On the Slate

Reflections on meaning-making, memory, and the practice of returning to yourself. This is where the thinking behind Sienna & Slate lives out loud, essays on reflection, intentional living, and what it means to stay connected to who you are while doing meaningful work. Written by the same minds behind The Ritual and Endarkened Narrative Inquiry.

Feeling Stuck in Your Writing? Try This One Mindset Shift

Let's be real: writing is hard. Like, really hard. Right now, academics and writers everywhere are battling a perfect storm of burnout, impostor syndrome, and global uncertainty. You're staring at... Read more...

From "No Stupid Questions" to "Informed Curiosity"

I used to sit in seminars, amazed at how other students formulated their questions. They'd reference specific passages, connect ideas across readings, and push discussions in fascinating directions. Meanwhile, I'd... Read more...

25 Ways to Pivot When It's Necessary: A Guide for Scholars, Creatives, and High Achievers

"What is there possibly left for us to be afraid of, after we have dealt face to face with death and not embraced it?" - Audre Lorde Look, I know... Read more...

Reframing Your Creativity: It's Not Just for "Artists"

Let's talk about that voice in your head. You know the one. It whispers, "I'm not creative," every time you sit down to write or tackle a problem. Maybe you've... Read more...

Think Like a Creative: The Power of Small Steps

Picture this: You're staring at your computer screen, willing your brain to produce something brilliant. Another groundbreaking piece. Another innovative investigation angle. Another flash of genius. Spoiler alert: That's not... Read more...

Trace-Making as Creative Practice

This week, as we paused for Labor Day, I found myself reflecting not only on visible and invisible labor but also on the traces our work leaves behind. In Endarkened... Read more...

Why Reflection Isn't Procrastination: The Secret Weapon High Achievers Use to Prevent Burnout

Is there a voice in your head saying you should be doing "real work" instead of reading this post right now? I see you there — deadlines breathing down your... Read more...

The Permission Slip You Didn't Know You Needed

Today, as I sat at my desk and reviewed my summer, I couldn't help but feel grateful. I often remind others to reflect and celebrate. So, I wanted to be... Read more...

5 Ways to Practice Reflexivity Without Getting Stuck in Self-Doubt

The pen hovered over the page. My water sat beside me. I had opened my journal to work through a tension I’d been feeling in my work, but the longer... Read more...

Your Body Knows Before Your Brain Does: Somatic Signs You Need to Leave/Change/Rest

Let's talk about something we don't discuss enough in high-achieving circles: your body is constantly giving you intel about your life, and you're probably ignoring it. Right now, as you're... Read more...

The Scholar’s Mirror: Using Your Story as a Site of Knowledge

In traditional academia, the line between the researcher and the researched is often treated as sacred. We’re taught to “leave ourselves out of it”—to be objective, neutral, detached. But what... Read more...

Healing Through Reflexive Research

There’s a quiet truth many researchers carry: we didn’t come to our questions by accident. We came to them because something in us needed to understand, to witness, to name.... Read more...

Finding Myself Again: A Summer Story of Academic Healing

Every summer, like clockwork, it used to hit me - the identity crisis. For years, I couldn't understand why the warm months left me feeling hollow, disconnected, floating through my... Read more...

Plot Twist: Maybe You're Not an Imposter – You're Just Learning

Here's a radical thought: What if that knot in your stomach during meetings isn't imposter syndrome at all? What if it's just what learning feels like? Think back to learning... Read more...

From "Imposter Syndrome" to "Imposter Narratives": Why Language Matters

I stopped using the term "imposter syndrome" for myself. That feeling of not belonging? The constant second-guessing? The fear of being "found out"? We've been taught to label it "imposter... Read more...

Breaking Free from Hustle Culture: Real Talk for Marginalized Professionals

Let's get something straight: your worth isn't measured by how many hours you clock or how many tasks you crush before sunrise. I've watched brilliant colleagues—especially those from marginalized communities—get... Read more...

Border Crossing: The Hidden Power of Academic Code-Switching

Here's a secret: Some of the most innovative work happens at the edges of disciplines, where you feel least like you belong. When you're crossing from one field to another,... Read more...

Academic Trauma Is Real: Here's How to Start Healing

Academic trauma. Eww… I know some of us just felt the pit in our stomachs. Yeah, I said it. That pit in your stomach when you open your email. The... Read more...

A Guide for the Mindful Creative

Being a creative individual comes with its own set of challenges and rewards. From writer's block to moments of inspiration, the creative process can be a rollercoaster of emotions. However,... Read more...

The Radical Act of Self-Compassion

It's time to challenge the notion that self-criticism leads to success and happiness. In reality, self-compassion is the key to true well-being and fulfillment. By treating yourself with kindness, understanding,... Read more...

On the Slate

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