Fresh Out Of the Oven
I’ve been marking time lately by the numbers on the scale — up, down, or stubbornly the same. My PCOS diagnosis was both relief and burden, and even with a supportive nutritionist, one mention of restriction sent me back to old failures and fresh tears.
In this new post, I open up about dysmorphia, the overstimulation of clothes that don’t fit the same, the beard and hot flashes no one talks about, and the slow, proof-like process of running a business while living in a doughy middle.
And yes, I’m still for one who knows what longform interviews and short social reels are…and is also willing and able to share their rates/portfolio when requested.
It turns out the proofing happens in silence — not on the scale, not in the mirror — but in the tiny, ordinary choices that stack into a life.
🗞️Indie Media + Passive Lead Gen
Quick thank-you to everyone backing the ongoing Back Indie Media push — subscriber numbers moved, and the replies reminded me why I publish.
Shout-out to Alyssa Moorhead for a pinned-post audit that sharpened my “digital storefront” and quietly boosted passive lead gen.
Small, compounding fixes > loud, one-day spikes.
You can support any of the 30+ indie media creators at the link above or, if you’re a fan of what I’m building here, leave me a tip below.
🥐Crumbs Worth Following…
Homebuyer’s remorse is rising. Cancellations on new-home purchases are climbing as rates stay sticky and buyers get cold feet.
→ Try this: Compare your “real” monthly cost (PITI + utilities + HOA + maintenance). If you’re more than 6–9 months out, keep your pre-approval fresh and build a rate-shock buffer.Priced out at record rates. More Americans are locked out of ownership than ever.
→ Try this: If buying feels out of reach, run the numbers on renting vs. buying in your market with today’s insurance + property tax. Knowing the spread is power.Zillow says “buy.” A Zillow economist argues now can be a good time—depending on your time horizon.
→ Try this: If you plan to stay put 5+ years, check how much equity you’d build vs. rent paid in that same stretch.Tax loopholes for couples. Some investors use marital structures to trim tax bills.
→ Try this: Book a 30-min CPA consult before your next offer. Community-property rules can make or break the math.Europe’s cohousing model. Shared living is easing the crunch abroad — could it scale here?
→ Try this: Tour one cohousing, ADU, or intentional community in your area. Ask about governance, shared costs, and conflict resolution.Tiny houses, big debate. D-FW micro-homes: fix or niche?
→ Try this: Compare cost/ft² + land + hookups vs. a small condo/townhome. Check insurance and resale comps before falling for aesthetics.Water woes in Texas. Looming shortages could hit growth; DFW is central to the plan.
→ Try this: Swap one weekly irrigation cycle for a deep soak, and audit fixtures (aerators, showerheads).
💧 NTX Action: Save Our Water
Browse local conservation workshops, rebates, and yard-wise classes.
DFW folks: share a class with a neighbor or HOA and reply if you go.
The Last Slice
Proof takes time. Whether it’s a body adjusting to new rhythms, a business stacking slow wins, or a city wrestling with housing and water shortages — the middle always looks messier than the highlight reel. But the rise is happening.
If you’re in your own doughy middle — literal or metaphorical — what helps you keep going? Hit reply and let me know.
🍽️Thanks for being at the table.
If this made you pause, plan, or see life a little differently — that’s the whole point.
Know someone who’d love this? Pass it on. Or hit reply and tell me what’s on your plate.
Warmly,
Amanda