I Have Thoughts with Amira

I saw Harry Styles at Madison Square Garden, and after ten days of processing (and one very honest look at my credit card statement), I’m ready to talk about it.

In this episode of I Have Thoughts with Amira, I break down the no-frills show that felt like hanging out with my best friend Harry, and how he comes across as so genuinely himself. I also get into the tension of believing in an artist and the price of loyalty.

You don’t have to be a fan to listen. This is really about what makes a performer compelling, the community that comes from concerts, and what distinguishes Harry.

One month into living in New York, and I did NOT expect to feel this way. I fucking love it.

In this episode, I’m sharing my first-month gut reactions to NYC — what surprised me, what challenged me, and why this city has made me feel more alive than I expected.

I’m talking apartment hunting, subway disasters, introducing myself to strangers, germaphobia, spending too much money, and the pressure to experience everything this city has to offer.

It hasn’t been perfect. But the hard parts have made me love New York even more.

These are my first, unfiltered thoughts on moving to New York — one month in.

What if self-care has started to feel like… work?

In this episode of I Have Thoughts with Amira, I’m unpacking my complicated relationship with rest, productivity, and self-care as a high-achieving person who feels like she needs to earn a break.

I’m getting into the difference between self-maintenance and actual self-care, why wellness culture can turn “taking care of yourself” into another optimization project, and what it actually looks like to take a fucking break.

Maybe self-care isn’t Pilates, meal prep, a 5 a.m. routine, or a $200 massage. Maybe sometimes it’s just lying on the couch and doing absolutely nothing.

Let's get into it...

I can afford it. But should I buy it?

I’ve been thinking a lot about the difference between being able to afford something and deciding that it’s actually worth your money.

Because I supposedly value experiences over “stuff”… yet somehow I own a $375 hairdryer, $225 sneakers, and a $2,000 mattress. So where’s the line between spending money on things that genuinely make your life better and buying things because TikTok convinced you that you need them?

In this episode, I’m putting my own spending habits under the microscope and asking: what actually deserves our money?

We’re talking about girl math, cost per use, impulse buying, consumerism, intentional spending, future-self shopping, and the surprisingly complicated psychology of spending money. I break down some of my recent purchases, the things I absolutely think are worth buying, the purchases I think are mostly a fad, and the rules I’ve developed to stop myself from buying things I hope I’ll use.

I don’t think the answer is to stop spending money or become a minimalist. I think it’s learning how to tell the difference between something you’ll genuinely use and something you just really want right now.

So… happy shopping? 🛍️

What if the problem in dating isn't that your standards are too high—but that you're checking the wrong boxes?

When you're dating, it's easy to focus on the obvious: appearance, career, income, education, or whether someone fits your “type.” But those boxes don't necessarily tell you whether you're actually compatible.

In this episode of I Have Thoughts, Amira breaks down how to stop treating dating like a checklist and start thinking more intentionally about relationship compatibility. She explores the difference between preferences, needs, and non-negotiables, how to identify the values that actually matter to you, and why chemistry shouldn't override your standards.

You’ll also learn how to recognize green flags as evidence rather than proof, when to be flexible with your dating preferences, and how to make better decisions without either rejecting the right person or overlooking the wrong one.

In this episode:

• Preferences vs. needs vs. non-negotiables

• How to define your dating standards

• What your “type” might actually be telling you

• Chemistry vs. compatibility

• Green flags as data points

• When to be flexible—and when to hold your boundaries

Because you're not looking for someone who checks every box. You're figuring out which boxes actually matter—and recognizing compatibility when you see it.

We continue the dating saga as we dissect what happens after the first date. In summary, dating can make you feel like you’ve completely lost the plot.

One great date and suddenly you’re wondering what your first name would look like with their last name. One bad date and you’re convinced you’ll never find anyone. In this episode, I’m talking about how to stay grounded through all three: the amazing date, the mid date, and the absolute shit show.

We’re getting into pacing yourself when you’re excited about someone, giving chemistry time to grow, and—most importantly—collecting data instead of jumping to conclusions. I also unpack the difference between crush-induced anxiety and rumination versus the quieter feeling of actually trusting your gut.

Because dating isn’t about trying to win someone—it’s about figuring out whether they’re worth continuing to know, without losing your mind in the process.

First dates can feel like a high-stakes audition—but what if we're approaching them all wrong?

In this episode, I’m breaking down my philosophy on first dates, whether you’re meeting a potential romantic partner or a new friend. We’re talking outfits, chivalry, boundaries, conversation, flirting, and my four levels of first-date questions.

My biggest piece of advice? Stop trying to figure out if someone is your soulmate after one interaction. You’re collecting data. Every date—great, awkward, or absolutely terrible—is an opportunity to learn what actually matters to you.

So get dressed, go on the date, and remember: your only job is to collect data.

We love social media. We hate social media. We can't stop opening it.

In this episode, Amira explores our complicated relationship with the internet—from Instagram and doomscrolling to algorithms, and the emotional whiplash of being online. Is social media making us more connected, more informed, or just more anxious?

Amira reflects on taking a three-month break from Instagram, what she learned by stepping away, but why she still can't quit the comment section.

If you've ever opened your phone for "just a minute" and resurfaced 30 minutes later, this episode is for you.

It's officially Q3, which means it's time for my very opinionated list of what's in and what's officially out this summer.

In this episode, I'm sharing my hottest takes—from why chewing gum and social drinking are in the past, to overconsumption, protein-everything, and our collective addiction to constant stimulation. Then we're flipping the script with everything I'm embracing this season: handwritten notes, neckties, Soft Girl Summer, watching things together, and giving ourselves permission to actually rest.

Consider this your quarterly cultural reset. You probably won't agree with all of my picks... and that's exactly the point.

What are your Q3 ins and outs?

From the Olympics to the NBA Finals to the FIFA World Cup, athletics this year has felt different.

In this episode, I'm exploring why some of our biggest cultural moments happen around a game, why sports are one of the last things that still make us feel united, and the power of complete strangers celebrating together in the streets.

Along the way, I make the case that bandwagon sports fans might deserve a little more credit than they get.

Whether you're a lifelong fan or someone who only tunes in when everyone else does, this one's for you. Go sports!