Across My Desk Last Month Vol. 1
Press-on nails and POTUS.
January is 300 days long, February is freezing, March is a blink, and soon it’ll be May — isn’t that always the way? Winter is a really introspective season for me. For the past few months, I’ve thought deeply about my online presence and the platforms I’m using. I’m definitely in the minority camp here, but Tiktok doesn’t feel like my space while Instagram has always been one of my favorite platforms. Substack, however, feels like a place to stretch my writing muscles. So, while brainstorming what I wanted to share, something I came up with was a monthly journal; a collective brain dump of what’s inspiring me, posted on the tail end of each month.
Here are all the things that came Across My Desk this month - highlights from the month, what stuck, what didn’t, and what I’m taking with me.
I took an Audition Workshop and made a self-discovery.
I joined the Jen Waldman Studio back in October, and fell in love with the community. Over the last ten years, I’ve performed in 41 states. After returning home from my last contract in August, I felt deeply called to put down roots and focus on the big dream. As I made this personal pivot in my career, it felt like the right time to look at the way I was auditioning with a fresh lens. So once a week, I brought a selection that scared me and looked the lion in the face. I won’t give too many details about the Workshop — but I highly recommend working with Jen if you’re looking for a community and strategy in your career — but one of my favorite details about her classes is that each of your performance sessions is recorded on your phone.
You can learn a lot by watching yourself, especially in an educational setting. One thing I found to be true in the first two classes especially was a subconscious fear of taking up physical space. Oftentimes, my gestures weren’t fully extended or safe in size and it was something I never realized until I watched myself. I’m a really strong singer but oftentimes my gesture vocabulary wasn’t matching the power in my sound. Recognizing those inconsistencies and small tweaks in performance is how we improve as artists. I’m so excited to have something tangible to work on in the coming months.
I listened to a five hour conversation about Rolex.
Acquired is one of my favorite podcast discoveries of 2025, I sure did make it through a five hour episode about the ins and outs of Rolex and its history. It was so interesting to hear how intricately linked Rolex is with European history, American Exceptionalism, and even James Bond. If you have a long drive, I really recommend this episode. I wasn’t bored once.
I completed a fitness challenge.
A large part of my 2024 was dedicated to healing my relationship with food and movement. I’m really proud of myself for completing this challenge at a healthy pace, not forcing myself to burnout, and allowing each class to be an intuitive choice to get me to the finish line. I took 20 classes in 26 days, and I feel strong and connected to my body. Intuitive eating and movement has helped me reconnect to myself in so many ways far surpassing hunger and satiety, and I’m so excited to see how that journey continues to evolve.
I bought press-on nails.
If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll already know about my current obsession with Glamnetic Press-On Nails. I had an audition and needed my nails done in a pinch, and now I’m not sure if I’ll ever go back to the nail salon again. I got 7 days and 3 hair washes out of my first set (and honestly, probably could have stretched the wear-time a few more days, but I was too excited to try something new.) I’m obsessed.
I took a break from reading.
I have a pretty hefty reading goal for the year, (70 books) and last month I really made some big strides. This month, it felt right to slow down and focus elsewhere. If you’re a Rebecca Yarros reader, you know the deep ache of an Empyrean-emotional-hangover, and the end of Onyx Storm messed me up. I just picked up The Assassins Blade by Sarah J. Maas but so far am not too invested. I’ve been told to stick it out though, so stay tuned for my future thoughts!
Lots to look forward to in April! A trip to Disney with my best friend and her little ones, a baby shower for my cousin who’s due in July, and Easter. I’m hoping to make the Honey Raspberry Cake from With Love, Meghan for my family — will keep you posted on how it goes.
Until then, I wish you a beautiful beginning of April and a great holiday no matter what you’re celebrating.
xx,
KDC.