. Everyone kind of needed to be good at everything or at least to fill in the gaps in the village. Like the only doctor died so the blacksmith became one, ya know.

In 1618 I would have been trading my weaving skills for oysters and shepherding on the weekends in exchange for peaches because my husband died from the bubonic plague and left me with 15 children at the ripe old age of 25. Glamorous.

But in 2026, I wouldn’t trust a doctor who’s also my blacksmith. Would you?

A mechanic who’s also a baker, is probably not an expert at either. And personally, I wouldn’t trust them to bake my birthday cake or fix my car. But if they were a mechanic who used to be a baker for 10 years, I might still trust them to bake me a cake. Because their focus has shifted, not been spread thinly.

Wanting to learn and try new things is a good thing— it keeps you on your toes and makes life way more interesting and mentally-documentable. As a dopamine seeker, I get it and I live a pretty hedonistic life in terms of just up and doing what I want—I encourage it.

I also believe in the new structure Millennials and Gen Z have built and are building to chop down the traditional 9-5—working for the same company for 30 years and then retirement. That shit can truly fuck right off.

So please, if you want to, have 30 careers in your life. Do it. Be a mechanic and then a baker. But here’s the kicker—don’t do it at the same time.

You can only do one thing well, at one time.

You can do everything in this life. You just have to do them one at a time.

Right now I’m working on my first novel. It’s middle-grade sci-fi and I’m at about 20,000 words. It’s absolutely, fabulously fun and puts me in a flow state for hours.

I’ve been writing since I was three and that’s not an exaggeration. I still have my first story, illustrated and all, written before I started kindergarten, titled: The Easter Bunny Who Ran Out of Eggs. And even after that genius (if I do say so myself) first story, I’ve got boxes full of short stories, essays and poetry from my whole life.

I always knew I was a writer but it took me this long (I just turned 33) to actually focus on it. Why? I thought I needed to be a writer/business owner/ designer/ journalist/ dancer/seamstress/painter and so I spread myself across a bunch of things for years, instead of honing in on writing. And when focus is spread so thinly, none of it will be fruitful.

I never thought it was cool enough, good enough, visual enough, exciting enough… to be just a writer.

Now, being just a writer has made me the happiest I’ve ever been in my entire life. Focusing on one thing that I truly love and offering it my whole attention has given me a real purpose to get up every morning.

Finding your truest passion can take years even if it was there all along. It can be found in trying new things, meeting new people and I guess… “wasting” a bit of time. I’m grateful I found mine at 33. And I know in the scheme of life, that’s still very young. It’s the perfect time for me and my unique life trajectory. And maybe I’ll find another true passion at 60 or another 10 along the way to 120 years old. In fact, I plan to live at least 10 more lives of true passions because there’s so many things I want to do and master.

You might find your passion at 20 or at 55. And those are both perfect times too. The perfect time doesn’t exist. There is only now.

So even if you’re 18 or 75, the time before and after were, and will be spent on other crafts, skills, careers and general “wasted” life. All of this “wasted” time gives experience. And as a writer, creative or human, that’s the most important part of living—experience. You won’t take your paintings to the grave, but you will take your experiences with you.

Even if I had started this novel at 21 instead of going into journalism, social media, owning a fashion brand, auditioning for broadway, working in corporate, starting Boring Studios… and living at least 20 lives before this one, it would be a completely different story, because I’m a completely different person. And that’s my life trajectory. It’s my journey and maybe if I had of done one thing differently, I wouldn’t be starting this novel or writing this exact story.

How beautiful that we all have different life journeys. Don’t get drawn from your path because someone else’s looks better. You might just end up walking in circles. The grass is rarely greener.

Stay offline because it’s confusing your taste and what you truly want

It can be so beautiful to live through other people. A guy sailing-around the world for instance. I’d never do that, nor would I want to, but how cool that he is sharing that with the world.

Watching people’s lives online doesn’t necessarily make you jealous because you want that life, I think it just confuses you about what you truly want. Social media is designed to flood your brain and when you watch too much, of course you’re confused about what you want to do. There’s so many options for careers, skills and even which cafe to eat at—and they all look pretty darn cool—because the system is designed that way. To make you want.want.want.

I think social media gives us a chance to see into the endless professions and possibilities the world has to offer. It’s like career day in high school where they bring in a bunch of people to talk about what they do, to see if you’d be interested in it. But then the day ends and theres only like 10 choices to think about.

Social media shows us 100s of different career paths from fire-person to OF creator. Some look more glamorous and are celebrated more than others. But we never see the whole picture of their lives or the entire process of their craft.

And often on social media, the most viewed are just average people positioning their lives as better than yours, literally through… consumerism. Social medias are just ad platforms—specifically not Substack, but the rest are just trying to sell you something—whether it’s a product, a place or purely just purchasing your attention through views. How wild that the most valuable currency in 2026 is attention? But it’s more valuable than you think and you’re just giving it away for free only to confuse and cloud your brain? C’mon you’re better than that.

I won’t lie to you, I scroll for a few minutes about once a week. But I try to view and follow people who inspire me through their crafts, skills, ideas… not their day in the life where they literally do nothing but get matcha and go to pilates. I promise you, that life is boring as shit and those people would be an absolute wet blanket over dinner. Do you want to be like that? No you don’t. You want to be layered and interesting and interested in having conversations.

You probably wouldn’t be reading this if you weren’t an interesting or interested person. So don’t be clouded by this nonsense like I have been before. I lived that “soft-life” and it’s fkn boring long-term and burnt me out to a crisp by having no purpose. Now that I’m chronically offline, my real interests shine through and I wake up daily excited to write, not to be a boring sod.

Oh and I forgot to mention the time you will save getting off the scroll. Go on check your screen time in your phone settings. I’ll wait…

Yikes.

How do you focus 100% on just one thing?

Okay so I said one thing at a time right? That was kind of the crux of this piece.

I can’t be a writer, a seamstress and a painter all at once. Not only because I don’t have the passion, or the time, but because I don’t have the brain capacity to do all things greatly, at once. And why would I want to do three things averagely? Ew.

You truly only have so much brain space, even for creating. Yes, the more creativity you give yourself, the more you have, I do believe that is true. But you can only focus your energies so much. There’s only 16 hours in the day and you have to eat, bathe, do chores, do work that makes money. So being a painter, seamstress and writer is just not physically possible.

Don’t spread yourself too thin like that butter from the intro. You’ll produce average work. Do one thing at a time and do it well. If there’s multiple things you want to do in this life, just do them one by one.

For me, the next five years will be (hopefully) purely writing. And then there are other things I want to do in life—things I want to do now but I know they will need to have my full-attention, just like my writing does. They can wait and that’s okay.

When we started Boring Studios in 2023 as a creative studio, it had my 100% full attention. How? No socialising, no Netflix, no other projects, limited hobbies and definitely not trying to make a novel-writing career happen. I lost a lot, but gained so much more in the long run.

Now, I’ve stopped everything that isn’t writing—except one day a week working on Boring Studios, which includes this newsletter. Has the business side taken a hit? Abso-fkn-lutely. But that’s the price I am paying to focus on my goals. My focus has shifted, it’s not going to be spread.

You have to make sacrifices to 100% focus. Whether that’s removing socialising and all expenses to churn through your first-home-deposit savings or quitting your job and moving into your grandma’s to make your dreams possible. You can’t have everything all at once.

You can’t have one foot keeping an old door ajar while you’re reaching for the next one.

Don’t be scared to close doors and start from nothing. I’ve been at complete zero twice in my life so it doesn’t scare me anymore. If my novel completely flops, I’ll move onto the next thing. Life can always be re-built, like a phoenix from ashes.

I am grateful that I have the opportunity to focus on writing a novel and I understand that most people don’t. It’s not making me any money right now, but my business that took 3.5 years of 100% attention is.

Like all new ventures started in your 20s without daddy’s-money, Boring Studios began with no money, no clients, no investors and no real business plan. But we believed in it and gave it our 100% attention for months before we made even one dollar. The cash would ebb-and-flow, like all businesses do, until it finally reached a place where it was stable. Why? Because it got 100% attention. And I hope for the months/years that my novel is making no money, eventually the 100% of my attention will be fruitful. I am counting on it… No, I’m betting on it because I know I’m giving it my all. If it fails, I’ll just move onto the next thing with 100%. Because I’m not a fkn baby.

I will give my writing 100% instead of 50% business, 50% novel. Both would be shit. Too many things at once means you’re not giving 100% to anything. And why would you want to do that?

As Yoda says “Try not. Do. Or do not. There is no try.” He’s saying there’s no point “trying” something, just give it your all, that’s doing.

So my friend, what I’m saying is that you have to be all in on your goals. You have to believe in what you’re making. Fall in love with the process and your purpose.

What gets you out of bed?

That’s your purpose.

For me, the fact that I get to write everyday gets me up. I’m excited to see my characters—to build their world. To get into a flow state that makes everything I am, and have experienced up until now truly make sense. But if I was focusing on other things, those things would pull me out of the flow state of my world— instead I have chosen to live inside my novel.

Find your daily words or the paint under your nails. It’s cliche but, believe in yourself. Believe in your work. Believe that your purpose is bigger than money, than glamour, than status, than showing off. Believe that your purpose is bigger than you and find that purpose in your daily flow state—whatever it is that you’ve chosen or fought to finally come out.

I’m glad I’ve decided writing is a cool enough career to have chosen. Even if you can’t see a visually glamorised version of it through little videos. And I’m glad I’ve decided to focus on it. But if I was still dabbling in painting, sewing or working full-time on Boring Studios, I’d have no story written. I’d be doing everything half-baked.

Writing is all I want to do right now and even though it took me years to try a million different things to figure it out, I’d rather be spending my days in a flow state than trying to put on a show to prove to everyone (and myself) that I can do everything, all at once. I can’t. But I can do everything I want in this life, it needs to be just one thing at a time.

Love Penelope,
Currently full-time writer, future art gallery-owner, future photographer, future teacher, future mother.

So this exhibition is being held in a large building with lots of mini galleries. And usually I’d go visit as many as possible in this exact building or any other building that allowed me to view art—especially, but not limited to, them being free exhibitions. So there was five more free exhibitions to visit after the Monster Museum, but I opted not to view them. Why Penelope? You love art. Yes, that I do. But in light of my new less is more value, we opted to skip all other exhibitions and saw just the one exhibition which was hard because I am an art feign.

Okay, so you want me to get to the why right? Why did we skip all the other exhibitions?

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Well, it’s simple really. I wanted to sit with FahFah’s work. Not five more exhibitions. Not even one more. Just one exhibition to really ponder on the artist’s thoughts, her feelings and her art for hours…days.

And I’ve been doing this in all aspects of my life lately. Sitting with ideas, thoughts and absorbing knowledge more. I want to take everything in wholly, rather than take in 100 watered down things.

Living like this for the past couple of months has given me time to enjoy my life more. My head is clear and my ideas and insights are more thorough. I’m not trying to know everything, to see everything or to read 100 books just to tell someone about it. I’m truly starting to understand what living in the moment means. It just means slowing down. Choosing one and taking it all in or giving it your all.

Less is more because how can you truly enjoy something when it’s constantly clouded and forgotten by a many other things?

You only need to read three insightful newsletters a day, not 10. Watch one episode of a show per day, not five. Reading one book a fortnight, not four. One absolutely marvellous cake is better than five not-so tasty ones, isn’t it?

And the dreaded little videos; I actually had a three month break from Instagram but I am back on it, giving myself 5 pieces of content to view/read and ponder per day. I choose wisely.

For me, less is more—to sit with ideas, insights, knowledge and to also have the brain capacity to action the things I want to. For the over-consumption to be truly turned into enjoyment or learning—the less you consume, the better.

And what has come from living like this? Well, for starters I can hear myself think. I have written 10,000 words of a novel and taken on a new hobby of conceptual photography. I really feel like I am entering a new era of living. Like I’m now living in the real world that I wasn’t in for so long.

Art, media, writing—all of this content is so marvellous and creatives should be celebrated and enjoyed as much as possible—but when there’s too much of it, you’re not taking in any of it. What a waste of such beautiful talent; your own and others.

So I implore you to do the same with your days. Limit all your media consumption; books, movies, television shows, poetry, art and content. Not to zero, but to an amount that means you’ve thought about the ideas in what you’re consuming. Treat your everyday consumption like you would a special trip to the theatre that you paid $400 a ticket for.

Don’t count how many books you’ve read this year. Absorb them instead. Rather than watching Netflix aimlessly everyday, make a list of movies you want to watch or go to the cinema once a week, grab a spoon and eat up the art of the film with zest. Take it in. Less is more my friend.

Life is going too quickly and you haven’t had a second to catch your breath because you’re trying to take on more than you need. Focus on one thing at a time.

Remove the fomo from your life because that fear of not reading enough books or seeing enough countries or doing enough in this life is taking away from the things you’re actually doing. It’s too much to take in.

Adopt this practice in all aspects of your life; projects, day-to-day, morning coffee, newsletters, work, hobbies, skills, art, media. You’ll start to take in your life more. You’ll notice the details.

Because you don’t need to go to 10 galleries in a day. Go to one and sit with it for days.

Slow down. Take a breath. Choose one thing today.

And tomorrow, or the next day, you just might start to hear the birds sing again.

Love Penelope,

Co-founder of Boring Studios, Writer, taking it all in

Interested in a physical-paper copy of unreleased Boring Issues? We’re launching a new phase of Boring Issues for our audience craving real tangible moments in their lives. This will be a limited pilot run—join the first round here.

So being back home has been lovely and chaotic at the same time.

It’s been beautiful to see our old home with fresh eyes, take in the autumn (fall) leaves and see our family who we’ve been missing for 2+ years.

But also chaotic to have a full calendar and to have no time to ourselves and for our goals. I haven’t been going to the gym, I haven’t been writing or working and my whole very-beloved routine is out the window. And I feeeeeel the repercussions of it… deeply. I’m exhausted with no inspiration for my work and my head is constantly racing.

And maybe that’s happening to you? Maybe you’ve got too much in your life, so there’s no room for you—for your goals or for any inspiration to make it’s way in. Maybe you’re blocking it with people.

This week has taken me back to a younger version of myself. She was so confused why she never had time to herself or why her goals could never be reached.

A time I enjoyed… but looking back… maybe I didn’t. Or at a least looking back, it is a time I don’t wish to re-live.

So 19-26 year-old Penelope was a young woman who had 100s of friends. I’d like to say that’s an exaggeration but my close circle was 30+ people for the majority of this time. Now this version of me had goals and aspirations like writing a novel, being a professional dancer and running a successful fashion brand. And I started all of them, but never to the best of my ability. I never had the time or effort to put into them and I thought that was just how it was. I chose socialising over my goals. My entire existence was centred around socialising.

Yeah it’s fun to party in your 20s, go to social events and (some) people are fabulous companions and conversationalists. But maybe you don’t need as much of it as you think. Instead of every night, maybe once a fortnight would have been enough. Maybe instead of 30 close friends, just two would have been enough.

Let’s fast forward a couple of years later to when we started Boring Studios—social events and people were no longer priority. All I thought about was my goals and how I could reach them. I’d fall asleep to my ideas and what I was doing tomorrow. I no longer was thinking about what’s on for the weekend, how to round up 10 people to go on vacation with or thinking about a friend’s problem I could help fix.

Okay, so it sounds selfish right? It’s not nice to just focus on yourself and not have others to think about. It’s also a privilege to not have anyone that relies on you.

It’s healthy to have friends and be close to your family, but one thing I’ve noticed in people who reach their goals—whether it’s gym goals, business goals, art goals or writing goals—it’s that they don’t have a lot of friends or people in their lives. They focus on themselves. And this is your sign that you’re allowed to as well.

Look, I’m not saying throw out all your responsibilities and move to the other side of the world like I did (although I do recommend it if you can). But if you can stop taking on people’s problems and lives as your own, you’ll have more brain capacity for the things that are important to you.

If there’s people in your life who aren’t making you feel good when you hang out with them, maybe don’t hang out with them. If your entire life is just socialising, like mine was and you’re not reaching your goals, then try and cut back on the social life. You might find your brain clearer with time to think, to create and to be inspired.

I know it can be important to socialise and there’s nothing more beautiful than having people around you who understand and love you. I’m grateful for those in my life that I have. But I need nothing more. And sometimes, like this week and in my past life, too much socialising can be detrimental to your goals.

Because sometimes what you really need in life is less, not more.

Today, I have 3 close friends that I truly care and think about and my three siblings. That’s enough for me. And maybe I needed this trip back to Australia to realise it—to appreciate how peaceful my life is and how much time I have to focus on myself and my goals.

I have one more week here in Australia and I’m looking forward to the plans I have with people I haven’t seen in years, but I’m glad i don’t live this life full-time anymore.

So maybe take a look at your calendar and make sure there’s room to breathe; to think, to work on your goals; time for YOU. It’s more important than you think.

Love,
Penelope

Co-Founder of Boring Studios, Tired-extrovert

One thing that stuck out in these conversations is that we were impressed by things we knew nothing about. People who had sword skills, morse code, wilderness navigation by stars, people who read dictionaries, scientists, people who had been on broadway…

Now as a kid, you’re impressed by things you don’t know about and that’s a great thing to be. It’s inspiring, you create idols and mentors and become curious in learning. But it can be taken too far. The impressiveness can create a divide between you and that person.

Why are we usually impressed? Because things can feel unobtainable.

It feels like:
“wow I can’t believe you did that. I could never.”

When it should be:
“That’s cool. How can I try that?”

Being impressed to a level of goals feeling unobtainable is doing you no favours as an adult.

In 2026 we can see what everyone’s doing. Celebrities doing what I eat in a day, house tours and Instagram stories to see what they’re up to. The mystery of celebrity has disappeared. We know so much about everyone and everything and that veil has been lifted—the line between famous and regular people has been blurred and becoming a “celebrity” is easier now than ever. You just have to find an audience, tell a story/show your talent and post videos on social media for a while.

Is it note-worthy to have drive, talent, discipline and creativity? Yes absolutely, but anyone can do it. Just like anything else in this life, anyone can do anything. You just have to take the steps to get there. And once you realise that, your goals aren’t so big and people achieving goals aren’t so impressive.

I think my choice of words is poor—”impressive” might be the wrong word. You should still congratulate, appreciate and be wowed by people hitting their goals or having cool skills. But... just remove the pedestal from them. They built that pedestal themselves and that means you can build your own too. And maybe your pedestal looks a bit different to theirs—better even, more you.

Taking inspiration from people is important and being interested or fascinated by someone else is an enjoyable feeling. There’s nothing I love more than hearing someone speak about something they are truly passionate about. I love to learn and ask questions. But if someone is telling me about something I would like to try or achieve, I’ll find out how-to do it from them or I’ll do my own research.

I think this piece is also about jealousy. Get rid of it. If you’re feeling sad when you see someone else hitting goals you want, it means you don’t think you can have or achieve that thing. And that puts that person on a pedestal and you below them. They’re not any more special than you. They just took the steps and actioned the thing to get to where they are. Turn that feeling into action. Next time you feel jealous or insecure hearing or seeing something, it means you want that thing. Go get it. Research, put in a plan and action it.

Gym goals, business, drawing, meditation, knitting, handstands, singing, dancing, acting, cooking, writing, building a social media… Every goal requires the same structure—adding it into your routine. And naturally, you get better.

So I want you to stop being impressed by people because they’re just people, like you. Be curious and excited by people and their achievements. But never, for one second, think that they are better than you or that you can’t have what they have.

Because let me tell you a secret… there’s no ready-made pedestals—everyone starts at zero.

Love,
Penelope

Co-Founder of Boring Studios, Building my own pedestal

So why did we do this? Honestly, I’m constantly looking for “inner peace” to quieten my forever buzzing brain. I think for people like us, we need quiet, downtime, grounding… a lot. Sometimes I find it in meditation, but I often find it easier when I push myself to physical limits.

Okay, so why am I telling you this? Because when I was on this hike I didn’t find inner peace. I found something even greater.

If you’ve been reading these for a while, you might remember this quote:

“We work the problems one by one. We do what’s in front of us. And we do the next thing”

It’s from The Meg 2… Not the greatest or worst movie I’ve ever seen but this one quote has apparently stuck with me up until now, maybe forever.

This quote essentially is saying focus on the first step and worry about the other things after. And that’s exactly how I felt on this hike. It was just one foot in front of the other. That was my only thought, my only worry, my only care in the world was getting through this hike.

I didn’t have any distractions, no phone, no reception, no people (other than Eden and our guide)—and I had no idea where I was going or even what time it was. It gave me perspective to really zoom out on life. Why are we constantly worrying about so much stuff? Why aren’t we just focusing on what’s in front of us?

The hike stripped me back to bare necessities. Water, food, shelter, companionship. Life can be filled with just too much unnecessary stuff. It’s okay to take a step back sometimes and ask yourself, does this really matter? Because most of the time, it really doesn’t matter.

We’re just little people on a big floating rock in a giant universe. And all you need to be doing is just one foot in front of the other. That’s enough. Tackle the problem in front of you, even if that’s just one step today.

When your perspective shifts from I need this, I need that to—the only thing I need is water, you realise your problems aren’t so huge in the scheme of things. But to solve your problems or reach your goals, you need to take action.

Maybe the first step is simply to drink some water to keep going. But you need to start taking the steps (literally and figuratively). Because you’ll never reach the top of the mountain if you stay sitting at the bottom.

That first decision to move is hard.

Then the first steps are easy.
But each step up the mountain becomes harder.

Even though it gets harder, each step is more familiar and easier to tackle. Because all you need is just one foot in front of the other.
And before you know it, you’re at the top of the mountain.

But you need to take that first step to keep going.

And you might need to drink water first.

Love,
Penelope
Co-Founder of Boring Studios, taking steps

A doer is simply someone who does what they say they will do. Someone who makes life happen.

And a bystander is someone who never acts on what they want. They let life happen to them.

*If someone falls into the doer category, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are always a doer or only a doer. And if someone falls into the bystander category, it doesn’t mean they never action things.

A doer sees a path, a dream or a goal they want to achieve and they take the steps to get there. They figure out how to get the life they want and they act on it.

• Wants to lose weight → researches nutrition, signs up for the gym, tracks their meals

• Hates their job → updates their resume, applies to new roles, builds new skills

• Wants to start a business → validates the idea, saves money, takes the first step

A bystander has a dream or a goal but says “it’s too hard” and continues to complain about it instead.

• Wants to lose weight → complains about being out of shape but never changes their diet or routine

• Hates their job → talks about quitting for years but never updates their resume

• Wants to start a business → says “I’d do it but I don’t have the money/time/connections”

Sound familiar? Did this hit a bit too close to home? Well good. Because you know who gets what they want in life? It’s obvious. The doers.

I’ve been both a bystander and a doer.

I was in a job for 9 months that I knew I needed to quit on day one. But I also quit a different job and started a business after only a couple of conversations about it.

I did a full university course that I felt wasn’t going to get me anywhere. But then I also started a Masters course and quit after 2 weeks knowing it wasn’t for me.

Now I always do what I say I’m going to do and I take action on the things I want to do. Why? Because I know life is too short to sit and dream or to do things constantly that make us unhappy. I’m always moving, doing.

I also have the skills to figure out the steps I need to make my goals a reality. So how do you become a doer?

The first thing is admitting you’re a bystander.

Is there something you’ve been complaining about for years that you haven’t changed? Yeah… sounds like you’re letting life happen to you. But every excuse has a workaround if you want it badly enough.

Take ownership of your life

No one is coming to give you what you want. The sooner you realise that, the sooner you can start to craft the life you actually want. You can’t continue to blame your environment, circumstances or “bad luck”. But surrounding yourself with other doers will shape your behaviour in a good way.

Start before you’re ready
Doers don’t wait for the perfect moment, they start without all the answers and figure it out along the way. Doers don’t wait for motivation because they know action is worth more.

Be stronger in your decisions

Don’t live in decision paralysis because any decision is better than no decision. Done is better than perfect most of the time and any momentum is still momentum, even if it’s the wrong direction. Read last week’s Boring Issues on how to be more decisive.

Planning is key

Break down what you want into smaller actionable tasks. There’s no way to know how to reach your goal without a plan. You can’t just say “I’m going to start a business” and a business appears.

Instead, ask yourself “what’s the one thing I can do today that gets me closer to this goal?” You need the process, not the outcome. Make a list and tick them off day-by-day. Each day you’re closer to your end goal.

Good things take time. Months, years. Not instantly. And a doer understands that the end goal is in daily habits.

Don’t be a bystander to your own life, saying “It’s too hard.” or “I’ll start tomorrow.”

Be a doer or be content with settling on watching others achieve the life you want.

Love,
Penelope

Co-Founder of Boring Studios, doing-stuff

Why did it take so long to choose and you’re still not happy?

There are big decisions and there are small decisions in life.

Will you be having the chicken or the fish?
Small decision.

Will you elope with me and move across the country?
Big decision.

Whether the decision is big or small doesn’t determine how easy it is to make.

Maybe your dinner choice was harder than deciding to elope.

There are moments of certainty and instant decisions when you’re sure of what you want and the right thing to do. And then there are moments of uncertainty, resulting in indecision.

But indecision itself is a decision. You’re choosing not to decide.

You’re scared to make the wrong decision and I get it. Sometimes it should have been the chicken and not the fish. But it’s not your last meal (hopefully)...

Indecision costs you valuable time and energy that could be used elsewhere. It’s a hassle. Like the chicken and fish example, indecision can be mentally straining on your quality of life.

So how do we remove, or at least reduce these moments of indecision?

Let’s delve into how to be more decisive.

Reps
Just like everything else in this life, the more you do something, the less scary it becomes. So the more decisions you make quickly, the easier it will become. Good enough decisions are always better than indecision. Trust your first instinct, it’s usually right.

Removing choice
I preach having a routine. The less little decisions you have to make, the better. Things like planning your work and personal life for the week leaves room for important decisions. Meals prepped (or planned), outfits ready for the week, work tasks ready in your planner to be actioned, weekend plans ready (even if it’s gaming and takeout, it’s planned).

Waking up in a bad mood can also make decisions harder. Routine helps.

Live by values
Every decision goes through your values. My values for 2026 are Honesty, Creativity, Kindness, Courage. If I have to make a decision that impacts my life, they run through these values and I’ll decide accordingly.

For smaller decisions, your values could be goals. For example, if your goal is gains at the gym and you’re out for dinner, you’ll be looking at a high protein option. For Eden, as soon as we sit down at a restaurant, without fail, he will order chicken.

Knowing who you want to be and what you like usually helps for these kinds of decisions. So be strong in your goals and tastes.

Does it even matter?

Like the chicken and fish example, it really doesn’t matter. Your life isn’t going to change with either choice.

When you’re making a decision, ask yourself will this matter next week? In a year? In five? The answer is usually no. Take away the weight these decisions hold over you.

If you have truly life changing decisions to make, talk it out with a couple of people you trust (and who understand your goals). Or make a trusty pros and cons list. That’s the best way to nut out a big decision – zoom out and see the bigger picture and what is really important to you.

Know when you shouldn’t decide

Sometimes your brain has had enough for the day. The most successful people know when they’re not in a state of mind to make decisions. The Hormozis don’t make company decisions after 4pm. Have a similar rule and don’t make big decisions that could destroy something you’ve built on a whim. Sleep on it.

When you’re in a pinch
Flip a coin; heads or tails for small, quick decisions. This often reveals what you truly want by your reaction. Are you disappointed by heads? Relieved by tails? Go with your gut or just with what the coin gives you. Either options gives you an answer to go with.

Don’t live in decision paralysis.
Any decision is better than no decision.
So decide to decide.

With love,
Penelope

Basically, the essay went throughout this person’s day choosing the long, romantic options for each part.

Waking up without an alarm.
Making filter drip coffee instead of a capsule.
Walking instead of catching the train or bus.
Making porridge on the stove instead of instant oats.

Ahhh even reading this slow list is making me calm, imagining doing these things.

Anyway, it made me realise how much I (and maybe you) also feel the need to rush through everything.

We’re constantly on a timer, a ticking clock, an alarm system.

When and why did life become let’s fit as much as possible in?

Should we take the long route sometimes?

I think many of us are rushing through life. Trying to fit in everything all at once.

100 little videos a day.
8 hours of work that doesn’t fulfil us.
Two episodes of a show each night.
Quick dinner.
Capsule coffee.

It’s exhausting. And it’s normal to be exhausted from this life that is deemed… normal.

So what’s the solution?

I think it seems obvious… slow down… but how?

A quick dinner is all that’s possible after a long 8 hour day.

There’s no time in the morning to make coffee other than the capsule.
The only way to get through the day is by scrolling.

I understand.
I’ve lived it.
And even when you work for yourself rushing through the day is normal.

I think what I’ll be doing is finding the moments where I can go slow.
Moments for myself that don’t have a timer.

A hot bath after work instead of Netflix.
A walk to a cafe on the weekends to read a book.

Putting on music to cook and enjoying the process rather than rushing through it. Snacking along the way and preparing with the intention of nourishing myself.

Choosing a movie with purpose that you’ve been dying to watch instead of watching whatever Netflix suggests.

Working your way through a novel for a couple of weeks and sitting with the ideas instead of churning through it just to tick off that you’ve read it.

Meeting with a friend that’s filled with sunshine for a slow walk on the beach.

Finding any moment you can to slow down in this life and trying your best to absorb what’s around you.

Life is meant to be slow. Absorbed. Lived.

So next time you feel like you’re falling behind in the race, remember there’s actually no fucking race.

With love,
Penelope

The things people fear most about the unknown, failure, rejection, starting over, are usually the things that produce the best outcomes.

There’s a quote that goes something like this…

Courage is being scared and doing the thing anyway.

So should you jump off the side of a cliff if you’re scared?
Yes and no.

There’s rational fear and there’s irrational fear in life.

Rational fear could be jumping off a cliff without a safety net or knowing how deep the water is. Or being face to face with a lion.

It’s rational because you might die or be seriously injured through plain old common sense.

Then irrational fear is more like imposter syndrome or the unknown. Or being scared to order a sandwich through room service or make a doctor’s appointment or just answering your phone in general.

These could be from a previous bad experience, something you picked up as a child or a new experience giving you the fear of the unknown.

You’re scared but nothing bad is going to happen, so it’s irrational.

The funny thing is, our brain and bodies can rarely tell the difference between this rational and irrational fear.

So how can we?

It’s hard to alter your brain on things like fear, especially when many of our fears are so deeply rooted in us.

You feed the brain logic but it doesn’t bite. Your brain is like nope I’m about to be eaten by a lion but really all that’s happened is your phone has received a call you don’t want to answer.

How to face your fears?

Fear is something I began to tackle head-on in my mid twenties. Maybe because I was bored or maybe “self-destructive”.

I quit jobs that weren’t serving me, ended friendships and relationships that were holding me back and said yes to experiences that literally made my body shake in fear. I wanted to know “what if?”

Today I am constantly faced with fear of the unknown, fear of the new and fear that I’ll make the wrong decisions.

And sometimes those decisions are met with consequences or bad outcomes.

But whether the outcome is good or bad, these decisions are always met with growth, new opportunities and knowledge.

Realistically, you don’t necessarily get better at battling the fear. You simply become more comfortable with the fear sitting by your side. It becomes a companion, a sign of growth nearing.

You just get better at tolerating uncertainty.

Things like making decisions with incomplete information or accepting that you may not get it right.

Basically, battling fear or using courage looks like trusting your ability to handle whatever comes, rather than needing to know what’s coming.

So this week, I’m battling the fear of the unknown because I’ve started a new chapter in my life (focusing on writing a book and writing personal essays on Substack 3 days a week).

And it’s so scary.

It’s as scary as when Eden and I quit our jobs with no money or clients to start Boring Studios.

It’s as scary as moving across the world with no friends or idea what was next.

It’s as scary as auditioning for a broadway musical with no experience.

It’s as scary as your first day of school…

So right now, I’m full of fear like a lion is coming to eat me.

Fear of this new chapter. Of the unknown…

What if no one likes my stories?

What if everyone thinks it’s silly?

What if I can’t find the words?

What if I’m a bad writer?

What if…

But the what if is just that; an empty space of unknownness ready to be filled. Filled with good or bad… but waiting to be filled regardless.

So I’ve given you no tools to battle this have I?

Well what I’m doing to battle my fear is understanding that it is irrational.

The worst thing that can happen is I enjoy the writing and no one likes my books.

And I won’t die if no one likes my stories.

I’ll focus on the task of writing.

I’ll fill that void of the unknown because if you never face your fears, you’ll forever be asking yourself what if?

Penelope
Co-Founder of Boring Studios, Future Published Author

109 isn’t much, is it?

Umm… yes it is.

Imagine 109 people telling you they enjoyed something you made IRL.

Imagine just one or two people giving you a compliment IRL?
It would honestly make my day.

Celebrate your milestones and achievements.
Be proud of even the smallest success or growth.

Don’t dilute that smile my friend.
Any progress is still progress.

Today, I’m not here to boast about the subscribers – the number is not the point.

I’m here to tell you why this growth is important.

So we’ve been posting sporadically on Substack for about a year.
I never really thought much of the platform.
I was just posting for the sake of it.

And nothing grew (obviously).

In the last month or so, I’ve really started to enjoy Substack.
I read, I engage and I post notes most days.

And guess what?
Behind the scenes, it’s been growing just naturally, organically.

Why? How?

Firstly because I am using the platform in a way it’s supposed to be used.

I engage and enjoy the content. I reply to comments, I post comments.

And that’s the best way to grow any social media.
Just be social. Ironic isn’t it?

Anyway, the other reason it’s growing is because I am consistently posting.

Every week I upload these Boring Issues.
And most days I post a note or graphic.

Simple really.
You don’t need a huge roadmap to build on social media.
Just engage, use it and enjoy the journey.

Like most things worth having, results don’t show up right away.
They take time.

And you don’t see it or hear about it.

No one talks about the weeks where nothing moves because that’s not sexy is it?

It’s much easier to talk about the final success.

But what you’re not seeing is the consistency.
The enjoyment of the process and the journey.
The behind the scenes tiny tasks.

So we’ve got 109 subscribers today.

And in a month’s time it will have grown.
And then in another month it will have grown again.

Just like the goals you’ve set out for yourself, all it takes is a little bit of consistency and time.

Then before you know it, you’ll have built, grown or created something.

If you miss a day, it doesn’t matter.
If you miss a few days, it might.

That’s consistency.
It’s not always perfect.
But you have to show up again and again.

Because 1% progress is better than 0%

Progress > perfection.

You’ve got this.

Love,
Penelope

Some are scammers and some are telling the truth.

How to tell the difference?
Use common sense mostly.

If there is a 20 year old telling you they are a life coach.
They’re obviously not, because realistically they have 2 years of life experience.

But forget about the scammers for now.
Let’s talk about the real experts selling you their advice and tools.

What they’re telling you is the truth; their life experiences, tools, processes and systems are what got them to where they are.

But the ultimate truth in what they’re selling is that it’s their dream, not yours.

And realistically, you’re just procrastinating on your own dream.

Let me explain…

Experts and specialists have spent their lives building, learning and perfecting their craft and skill.

How?

Probably through a mix of learning; from more experienced experts, books, podcasts, tools, courses, guides… but also through life experiences.

These experts and specialists can give you the tools, advice and process for their expertise. But they can never give you that valuable life experience.

I call myself an expert at marketing and SME because I have spent over 15 years doing it.

I started my very first business at 14 years old.
Marketing, clients, finances, audience building all from scratch.

Since then I’ve worked with founders, start-ups and started four other businesses.

So as an expert in marketing, freelancing and SME, I can tell you what to do from what I’ve learnt.

Things like how to land clients, create leads and build an audience.

But I can’t do it for you.

You need to apply that action.
You need to add your own experience and your own twist to it.

I can give you the tools to be able to follow my process of finding and taking care of clients, but I can’t run your business for you.

Eventually you need to put down the experts and actually just do the thing.

The crux of this piece isn’t to ignore experts.

You should listen to them to learn and expand on your skills.

But you should know when you’ve learnt enough.

Sometimes it’s time to stop with the external learning and tools, it’s time to just take action.

If you’re forever spending your time gathering information and planning, you’ll never take action.

Stop procrastinating on doing the thing.

Why not take the leap into what you’ve been learning about?

Don’t become someone who watched everyone else live out their dreams while you didn’t even try yours.

Love,
Penelope

Co-Founder of Boring Studios, Writer, Do-er

To no ones surprise, I found out I didn’t win or even place in top 3.

Will I ever submit to another competition? Is my writing career over?

You know when you’re a kid and you lose?

It hurts right?
You might cry or be disheartened to never try that thing again.

But what you aren’t seeing is that invisible growth within yourself.

I think they call it resilience.

And every time you fail, hear no or fall down, it gets easier and easier to try again.

Rejection is not a new thing for me... I’m an adult. So I didn’t cry or feel like I am a terrible writer because I did not win a competition for writing.

But if I had won everything in my life or never heard no, then maybe I’d be balling my eyes out at the news of not winning this writing competition.

Instead, I feel... a drive to be better.

Because I know every no and every fail is closer to a win.

With each “try” you become better at the thing you’re trying.

I’ve been writing stories, essays and poetry my whole life; since I was 6 years old.

But now I am actually working to make it a career.

So I’m at the bottom of this journey.

The very beginning.

And when you’re at the beginning of any journey, you suck.

• When you start going to the gym, you have bad form and no idea how to use the machines.
  

• When you start piano, you press the wrong keys and don’t know how to read the notes.
  

• When you start painting, you don’t know how to mix colours or how to layer paint.

But slowly, surely you begin to get better each day that you try.

There is no progress without being a beginner first.

And I know you’ve probably heard this saying before, but you have to trust the process with anything in life.

What am I going to do?

I’ll keep writing.

I’ll keep submitting my stories, essays and poetry to different platforms.

Not necessarily to win, but to practice my craft.

And with each day that I write, I become closer to my goal of becoming a best-selling author.

If you’re working towards a goal, don’t picture the end.

Instead, work towards that goal each day.

Trust the process.

Because you have to love the journey to get to the destination.

Love,
Penelope

Co-Founder of Boring Studios, Writer, Best-selling author in progress

Oh you’re right... I realised, I did so much self-development that now these “self-development activities” are just habits.

But I wasn’t always like this... I was the definition of bad habits.

So today let’s chat about the basics of good habits and how to self-develop into just regular programming.

*Please note, I don’t do all of these things everyday. I do a mix of them daily.

So only 4-5 years ago, I used to go to bed at 3am, eat ice cream for lunch, party every night and then I wondered why my freelancing business wasn’t working well.

My brain, schedule and overall life was a mess, how did I expect my business, an extension of my life, to also not be a mess? Be so for real Little P.

Realistically, it took me a long time and a lot of effort to get to where I am today. And some days I still crave some of those bad habits...

But I didn’t go from “Bad habit Penelope” to “Good Habit Penelope” overnight. I gradually added habits, stacking them and over the years I became Good Habit Penelope.

Here’s how you can become the Good Habit version of yourself.

Start with a good morning routine and a good night routine.

Mornings choose from: meditation, sunlight, hydrate, journalling, breakfast, walk/run, gym, movement, star jumps, reading, podcast...

Avoid: your phone and any blue light for 30-60 minutes.

Evenings choose from: stretching, early dinner, games with family or partner, shower/bath, skincare, reading...

Avoid: phone or blue light right before for 30-60 minutes.

What are my morning and evening routine, you ask?

Truthfully, these change often but right now, like this month of February 2026, my routines look like this.

Mornings: make bed, sunlight on the balcony, hydrate, shower, gua sha my face, drink saffron in hot water, read, coffee, breakfast.

Night: walk outside or treadmill, early dinner, shower, skincare, sweet treat with tea or protein shake, TV or game, read in bed.

These routine are both nothing crazy, but they are both healthy and easy enough to follow.

Having routines in place is good for the brain because it keeps your decisions at minimum, leaving room for more important things.

So find what works for you and create your own version of healthy habits and routines.

Yes... but how???

Okay, okay... I’ve got more for you.

Habit Stacking.

So James Clear wrote this book called Atomic Habits. It’s a fabulous read if you’re looking for some self-development in this area. I’ll sum it up for you anyway...

Basically 1% better everyday is better than 0%. So even if you did one good habit today, that’s better than none.

It’s not an all or nothing mentality.

So you slept in and snoozed your alarm this morning. But instead of deciding not to give the day a chance, you chose to go to the gym.

That’s one point to the person you want to become.

Every little thing compounds into a habit. Small daily improvements (1% better) can make you 37 times better over a year.

James Clear also talks about:

• The journey and not the destination: Many people say “I want to lose weight” Thats a destination. Instead the goal should be “walk 1 hour everyday”. Focus on the systems (the process) rather than the goals (the outcome).

• Becoming your habits: Focusing on who you wish to become and adopting “what would I do as this person?” It’s identity change.

• Change your environment: Set yourself up for success by reducing friction around your habits. Like if it’s too cold to go outside for a walk, go to a treadmill or If you eat lots of junk food, don’t buy so much at the store.

• The ice cube: Progress is often invisible like an ice cube in a room that’s temperature is rising. You don’t notice that the ice cube is melting slowly until you see it. The ice cube is still melting and eventually you will notice. You’re the same. People quit because they don’t think it’s working. It’s working, don’t expect anything overnight.

• And he also talks about the Four Laws of Behaviour Change which is about making your habits enjoyable and palatable.

So hopefully that gave you a little bit of inspiration to start doing something you’re putting off or to incorporate better habits, routines and systems into your personal life.

It’s not about being perfect, it’s just about trying. And each day your goals become closer and closer.

Before you know it, you’re the person you wished you were 3 years ago.

Love,
Penelope

Co-Founder of Boring Studios, Writer, Pausing on development

And you might not realise just how important those things are.

I would say they are just as important as building or taking action on the business or your exterior goals.

Because when something is rattled in your personal life, your work is affected.

So today I want to talk about how you can build strong foundations so that when something goes wrong, your building (you and your business or work) doesn’t shake.

Foundations took me yearrsss to build, mainly because I didn’t know I was building them or needed them.

There was a time where an un-responded message or a comment like “you can’t do that” would rock my entire world.

I would spiral, get upset, question myself… Why? Because I didn’t have foundations like values, standards, strong self-respect or non-negotiables.

Other factors like who you spend your time with can affect building these foundations too because if you’re constantly hearing negative talk from others about you or themselves, it obviously seeps into your foundations (or lack of).

Now, I am much older and wiser and people’s comments or actions don’t affect me as much.

Why? Because I am sure of myself through my foundations; values, standards, non-negotiables and self-respect.

• I take care of myself through diet, movement, rest, sleep, learning, exploring, creative activities, friends, and family. Taking care of yourself and ensuring you’re watering your own garden is self-respect.

• I hold my values close to everything I do and listen to: Honesty, Creativity, Kindness, Courage. If someone who doesn’t have the same values as me says something to question these, there’s no need to listen to them.

• My non-negotiables include things like not over-explaining myself, not chasing people who aren’t interested, not comparing, not listening to gossip or putting other people down.

• The standards for people in my life have been significantly raised and are sifted through what I care about. Not chosen through vanity or ego but through their own self-respect and character.

Obviously, like you, I am much more complex than this short list, but it is a good representation of how you can build your own strong foundations.

When you’re lost or something has happened, you’ve got yourself to return to, and that’s pretty cool.

Try writing out your own;

• Self-respect practices

• Values

• Non-negotiables

• Standards

These are the kinds of foundations that can’t be shaken by a comment or thought from someone else or even a bad thought from yourself.

Follow them, evolve them and adapt as you need. Eventually they will become second nature and you will be able to handle anything life throws at you.

You’ve only got yourself for life so build someone that you care about.
Everything else will be built on top of your foundations.

But you can’t build a palace on sand, so make sure your foundations are strong.

Love,
Penelope
Co-Founder of Boring Studios, Writer, Self-caring

So, Life for me right now is a bit chaotic.

Our lease is up in less than a month on our condo in Bangkok. This means I’m spending hours each day looking at property listings, messaging agents and finding out the apartment I want is already rented, again and again.

It’s a love-hate relationship. Scrolling through listings is like mining for gold. In the back of my mind I always think ‘just one more page’ and that will be the page I find the dream condo.

It’s a dopamine rollercoaster (one that I think is taking a toll on me).

I’m not worried about not finding a place to live - I’m just worried about the time, effort and energy it’s going to take (and is taking).

Anyway, that’s the first thing. (she’ll be right)

Secondly, we’re half way through getting CBOS ready to ship.

If you don’t know what CBOS is, it’s our Creative Business Operating System. It’s the front, and back end of your business.

The frameworks for you to land, manage and deliver amazing work to clients plus a built-for-you workspace that feels logical and easy to use.

While building new products, it always gets to the half-way mark and I start to think:

- Will we be able to pull this launch off?
- Does anyone care and is this a waste of time?
- Will it be a complete failure?

I know it’s just burnout and feeling tired today that’s making me ask these questions, but still.

I’m sure you ask yourself the same questions everyday;

- Will I ever find another client?
- Should I get a part time job to feel safe?
- Are my friends going to laugh at me when I fail?

If you’re having these thoughts today, listen up.

I made a list of all the things that are true to shut myself up;

• We have already built:

• A profitable digital product & studio business

• A large email list & social following

• Repeat & happy customers

• A recognizable brand

• A fun community

• Given away over 50k free products

• Systems that help others

• Momentum & motivation for other creatives.

When I sit back and look at that list, I feel pretty good.

Not like arrogant good, but I feel like my ‘burnout’ brain is a little liar.

The last thing, which I will touch on lightly bc it’s touchy.

Our website. We’re building it again.

I hate making websites. It’s not that I hate making it, I just feel like I’ll never be happy with the result. But with that thought it had me thinking.

We don’t need to be perfect. We just need it to work. It can be rough around the edges (a little) and it will still work.

“Your expectation of always getting a home run is stopping you from taking a swing”

I think I butchered that but basically, you don’t need to be the best, or have the best product or service to start.

Everyone sucks at the start. They sometimes still suck after years.

But after enough swings, you’ll get good. But you gotta swing.

So here’s your homework.

- Join CBOS waitlist. I assure you, your life will change once you start using it.
- Try 5 new things this week. You have to try to fail. You also have to try to succeed.
- Write down all the cool shit you’ve done and put it on your wall. Celebrate it.

Thanks for reading today, I hope it wasn’t too long.
Maybe I’ll be back…or maybe I won’t.

Chat soon,
Eden

The pros and cons of having a business; time off whenever you want but no one to do your work while you’re away.

So it’s time for some brain tricks to get some work done.
Here’s how to do your work when you don’t want to.

First: Plan your day (but do it the night before or weekly)

Here’s what my day-to-day planner looks like and my actual day today:
Thursday the 29th of January.

Working hours: 10:30-5:30

**Top 3**
- [ ] Boring Issues
- [ ] Write first launch email
- [ ] Plan content

**Extra**
- [ ] Repost last week’s Boring Issues
- [ ] SEO blog

**Personal / Rest / Recovery / Connection**
- [ ] Stardew valley
- [ ] Read in bed

**Movement**
- [x] Pilates at 9:15am
- [ ] 1.5hr early evening walk in park

• Top three must be done.

• Extra is not as important (usually quick tasks so they often get done anyway).

• Movement is a daily non-negotiable for me.

• Personal is for after work/fun tasks, like playing Stardew Valley (yahoo) or going to the sauna or seeing friends.

Structuring days like this ensures balance and there is always something to look forward to after work.

Bonus if you work for yourself: assign working hours to each day. This stops you from overworking and also underworking.

Second: eat before sitting down for work

There’s no need to get up to eat if you’ve already eaten.

Fill up your water, grab a coffee/tea/matcha/soda and sit down at your desk full and satisfied.

Third: Timer

I put on this guy: Study Buddies. It’s a timer app that works for me. Find your own or use this one, it’s free.

Make sure you’re giving yourself enough time to get tasks done. Over-compensate rather than under because you won’t be fulfilled if you don’t get the task done in time.

This visible countdown also makes your tasks more bearable as there is an end time to it. He’s also super cute and feels like you’ve got a buddy to work with.

And finally, put your phone in the other room.

I’ve reached for my phone 3 times while writing this.
It’s not here though and there’s no way I’m getting up to get it.

Even if that dopamine craving is persistent, my laziness to go and get it from the other room is greater.

Alright and just like that, Boring Issues is done.

Getting your work done doesn’t need to be complicated, you just need to have the right tools to do it.

It all starts with a plan and a couple of tricks up your sleeve.
Try mine and let me know how you go or if you have any tricks for me.

Remember, motivation isn’t real, but action is.
Trick your brain into momentum and then motivation will come.

Love,
Penelope
Co-Founder of Boring Studios, Writer, Lazy

P.S. If you haven’t already, join the waitlist for our new Creative Business Operating System, coming this March.

If you haven’t, it’s basically a trend on social media to showcase 10 years ago, but also the beauty of how good 2016 seemed to be.

After seeing all these posts, I had a look at my 2016 and I realised how much I had changed. Not so much physically, but emotionally and mentally.

Today I don’t want to talk about 2016 or trends.

I want to talk about change and simply how you should welcome it.

“Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while.” - Isaac Asimov

In life, you might have heard someone say the following to you;

“You’ve changed”
“You used to like this”
“I thought you thought [x] about this topic”

These sentences might sting when heard from someone you love, or maybe like me, they used to sting and they no longer do.

When I was younger, I was stubborn. I still am, but I guess less. I would often fight these kinds of responses directed at me. I was always defending myself and my beliefs.

“I haven’t changed”

I was stuck trying to please everyone; to be constant in who I was and I never allowed myself to change or grow too much. I didn’t realise that consistency in my beliefs or thoughts were holding me back.

Why hold onto something that no longer aligns? Relationships. Jobs. Houses. Friends. Clothes. Hair. Beliefs. Values.

Not changing keeps you stuck.

Now, I welcome change wholly. I know that knowledge, time and wisdom can alter your beliefs, likes and overall self. And that’s fine. It’s good in fact.

I change my mind so often that yesterday seems so long ago. And what I thought 10 years ago about life is so different to how I think about it now.

So all I want you to know is that you’re in no obligation to believe the same thing you believed yesterday.

You can change what you like and what you believe in within the hour if you so please.

And changing your mind doesn’t mean you were wrong, it just means you’ve learnt, shifted and simply changed.

In life, you should be looking for alignment.
It doesn’t matter if it felt right once.

Does this feel right to me now?

So…

You don’t need to finish a degree that doesn’t align with you anymore.
Or stay in relationships (romantic and friendships) longer than you need to because you’ve spent time building them.

Throw out old values, clothes, beliefs…
Start things that feel right to you now, not yesterday.

There’s no loyalty in something that no longer fits you.

Today, I just want you to think about what you’re doing and if it is truly you or if it is just a glimpse of something that used to be you.

Love,
Penelope
Co-Founder of Boring Studios, Writer, Always-changing