Classy Problems is a daily post of thinking in motion by Dan T. Rogers. Each post stands alone as a thought-provoking piece, yet together, they create a puzzle of ideas. They invite you to see things from a different angle, rethink what you thought you knew, and explore what’s beyond your current understanding.
Tissue Paper Thinking
Tissue paper is designed for one use. More than one use comes at the peril of the user.
Thinking works in the opposite way. Thinking is inclusive and exploratory and increases in value as we do more of it.
Tissue paper thinking is when we’ve thought about something once and then indoctrinated it as gospel. It is thinking that is based on one occurrence, from one perspective, and isn’t followed by any further examination.
Tissue paper thinking is the delusion that thinking is or has taken place when all that has really happened is that we had a thought, meaning a single act. When a thought is an isolated act, we call that act planning.
Are you planning on your thinking or thinking on your planning?
When Proximity is Intentional
As life becomes more complex, it becomes increasingly important to be precise.
It’s easy to mistake proximity solely for nearness. Proximity is how we align to the moment to contribute an intentional impact. It’s not a matter of choice, it’s a matter of awareness.
Proximity is nearness in place, time, order, occurrence, or relation. It’s closeness.
When proximity is intentional:
Place becomes a space for clarity. What we call splaces.
Time becomes a method for development. What we call getting paid to practice.
Order becomes a framework for alignment. What we call intentional impact.
Occurrence becomes a lever for design. What we call aligning up.
Relation becomes a path to connection. What we call redeeming work.
Where are you near but not close?
Stress Is a Signal
In all systems stress is not a failure. Stress is a signal.
It shows the system, us, where tension is building and where misalignment appears to be occurring. That’s the gift. It’s a flashlight in the fog.
Stress reveals the current constraints of the system.
What tension are you viewing as failure when it’s a signal?
How We Think About Stress is Backwards
It’s unrealistic to think we can entirely avoid stress. It’s inescapable in the toomuchness of life. Opting for off-grid or simplifying one’s life doesn’t eliminate stress — it just changes the type of stress encountered. Escape is a wishful idea, or we what call precious thinking.
Precious thinking leads to focusing on the wrong thing: stress as an event or an occurrence rather than what we do after the event.
That’s the backwards part — the key to dealing with stress is not the before in avoiding or eliminating it, but the after in ensuring sufficient recovery from the impact of the stress.
How can focusing on strategic recovery change your experience with stressful situations?
Rebuilding Roofs
At one point, I was a roof framer. The job was physically demanding, but simple. We would start on top of the walls and construct our work environment as we progressed.
It wasn’t the height or the physicality that made it the worst job I ever had. It was the pattern.
Every day, we’d start over. We’d build a stable platform. The minute we achieved stability, a decent work environment, we’d bail and start all over again.
That was the pattern of work, and unfortunately, at that point, that was the pattern of my life.
Is there a place in your life where you keep rebuilding just to bail once it becomes stable?
Design Constraints
Obstacles are not blockers. They’re design constraints.
They aren’t in the way. They show what needs to be included. Obstacles inform us where and what to align and develop. They reveal what is required to progress.
Obstacles are not something to be pushed through, but to fit ourselves to.
What obstacle is informing your next move?
WITH AND TO
We are never apart from the universe. We are always in relationship WITH AND TO everything.
WITH is about proximity, presence, and participation.
TO is about perspective, purpose, and what it means to us.
We don’t get to avoid relationship. We only get to change how we engage with the universe.
It’s not a matter of choice, it’s a matter of awareness.
Change doesn’t happen when we change our circumstances. It happens when we own our relationship WITH AND TO what’s already here.
What are you in relationship WITH but not present TO?
Classy Problems is a daily post of thinking in motion by Dan T. Rogers. Each post stands alone as a thought-provoking piece, yet together, they create a puzzle of ideas. They invite you to see things from a different angle, rethink what you thought you knew, and explore what’s beyond your current understanding.
What is a classy problem? A classy problem is when we’ve been afforded the opportunity to figure out what to do. Time to figure it out. Time to practice. Time to discern. When faced with the time to figure out a classy problem, it is more effective to focus on what NOT to do than trying to figure out what to do. In a word: restraint. JOIN US in exploring the distinction between what to do and what not to do in the pursuit of clarity.
SPIRITUAL GANGSTER: at The Sober Curator is a haven for those embracing sobriety with a healthy dose of spiritual sass. This space invites you to dive into meditation, astrology, intentional living, philosophy, and personal reflection—all while keeping your feet (and your sobriety) firmly on the ground. Whether you’re exploring new spiritual practices or deepening an existing one, Spiritual Gangster offers inspiration, insight, and a community that blends mindful living with alcohol-free fun.
Spiritual Gangster Line-up:
Stoicism & Sobriety – Ancient Philosophy for Modern Recovery with Sober Curator Contributors Derek Castleman and Tony Harte
The Card Divo – Quick & Sober Tarot Readings with Sober Curator Contributor Senior Daniel G. Garza
Classy Problems – Clarity, Restraint & Mindful Decision-Making with Senior Sober Curator Contributor Dan T. Rogers
SoberCast with Six – Astrology & Tarot for the Sober Life with Senior Sober Curator Contributor Analisa Six
Sobriety in Flow – Yoga Beyond the Poses with Senior Travel Sober Curator Contributor Teresa Bergen
Thirsty for Wonder – Recovery Coaching & Spiritual Companionship with Sober Curator Contributor Anne Marie Cribben
Spiritual Substance – Mindfulness, Science & Soul with Senior Sober Curator Contributor Lane Kennedy
SOBER POP CULTURE at The Sober Curator is where mainstream trends meet the vibrant world of sobriety. We serve up a mix of movie, podcast, fashion, and book recommendations alongside alcohol-free cocktails, celebrity features, and pop culture buzz—all with a sober twist.
We’re here to shatter the “sobriety is boring” myth with a mash-up of 80s neon, 90s hip-hop edge, early 2000s bling, and today’s hottest trends. From celebrity shoutouts to red-carpet style inspo, this is where sober is as chic as it is fun. To the celebs using their platform for good—our Sober Pop Trucker hats are off to you!
Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.
