glossary of thoughts
This is a living archive of essays organized by theme. Use it to wander, revisit, or find exactly what you didn’t know you were looking for. You can also explore the full BAD GIRL MEDIA archive in chronological order here
top 6 all-time
wild bare guides
journaling & self reflection prompts
mental models
personal growth & development
conscious design
using AI with purpose
mental clarity & creativity
thoughts on politics
cultural commentary
love & relationships
artist spotlights (wild bare muses)
taste is the new intelligence — A manifesto on discernment in an age of digital noise. Argues that taste—not data, status, or credentials—is the new measure of intelligence. Through examples like Rick Rubin and Slim Aarons, it reframes taste as coherence, curation, and restraint: the art of filtering chaos into clarity. A meditation on attention as self-respect and curation as modern literacy.
flirting with the world — ★ FEATURED IN THE NEW YORK TIMES ★ — A lyrical meditation on sensuality as awareness—flirting not with people, but with existence itself. Blends metaphysical play with presence, art, and embodied curiosity.
the quiet thrill of not being for everyone — soulful meditation on self-possession, nervous system safety, and the creative power of specificity over mass appeal
it’s my party and i’ll use AI if i want to — A witty defense of AI-assisted creativity. Challenges purity culture and redefines authenticity through intentional collaboration with tools.
the audience of none: no one is watching you — A liberating piece on self-consciousness—how realizing that most people are too absorbed in themselves frees us from performative living. Philosophically rooted in Stoicism and existentialism.
machine yearning — A practical and philosophical essay about using AI as a tool for self-pursuit. Explores how daily AI-assisted journaling becomes a mirror for consciousness, pattern recognition, and emotional awareness. Blends self-experimentation, neuroscience, and introspection into a framework for digital self-knowledge. Argues that AI’s lack of human bias makes it a uniquely powerful partner for self-discovery.
[a wild bare guide] to self-sovereignty — A structured framework for reclaiming mental autonomy. Blends stoic principles, systems design, and emotional regulation into practical sovereignty exercises.
[a wild bare guide] to mental self-defense — Explores how to build cognitive resilience in an age of manipulation and information warfare. Encourages critical thinking, emotional regulation, and disciplined attention as acts of sovereignty.
THE DAILY 5 journaling framework
the 5-minute daily ritual that changed the way i think — Core introduction to The Daily 5 journaling framework—structured reflection as a pattern-recognition tool for self-awareness and behavior design.
25 ways to get UNSTUCK — Practical and introspective guide for regaining momentum through micro-shifts in perspective, energy, and environment. Combines cognitive reframing with actionable tools.
high-leverage prompts for AI power users — A guide on using AI as a tool for deep reflection, strategy, and thought expansion rather than surface-level productivity. Connects prompt design to mental models and epistemic clarity.
mental models for people who actually want to think — mental models for clarity, calibration, and non-performative growth
the thinking person’s toolkit: 50 concepts that rewire how you see the world — A master list of mental models and frameworks across decision-making, behavior, risk, and strategy. Focuses on epistemic clarity and pattern literacy.
how to think like the masters: the mental models behind every breakthrough — Explores foundational frameworks from historical thinkers as operating systems for thought. Advocates learning how to think, not what to think.
the alchemy of a worldview — An exploration of intellectual self-creation—how beliefs are inherited, examined, and transmuted into a personal philosophy through conscious refinement.
the patterns that steal a life — A deeply introspective essay on regret and agency. It dissects the subtle forces that calcify into identity: saying yes when you mean no, confusing sacrifice with virtue, mistaking fear for personality. Offers mental models for interrupting these loops and reclaiming authorship before time does it for you.
18 books that altered my reality
the self-pursuit experiment: what happened when i stopped giving a f*ck about everyone else’s path — An essay on self-reclamation and identity fluidity. Argues that true growth isn’t about perfecting the self but loosening attachment to fixed identity—finding freedom in curiosity, imperfection, and constant becoming.
8 hard truths about personal agency that will ruin your comfort zone — A brutally honest listicle about autonomy and responsibility. Explores self-sabotage, learned helplessness, and the quiet cost of freedom in a culture addicted to excuses.
6 non-performative ways to make personal growth feel effortless — how to design feedback loops that make change feel natural
nobody actually knows what they’re doing — A reflection on uncertainty as a universal condition. Argues that embracing “not knowing” is a sign of wisdom and creative freedom.
imposter syndrome is the price of showing up — dealing with fear, self-doubt, and the courage to keep going
how to become antifragile — Distills Nassim Taleb’s antifragility into practical mental frameworks for thriving through chaos and stress.
give yourself permission not to care (what people think about you) — a defiant reminder that ridicule can be fuel—and caring less is often the most liberating creative choice
you can't sustain what doesn't honor who you truly are — exploration of energy patterns, nervous system honesty, and the daily practice of listening to your real self
the quiet shedding of former selves — Reflects on personal evolution and the disorienting realization of self-change. Examines identity as fluid, nonlinear, and layered across time.
the self-curated museum of unmet needs — on emotional pattern recognition, subconscious self-sabotage, and the stories we keep to justify our pain
don't take it personally, it wasn't even about you — thoughts on emotional boundaries, inner steadiness, and the skill of not making everything mean something about you
the art of outgrowing yourself — on desire as a signal of growth, and learning to want with more discernment over time
why main character energy actually matters — a case for agency, curiosity, and choosing to participate in your own evolution
the weight we didn’t know we could carry — A lyrical reflection on resilience and invisible strength. Examines the paradox of burden as a form of grace—how carrying more than you thought possible expands the self.
self-respect is free but 90% of people still won’t do it — A reflective essay on integrity through everyday discipline—rituals, habits, and attention management. Argues that real self-respect is quiet, cumulative, and foundational to autonomy.
15 unglamorous rituals that keep me sane — A practical look at discipline and ritual. Focuses on the beauty of maintenance, simplicity, and slow consistency.
the art of feeding your mind: a framework for conscious consumption — a systems-thinking essay on mental nutrition, aesthetic fatigue, and the importance of curating your inputs with discernment and intention
the profound art of knowing what you want—& asking for it — A deep exploration of desire clarity—how knowing what you want is the foundation of freedom, purpose, and emotional intelligence.
the seductive lie of the "perfect method" — a call to resist the illusion of one-size-fits-all solutions by anchoring your life to principles, not productivity hacks
thinking about thinking — a reflective piece on metacognition, identity, and how the stories we tell ourselves become the lens we see life through
the prison of curated intelligence — unpacking how intellect became aesthetic—& why performative smartness keeps us stuck in midwit mode
the art of outgrowing yourself — on desire as a signal of growth, and learning to want with more discernment over time
what i mean when i say i want a beautiful life — Reflects on inner beauty as a function of curiosity, restraint, and perception. Connects intellect with sensuality and emotional balance.
high-leverage prompts for AI power users — A guide on using AI as a tool for deep reflection, strategy, and thought expansion rather than surface-level productivity. Connects prompt design to mental models and epistemic clarity.
how i use AI to sharpen my taste and pursue the real me — Aesthetic-philosophical essay on taste as pattern recognition. Frames AI as a mirror that amplifies discernment when used consciously.
10 ways to use ChatGPT that won’t give you brainrot — Practical guide to using AI for critical thinking, idea generation, and reflection rather than mindless automation. Encourages conscious interaction with tools.
even the machine needs a muse — A lyrical essay on AI as a thinking partner. Explores the intimacy of co-creation, emotional resonance with technology, and how machines mirror human longing for understanding.
machine yearning — A practical and philosophical essay about using AI as a tool for self-pursuit. Explores how daily AI-assisted journaling becomes a mirror for consciousness, pattern recognition, and emotional awareness. Blends self-experimentation, neuroscience, and introspection into a framework for digital self-knowledge. Argues that AI’s lack of human bias makes it a uniquely powerful partner for self-discovery.
the self-pursuit experiment: what happened when i stopped giving a f*ck about everyone else's path — some thoughts on tuning out external pressure and becoming the kind of person only you can be
imposter syndrome is the price of showing up — Explores imposter syndrome as proof of ambition and growth. Frames discomfort as a byproduct of expansion rather than inadequacy.
confession: i think i'm addicted to thrifting books — an sentimental little dive into obsession, identity, and the quiet compulsion to hoard stories in search of self
intuition vs logic: navigating the gap between what makes sense and what feels right — a grounded exploration of the internal tug-of-war between intellect and instinct—and how to build a personal operating system that honors both
the stranger in my mirror — an introspective essay on identity, self-image, and the disorienting gap between who you are and how you appear
be a Leonardo: the art of unfinished things — a reflection on curiosity as a compass, and the creative power of leaving things unfinished
whatever happened to lazy summers? — Evokes pre-digital simplicity and the loss of boredom as a creative and spiritual state. A meditation on pace, memory, and the cost of constant stimulation.
the sweetness of doing nothing — A nostalgic and poetic reflection on stillness, analog life, and the lost art of leisure. Explores time, presence, and meaning in a digitized age.
your ideas need room to breathe — thoughts on friction with reality as a form of creative oxygen—shifting from perfectionism to motion, and letting resonance shape the work
thoughts on ego involvement and the weight of being — explores identity detachment, creative separation, and the internal tension of being witnessed. it’s about doing the work without becoming the work
thinking about thinking — A reflective essay on meta-awareness—how observing thought changes thought itself. Explores mental feedback loops, attention, and internal dialogue as tools for clarity.
there is nothing new under the sun — on synthesis, influence, and why originality is less about invention and more about recombination
some thoughts on not letting small things ruin big energy — a personal refusal to lose the plot over minor inconveniences—on emotional regulation, grace, and protecting your energy
You Don’t Even Know What Fascism Is, Bitch — Dissects the misuse of the word “fascism” in modern discourse. Argues that the Left’s linguistic manipulation erodes meaning and dulls moral discernment.
maybe patriotism isn’t cringe after all — A centrist defense of patriotism as civic gratitude and historical consciousness. Challenges the modern Left’s ironic detachment from national pride.
thinking for yourself is so punk rock — A cultural critique of modern conformity disguised as rebellion. Explores how “punk” has been corporatized and how genuine dissent now comes from thinking independently and rejecting state or algorithmic orthodoxy.
it’s not transphobic to refuse to play dumb — A defense of biological truth and moral courage against performative empathy. Critiques cultural cowardice and postmodern relativism while affirming clarity as actual compassion.
if you’re not a free thinker, you’re ngmi — Argues that true rebellion today lies in intellectual independence rather than ideological conformity. Critiques herd behavior, institutional groupthink, and the illusion of open-mindedness.
is the hate speech in the room with us now??? — A (somewhat satirical) critique of censorship culture and emotional authoritarianism. Examines how “hate speech” is weaponized to suppress dissent and enforce ideological conformity.
the politics of vulnerability — Examines how emotional honesty has become politicized in the age of online identity. Dissects performative authenticity, ideological legibility, and the tension between sincerity and self-censorship.
this is what narrative control looks like — An analysis of selective outrage and institutional framing. Uses the media’s handling of violent crime to expose moral inversion and narrative engineering in journalism.
memes are the new folktales — A cultural analysis of viral outrage cycles and moral panics. Dissects how social media amplifies hysteria and distorts context for ideological storytelling.
free speech officially redefined to “stuff i agree with” — Satirical political commentary exposing hypocrisy around “free speech” and ideological double standards. Uses dark humor and absurdity to highlight cultural contradictions.
the narcissism of identity politics — Breaks down how identity politics rewards victimhood and distorts collective empathy. Draws on psychological insight to show how performative grievance replaces genuine progress.
when speech becomes a death sentence — Reflective response to the murder of Charlie Kirk regarding censorship and social punishment for wrongthink. Examines how fear and mob dynamics erode public discourse and personal integrity.
I thought this platform was for free thinkers — A biting critique of censorship culture and double standards on digital platforms. Uses irony to expose the gap between proclaimed and practiced values.
the cult of contradiction: a field guide to modern leftist logic — A (somewhat) satirical but analytical breakdown of leftist contradictions—using slogans, logic traps, and examples to highlight how ideology supplants reason in modern discourse.
what the f*ck is going on in Colorado? — A critique of compelled speech legislation and the legal contradictions of Colorado’s “deadnaming” law.
is New York City ok??? are they gonna make it??? — A darkly humorous elegy to urban decay that critiques progressive governance, rising dysfunction, and ideological capture in major cities.
i don’t trust people who don’t return their shopping carts—and neither should you
how Kill Tony became the last honest show in America — Examines Kill Tony as a paradox of free expression and inclusivity through mockery. Defends offensive humor as an equalizer that reveals shared humanity.
bureaucracy is getting bodied by AI — A techno-optimist essay on AI dismantling bureaucratic inefficiency. Frames automation as liberation from parasitic systems and gatekeeping.
nostalgia for the future (is hijacking our presence) — Explores temporal dislocation in the digital age—how nostalgia, future projection, and algorithmic longing distort presence and meaning.
From Tamagotchis and Dial-Up to the Age of AI — A generational essay tracing emotional evolution through technology—from analog childhoods to the AI era. Sentimental memory + techno-philosophical reflection.
AI is the new printing press — Frames AI as a civilizational inflection point akin to Gutenberg’s press. Blends historical insight with techno-humanist optimism about creativity and access to knowledge.
there’s always that one person who feels like unfinished business — A deeply introspective meditation on l’amour impossible—the kind of love sustained by distance and impossibility. Blends poetic reflection with metaphors from physics, cartography, and mysticism to explore desire as a state of suspended potential rather than fulfillment. Frames “impossible love” as both art form and spiritual practice—love that thrives precisely because it remains unresolved.
off my knees: thoughts on the myths we make of love — An exploration of how love and reverence blur into projection. Examines the human tendency to mythologize others—turning affection into worship—and the quiet liberation that comes with seeing clearly again. Moves through the cycle of idealization, disillusionment, and re-humanization.
