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Alvarez runs a Substack blog, Ruminate, where she transforms everyday thoughts, experiences, and life lessons into essays designed to inspire readers and remind them that they’re not alone.

Ruminate •

Knowledge Is Sexy

Snapple was onto something when they printed facts inside their bottle caps. There was something satisfying about knowing you were about to be refreshed and learn something new at the same time. It made opening a bottle feel like a small event. You’d twist off the cap, curious about what random piece of information was waiting for you. Somehow, that little fact made Snapple more interesting. It made a bottle more interesting. Knowledge made a bottle more interesting.The more I’ve learned, the mo...
Ruminate •

Love Is A Drug We All Need

Some despise it, others yearn for it, and many chase it endlessly, like a dog chasing its tail. Love can bring a kind of joy you never knew existed. It can also hurt so deeply it feels as though your heart is being torn from your chest.It’s one of the strongest emotions a person can experience, whether it comes from something beautiful or something painful.Yes, love can be overwhelming, complicated, and messy, but it’s still a drug we all need.The Chemistry Behind LoveModern psychology and neuro...
Ruminate •

Frank Ocean’s Quiet Takeover of the 2019 Met Gala

The two-time Grammy Award winner whose music has shaped a generation: Frank Ocean.He delivered one of the most defining runs of the 2010s (yes, I’ll stand by that) with Channel Orange (2012) and Blonde (2016). Both albums have not only received critical acclaim but have aged with a rare kind of grace. The emotion, the production, the introspection—each element feels intentional, layered, and deeply human. Frank isn’t just making music; he’s building worlds within it. Blonde’s legacy continues to...
Ruminate •

Becoming Something New Doesn’t Mean Starting Over

We’re a society that loves labels—boxing ourselves in, sticking to the plan, following the path we think we’re supposed to take.A lot of us fall into that trap, myself included. It’s not always obvious when it’s happening, either. At what point does passion turn into limitation?When I graduated college last year, I was “the writer,” “the journalist”—the girl who loved storytelling and envisioned herself writing entertainment and culture pieces for major publications. And don’t get me wrong, I st...
Ruminate •

Life After College Isn’t What They Warned Me About

No more 8 a.m. classes. No more casual catch-ups, living within walking distance of your friends, or grabbing drinks just because. No more showing up to class hungover and laughing it off.Before I graduated, people loved to warn me: “Those first few months post-grad are going to be miserable.”I didn’t believe them. I was ready to go.Of course, I knew I’d miss parts of it, my campus, my friends, the routine. But I didn’t feel attached in the way everyone said I would. And hearing those warnings o...
Ruminate •

The In-Between Phase (and the Songs Pulling Me Through)

The color gray. It’s not white or black. It’s the in-between. The shade that doesn’t quite pair with anything. It feels dull. Flat. Uninspired.Sometimes life feels like that too. Gray.Stuck in the middle, unsure of which direction to go. Nothing quite clicking. Nothing quite fitting. It’s like you don’t pair with anything either. Everything looks gray. Sounds gray. Feels like it’s missing something.That’s the feeling I’ve been trying to shake.Lately, music has been my way out of it. The one thin...
Ruminate •

A Coffee I Never Got to Finish

Crust in my eyes. Cold morning air hitting my face. My body still tired and my mind still hitting snooze. The only thing that can fix this is coffee.I take a few sips before suddenly kissing the cup goodbye as the floor takes the rest.It’s 10:00 a.m. I always drink my coffee on the train before work to get my day started.Instantly irritated, all I wanted was my coffee. I never drop my drink.“F***,” slips from my lips as the cup falls.The stranger sitting to the left of me on the bench quickly sa...
Ruminate •

The Idea Of Feeling Content

The urge to keep building and moving can be hard to ignore. Even after a win, the mind quickly shifts to the next big thing to achieve, turning life into a never-ending cycle of wanting more. Why does it often feel like we can’t fully enjoy life until we reach that one “big goal”?Let’s remind ourselves to celebrate where we are right now. In a world where everything moves so fast and everyone is sharing highlight reels on social media, it’s easy to feel like you’re not doing enough. It’s easy to...
Ruminate •

The Lost Art of Boredom and Hobbies

Doom scrolling.The enemy of attention spans, boredom, and hobbies. It’s how we pass the time now, how many of us start our mornings and end our days.Read that again.It’s how you start your day and end your day. Scrolling through endless media, consuming content that ultimately means nothing.Don’t get me wrong, I’m guilty of getting lost in doom scrolling too. But over the past few weeks, I’ve started to realize I need to spend my time differently. Which is honestly why you’re reading this articl...
The Everyday Thread •

Feeling Lost Is Still Finding a Way

You’re in an Uber, and the driver takes a wrong turn. Your only thought is, “Where am I going?” Panic starts to set in. You try to make a decision, but you can’t. You scan your surroundings, trying to figure out if you’re being taken the right way. Minutes stretch on, and you feel lost, anxious, and curious all at once (feeling a little like Michael Scott in that picture above). But after wrong turns, moments of panic, and uncertainty, you finally arrive safely at your destination.Life can feel...
The Everyday Thread •

You're Feeling Suffocated Because You're Not Creating

There are so many different perspectives in this world that people gain through artistry, whether by creating their own work or being inspired by someone else. Art creates a free space for expression, curiosity, and knowledge.Not to be cheesy, but we were all born to create. When there’s no room for self-expression or nothing to inspire you or feed your knowledge, it’s easy to feel suffocated. Everyone deserves the time to express themselves in different ways, whether it’s writing, art, music, o...
The Everyday Thread •

Step Into Your Best Self: Rebranding for 2026

2025 was a year that quietly reshaped many of us. It tested us emotionally, mentally, financially, and physically; the list could probably go on forever. Some moments felt heavy, confusing, and isolating. And if you ever caught yourself wondering, “Was it just me?” know that it wasn’t. You weren’t alone in feeling this way. Now it’s important we take those hard moments, turn them into lessons and have the best rebrand ever for this new year, 2026! Statistically, 92% of adults will not follow thr...