Checking email every 45 seconds is not only compulsive, it's presumptuous. It suggests a belief that anyone who sends us a message needs us to read it immediately, even if the message is from SkyMall telling us our Bigfoot Garden Yeti statue has shipped. Meghan Daum beliefbigfootcheck share on social
Obviously, nobody chooses not to have kids because they'd rather sleep in late. It's a very visceral decision, and it's a complicated decision. Meghan Daum choosecomplicatedecision Change image and share on social
There's a particular kind of single woman whose relationship with her dog has a level of intensity and affection that may be both the cause and the result of her singleness. For a long time, I was that woman. Meghan Daum affectiondogintensity share on social
I love writing essays and articles, so it's hard for me to resist taking assignments that inevitably pull me away from larger projects. Meghan Daum articleassignmentessay Change image and share on social
We use our gadgets for distraction and entertainment. We use them to avoid work while giving the impression that we're actually working hard. Meghan Daum avoiddistractionentertainment Change image and share on social
I've been a freelancer my entire career, and, at any given time, I have several deadlines for all sorts of things, whether it's some magazine piece or ad copywriting or anything. Meghan Daum careercopywritingdeadline Change image and share on social
I love the essay. It's my favorite genre to work in. Meghan Daum essayfavoritegenre Change image and share on social
The first person is a tradition I relate to and that I use; historically, it's been the voice I work in. But the hair on the back of my neck stands up when I'm referred to as a 'confessional' writer. Meghan Daum backconfessionalhair Change image and share on social
When I talk to students or young writers about the importance of being unafraid to take controversial positions, I'm struck by the degree to which they can't entertain a thought, much less commit one to paper, without imagining the cacophony of snark they'll get in response. Meghan Daum cacophonycommitcontroversial share on social
You don't realize how much a dog's presence defines the contours of your home until, in its absence, the walls seem to relocate themselves. Meghan Daum absencecontourdefine Change image and share on social
