Flying is a Professional Skill Too ✈️ Teach Courtesy Early—Especially in Communal Spaces
Recent travel on American Airlines Flight 3322 was a reminder that flying isn’t just about getting from Point A to Point B—it’s about how we share space with others.
Two small but telling moments stood out:
Seat 14A: A passenger reclined his seat fully and confidently before takeoff, proudly clutching what looked like a faux passport—a bold accessory choice for someone still mastering Air Travel 101.
Seat 15B: Another passenger opened strong-smelling food mid-cabin—a classic novice error in judgment when you’re sharing recycled air with dozens of strangers.
Neither moment was catastrophic. But both ignored a simple truth professionals understand instinctively:
Airplanes are communal environments.
Just like offices, conference rooms, classrooms, and shared workspaces, flying requires situational awareness, courtesy, and restraint.
This is where parenting, mentoring, and leadership matter.
We teach our children how to behave in:
- Schools
- Restaurants
- Meetings
- Public spaces
Flying belongs on that list. Why?
Because no one wants to upset the people around them. Because no one wants to end up as a viral TikTok cautionary tale
And because respect for shared space scales—from airplanes to boardrooms.
Professionalism doesn’t stop at the airport gate. Courtesy isn’t performative—it’s practical. Teach it early. Model it often.
And everyone lands better.
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#Professionalism #CourtesyMatters
#LeadershipByExample #TravelEtiquette
#SharedSpaces #LifeSkills
The “I Don’t Fly Often” Crowd Has Entered the Cabin
I’d like to formally update my flight log with a new entry in the ongoing series titled “Why Airplane Etiquette Is Apparently Optional.”
Welcome aboard American Airlines Flight AA333.
Seat 15B.
Right next to me.
And friends… we have food.
Not snacks.
Not a sandwich.
Not even something politely neutral like pretzels.
This is hot, pungent, aggressively aromatic food that smells uncannily like cat food.
Now, before anyone gets defensive—no judgment on cuisine preferences. Eat what you love. Live your truth. But there’s an unspoken rule of flying that seasoned travelers understand instinctively:
If it smells like it belongs in a bowl on the floor, it does not belong in a pressurized metal tube.
This, once again, is classic “don’t fly often” behavior.
The signs are always there:
Zero situational awareness
No concern for shared air
Complete confidence that this was the right moment to open that container
Airplanes are already a sensory assault. Limited legroom. Engine noise. That one guy who coughs like he’s auditioning for a medical drama. We do not need olfactory chaos added to the mix.
And yet here we are.
Between the early seat recliners and now the mystery protein-emitting eau de feline entrée, this cabin is shaping up to be a masterclass in rookie mistakes.
Frequent flyers don’t need reminders. We know the drill:
Neutral-smelling food only
Eat fast or wait
Respect the invisible bubble of misery we all share
So to seat 15B: I hope your meal was worth it. Truly. Because the rest of us will be smelling it until cruising altitude… and possibly until landing.
Fasten seatbelts.
Tray tables up.
And please—next time—leave the cat food at home. 🐈✈️
Seat Etiquette 101: A Masterclass in How Not to Fly
I’m currently on American Airlines flight 3322, and before we’ve even left the gate, I’ve already witnessed something that should be covered in every “So You’re Flying for the First Time” pamphlet.
The guy in seat 14A, directly in front of me, decided—before takeoff—to fully recline his seat.
Not a gentle lean.
Not a cautious test.
No hesitation whatsoever.
Just full send, like we were already cruising at 35,000 feet with drink service underway.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t advanced flying behavior. This is novice flyer energy.
For those new to air travel (or apparently seated in front of me today), here’s a quick refresher:
Takeoff = seat upright
Landing = seat upright
Taxiing = seat upright
Still on the ground = seat upright
Reclining before takeoff isn’t just bad etiquette—it’s a dead giveaway that you either:
Rarely fly
Don’t care about anyone behind you
Think airplane seats work like a La-Z-Boy in your living room
The worst part? The confidence. The sheer, unearned confidence of someone who has absolutely no idea what they’re doing.
Now I understand—air travel can be stressful. Seats are tight. Comfort is a myth sold by marketing departments. But there’s an unspoken social contract on planes: we all suffer equally.
You don’t get to skip ahead to “nap mode” while the rest of us are still waiting for the safety demo.
So here’s a friendly PSA from seat 14-something-behind-you:
If you’re going to fly, learn the basics.
If you’re going to recline, wait your turn.
And if you’re going to announce you’re a rookie flyer—apparently, 14A is the place to do it.
Fasten seatbelts.
Seats upright.
Common sense… optional, but encouraged.
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Missed Flight, Missed Conversation — Day 16 of Silence
Sometimes timing decides things for you.
My #AmericanAirlines flight 1890 from LAS to DFW on January 4 was canceled. The brief window I had hoped to use to meet #NiravTolia in person is, for now, gone. In that sense, Nirav lucked out — even though neither he nor anyone from #Nextdoor reached out to have the conversation in the first place.
That said, the door is still open. #NiravTolia and #Nextdoor — we can still meet.
In the meantime, today marks Day 16 of #Nextdoor’s voluntary silence:
- No LinkedIn post
- No Facebook post
- No update on the Nextdoor blog
I’ve been reading recent posts from companies that proudly claim they are customer-centric. It raises an obvious question: How is silence customer-centric? Neighbor-centric? Advertiser-centric? Shareholder-centric?
#Nextdoor’s brand promise is connection. Yet the absence of a leadership voice, combined with an unpaid and inconsistently governed moderator model, is doing the opposite. Moderators are meant to help build trust and connection; instead, inconsistency and opacity erode it. And leadership silence doesn’t just fail to fix the problem — it amplifies it.
Connection doesn’t happen by waiting for the calendar to cooperate. It happens when leaders show up, engage, and talk — even when it’s uncomfortable. Growth hurts. Complacency is easy.
Day 16 is still counting.
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#Nextdoor #Leadership #Accountability #CustomerExperience #CX #CommunityTrust #ShareholderVoice #BrandTrust #ShowUp
When Cost Savings Undermine Brand Experience
I want to share a candid customer experience with #AmericanAirlines—specifically regarding its chat support service.
On my current round-trip CHS ↔ LAS, I’ve used #AA's chat support three times. Each interaction felt dry, unempathetic, and robotic. The tone and approach suggest an offshore #BPO model that, at least in these instances, doesn’t reflect the warmth, accountability, or customer-centric culture the #AmericanAirlines brand promises.
This raises a bigger question for me as a loyal customer:
Do companies truly save money in the long run by outsourcing customer experience to partners that don’t deeply understand their customer base—or the brand they represent?
Over the past two years, I’ve been an exclusive #AmericanAirlines customer—flying regularly, paying for onboard Wi-Fi, and using additional services. Loyalty is built on trust and experience, not just price or routes. When service interactions consistently miss the mark, it erodes that trust.
As a result, I’m now actively considering other carriers, particularly those that invest in on-shore or culturally aligned customer support that can deliver empathy, clarity, and ownership when things matter most.
Customer experience is the brand—especially in moments when travelers need help.
Read more and subscribe to NielFlamm.com.
#CustomerExperience #BrandIntegrity #Aviation #BPO #CX #CustomerSupport #AirlineIndustry #Leadership #Loyalty
What Happens When Sea Level Meets the Desert: How Las Vegas Is Wreaking Havoc on My Sinuses
I’ve traveled enough to know that every place has its quirks—but this trip to Las Vegas has introduced me to a special kind of misery: altitude and desert air teaming up to destroy my sinuses absolutely.
Coming from near sea level, the jump to Las Vegas—sitting roughly 2,000 feet above sea level—might not sound dramatic. But combine that elevation change with ultra-dry desert air, and my body is making its objections very clear.
Here’s what I’m dealing with:
Intense sinus pressure, especially behind the eyes and forehead
Dry, burning nasal passages
Headaches that come and go
Thick congestion that somehow exists despite the dryness
Fatigue and that foggy, “something’s off” feeling
Occasional ear pressure and popping
So why does this happen?
First, altitude change. Even a modest increase in elevation reduces air pressure. My sinuses are air-filled cavities, and when outside pressure drops quickly, they struggle to equalize. That imbalance creates pressure, pain, and inflammation.
Second, desert dryness. The Las Vegas air is dry. Dry air strips moisture from my nasal passages, which are supposed to stay damp to filter air and fight off irritants. Once they dry out, inflammation kicks in, mucus thickens, and everything feels blocked—even when it isn’t.
Third, hydration imbalance. I lose moisture faster here—through breathing, skin, and just existing. If I’m even slightly dehydrated, my sinuses feel it immediately.
Put it all together, and I get what I’m experiencing: terrible wonders. The kind where I marvel at how quickly my body reminds me it doesn’t like sudden environmental changes.
Vegas may be known for excess, but this sinus reaction feels especially over-the-top. Lesson learned: altitude, dryness, and quick transitions are not a friendly trio—at least not for my head.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be over here drinking water, looking for saline spray, and counting the hours until my sinuses remember how to function.
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#VegasTrip #SinusPressure #AltitudeChange #DesertAir #TravelReality #SinusIssues #DryClimate #BodyKnows #NotUsedToThis #VegasProblems
Everything I Set Out to Do—And More
I accomplished everything I set out to do on this trip—and then some.
Most importantly, I saw, talked to, and connected with my kids. Nothing matters more than that.
I saw friends who quite literally saved my life in May 2023—the people who stepped in when I couldn’t do it alone.
I went back to a recovery meeting I used to attend while living in Las Vegas, and felt the quiet power of showing up where it all once mattered
And yes—I ate some great old comfort food, the kind that doesn’t need an explanation.
There were unexpected bonuses, too.
I saw how much the Las Vegas valley has developed, how time moves forward, whether I’m ready or not.
I met people who weren’t my friends yet—and now are.
And I even earned some hotel points, because life still counts the little wins.
But the gratitude runs deeper.
I’m grateful to be mobile—that I chose to be.
I’m grateful to the friends who chose to save my life when I couldn’t see the way forward.
And I’m especially grateful that those same friends helped me find my way back into my kids’ lives.
That’s not luck.
That’s effort, love, accountability, and choosing life—over and over again.
Mission accomplished.
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#Gratitude #RecoveryJourney #FamilyFirst #LasVegas #LifeInProgress #Resilience #SecondChances #MobilityMatters #Thankful
Day 15 of Silence — When Does Connection Actually Happen?
Today marks Day 15 with no meaningful communication from #Nextdoor — nothing on #LinkedIn, nothing on #Facebook, and nothing on blog.nextdoor.com.
So it’s fair to ask:
- What are employees working on if not engaging neighbors, advertisers, and investors?
- Where are the award-winning public relations stories?
- What direction has leadership actually given?
Silence isn’t a neutral choice. It’s a strategy — whether intentional or not — and it carries a cost. Brand trust erodes. Momentum stalls. Questions compound.
Which leads to the predictable speculation:
“Maybe something amazing will happen on Monday.”
- But why Monday? Why not today?
- Does the connection only happen on weekdays?
- Do communities pause on weekends?
Does leadership clock out?
If the mission is connection, it should be visible every day, not queued for a calendar reset. Showing up consistently is how trust is built — especially when it’s uncomfortable.
This is a leadership moment for #NiravTolia. Direction isn’t just what’s said internally; it’s what the world sees externally. And right now, the signal is silent.
Connection requires conversation.
Momentum requires presence.
Day 15 is still counting.
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#Nextdoor #Leadership #Accountability #PublicRelations #BrandTrust #CustomerExperience #CX #CommunityTrust #InvestorRelations
Vegas Miles, M.I.T.S.A. #4, and a Rental Reality Check
Back in the Las Vegas area—this time behind the wheel of a Chevrolet Trailblazer and rolling through another chapter of M.I.T.S.A. #4.
No Strip glamour. No club hopping. Just real miles, real roads, and thoughts that come from traveling with intention. Renting a vehicle you didn’t choose, driving terrain you used to know well, and seeing it all through a very different lens now—that’s where the story lives.
This is a teaser.
The full experience, commentary, and observations are on video.
👉 Watch my latest video on Videos → Travel and come along for M.I.T.S.A. #4.
Sometimes the destination matters less than what the road reminds you of.
#Travel #MITSA #VegasDrive #RoadTripThoughts #TravelVideo #LasVegas #RentalCarLife #VideosTravel
Back in Vegas… So I Eat 🍽️
I’m back in my old stomping grounds of Las Vegas, and let’s be honest—things change.
I don’t gamble.
I don’t drink.
I’m definitely too old for the club scene.
So what do I do in Vegas now?
I eat. And I eat well.
Vegas has quietly (and sometimes loudly) become one of the best food cities in the country. From casual bites to next-level meals, the food scene is the real attraction for me these days.
I took a food tour, filmed it all, and shared the experience—no slots, no shots, just plates.
👉 Check out my video on Videos → Travel and come along for the ride.
Because in this chapter of Vegas… the food isn’t the gamble—the calories are. 😎
See more on NielFlamm.com
#LasVegas #VegasFood #FoodTour #TravelVideo #EatDontGamble #VegasEats #TravelLife #NielFlamm #VideosTravel
Using the Shareholder Voice — Participation Matters
This screenshot shows a simple but essential step:
I’ve formally reached out to #Nextdoor Investor Relations requesting information about the 2026 Annual Shareholder Meeting.
As a shareholder, I plan to submit questions through the official Q&A portal once the meeting details and proxy materials become available. Not to grandstand — but to participate. That’s how public companies are supposed to work.
Speaking up as a shareholder matters.
Right now, #NXDR is trading around $2.08 per share. That price reflects more than market conditions — it reflects confidence, execution, engagement, and trust. In my view, sustained improvement in share price doesn’t come from silence or avoidance; it comes from leadership clarity, operational accountability, and meaningful connection with users, advertisers, and investors.
This isn’t speculation framed as fact — it’s perspective.
#If Nextdoor improves transparency, fixes broken processes (especially moderation and engagement), and starts showing up consistently, confidence can return. When confidence returns, valuation often follows.
Public companies don’t get stronger when shareholders stay quiet. They get stronger when shareholders are informed, engaged, and willing to ask hard but fair questions — through the proper channels.
I'm planning on doing exactly that.
#ShareholderVoice #CorporateGovernance #InvestorEngagement #Nextdoor #Leadership #Accountability #PublicCompanies #NXDR
Another Day of Silence Is Another Day of Lost Trust
It’s another day where #Nextdoor hasn’t meaningfully connected with neighbors, advertisers, or investors.
Silence isn’t neutral. It has a cost.
When a company built on connection chooses not to engage, the price is paid in public relations debt and brand capital erosion:
- Neighbors feel unheard.
- Advertisers question ROI and audience trust.
- Investors read the absence as risk.
This route may feel safer in the short term, but over time, it compounds. Brand equity is built through presence, dialogue, and consistency—especially when things are uncomfortable. Going quiet doesn’t preserve reputation; it slowly spends it.
Connection requires conversation. Leadership requires showing up. And momentum requires effort—every day.
#NiravTolia allows this.
#Nextdoor #Leadership #BrandTrust #PublicRelations #CustomerExperience #CX #Accountability #InvestorRelations #CommunityTrust
When “Be Civil” Becomes Selective — Why Moderator Accountability Matters
A friend of mine — a neighbor in a different subdivision here in Mount Pleasant — was recently given a warning on Nextdoor. The details are thin, but what’s clear is troubling.
Here’s what I know:
A woman posted about fireworks on New Year’s, noting that some are permissible in parts of the area. In response, my friend suggested — jokingly — that perhaps a soundproof shelter could be built or used so people wouldn’t have to hear the fireworks.
A moderator then reached out and warned him to “be civil.”
My friend replied, pointing out that there were far harsher comments on the same thread — comments that were more personal and more aggressive — yet he was the only one who received a warning. His comment was neither mean nor personal compared to others.
That’s where the concern deepens.
My friend has an ethnic name, one not common among the local demographic or, to the best of our knowledge, the moderator committee. From his perspective, this feels like bias — not just inconsistent moderation, but selective enforcement. He now believes a suspension may be coming.
Whether intentional or not, this is precisely why the current, unpaid, anonymous moderation model needs reform. When moderators wield unchecked authority without transparent standards, analytics, or oversight, fairness becomes subjective—and trust erodes quickly.
This is not about one warning.
It’s about process, consistency, and accountability.
Moderation should be guided by clear expectations, measurable standards, and QA oversight — not feelings, not selective enforcement, and not anonymity without responsibility. That’s how platforms protect users, moderators, and the community as a whole.
To #NiravTolia — this is why I’ve been asking for dialogue.
This is why I’ve offered solutions.
And this is why I keep saying the system needs to change.
#NiravTolia — when are we meeting at DFW?
#Nextdoor #Leadership #CommunityTrust #BiasInTech #Moderation #CustomerExperience #CX #Accountability #ProcessImprovement #TrustAndSafety
An Open Invitation to Talk — #DFW, January 4
I’m extending an open and professional invitation to #NiravTolia — especially as a fellow Dallas resident.
On January 4, 2026, I’ll be flying back to Charleston, South Carolina, from Las Vegas, with a stop at #DFW. If schedules allow, I’d welcome the opportunity to meet briefly at the Grand Hyatt DFW or Hyatt Regency DFW to have a real, face-to-face conversation about the current state of Nextdoor.
Flight details (for transparency):
American Airlines 1890 arriving at #DFW
American Airlines 1638 departing #DFW
This wouldn’t be a confrontation — it would be a working discussion:
- Where #Nextdoor is today
- Clear areas of opportunity around trust, engagement, and execution
- A concrete plan to improve the unpaid moderator experience through consistency, fairness, transparency, and measurable outcomes
I’ve spent over two decades in CX, process improvement, and operational accountability. I also know an exceptional QA leader, Karen Romero, who can help design and implement moderator scorecards, analytics, and governance — moving moderation away from feelings and toward data-driven fairness that builds user trust and momentum.
To be clear: this is not about titles or roles.
It’s about making the platform work as it claims to.
An open hand is available.
If dialogue matters, this is an easy place to start.
Read more on NielFlamm.com
#Nextdoor #Leadership #Accountability #CustomerExperience #CX #TrustAndSafety #CommunityTrust #ProcessImprovement #OpenDialogue
Meets ADA, Misses the Mark - My Review of the Fairfield Inn & Suites DFW North/Iriving
I missed a connection at DFW to LAS, starting in CHS on American Airlines. It was the last flight there. This wasn't due to the weather; American Airlines rebooked me on a flight the next day, gave me a few meal vouchers, and a stay at a hotel. The Customer Service agent was super pleasant, to me at least, and I asked if I could choose a hotel; my preference is Marriott (Lifetime Silver Elite). This hotel offers a complimentary shuttle, breakfast, and a few nearby options (Aspen Creek). I took it.
I called the hotel to arrange the shuttle. It arrived 15 minutes later; it was a busy night with delays. The gentleman was kind, took my bags, and helped me into the van. This is important, and I'll explain in a bit. The ride, after one more stop to pick up other guests at another terminal, took 10 minutes. The driver took my bags out of the van and asked if I needed help getting into the facility (I declined). I gave the dude a few bucks, TRIP THE PEOPLE THAT HELP!!!!!! I noticed, as did the driver, that I was the only person to give a small gratuity on that ride.
The young lady I spoke to about arranging the ride from the airport was at the front desk, alone. I wasn't in a rush to get into the room; I let the four other families ahead of me go in first. I'm also slower. The desk agent was super efficient, it took her 5 minutes to get the folks ahead of me their keys and on their way. I was strategic about being last in line: I had a few requests and wanted to spend a bit more time having them honored, without making the folks behind me upset.
The requests were/are for a room with a roll-in shower and a pull-down seat. I'm an above-knee amputee who is ambulatory, yet requires the pull-down chair, or a shower chair, to get all the nooks and crannies cleaned. She got that room assigned to me. All she needed was my hotel voucher, no i.d., nor card on file for incidentals. She mentioned the room was a suite with a king-size bed on the second floor. All good for me.
The room was 208, not far from the elevator. The last few Fairfield, SpringHill, and other Marriott Brand hotels I've stayed at with a roll-in shower or accessible room have been on the far side of the hotel. This room was about three away from the elevator.
I enter the room, and there is a light switch to the right. The door isn't overly heavy, making it easy to join. The bathroom is big to the right; there is a walled-off sitting area to the left, and the bed is straight ahead. I don't spend much time in the amenities in the room; it's just one night, and I'm getting 7 hours of sleep.
The next day, I wake up, and this is where the hotel fails. The areas for improvement concern the accessibility of the shower. The bathroom is big, bright, with a TON of great grab bars. This is fantastic! It's the shower. Someone who isn't handicapped, nor understands the needs of a person with a disability or limb difference, designed this room. Here we go...
* The Shower Seat isn't long/deep enough from the wall. The seat comes down, and I'm barely able to sit in the seat without feeling I'm about to slip/fall out of it. I'm not a very large man, 6 feet, about 195 lbs.
* The removable shower head isn't long enough. The roll-in shower is oversized, yet the removable head barely reaches the tip of the shower chair. Again, it's challenging to get to the nooks and crannies.
* The lip keeping water in the shower isn't tall enough. I left my C-Leg prosthetic on the floor, and a pool of water formed beneath it.
My $.02 is that hotels do the bare minimum to meet ADA standards. I get it, before the amputation, I gave it zero thought. Now being part of the community, I understand the need for a true handicap/disability consultant to consider how to make a stay truly inviting for someone similar to me.
Is This Acceptable in 2026? A Coke Zero, an Airport, and a Fashion Crime
Maybe it's me, it very well might be.
I'm at the airport hobbling to find a Coke Zero. MY OTHER LEG FOR A COKE ZERO!!! As I'm making my way downtown through the crowd (and I'm homebound). A woman about 5 feet 5 inches passes me by.
I do a double-take. Yes, I see it, it is happening, and it passes.
I immediately asked ChatGPT to create an image using a combination of descriptive adjectives and nouns to represent the horror I had witnessed. It came very close.
Is this acceptable in 2026?
Silence Isn’t a New Year’s Message
It’s New Year’s Day — and there hasn’t been a single post from anyone representing #Nextdoor on LinkedIn, #Facebook, or even blog.nextdoor.com welcoming in 2026 or wishing their “neighbors” an amazing new year.
For a platform built on community, connection, and belonging, that silence is loud.
Moments like New Year’s Day matter. They’re symbolic. They’re human. They are opportunities to show presence, gratitude, and leadership — especially for a company whose mission is literally about bringing people together. When there’s no message, no acknowledgment, no shared optimism, it sends a signal — intentional or not.
And yet, I still believe there’s hope for 2026.
Hope that #Nextdoor can recommit to its core values.
Hope that conversation replaces silence.
Hope that leadership chooses engagement over avoidance.
We hope that neighbors — including users, businesses, employees, and shareholders — are met where they are.
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up.
Be better, #Nextdoor.
And let 2026 be the year connection actually means conversation.
#niravtolia
#Nextdoor #Leadership #Community #Connection #Accountability #HopeFor2026 #CustomerExperience #CX
The Daily Connection Silence Inspection
Connection Silence Inspector: Bob “The Decibel” Quietman 🕵️♂️
(Badge reads: “Department of Missed Conversations”)
Quietman: “Alright folks, it’s been another day since #Nextdoor posted on LinkedIn or updated the blog. Time for the silence inspection. Nirav, how’s ‘connecting without connecting’ going?”
Nirav: “We’re being… thoughtful.”
Quietman: “Ah yes. Thoughtful silence. A classic.”
Intern: “Should I draft a post? Maybe turn comments back on?”
Clown: 🤡 honks horn “Whoa there! That might invite… opinions!”
Mime: 🤐 (mimes typing a heartfelt post, then slaps an invisible ‘Comments Disabled’ sign over it)
Quietman: “Impressive form, Mime. Olympic-level avoidance.”
Quietman (checking clipboard):
“Let’s review outcomes so far:
Connecting in silence: ❌
Removing comments: ❌
Disabling feedback: ❌
Building trust: ❌
Saving time vs. just replying once: ❌❌❌”
Nirav: “But no one can criticize us if they can’t comment.”
Quietman: “True. And no one can trust you either. Trade-offs.”
Intern: “So… this is working well?”
Clown: 🤡 confetti cannon fires, immediately vacuumed back up “Huge success!”
Mime: 🤐 (mimes a shrinking community, then a stock chart going down)
Quietman: “Final note: For a platform that claims to connect neighbors and businesses, this strategy is… bold. Not effective. But bold.”
Quietman (closing report):
“Another day logged. Zero conversations achieved. See you tomorrow.”
Inspector’s Verdict:
Silence has connected exactly no one.
Conversation remains available whenever leadership is ready.
End inspection.
New Year’s Resolutions: Honest Thoughts, No Filters
Every year around this time, the same question comes up: What’s your New Year’s resolution?
For some people, resolutions are motivating. For others, they feel like pressure wrapped in optimism — big promises made on a calendar change that don’t always survive February. I’ve got thoughts on that. Real ones. Honest ones. And I decided to talk them through on video instead of pretending I had a perfectly polished answer.
In recovery, I’ve learned that change doesn’t need a holiday, a new month, or a catchy phrase. It requires honesty, consistency, and a willingness to show up — especially on the hard days. Resolutions can be helpful, but only if they’re grounded in reality, not in shame, guilt, or outside expectations.
In my latest video, I break down how I look at New Year’s resolutions now, what’s worked for me, what hasn’t, and why progress matters more than promises.
👉 Watch the full video at NielFlamm.com → Recovery
If you’re questioning resolutions, redefining them, or choosing a different approach altogether, you’re not alone.
#NewYearsResolutions #Recovery #ProgressNotPerfection #HonestReflections #LifeInRecovery #OneDayAtATime #NielFlamm #RecoveryJourney