Category: Bugs and boundaries
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The Digital POW Camp
Are we more informed than ever, or just completely overwhelmed? Exploring the parallels between modern media saturation and historical psychological conditioning in “The Digital POW Camp”—and how real-world human connection cuts through the manufactured digital noise.
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Horse Blinders and Minor Annoyances
What do loud sneezes, hyper-competitive collecting, and blinders have in common? A retrospective look at minor relationship turn-offs, the red flags we miss in our peripheral vision, and the habits that test our patience in love.
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No glitz. Just the repeat.
Addressing a repetitive daily prompt by revisiting the core philosophy behind Rebuilding Rob: No glitz, just the work, and choosing Option C.
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The TikTok Paradox: A Screen Time Confession
What app eats up most of your screen time—and do you even feel bad about it? Exploring the paradox of digital consumption, content creation, and why a daily creator chooses to lurk on TikTok.
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Burning the boats
We often keep ‘escape hatches’ in our back pockets, fearing that full commitment is a risk. Today, I’m burning the boats. From grad school applications to choosing a new path in my relationship, I’m exploring what it means to stop bargaining with the past and finally go all-in on the…
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Rob on… Canadian wildfires 
Smoke-choked skies in Detroit have me questioning our “new normal.” Why are we just now seeing these wildfires, and can we fix our broken fire policies?
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The Weight of a Final Excuse
As a teacher, I’ve heard every excuse in the book. But the worst one I ever received wasn’t from a student—it was the one that finally ended a relationship.
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The Last Man Standing: A Manifesto
Being the “fixer” for family, friends, and neighbors is a heavy burden. I’m exploring the weight of being the “last man standing” and the boundaries men must set to protect their mental health and relationships.
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The Foundation: Rebuilding with the Four Pillars
How do you build a life that lasts? After navigating the “hard years” of 2012 and 2020, I’ve defined four essential pillars—The 100% Policy, Option C, The Art of Moving Slowly, and The Audacity of Potential—that now guide every decision I make. This is the blueprint for rebuilding with intention.
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Weeding the Garden: A Lesson in Boundaries
Social media often rewrites the rules of socializing, leading us to hoard digital connections out of habit rather than genuine interest. In this post, I break down my latest round of digital pruning—from ‘unfriending’ toxic exes to identifying the ‘active communication’ rule of thumb that helps me decide who stays…