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BRAUNSLAW.COM 404-418-8244 Influence and Illusion
LIVE BEYOND THE FEEDS “just setting up my twttr”
ambitious in life and want to get the most out of it. As inspired as I’d become when seeing a post about someone doing well, I’d become deflated when I’d see people flexing about how extraordinary their lives were. Whether those posts were actually true is debatable, but I definitely had times when I felt I wasn’t measuring up … and I know there are plenty of social media users (especially younger people) who often feel the same way. Sure, some people post all their amazing moments online (and sometimes exaggerate to make them even more extraordinary), but we rarely see the effort, stress, and obstacles behind those images and posts. This environment creates a false ideal we’re pressured to reach, which isn’t realistic or healthy for anyone. It all reminds me of certain TV ads (and a little bit on social media, too) for personal injury attorneys where someone says, “I was in a wreck, and I got $5 million!” Whenever I see those, I think, “Well, you look pretty good for someone who was injured enough to receive $5 million.” Then, I look at the fine print and see that the person is actually a paid actor. Again, a false expectation is created, and we’re suckered into believing things that are either untrue or impossible to emulate in our own lives. That’s toxic. These days, I don’t have any social media apps installed on my devices, and I use blocking software so I can access the platforms in my browser only during certain times. It’s been a great way to stay focused on life in the real world and remain determined to find genuine success in everything I do.
Now, with all that said, let me tell you about Brauns Law’s social media pages! Truth be told, I do still acknowledge the power of social media to connect with people, and I look for ways to do that constructively. When it comes to promoting my business online, I follow a simple philosophy: Create, don’t compete . My firm isn’t on social media to boast about our major settlements; it’s there to provide our clients and other interested parties with factual information about who we are, what we do, and how you can navigate the law successfully to get the justice you deserve. Being more consistent with producing online content is one of my New Year’s resolutions, and I’ve been working hard to keep it. We’re posting new content all the time, and we always welcome your feedback on what we’ve posted and your suggestions for future content. If you’re so inclined, here’s where you can find us: • Facebook.com/BraunsLawFirm • Instagram.com/braunslaw • TikTok.com/@braunslaw • YouTube.com/@braunslaw I hope you’ll find what you see on these pages useful, and we’re always available to answer any questions you may have. I also hope you check out our pages during the short pockets of time you’ve allowed yourself to be online, not as part of an endless doomscroll!
The above words, written in the abbreviated and grammatically incorrect style we’ve all come to expect in the format, was the first tweet posted on X (then Twitter) 20 years ago this month by the company’s cofounder, Jack Dorsey. Depending on your perspective, they are either as significant as Neil Armstrong’s words during the moon landing or the moment communication in our society began to take a turn for the worse. Me? I suppose I’m somewhere in the middle. I have a love/hate relationship with social media. About three years ago, I decided to give up social media for personal use. For one thing, I was a total time-suck . When I started reviewing my screen time statistics, I realized how much of my life had been spent scrolling endlessly when I should have been reading a book or engaging in a more productive activity. Above all, being on social media didn’t make me feel good. I’ve always been
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STOP TRYING TO HUSTLE HARDER Plan Smarter Instead
Stop saying yes. How often do you say “no” to others? Many of us are people pleasers who often agree to requests, even if they exceed our capacity. Saying “yes” all the time will lead to burnout, regardless of whether it’s your boss asking you to complete a project before noon or your friends wanting to go out for the fourth night in a row. Say no, and keep your main priorities at the You may want to push through all your tasks so you can finally unwind and relax, but this could lengthen the process. Sticking to your responsibilities like glue prevents your body and brain from taking necessary breaks to recalibrate and reset so you can operate at peak performance. forefront of your mind. Take regular breaks.
You may think you just need to regularly refresh your coffee or eliminate every distraction from your mind to improve your productivity, but this only gets you so far. Instead, focus on incorporating strong, simple strategies into your routine. Here are three ideas to help you be as productive as possible, no matter the situation. Put a plan in place. When do you start thinking about what you need to accomplish on any given day? Too often, people wait until they face their work computer or stare at a sink full of dishes to strategize their day. Instead, take some time before you wrap up work to establish your priorities for the following day. Before the weekend starts, figure out which chores you need to do and the best time to tackle them. Having a plan will increase your likelihood of sticking to it.
Do you ever wish you could accomplish more in a day? Whether you’re trying to squeeze out as many tasks as possible at work or take care of all of your chores before Sunday, it can feel like you’re always trying to maximize your productivity. But many of us feel like we fall short each day.
Need Help? Call Brauns “My wife and I were involved in a pretty bad accident in February 2025. We went back and forth trying to figure out if we wanted to file a lawsuit. When we finally did, we were referred by a family friend to Brauns Law, and we’re so grateful we did. “We have two separate lawsuits, and without getting into any in-depth details, one of them will be ongoing for a while, and the other is at its conclusion. Either way, Haley and David Brauns himself have been such a joy to work with. Very personable and easy to talk to. If you need representation, you may want to check with them directly. I think you’ll be happy you did.” —Rich C. “Brauns Law was very helpful in my case. Communication was great [and] constantly kept me informed! They stayed on top of my case. They really care about their clients. They reached out to check on me and my injuries throughout the whole process. Recommend the best treatments. I worked with Haley; she was very compassionate and attentive! Highly recommend them.” — Petrona W.
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We all know (or should know) that spending too much time in front of a screen isn’t good for us, but just how bad it is may surprise you. Excessive screen time has been linked to increased risk for obesity, anxiety, depression, decreased attention spans, sleep problems, and relationship difficulties in people of all ages. Here are two tips to break the screen habit and improve your overall health. A Quick Rule for Relaxed Vision Aside from the risks already mentioned, prolonged screen time could adversely affect vision in adults. Scripps Health, a nonprofit health care system based in San Diego, recommends that adults practice the “20-20-20 Rule” to help preserve their eyesight in the digital age. Here’s how it works: For every 20 minutes you look at a screen, spend 20 seconds focusing on something 20 feet away. This method relaxes your eye muscles and reduces ocular fatigue. Screen Smarts for Younger Minds Considering that most children and young adults use computers and tablets for learning, reducing screen time can be tricky. Ultimately, monitoring their screen use in the evenings after school or on weekends is the best way to encourage them to follow healthier TIPS FOR CUTTING SCREEN TIME Digital Discipline
screen habits. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that teens and adults limit recreational screen time to only two hours per day. Children ages 2–12 should spend no more than one hour in front of a screen, and the Academy recommends that children under 2 have none . To help your children better enjoy life away from the screen, consider setting up “screen-free zones” in your home, such as the kitchen during mealtime. If a child or young adult in your home currently spends all their time watching a screen, encourage them to reduce their screen time gradually to make it easier for them to explore other pastimes. Most importantly, engage in face-to-face conversations and outdoor activities together. Putting aside their phones (and yours) during these times will strengthen personal connections and help them get outside, be more physically active, and do things that benefit their health.
Spinach Artichoke Pizza INGREDIENTS • 1 loaf frozen bread dough • 2 tbsp garlic herb spreadable cheese • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese •
Take a Break
1/2 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
• • •
7 oz artichoke hearts, chopped Several handfuls of fresh spinach
Pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS 1. Thaw dough according to package directions and let it rise for 2 hours. 2. Preheat oven to 450 F. 3. Coat a 10-inch cast-iron skillet with non-stick spray, then gently stretch dough to fit. 4. Spread garlic herb cheese evenly across the entire dough layer. 5. Sprinkle mozzarella and Gruyere cheeses evenly over dough, reserving a small amount of each. 6. As the topping, scatter chopped artichoke hearts, followed by a layer of torn spinach leaves, and then the reserved cheeses. Add black pepper to taste. 7. Bake for 15–18 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and crisp.
BASKETBALL BOOKS DAFFODIL DAYLIGHT
GUINNESS IRIS LEPRECHAUN POPCORN
RAINY SHAMROCK SUFFRAGE WINDY
Inspired by BlueBowlRecipes.com
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Inside This Issue 1 2 The Hidden Cost of Constant Scrolling The Productivity Upgrade You Didn’t Know You Needed
Need Help? Call Brauns
3 4
Give Yourself a Device Detox
Spinach Artichoke Pizza
A Formula for Financial Freedom
Break Away From Budget Burnout ‘MONEY DATES’ FOR CALMER DAYS
Don’t let your mind drain your money. If you anxiously follow every penny you spend throughout the day and jump to attention whenever you receive a banking notification on your phone, it may surprise you to learn that these habits can harm your bottom line more than help it. A University of Chicago study revealed that tracking one’s spending too frequently can actually overwhelm people emotionally, to the point they’re more likely to make careless financial choices. Similar to how an obsessed dieter may become discouraged and descend into binge eating if they don’t see sufficient weight loss, constantly worrying about bank balances could lead you to burn your bridges to greater wealth before they’re even fully built. Use your calendar to organize your cash. Instead of putting your mood to the test through compulsive cash check-ins, select a monthly “money date” to review your overall
Whether you’re married, dating, or still single, you’re about to read dating advice that could change your life. No, this isn’t a romantic advice column; this is an inside look at “money dates.” What are those? Well, if you’re constantly stressed about your money to the point where you’re tracking your accounts multiple times a day, the following may give a fresh perspective on your finances … and free you from the cycle of budgetary burnout.
financial standing and plan for your future. By picking a specific date to review your numbers, you can gain a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of your regular spending habits and identify unnecessary expenses that can be adjusted to achieve greater flexibility. For example, seeing that you spend $80 a month on coffee may be jarring at first, but viewing the bigger picture may help you develop a more reasonable budget for caffeine than worrying every time you grab a $4 cup on your way to work. Income, expenses, debts, and positive/ negative purchasing patterns are all things to explore on your “money date.” Just like other kinds of dates, timing is everything. Choose a date and time when you (and your spouse) are typically relaxed and distraction-free before diving in! You may be surprised by how these “money dates” can help reduce your overall frustration, anxiety, and perceived need to let money overdraw your mental health.
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