Is it just me, or has life online (and off!) gotten … muted and gray? We traded butter-yellow kitchens, bluebird egg blues, and quirky gadgets in endless bright colors for gray palettes and “clean” minimalism. Even our internet has shifted! It’s gone from glittery, personality-packed MySpace pages to sterile grids designed for algorithms.
Somewhere along the way, vibrancy gave way to sameness. Corporate branding (look at the recent Cracker Barrel ‘new’ logo attempt…blech) doubled down, stripping away quirks in favor of neutral palettes, sans serif fonts, and minimalist “don’t scare the customers” design. It’s clean, sure. But it’s also lifeless.
Youtubers…especially stay at home wives and moms…all have the same kitchen. White and gray granite countertops, white or gray cabinets. Mine? Oh, it’s a light yellow/orange wall with dark green countertop and oak cabinets.
Homes shown on realty sites and Zillow and in person open houses look like showrooms instead of lived-in spaces. Yes, I know about staging, but seriously - gray everywhere is the new neutral? Are you telling me people live with those colors? I hope not because seriously…gray is a non-color.
Even entertainment feels washed out. Superhero movies too dark to see, AI ads pretending to be human craftsmanship, and social media feeds that reward polish over personality.
It’s not that simple or sleek is bad. Really, I’m not saying that. It’s that everything is starting to look the same. And very industrial.
Where’s the color? Red borders instead of notification numbers, light yellow screen option instead of Light or Dark, buildings in town that look like individual buildings and not federal boxes.
I think there’s hope. We don’t have to play along. The antidote to gray sameness isn’t more polish, it’s community. I joined a messy group chat. I support the indie shop with the mismatched decor in town - matter of fact, it’s where I host my book club. I show up in spaces that aren’t trying to be algorithm-friendly but human-friendly.
Real connection has always been a little chaotic, and that’s exactly what makes it colorful again.
Oh, and here’s a picture of my orange sneakers
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A Marketing Tip (more like a Writing Tip, but Writing is a part of Marketing, right?)
When I’m writing, I keep myself on track with a little acronym I learned many, many years ago:
W.R.I.T.E.
It’s just five steps…
W – WEIGH your idea options.
R – REACH a formatting decision.
I – INTRODUCE supporting points.
T – TELL the relevant details.
E – END by polishing document.
Sounds fancy, but really it’s simple. Pick one topic, decide if you’re sharing it as a list, a how-to, or a Q&A, and then get writing. And if you’re short on ideas? Borrow inspiration from magazine covers, competitor bullet points, book tables of contents, etc. Trust me, you’ll never run out.
The trick is not to overcomplicate it.
A list gives your reader options, a how-to keeps things simple, and a Q&A tackles those “but what about…?” questions.
Sprinkle in examples or use a starter line like “One of the biggest mistakes in ___ is ___” to get past writer’s block.
Then, once it’s down on paper, give it a quick tidy-up…clarify, proof, polish. That’s it. W.R.I.T.E. makes writing feel a whole lot less overwhelming and a lot more doable.
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From the Research Files
aka random bits of info you may or may not be able to use in your life
Ever heard the phrase “my hands are registered weapons”?
In the U.S., that’s mostly just movie talk. But there’s one quirky exception…Guam. According to local law, anyone considered an expert in karate, judo, or similar martial arts where hands and feet can be used as deadly weapons has to officially register with the Department of Revenue and Taxation.
Don’t picture a big government ordeal, though. The fee is just $5, it never expires, and if you’re in the military or law enforcement, you’re off the hook. Skip the registration, however, and you could technically be charged with a misdemeanor. So yes, in Guam, some folks really do have “papers” for their fists.
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Pun of the Day
My friend drove his expensive car into a tree and found out how his Mercedes bends.
A stirring historical novel set in WWII-era London based on real events.
What do you do when you're in London and the Blitz begins?
Where do you go to hide from the bombs?
How do you cope with the barrage of explosions, the nights of blackouts, the lack of food and water and ... space?
Librarians Clara Button and her friend Ruby Munroe transform an underground train station in Bethnal Green into a thriving library...and an entire community hub with beds, a café, a nursery, and even a theater.
Alternating perspectives bring depth to their courage, camaraderie, and the transformative power of books under bombs.
It’s a powerful reminder about life is fragile, human kindness...and stories...can carve out spaces of hope.
I'll admit it took me a bit to really get into this book. Be forewarned it starts off slow. Then…it will take you on a real roller coaster ride. Beautifully written, characters wonderfully fleshed out, and then the story of the library itself! Magnificent! I cried, I laughed, I had to set it aside for a short break.
My book club members loved it as much as I did. We shared which character best described how we think we would react in that situation. We all had very strong emotions about the Nazi presence on Jersey Island. And it was a unanimous YES! to rate this a 5 star read.
If you decide to read it, whether you get the hard copy or Kindle version, there are photos and please…read the Author’s Note! Let me know your thoughts!
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If you are at all informed /entertained /amused /educated by today’s edition of Burke’s Bits, here's where you can show your appreciation.
