Category: Bugs and boundaries
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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…
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When the Negative Takes Hold: The 100% Policy for the Mind
Not all negative thoughts are created equal. I break down how I use the ‘100% Policy’ to distinguish between daily noise and life-altering signals.