Remember that blissful time when you’d wake up, eyes wide open, and practically leap out of bed like a caffeinated kangaroo, ready to tackle the world? There was a time—yes, not so long ago—when I had this natural, unexplainable zest for life. Caffeine? Please. I didn’t need that. I was a walking, talking, human Red Bull.

There was also a time when I could start my day feeling like I was well-armed with knowledge. I’d roll out of bed, grab the NY Times, and flip through the NY Post (mainly for Sally Brompton’s horoscope, let’s be honest). Armed with the wisdom of the world’s happenings, I’d head into the day with an overwhelming sense of connectedness. Ah yes, those were the days. As Fantine once sang, "There was a time, then it all went wrong..." (If you know, you know. If you don’t, Google it and prepare for an existential crisis.)

The Age of Anxiety: More Than Just Buzzwords

So, what happened? Well, somewhere along the way, I transitioned from bouncing out of bed to sluggishly crawling to the coffee machine, wondering why my phone kept buzzing with headlines like “BREAKING NEWS” and “URGENT ALERT.” (If something on your phone starts with “urgent,” it’s never a good sign, right?) These days, my coffee comes with a side of existential dread. I take a sip, check my phone, and bam, another apocalyptic headline. I swear, some days I can barely taste the espresso over the news cycle.

In my role as an agency leader, I prioritize staying connected to the personal and professional journeys of our team members, though it's a little trickier in a remote setup. And here's the thing—lately, I’ve noticed a trend, and it’s not good. Anxiety has become the default setting, baked into our morning scrolls and our group chats. Everyone seems to have it, and it’s taking over. Whether it’s fearing the erosion of equal rights, worrying about public education failing our kids, or freaking out about the healthcare system, it’s no wonder we’re all a little on edge. And let’s not even go there with the weather—bomb cyclones, biblical flooding, and apocalyptic fires. It’s like Mother Nature watched one too many disaster movies and said, “Hold my beer.”

It’s exhausting. We’re constantly bombarded with click-bait headlines, each more alarming than the last, contributing to a full-on anxiety epidemic. And wellness? Well, that now seems like some distant, unattainable goal. Is it too much to ask for a little peace of mind, people?

Refilling the Cup: Finding Joy One Sip at a Time

So, what’s a person to do? How do we break free from the endless cycle of doom and gloom to reclaim some semblance of joy? It’s a full-time job, honestly. But deep down, I always have a spark in me - a sense of optimism and belief that we can make today  better than yesterday. 

I’ve found that taking in the daily dose of news in small, manageable increments helps me stay grounded. With the headlines racing at me from every angle, I try to counterbalance the madness with a renewed sense of purpose. Staying educated. The more I know, the better I can handle what the world throws at me. Don’t  succumb to dumbing down of society via the doom scroll. Here are my hot tips: 

1. Minimize social and NEVER before bed. How many filtered pictures of your “friends” or influencers do you really need each day?  

2. Is the headline you clicked on through your algorithm’s echo chamber verified in at least two other legitimate sources? If not, she’s just gossip. Substack is my first stop and then I look for further confirmation.  I make it a priority to research the handle before I click follow because I know that by following I’m essentially welcoming their thoughts into my daily consciousness - so boundaries people. Not everyone makes the cut.  

3. If I have downtime, when I used to scroll insta, instead I sign into Masterclass. I’ve taken courses on everything from playwriting, to coding, to spray paint graffiti, to CIA intelligence gathering, to negotiating, and biometrics… whatever sparks my curiosity. Fostering your curiosity will never be wasted time. It 100% leads to you learning more.  

4. Surround yourself with plants - I don’t actually know why they make me feel better but I bet there’s a masterclass that will tell me! 

Running on Adrenaline (And Maybe too Much Coffee): Agency Life in a Nutshell 

At MAS, our culture is centered around a sense of belonging. It’s not just a job; it’s a mission. We’re committed to each other and to our clients with a kind of self-sustaining vigor. And trust me, we need it, because this industry? It’s a ride. Think of it like your favorite roller coaster. Sure, you question your life choices as you inch forward in line, and your heart is in your throat as you hover above your seat, but when you land at the bottom with that rush of adrenaline, it’s worth it. (And let’s not forget that thankful prayer when the car slows down and you can finally breathe again.)

Our business can be volatile, yes, but that’s what keeps things exciting. Whether clients are riding high or low, we’re here to help craft the experiences that will make tomorrow better. No pressure. None at all.

Beyond the Buzz: Wellness, Mentorship and Side Hustles

At MAS, we don’t just run on caffeine (though, let’s be honest, it helps). We run on creativity, collaboration, and the occasional ‘emergency’ afternoon espresso. Our wellness policies are top-notch. We get a minimum of 22 vacation days a year (yes, you read that right—22), plus time for volunteering and an annual culture retreat. And if that doesn’t sound amazing enough, we also have a thriving culture of mentorship, where peer-to-peer learning is the norm. In fact, we’re obsessed with each other—whether it’s bouncing ideas off the person you're talent-crushing on or joining a weekly dance party (yes, that happens).

But let’s be real—caffeine can only take you so far. Sometimes, you need a different kind of buzz. Have I mentioned that I’m a tap dancer? Yes, really. I used to be a professional dancer on Broadway (humble brag, I know), and my weekly tap class is my stress outlet. Tap requires mental and physical control like no other form of dance—it’s all about shifting your weight, recognizing patterns, and subdividing beats.  It goes so fast you can’t suffer any mistakes or you’ll just make another one, so you gotta let it go - quickly! It’s an art, and it melts my stress away while firing up parts of my brain that otherwise would be idle. Plus, the camaraderie with my fellow recovering dancers-turned-professional women is everything.

For me, it’s all things theater and music education, but MAS is basically a cult of entrepreneurship. Everyone has a side hustle: DJs, painters, soap makers, chefs, gamers—if you can dream it, someone at MAS is doing it. And those side hustles? They feed our soul. Whether it’s creating something beautiful or giving back to the community, we all have that one thing that makes us feel good—and sometimes, that’s the best antidote to the news feed that’s starving us of positivity.

Brewing Your Own Reality: The Power of Choice

Let’s face it, the world isn’t exactly serving up warm, fuzzy feelings these days. And if like me and almost everyone I know, you are experiencing a new level of always on anxiety, you are not alone! 

Facts - We are all creators. We have choices and I applaud any effort to protect your inner you. Making time for mental health is essential.  So whether it’s a trusted therapist, daily time with your dog or maybe you wanna join me in tap class - (or all of the above) prioritize the experiences that help you combat the onslaught of reality.  Stay educated so you can choose how to respond to the chaos. We’ll spend the vast majority of our life working, so choose wisely. I jump out of bed in the morning because I’m excited about my colleagues.  They fuel my curiosity, inspiration and motivate me to bring my best self to work for them everyday. I hope you’ve found your tribe, too.  

Tomorrow morning, when the coffee’s brewing and the world feels too much, remember: You’re the one who sets the tone. Take a sip, take a breath, and create a day that feels good.