Daniel Reyes Cocka - Do The Daniel

December 25, 2021January 7, 2022

Here’s a Few Gift Ideas For That Person Who’s a Bit Difficult to Shop For

Now I probably shouldn’t admit this, but I’m not exactly the easiest person to shop for. Not because I’m picky, but I just much prefer the act of giving gifts than that of receiving them. I’ve kind of always been like this actually, even when I was a little boy. As I’ve gotten older I’ll make note of things that I find interesting, different and a little bit quirky for those who ask me what I want as a gift. I thought I would share a few of those things with you should you have someone who is a bit difficult to shop for this year too!

December 23, 2021January 7, 2022

And all of a sudden, it was gone …

For my fellow writers and creators, you’ll understand the stress I’m feeling lately.

The thickness in feeling stuck or going against your own current. The moment where your inspiration, energy and desire to create leaves you, and you don’t know when it will come back. Like a piece of you just stepped out for a minute and you’re left looking in the mirror, unsure of what is looking back. Maybe some of you will understand that feeling too. That moment, where all of a sudden, your spark was gone and you just felt stuck.

December 22, 2021January 7, 2022

That Moment When I Realize I’m Almost Forty F*cking Years Old

Even writing those words feels simultaneously cathartic and strange. I think over the course of the pandemic and the past few years, I have been forced to stop and slow down in some capacities. I’ve made so many changes in the past year, let alone eight years, that I guess you could say that I’m kind of reeling from it all. In an effort to remind myself of my beauty and strength, as opposed to how I can often look at myself through a critical lens, I thought I would share thirty-eight reasons I’ll be smiling on my thirty-eighth birthday this year.

December 21, 2021January 7, 2022

Let’s Get Real For a Moment, Shall We?

It’s Monday morning on a holiday long weekend and I’m sitting quietly at our new dinning room table. Julio is in Ottawa for a few days, leaving later tonight. Canela is happily sleeping (read snoring) beside on her bed him upstairs and I feel at peace. It’s not a feeling I can often embody – to feel calm, and safe. The life that we live separately in the name of starting our family isn’t an easy one. In fact it takes its toll on me in more ways than I share and many days I wake up sad before I find my own happiness. I guess you could say I woke up in a bit of a pensive state of mind – which could be attributed to October 11th being #NationalComingOutDay.