astridsdreamspace

[astridsdreamspace]

Ode to a sandwich I still dream about. A summer day, a ciabatta roll, and flavors that rewired my soul. Food as memory, food as altar. Pantry Psalm No. 3 is now live. #PantryPsalms #FoodWriting #TastyTidbitThursday

[astridsdreamspace]

Freelance gigs shouldn't feel like traps. Here's how to vet listings like a pro, spot the red flags, and protect your time, energy, and worth. ✨✍️ #FreelanceTips #KnowYourWorth

[astridsdreamspace]

Got scope creep, burnout, and a single oak tree? We’ve got your guide to surviving the freelance life by not surviving it at all — just playing Minecraft instead. Your chicken understands. #MinimumWageMaximumFury #WriterLife #MinecraftMood

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We honor the lives of Black men found under suspicious circumstances—and confront the legacy of racial terror that still echoes today. Say their names. Tell the truth. #SayTheirNames #RacialJustice #DreamspaceDispatch

[astridsdreamspace]

Writers, what’s in your mug? ☕ Pair your drafting energy with the perfect tea. Grab a cozy free printable + explore our favorite blends for every writing vibe. Your muse is thirsty. #teaforwriters #writingrituals

[astridsdreamspace]

“Just one more thing” costs more than people think—especially for creatives. This post unpacks the hidden labor of overgiving, why boundaries matter, and how saying no protects your energy and your work. #FreelanceLife #DigitalRespectWeek #CreativeBurnout

[astridsdreamspace]

Our first literary e-zine is live. The Candle in the Storm holds poetry, grief, truth, & resistance in every line. This is writing that remembers. Writing that burns. 🕯️🔥 #DreamspaceStudio #PoetryZine #WritingAsResistance #EzineLaunch

[astridsdreamspace]

Freelance Like You Mean It: 4 Rules for Staying Sane and Paid

There’s a lot of noise out there about how to “make it” as a freelancer. But, the real keys to long-term success don’t fit in a TikTok. Here are four survival principles from the frontlines. You can thank us later. Or now. We like coffee and cheese. 1. Know Your Worth Just because someone offers to “pay you in exposure” doesn’t mean you have to accept it. Exposure doesn’t pay the rent—or your…

[astridsdreamspace]

Coming Soon: Dreamspace Sparks, Spring 2025

The first volume of Dreamspace Sparks—our reflective, literary e-zine—is nearly here.This seasonal anthology gathers the most powerful, personal, and poetic pieces from the first chapter of our Dreamspace journey. From quiet grief to fierce resilience, from whispered spells to morning coffee divinations, this is a collection for kindred spirits, late-night thinkers, and creative hearts who know…

[astridsdreamspace]

What does your favorite tea say about you? We paired cozy vibes with Adagio blends for writers, dreamers, and tea lovers alike. 🍵✨ From bold Earl Grey to sweet peach iced tea, find your flavor match! #TeaTime #WriterLife #SteepedInStory

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Indie Creatives: Investment in Human Talent

We’re not hobbyists. We’re professionals. Respect the work—respect the worker. Collaborating with indie creatives—writers, designers, illustrators, editors, developers—requires understanding an important concept. Many bigger businesses and corporations forget this is a business relationship, not a favor. And yes, we’re going to talk about respect. Because what many of us get, instead, is…

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🚨 What happens when a president skips Congress and drops bombs anyway? “What the Hell Did We Just Do?” is a firewriting op-ed forged in disbelief and outrage. On the night of June 21st, the U.S. executed airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites. No declaration of war. No Congressional approval. Just one man, too much power, and a payload. This isn’t just a rant—it’s a reckoning. We name names, break down the law, and call out the dangerous erosion of checks and balances. This is about more than politics. It’s about precedent. It’s about the people beneath the payload. It’s about the republic that’s starting to burn. ✍️ If you’ve been shouting “What the actual hell?” into the void—we heard you. We’re writing it down. Loud. Clear. Backed with receipts. 🔗 Read the full essay, check the links, and decide for yourself if this is the America we’re meant to be. #ResistWithWords #NoKings #WarPowersAct #DreamspaceDispatch

[astridsdreamspace]

I didn’t mean to get a dog that day. I really didn’t. I was just going to meet one. Maybe. Possibly. I had no plan, no supplies, and no commitment—until a woman I’d just met shoved a leash and a bag of dog food into my hands, said “he’ll be fine,” and drove off. That’s how I met Monet. I didn’t get the dog I was expecting. I didn’t even get a choice. What I got was a confused little white mop with no vaccinations, no vet history, and no backup plan. Fifteen years later, I still have him. And I wouldn’t trade him for anything. This is a story about how not to rehome a dog. But more importantly, it’s a reflection on responsibility, surprise loyalty, and doing right by the animals who trust us. If you’ve ever had to make the difficult choice to give up a pet—or you know someone who has—this one’s for you. It includes resources, real tips, and some gentle-but-firm advice. Because dogs aren’t furniture. And souls deserve better than to be handed off like hand-me-downs in a parking lot. 🐾 Read “An Unexpected Monet: A Cautionary Tail” on the blog now. Then share it with someone who might need it. #RescueDog #PetCare #RehomingResponsibly #DogLife #Essay #DreamspaceStudio #WritingThatMatters #FreelancerVoices #PetsAreFamily

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In this reflective second episode of The Dreamspace Dispatch, we dive into the layered identity of being a freelance writer—not just as a job, but as a whole human experience. We talk burnout, boundaries, and the balancing act of creativity in a capitalist world. You’ll hear about the difference between writing for a paycheck and writing from the heart, and how I’m learning to do both without losing myself in the process. There’s space for self-help, a little salt for hustle culture, and plenty of heart.

[astridsdreamspace]

No Is a Spell

This week has focused on boundaries. We’ve explored how to set them and how to keep them. We’ve also learned how to survive the pushback when we do. For our Friday creative piece, we’re ending the week with something powerful and poetic. This is a reminder that “No” isn’t something to fear—it’s something to wield. It’s a protective word. It is a sacred act. It is a necessary spell for survival.…

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Not a request. Not a question. Just a boundary, dipped in glitter and sharpened like a pen. ✨ Please Stop Mansplaining My Job to Me — publishing tomorrow for #DigitalRespectWeek.

[astridsdreamspace]

Every freelancer has a story about a gig that looked fine—until it wasn’t. This week, we're talking about boundaries. Tuesday’s post tackled scope creep, and today we’re going straight to the root: recognizing red flags before you ever say yes. Whether it's vague job descriptions, dodgy payment promises, or just that feeling in your gut that something’s off—you don’t have to justify walking away. Our latest piece, “Trust That Gut: Spotting Red Flags Before the Contract is Signed,” is part memoir, part guide, and full of hard-earned lessons. Learn the warning signs, hear the stories, and walk away with a stronger freelance filter. You deserve to work with people who respect you. 📚 Read the full post now at dreamspacestudio.net 💬 And tell us—what’s a red flag you always notice right away? #FreelanceTips #WritingLife #Boundaries #ClientVetting #DreamspaceDispatch