joanne tombrakos - Building Brands

How Getting on a Plane for the First Time Since the Pandemic Helped Me to Gain Perspective

There was a time when this all came easily to me, but not this time. This time I had not been on a plane in almost two years, since before the pandemic began. This time not only was I out of practice, I was skeptical. Should I even risk it? What if I … [Read more]

If You Want To Create Change, Start With Gratitude

Practicing gratitude came later to me in life. Not that I was raised to be ungrateful. I wasn’t. I was a fussy eater as a child – something I clearly outgrew. If I didn’t want to finish all the food on my plate at dinner – which was pretty much all … [Read more]

I Can’t Remember What Last Mother’s Day Was Like

I can’t remember what last Mother’s Day was like. There is nothing in my journal about it. I know the lockdown was starting to wear on us all, especially so on my mother. She watched too much television, never missing the countless interruptions … [Read more]

If We Want Social Media to Change, We Have to Recognize Our Role in It

Every time I teach a class on social media, I begin by fessing up to my love/hate relationship with the platforms. My favorite to pick on is Facebook. I had one student a few years ago who politely listened to my rants until halfway through the … [Read more]

What Happens When You Decide To Make 2021 The Year Of Being Kind To You

When I made my list of intentions for 2021 I decided to include being kind to me. Not that I was being unkind to myself in 2020 but 2020 was …well …. it was 2020. Between the pandemic, watching my mother decline and then passing in October, and … [Read more]

Dear 2020, Don’t Let The Door Hit You On The Way Out

I have never been one to wish my life away. The older I get the less I want to do so. I want to savor each moment, to be present, and to live it fully. But when it comes to this year - to 2020 - all bets are off. I want it … [Read more]