Ayla and Potato3s: A Nightly Message From Your Best Friend

In this episode, I have an ordinary day that still feels full in its own way: I run errands for my brother, grab my favorite sandwich and boba, buy a new duster, and make a little progress on my hair with sock curls and the Dyson. I also talk through a class about product pivots, a thoughtful conversation about perseverance, and the quiet work of learning to trust myself a little more.

In this episode, I’m mostly playing it by ear: recovering from travel, sleeping in when I can, and giving myself a softer first day in New York instead of forcing a plan. I walk the dog, make simple food, wash and blow-dry the pup, and let the day stay loose while I figure out what I need next.

In this episode, I have a very busy travel day, starting with almost no sleep, an early flight check-in, and a wild airport run where I end up handing out baked goods to the ticket counter agents and the flight attendants. I also arrive in New York, walk the dog, eat Thai food, watch a sci-fi movie, and somehow still manage to squeeze in a nap, a classmate meeting, and a lot of family time before unpacking at 3 a.m.

In this episode, I have a very busy day from start to finish: checking in for my flight, meeting with my mentor, picking up prescriptions, and spending hours baking cookies, scones, and gooey butter cake for my family and the airport and plane staff. I also deal with a mom who wants to fight, a packed suitcase, and the messy reality of getting ready for New York while trying to keep my peace.

In this episode, I talk about what “not so traditional” looks like for me—spending Good Friday in my own rhythm, booking a spontaneous trip to West Palm Beach, and rethinking how I define success. I also share a movie outing, a big feelings conversation about the difference between what people do and what they only consider doing, and all the little “yeses” that are quietly shaping my 13 months of yes.

In this episode, I sit with my hopes and dreams while trying to give myself more credit for the work I’m already doing like creating A+ content, baking cookies, and building journals that help people feel less alone. I also share the spark of new inspiration that came from a future glass-making lesson, and I wrestle gently with the gap between where I am now and the bigger things I still want to create.

In this episode, I set my April theme to “activating actions” and finally start moving on the things I’ve been meaning to do like setting up Pinterest, downloading Word to my phone, and making progress on my Amazon listings. I also share a slower, more practical day with my sister, a trip to Ulta and Aldi, a movie night for Avatar: Fire and Ash, and a few travel-prep wins as I get ready for New York.

In this episode, I spend the day thinking out loud through errands, makeup counters, and a little self-doubt and also taking my sister to work, testing out new shampoo and conditioner, and wandering the Galleria while figuring out what my products, bruised leg, and travel plans need next. I also talk through a two-week experiment with my coloring book title, a Pinterest campaign, and what it feels like to be loved as I am even when I’m not fully sure what tomorrow looks like.

In this episode, I’m thinking out loud about a slower, more mindful day: running errands for my upcoming trip, packing little things like shampoo, toothpaste, and chocolate chips, and trying to let the day be what it is instead of forcing productivity. I also talk honestly about feeling thrown off by stress, poor rest, and the messy reality of family dynamics, while reminding myself that I can sort through it one thought at a time.

In this episode, I move through my day as I am: bruised leg, bad hair day, doctor visits, and all, while trying to stay gentle with myself. I share a lunch date at a new Malaysian spot, a return trip for a sweatshirt I couldn’t stop thinking about, and a few big-picture reflections on my work, my body, and what it means to keep showing up exactly as I am.