• Jake Stensberg standing in profile, looking at shelves displaying small black sculptures

January Momentum, Interrupted. How Rude

January humbled me in ways I didn’t expect, stripping away the routines that made me feel disciplined and forcing me to confront how much of my “health” was really about proving my worth. When my body said no, I lost more than workouts—I lost my usual evidence that I was doing enough. This season is teaching me that success isn’t pushing through at all costs, but learning to rest without questioning whether I still belong.

Steaming plates of spaghetti topped with a rich, chunky meat sauce being served in a home kitchen, with a pot and stovetop visible in the background.

What Singing, Bolognese, and Valencia Street Taught Me About Gratitude

Gratitude feels a lot like a good bolognese. It starts simple, even messy, but with time and attention it deepens into something richer—something that reminds me to slow down and notice more.