February 2026

Embrace being awesome. 

My sister is an artist but she won’t claim the description. I’ve shushed her and reiterated that she is but she does not want to own it. She doesn’t think she is good enough. The reality is she creates detailed art that is astounding. 

I think many of us feel similarly. We doubt ourselves and are riddled with imposter syndrome. If only it was easy to embrace our awesomeness. Is it lack of confidence? Are we holding ourselves to impossible standards? Or are we unable to see where we actually are, right now, today. 

I think my sister still sees her work in the same light as when she started. She doesn’t see her progress and how with every piece of art she gets better. As we learn new things, it can be hard to acknowledge that we actually have improved. 

While teaching my freshman class a few weeks ago, I suddenly realized how comfortable I was performing, I mean teaching. Teachers are part improv actors. We have to be, and in that moment I realized how far I have come as an educator and performer. 

Many things helped me to get to this moment, but at the forefront was my experience in front of a podcast and live streaming microphone and doing panels at pop culture conventions like Dragon Con. I have multiple awards sitting in my office, but still I wondered if I was just good at putting together the award application, or did I somehow after decades become decent at this? Turns out I’m more than decent, and I’m embracing that now. 

Humble brag about yourself and embrace your awesomeness. And sis - if you are reading this - YOU ARE AN ARTIST (proof below).

By Miriam Garrett

Welcome to the corner where we talk about digital and social media. Have you tried Threads yet? I know it is owned by Meta, but it really is different. Released as a competitor to X/Twitter (does anyone actually call it X? I still think it is porn app every time I see it on my phone), it is meant for ‘in the moment’ conversations. It favors text posts (but you can do visual), and it doesn’t love hashtags. One hashtag at the top to classify the post seems to be the thing and there is talk that strings of hashtags at the bottom of a post are being hidden.

Threads has a new feature called “Dear Algo” where you can tell Threads what you would like to see more or less of. Type in a public Thread “Dear Algo I’d like to see more Taylor Swift.” For three days it will adjust the fyp (for you page or content) to your request. This will work great for current events, but you will have to keep re-upping them to keep the Algo hits happening.  

Two cool new features are being rolled out that integrate podcasts and group communications. You can go into settings and add your podcast. Next time you share an episode a preview will be highlighted in the feed. 

The second new feature is group chat. Just what I needed another place to forget I have conversations going. Check it out as Threads rolls it out. 

Here are some of my favorite Threads accounts - they are unhinged, but glorious:

@Calm @PBS @ThisOldHouse @steak_umm @Finch 

Yes, Steak Ums. Here is a Thread from 1/16/26:

“Digital literacy is knowing when someone is trying to sell you fear, rage, or a multi level marketing scheme.”

Do you love pens? Levenger is our go to online place to get excellent pens. You can find them at all price levels - but hold out for a sale. I just picked up a new Rollerball pen for less than $18 (originally over $75) with free shipping. As always, not an affiliate link just want to help others with their pen obsession - and thank my Big Sis for starting mine.

Dobby is dropping in this month to encourage you to face your fears - with help. Dobby is afraid of thunder but he is 100% willing to admit this and sit in my lap to get help and comfort. He is getting better with every clasp, but he knows I’m here for him when he needs it. 

If you missed my first newsletter, you can read it on my Patreon (don’t worry it is free). The newsletters on my Patreon have alt text accessibility.

See you next month! Until then, you can catch me on Be Awesome Together with Charles McFall and soon on Geek Meets Social. Yes, here I go again. My podcast, my expression. 

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Be kind and be you. 

Geek Meets Social where Compassion finds Expression.