The Pros and Cons of Spontaneity in Your Relationship

(Because “Let’s Just See What Happens” Can Go Either Way)

Ah, spontaneity. That exciting, unpredictable force that turns regular couples into adventurous lovebirds—or into two people standing in the rain without an umbrella, arguing over why nobody checked the weather.

When you’re in a relationship, spontaneity can be your best friend or your most entertaining disaster. Let’s break down the highs, the lows, and the "what were we thinking?" moments of keeping things spontaneous in love.

The Pros (a.k.a. Why Spontaneity Feels Like a Rom-Com)

Spontaneity keeps the relationship fresh. When your partner suddenly says, “Let’s drive to the beach right now!” it feels like you’re starring in your own little indie film where nobody’s paying rent and everything is lit perfectly by golden-hour sunlight.

Those surprise dinners, unexpected weekend getaways, or impulsive karaoke nights? They create memories you talk about for years. You’ll always remember the random Tuesday you got matching tattoos (hopefully matching in a good way).

Plus, spontaneity keeps you both on your toes—in a good way. It sparks excitement, keeps boredom at bay, and reminds you that you’re still capable of surprising one another long after you’ve memorized each other’s coffee orders and laundry quirks.

And let’s not forget: sometimes spontaneity leads to new discoveries. That weird roadside diner you randomly stopped at might just serve the best pie you’ve ever eaten in your life. Instant couple tradition created. Boom.

The Cons (a.k.a. When Spontaneity Feels Like a Reality Show Gone Wrong)

Here’s where things get… messy. Spontaneity doesn’t always check in with practicality. It forgets that hotels need reservations, restaurants fill up, and you probably should have packed an extra pair of socks.

Suddenly, your spontaneous road trip involves a very romantic search for a gas station bathroom at 2 AM.

And not everyone’s version of spontaneity matches. One of you might think "spontaneous" means ordering a new appetizer at your favorite restaurant, while the other thinks it means quitting your job to live in a van and raise alpacas in Oregon. Alignment is key, folks.

Also, spontaneous spending can be a sneaky trap. That surprise spa day felt great—until the credit card bill arrives and you both realize your "adventure fund" is now your "peanut butter for dinner fund."

Finally, some people (read: most of us) just need a little notice. Springing surprise plans on your partner five minutes before their scheduled nap isn’t always received with the enthusiastic "Yes, my love!" you envisioned.

The Sweet Spot: Planned Spontaneity (Yes, It’s a Thing)

The secret? Find the middle ground. Build room for spontaneity into your routine. Keep an “adventure jar” full of date ideas. Have a go-bag ready for impromptu weekends. Save a little budget for "just because" fun.

Basically: be spontaneous… but with a safety net.

That way, you still get the magic of unpredictability without the drama of sleeping in your car because every hotel in town was fully booked during your surprise visit.

Spontaneity can be a thrilling ingredient in your relationship—as long as you both understand that sometimes it leads to unforgettable sunsets, and sometimes it leads to soggy sandwiches on a park bench because you forgot to check if the food truck festival was actually happening.

Either way, you’ll be together. And honestly, that’s where the real adventure is.

  

  

How College NIL Deals Are Quietly Undermining the NFL Dream

For decades, the NFL was the promised land.

College football was the grind.
The NFL was the payoff.

You trained, sacrificed, risked injury, and delayed real money for one reason: the reward at the end was worth it. A pro contract meant you had made it.

That equation has changed—and not in a small way.

With the explosion of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, college football has entered an era where some players are making millions before they ever take an NFL snap. While NIL has corrected real injustices and empowered athletes, it has also created unintended consequences—ones that may be quietly eroding motivation, loyalty, and even the long-term value of becoming an NFL player.

The NFL Is No Longer the First Big Payoff

In the past, money was a powerful motivator. You stayed hungry because the real financial reward was still ahead.

Now?

Some college players:

• Sign NIL deals worth millions

• Drive luxury cars on campus

• Build personal brands larger than mid-level NFL veterans

• Achieve celebrity status before their first professional contract

As a result, the NFL is no longer the first major financial milestone—it’s often the second.

And when the finish line moves closer, urgency fades.

Less Pressure to Improve = Less Competitive Edge

When a player is already financially secure, the incentive structure changes.

Historically:

• Better performance = higher draft pick

• Higher draft pick = more money, more security

Today, for some elite college athletes:

• NIL money cushions risk

• A lower draft position may not feel catastrophic

• Incremental improvement may feel less urgent

This doesn’t mean players stop working hard—but it does mean the psychological edge that once drove relentless improvement can be dulled.

Hunger matters in professional sports.
And hunger is harder to maintain when you’ve already eaten well.

The Awkward Reality: Some Players Make LESS in the NFL

One of the strangest side effects of NIL is this:

Some players actually take a pay cut when they turn pro.

A college star with lucrative endorsements may:

• Make more in college than as a late-round NFL rookie

• Lose NIL income once eligibility ends

• Enter a league with non-guaranteed contracts and shorter leashes

So instead of the NFL feeling like a financial leap forward, it can feel like a step sideways—or even backward.

That fundamentally changes how players view the league.

Loyalty Is Already Gone—NIL Accelerated the Trend

College football once thrived on loyalty.

Players:

• Stayed with one program

• Built identities tied to schools

• Became legends within a single system

Now?

• The transfer portal has normalized constant movement

• NIL deals incentivize switching teams

• Brand value often outweighs program identity

It’s no longer shocking to see a player:

• Play for three or four colleges in four years

• Treat programs as short-term business opportunities

• View teams as stepping stones rather than homes

That mindset doesn’t disappear when players reach the NFL.
If loyalty is transactional in college, why would it suddenly become sacred in the pros?

The Lost College Experience No One Is Talking About

There’s another cost that rarely gets discussed: life experience.

College used to be a protected space:

• Learning independence

• Making mistakes without cameras

• Living broke but growing rich in experience

• Developing emotional resilience

Now, some players skip that phase entirely.

When you’re earning millions at 19:

• You’re insulated from consequences

• Shielded from everyday reality

• Surrounded by handlers, agents, and advisors

By the time these players reach the NFL, they may be financially experienced—but emotionally underdeveloped.

That matters in a league where:

• Pressure is extreme

• Careers are short

• Identity crises are common after injuries or releases

Money accelerates adulthood—but it doesn’t replace maturity.

This Isn’t Anti-Player—It’s Pro-Reality

To be clear: NIL itself isn’t evil.

Players deserved compensation.
The old system exploited them.

But systems shape behavior, and the NIL system is reshaping football culture in ways the NFL—and fans—are only beginning to understand.

The danger isn’t that players are making money.
The danger is that money arrived before identity, discipline, and purpose were fully formed.

The Big Question the NFL Must Face

If college football now:

• Pays like a pro league

• Encourages free agency behavior

• Rewards brand over development

Then what exactly is the NFL offering that college doesn’t?

Because when the dream loses its exclusivity, its power fades.

And when the NFL is no longer the ultimate destination—but just another step on a monetized path—the league may find itself dealing with players who are:

• Less hungry

• Less loyal

• More transactional

• And harder to motivate long-term

Final Thought

NIL deals didn’t just change college football.

They changed what it means to want the NFL.

And unless both leagues adapt thoughtfully, we may look back and realize the greatest cost wasn’t financial—it was cultural. 

 

The Magic of Getting to National Parks Really Early (Like "Why Am I Awake?" Early)

Let’s talk about something that separates the casual visitors from the true National Park fanatics: the before-sunrise arrival.

You know the type. The people stumbling out of their cars at 4:30 AM, sipping bad gas station coffee, headlamps blazing, eyes half-shut, wondering if this was really a good idea. Spoiler alert: it absolutely is.

Getting to National Parks crazy-early is one of the best ways to experience nature in all its glory—and here's why:

You Get to Witness Nature’s Private Show

Before the sun comes up, the park feels like it’s letting you in on a secret. The sky is still heavy with stars, animals are just beginning to stir, and the world has this peaceful, untouched vibe that makes you feel like you accidentally broke into Mother Nature’s dressing room before the big show.

And then the sun starts to rise.

Colors you didn’t even know existed begin to pour across the sky. That towering rock formation, waterfall, or mountain peak suddenly looks like it was painted in real time just for you. The tourists who sleep in will see the view—but they won’t see this.

Wildlife Thinks You’re One of Them

Want to see animals? They’re morning people. You’re more likely to spot elk, deer, coyotes, or even the occasional bear doing their breakfast rounds while you’re stumbling around with your trail mix.

And let’s be honest: watching an elk graze in the morning mist beats fighting a family of four for parking any day.

No Crowds, No Noise, No "Accidental" Photobombs

At 5 AM, there are no screaming toddlers. No giant buses unloading 40 people wearing matching shirts. No one blocking your perfect photo because they’re staging the world’s longest selfie session.

It’s just you, your camera, and about 1,500 empty Instagram-worthy shots waiting to happen.

Parking Is Actually a Thing That Exists

If you’ve ever tried to get parking at a National Park at noon on a Saturday, you know it’s like competing in the Hunger Games with rental cars. Arrive early, and not only do you get a spot—you get options. Shade? Close to the trailhead? Practically VIP parking.

You Can Actually Hear Things. Like Birds. Or Your Own Thoughts.

There’s a quiet serenity to the park in those early hours that’s impossible to find once the crowds arrive. You hear the crunch of gravel under your boots, the rustle of trees, the occasional owl wrapping up its night shift. It’s meditative. It’s peaceful. It’s your personal retreat center with way better scenery.

You Beat the Heat (And the Afternoon Meltdowns)

Especially in the desert parks, early mornings are cool, crisp, and sweat-free. By noon, you’re not only fried like bacon, but you’re also navigating a sea of grumpy, sunburned tourists who are on the verge of losing it because someone forgot the granola bars.

Start early, hike happy, nap guilt-free in the afternoon.

Bragging Rights Are Built In

Let’s not pretend this isn’t part of the fun. There’s a certain joy in saying, “Oh, yeah—we already finished the hike before breakfast.” Bonus points if you post a sunrise selfie while your friends are still sleeping.

Embrace the Ugly Wake-Up Call

Yes, it’s early. Yes, your alarm will go off while your brain begs you to reconsider your life choices. But trust me: when you’re standing alone on a trail, watching the first rays of light hit a mountaintop, you’ll feel like you’ve unlocked a secret level of the park that most visitors never get to see.

And when you’re driving out while everyone else is still circling for parking? Victory tastes even sweeter.

Everyone Gets Underwear for Christmas

 

Everyone Gets Underwear for Christmas

There are a few universal truths in life. Gravity works. Leftovers taste better the next day. And no matter how old you are, at some point on Christmas morning, you will unwrap underwear.

It might not be the gift you asked for.
It might not be the gift you wanted.
But it will be there—folded neatly, proudly wrapped, and presented with the confidence of someone who believes this is both practical and thoughtful.

And honestly? They’re not wrong.

---

The Childhood Years: When Underwear Was a Personality

As kids, Christmas underwear was less about necessity and more about identity. This is the era of Underroos, when your underwear loudly declared who you were on the inside.

Superheroes. Princesses. Cartoon characters. Dinosaurs.
If you wore it, you became it.

Nothing gave a child more confidence than knowing they were technically wearing a superhero costume all day under their jeans. Capes were optional. Power was assumed.

Parents loved these gifts because they combined excitement with practicality. Kids loved them because suddenly underwear wasn’t boring—it was lore.

---

The “Days of the Week” Era

Eventually, childhood underwear evolved into the infamous days-of-the-week sets.

Monday. Tuesday. Wednesday.
Sometimes Saturday and Sunday got fancy colors.

These sets were meant to teach responsibility and organization, though in reality, they mostly taught kids how to wear “Thursday” on a Tuesday without consequence. Still, they were iconic. Predictable. Comforting. The backbone of many childhood laundry systems.

Everyone had them. Everyone pretended they followed the system. No one actually did.

---

Teen Years: Socks’ Less Popular Cousin

Teenagers receive underwear the same way they receive socks—with mild disappointment and eventual acceptance.

This is when underwear gifts shift from fun to functional. Plain colors. Multipacks. Nothing exciting. Nothing embarrassing. Just enough fabric to last until laundry day.

Parents give these gifts knowing full well they’ll be ignored until absolutely necessary. Teenagers secretly appreciate them six months later when all their favorites are gone.

---

Adult Christmas Underwear: The Quietly Appreciated Gift

Adulthood changes everything.

Suddenly, Christmas underwear isn’t a joke—it’s a relief.

Good underwear is expensive. Comfortable underwear is rare. And replacing the entire drawer at once feels oddly luxurious. These gifts come from people who know you well enough to understand your priorities now include comfort, durability, and waistbands that don’t roll.

This is the stage where you nod, smile, and think, “Honestly? Thank you.”

---

Matching Sets and “Nice” Undies

This is also the age of receiving underwear that’s meant to feel grown-up. Matching sets. Neutral colors. Fabric that claims to breathe.

These gifts usually come from partners, spouses, or well-meaning relatives who have decided you deserve to feel like a functioning adult with their life together—even if that’s a stretch.

You may not wear them every day, but they live in the drawer like quiet backup dancers, ready for moments when effort feels necessary.

---

The Boyfriend Gift Section: Ambition Over Comfort

Every couple has this moment.

A boyfriend—well-intentioned, optimistic, and clearly influenced by movies—gifts his girlfriend underwear that looks amazing and feels like it was designed by someone who has never actually sat down.

Lace everywhere. Straps in confusing places. Zero forgiveness.
The kind of underwear that says, “This is not for walking, bending, or existing.”

She smiles. She says thank you. She tries it on once.
Then it disappears into the drawer forever, only resurfacing when she’s cleaning or moving.

These gifts are given with love and worn with patience—briefly.

---

Why Underwear Is Actually the Perfect Christmas Gift

Underwear survives every stage of life. It grows with us, embarrasses us, comforts us, and eventually becomes something we genuinely appreciate.

It’s practical without being boring. Personal without being too personal. And universally relatable.

Underwear says, “I care about your comfort, even if you didn’t ask.”

And that’s kind of the heart of Christmas.

So this year, when you unwrap yet another pair, remember:
You’re part of a long, proud tradition.

Everyone gets underwear for Christmas.
And honestly? We wouldn’t have it any other way.

Upgrade You: Simple Changes, Powerful Energy, Infinite Potential

  

Upgrade You:

Simple Changes, Powerful Energy,

Infinite Potential

Upgrade You This New Year: Why THIS Is the Book You Need to Become Your Best Self (Without Losing Your Mind)

The New Year is here — that magical time when we all suddenly decide we’re going to be better humans. We buy fresh planners, new pens, overpriced water bottles, and tell ourselves things like:

“I will wake up at 5 AM.”
“I’m giving up sugar, dairy, bread, Netflix, and negativity.”
“I’m going to meditate for 45 minutes every morning.”

And by January 14th?
We’re eating cereal in bed, scrolling TikTok, and wondering why self-improvement feels like boot camp for the emotionally exhausted.

But what if upgrading yourself didn’t mean suffering, sacrificing joy, or becoming some robotic version of perfection?

Enter Upgrade You: Simple Changes, Powerful Energy, Infinite Potential — the self-improvement book that actuallygets it.

---

Why “Upgrade You” Is the New Year Book You Didn’t Know You Needed

Unlike those intense, guilt-inducing “fix your whole life by 5 PM” manuals, Upgrade You shows you how to become your best self through small shifts, big laughs, and actual real-life changes you can stick to.

No gurus.
No pressure.
No shame for choosing tacos over treadmill time.
Just honest, funny, practical wisdom from Dr. Rob Alex.

Inside the pages, you’ll learn how to:

✔ Make simple adjustments that elevate every part of your life
✔ Upgrade your energy without burning out
✔ Add metaphysical magic to everyday actions
✔ Build confidence and self-worth that last
✔ Stop chasing perfection and start celebrating progress
✔ Laugh at your mistakes instead of crying into cheesecake
✔ Create a life you love, without needing a yoga mat made of unicorn fur

This book isn’t here to “fix” you — you’re not broken.
It’s here to help you upgrade you… with humor, heart, and a whole lot of freedom.

---

New Year, New Energy: Why NOW Is the Perfect Time to Upgrade

January isn’t just a month — it’s a vibe.
It’s a metaphysical reset button wrapped in sparkly energy and fresh-start momentum.

You’re already thinking about changes.
You’re already imagining a better version of yourself.
And “Upgrade You” shows you EXACTLY how to do it without the burnout, shame, or 42-step morning routines that require a small team of assistants.

This New Year, don’t promise yourself you’ll be perfect — promise yourself you’ll be better, a little at a time.

That’s where the magic happens.
That’s where YOUR infinite potential wakes up.

---

Why Readers Are Loving “Upgrade You”

➡ It’s fun.
➡ It’s relatable.
➡ It’s profoundly honest.
➡ It feels like talking with your funniest, most encouraging friend.
➡ It gives you tools you can use TODAY — not someday.

Readers aren’t just reading the book — they’re laughing, reflecting, clearing out old energy, shedding outdated habits, and upgrading everything from their mindset to their relationships.

---

What Makes It Different From Every Other New Year “Change Your Life” Book?

Realness. Humor. Humanity. And metaphysical goodness.

This book acknowledges:

• You’re busy

• You’re human

• You’ve tried self-improvement before

• And you’re tired of feeling like you're “not enough”

Upgrade You flips the script.
It says you are enough — and now it’s time to build on that foundation in small, powerful steps.

Like cleaning your inner energy junk drawer.
Or learning to say “no” without writing a four-paragraph apology.
Or celebrating tiny wins that add up to big transformation.

---

The New Year Is Coming… and So Is the New YOU

This is the year you stop fixing yourself and start upgrading yourself.
This is the year you accept your quirks, honor your energy, raise your standards, and step into your potential without pressure or perfectionism.

Let the Universe see you shine.
Let your life expand.
Let your spirit recharge.

And let Upgrade You guide you through the journey — with laughter, heart, and a whole lot of “you’ve got this.”

---

Ready to Begin?

Upgrade You: Simple Changes, Powerful Energy, Infinite Potential
is available now — and it’s the perfect companion for your New Year intentions, vision boards, affirmations, and “I swear this year will be different” pep talks.

👉 Grab your copy today
👉 Prepare to feel energized, inspired, and empowered
👉 Step into the upgraded version of YOU — one small shift at a time

Because the best version of you isn’t out of reach.
It’s already here — waiting for you to hit upgrade.

Always FREE to Read on Kindle Unlimited 

Click here to get

Upgrade You:

Simple Changes, Powerful Energy, Infinite Potential

on Amazon / Kindle / Kindle Unlimited

 

Allow It:

The Mindset Shift and Life Changing Tool for Emotional Resilience Calm Confidence Inner Peace and Power in a Modern Chaotic World

Allow It” by Leo Hartwell

The Mindset Shift and Life Changing Tool for Emotional Resilience, Calm Confidence, Inner Peace and Power in a Modern Chaotic World

If you’ve ever wondered how to manage stress and anxiety, how to stop overthinking, or can feelings be controlled, this book offers a grounded, deeply human answer.

Allow It offers you a groundbreaking and life-changing approach to thinking — one that transforms your relationship with emotions and adversity by teaching you how to manage stress and anxiety in a completely new way.

Instead of fighting your inner world, this book shows you how to meet it with calm strength and a deeper kind of intelligence.

It blends emotional insight, philosophy, the principles of ethics and leadership to help you reshape the way you think, feel and respond to life.

If you have ever searched for natural stress reduction techniques, wondered can feelings be controlled, or tried to learn how to stop overthinking, this book brings you a path that is both practical and deeply human.

Inside you’ll discover how to:

• Use everyday philosophy to shift your thinking from reactive to intentional
• Radically improve clarity of thinking with mood improvement
• How to stop bad overthinking
• Strengthen emotional steadiness and so have emotional balance
• Detach from negativity without detaching from life
• Support professional development with calm focus, integrity and inner stability
• Release the grip of resistance, emotional reactivity, and over-control
• Transform every negative experience into fuel for your personal growth
• Maintain composure and energy even with difficult people

Why This Book Changes Lives

What makes Allow It different is not motivational hype or forced positivity. Its power lies in a simple, profound shift in perspective. One that dissolves unnecessary mental struggle and restores your ability to think clearly, feel deeply and move forward purposefully.

Readers discover that steadfastness is not something you chase - it’s something you create through a new way of thinking.

There is a quiet revolution at the heart of the book. A method that is practical, grounded, ethical…and genuinely transformative.

The two words that free you from everything that holds you back.

Allow It — and watch your world transform.

Click here to get Allow It

on Amazon / Kindle / Kindle Unlimited 

 

The Most Strange and Unusual Date Night Ideas (Because Dinner and a Movie Are Boring Now)

Let’s be honest: the classic dinner-and-a-movie routine is great… for about the first five dates. After that, it starts to feel like you’re stuck in a rom-com that never quite makes it to the exciting part. If you want to truly impress your date (or your long-time partner who’s secretly begging you for a little creativity), it’s time to embrace the weird.

Here are some of the most strange and unusual date night ideas that will either make you fall even more in love—or at least give you stories to tell for years.

Taxidermy Class (Yes, Really)
Because nothing says "romantic bonding" like stuffing a squirrel together. Sure, it's weird. Sure, your friends will judge you. But by the end, you’ll either have matching professionally preserved chipmunks or matching therapy appointments. Either way: memorable.

Visit a UFO Museum
A little mystery. A little conspiracy. A lot of blinking at strange artifacts and wondering if the guy in the corner is an actual government agent. Nothing brings people closer like shared confusion over alien autopsy exhibits.

Silent Disco in a Cemetery
Romantic moonlight? Check. Historic setting? Check. Wireless headphones blasting Beyoncé while you awkwardly shuffle between gravestones? Absolutely. It’s spooky, it’s surreal, and it's perfect for couples who can laugh together while side-eyeing every rustling bush.

Goat Yoga in the Dark
Normal goat yoga is already odd enough. Now do it at night, under fairy lights, with little hooved creatures hopping on your back while you attempt downward dog. Flexibility optional; sense of humor mandatory.

Cryotherapy "Spa Day"
Because what better way to bond than by willingly freezing yourselves in subzero temperatures while pretending you’re totally fine? Nothing says "I love you" quite like chattering teeth and blue lips.

Haunted Doll Museum
Creep each other out while walking past dozens of tiny glassy eyes staring deep into your souls. If you can survive this one together, congratulations—you may be unbreakable.

Rent a Random Animal for an Hour
There are places where you can rent llamas, alpacas, or even donkeys to join you for a picnic or a walk. Is it weird? Absolutely. Is it Instagram gold? Even more so. Plus, you can finally live out your dream of double-dating with a goat named Gary.

Escape Room... Blindfolded
You thought regular escape rooms tested your relationship? Try solving puzzles while blindfolded, relying only on your partner’s questionable sense of direction and ability to describe things under pressure. Either you escape—or you realize who’s really the boss in this relationship.

Ghost Tour While Dressed as Ghosts
Why just see the ghosts when you can be the ghosts? Dress in full spectral attire and join a haunted walking tour. The guide will either be highly amused or deeply concerned. Either way: priceless.

Miniature Golf, But in Reverse
Instead of trying to get the ball in the hole, invent your own ridiculous rules: putt with your non-dominant hand, bounce it off two obstacles, or play blindfolded while your partner provides “helpful” commentary. It's pure absurdity, and that's the fun.

Final Thoughts
The truth is, the best dates aren’t always the ones that go smoothly—they’re the ones you’ll never forget. When you step outside the predictable and into the absurd, you’re not just having a date night—you’re making an experience, building inside jokes, and possibly learning how well you and your partner handle taxidermy accidents.

So ditch the reservations and embrace the ridiculous. Love might be serious business—but dating? That’s where the weird magic happens.