diff --git a/workspace/apex/src/lib/components/Piece.svelte b/workspace/apex/src/lib/components/Piece.svelte
index fcd719f2..c8ef1f53 100644
--- a/workspace/apex/src/lib/components/Piece.svelte
+++ b/workspace/apex/src/lib/components/Piece.svelte
@@ -3,15 +3,15 @@
 	import Afterword from './bits/Afterword.svelte';
 	import SeriesList from './bits/SeriesList.svelte';
 
-	import type { IntersectUnion, Overwrite, PartialOmit } from 'mauss/typings';
+	import type { PartialOmit } from 'mauss/typings';
 	import type { Items, SeriesTable } from '$content/builder';
+	import type { Article } from '$lib/prose';
 	import { hydrate } from 'aubade/browser';
 	import { date } from 'mauss';
 	import { navigating } from '$app/state';
 	import { phrase } from '$lib/prose';
 
 	type Base = Items['/curated' | '/posts' | '/reviews'][number];
-	type Article = Overwrite<IntersectUnion<Base>, { branches?: string[] }>;
 	interface Props {
 		source?: string;
 		post?: PartialOmit<Article, keyof Omit<Article, keyof Base>>;
@@ -167,7 +167,6 @@
 			margin: calc(var(--size-base) * 0.64) 0;
 			border-left: var(--rounding-base) solid var(--color-border);
 			font-size: var(--size-base);
-			font-style: italic;
 			color: var(--color-text-muted);
 
 			> :first-child {
diff --git a/workspace/apex/src/lib/components/bits/Afterword.svelte b/workspace/apex/src/lib/components/bits/Afterword.svelte
index c06f922a..566d6b85 100644
--- a/workspace/apex/src/lib/components/bits/Afterword.svelte
+++ b/workspace/apex/src/lib/components/bits/Afterword.svelte
@@ -1,9 +1,6 @@
 <script lang="ts">
-	import type { IntersectUnion, Overwrite } from 'mauss/typings';
-	import type { Items } from '$content/builder';
+	import type { Article } from '$lib/prose';
 	import { page } from '$app/state';
-	type Base = Items['/curated' | '/posts' | '/reviews'][number];
-	type Article = Overwrite<IntersectUnion<Base>, { branches?: string[] }>;
 
 	interface Props {
 		slug: string;
diff --git a/workspace/apex/src/lib/components/bits/SeriesList.svelte b/workspace/apex/src/lib/components/bits/SeriesList.svelte
index f7158f69..e01ee8d5 100644
--- a/workspace/apex/src/lib/components/bits/SeriesList.svelte
+++ b/workspace/apex/src/lib/components/bits/SeriesList.svelte
@@ -1,9 +1,7 @@
 <script lang="ts">
-	import type { IntersectUnion, Overwrite } from 'mauss/typings';
-	import type { Items, SeriesTable } from '$content/builder';
+	import type { SeriesTable } from '$content/builder';
+	import type { Article } from '$lib/prose';
 	import { page } from '$app/state';
-	type Base = Items['/curated' | '/posts' | '/reviews'][number];
-	type Article = Overwrite<IntersectUnion<Base>, { branches?: string[] }>;
 
 	interface Props {
 		slug: string;
diff --git a/workspace/apex/src/lib/prose.ts b/workspace/apex/src/lib/prose.ts
index 9d953248..5de4db85 100644
--- a/workspace/apex/src/lib/prose.ts
+++ b/workspace/apex/src/lib/prose.ts
@@ -3,7 +3,12 @@ import type { Items } from '$content/builder';
 import { engrave } from 'aubade/artisan';
 
 type Base = Items['/curated' | '/posts' | '/reviews'][number];
-type Article = Overwrite<IntersectUnion<Base>, { branches?: string[] }>;
+export interface Article extends Overwrite<IntersectUnion<Base>, { branches?: string[] }> {}
+
+export function entitle(article: { title: Article['title']; series?: Article['series'] }): string {
+	const series = article.series ? `${article.series.title} • ` : '';
+	return `${series}${article.title}`;
+}
 
 export function phrase(theme: Article['theme']) {
 	switch (theme) {
diff --git a/workspace/apex/src/routes/curated/+page.svelte b/workspace/apex/src/routes/curated/+page.svelte
index d7aa8c35..30190290 100644
--- a/workspace/apex/src/routes/curated/+page.svelte
+++ b/workspace/apex/src/routes/curated/+page.svelte
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 	import { scale } from 'svelte/transition';
 	import { pushState, replaceState } from '$app/navigation';
 	import { page } from '$app/state';
+	import { entitle } from '$lib/prose';
 	import worker from './search.agent?worker&url';
 
 	const { data } = $props();
@@ -87,13 +88,13 @@
 		</p>
 	{/if}
 
-	{#each index as { title, slug } (slug)}
+	{#each index as { series, title, slug } (slug)}
 		<a
 			href="/curated/{slug}"
 			animate:flip={{ duration: TIME.SLIDE }}
 			transition:scale|local={{ duration: TIME.SLIDE }}
 		>
-			{title}
+			{entitle({ series, title })}
 		</a>
 	{/each}
 </div>
diff --git a/workspace/apex/src/routes/curated/[slug]/+page.server.ts b/workspace/apex/src/routes/curated/[slug]/+page.server.ts
index 020966f0..9b24a339 100644
--- a/workspace/apex/src/routes/curated/[slug]/+page.server.ts
+++ b/workspace/apex/src/routes/curated/[slug]/+page.server.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import { redirect } from '@sveltejs/kit';
+import { entitle } from '$lib/prose';
 
 export async function load({ parent, params }) {
 	const { items, series } = await parent();
@@ -11,7 +12,7 @@ export async function load({ parent, params }) {
 		collection: series,
 		meta: {
 			canonical: `/curated/${article.slug}`,
-			title: article.title,
+			title: entitle(article),
 			description: article.description || '',
 			image: `https://mauss.dev/curated/${article.slug}/card.png`,
 		},
diff --git a/workspace/apex/src/routes/curated/[slug]/card.png/+server.ts b/workspace/apex/src/routes/curated/[slug]/card.png/+server.ts
index 03a0692c..ff1363f1 100644
--- a/workspace/apex/src/routes/curated/[slug]/card.png/+server.ts
+++ b/workspace/apex/src/routes/curated/[slug]/card.png/+server.ts
@@ -13,5 +13,6 @@ export async function GET({ fetch, params }) {
 		title: post.title,
 		blurb: post.description || formatted,
 		date: post.description && formatted,
+		series: post.series,
 	});
 }
diff --git a/workspace/apex/src/routes/curated/search.agent.ts b/workspace/apex/src/routes/curated/search.agent.ts
index 2e841c04..10628ca0 100644
--- a/workspace/apex/src/routes/curated/search.agent.ts
+++ b/workspace/apex/src/routes/curated/search.agent.ts
@@ -13,5 +13,5 @@ const commands = {
 	},
 };
 
-export type Commands = Dispatch<typeof commands>;
+export interface Commands extends Dispatch<typeof commands> {}
 addEventListener('message', commander(commands));
diff --git a/workspace/apex/src/routes/curated/search.svelte.ts b/workspace/apex/src/routes/curated/search.svelte.ts
index 288b973d..7f658b43 100644
--- a/workspace/apex/src/routes/curated/search.svelte.ts
+++ b/workspace/apex/src/routes/curated/search.svelte.ts
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 import type { Items } from '$content/builder';
 
-export type Query = {
+export interface Query {
 	search: string;
 	series: string;
-};
+}
 
-export type Item = Omit<Items['/curated'][number], 'branches' | 'content'>;
+export interface Item extends Omit<Items['/curated'][number], 'branches' | 'content'> {}
 
 export function sift(items: Item[], payload: Query) {
 	const value = normalize(payload.search);
diff --git a/workspace/apex/src/routes/posts/[slug]/+page.server.ts b/workspace/apex/src/routes/posts/[slug]/+page.server.ts
index b2c5dabe..61bfa1db 100644
--- a/workspace/apex/src/routes/posts/[slug]/+page.server.ts
+++ b/workspace/apex/src/routes/posts/[slug]/+page.server.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import { redirect } from '@sveltejs/kit';
+import { entitle } from '$lib/prose';
 
 export const prerender = 'auto';
 export async function load({ parent, params }) {
@@ -12,7 +13,7 @@ export async function load({ parent, params }) {
 		collection: series,
 		meta: {
 			canonical: `/posts/${content.slug}`,
-			title: (content.series ? `${content.series.title} • ` : '') + content.title,
+			title: entitle(content),
 			description: content.description || '',
 			image: `https://mauss.dev/posts/${content.slug}/card.png`,
 		},
diff --git a/workspace/apex/src/routes/posts/search.agent.ts b/workspace/apex/src/routes/posts/search.agent.ts
index 2e841c04..10628ca0 100644
--- a/workspace/apex/src/routes/posts/search.agent.ts
+++ b/workspace/apex/src/routes/posts/search.agent.ts
@@ -13,5 +13,5 @@ const commands = {
 	},
 };
 
-export type Commands = Dispatch<typeof commands>;
+export interface Commands extends Dispatch<typeof commands> {}
 addEventListener('message', commander(commands));
diff --git a/workspace/apex/src/routes/posts/search.svelte.ts b/workspace/apex/src/routes/posts/search.svelte.ts
index b8419d70..a774e491 100644
--- a/workspace/apex/src/routes/posts/search.svelte.ts
+++ b/workspace/apex/src/routes/posts/search.svelte.ts
@@ -1,15 +1,15 @@
 import type { Schema } from '$content/posts.json/+server';
 import { date } from 'mauss';
 
-export type Query = {
+export interface Query {
 	search: string;
 	series: string;
 	theme: string;
 	tags: string[];
 	sort_by: keyof typeof by;
-};
+}
 
-export type Item = Omit<Schema['items'][number], 'content'>;
+export interface Item extends Omit<Schema['items'][number], 'content'> {}
 
 export function sift(items: Item[], payload: Query) {
 	const value = normalize(payload.search);
diff --git a/workspace/apex/src/routes/reviews/search.agent.ts b/workspace/apex/src/routes/reviews/search.agent.ts
index 2e841c04..10628ca0 100644
--- a/workspace/apex/src/routes/reviews/search.agent.ts
+++ b/workspace/apex/src/routes/reviews/search.agent.ts
@@ -13,5 +13,5 @@ const commands = {
 	},
 };
 
-export type Commands = Dispatch<typeof commands>;
+export interface Commands extends Dispatch<typeof commands> {}
 addEventListener('message', commander(commands));
diff --git a/workspace/apex/src/routes/reviews/search.svelte.ts b/workspace/apex/src/routes/reviews/search.svelte.ts
index cf611e1e..08763dce 100644
--- a/workspace/apex/src/routes/reviews/search.svelte.ts
+++ b/workspace/apex/src/routes/reviews/search.svelte.ts
@@ -1,15 +1,15 @@
 import type { Schema } from '$content/reviews.json/+server';
 import { arrange, compare, date, inspect } from 'mauss';
 
-export type Query = {
+export interface Query {
 	search: string;
 	tier: string;
 	category: string;
 	genres: string[];
 	sort_by: keyof typeof by;
-};
+}
 
-export type Item = Omit<Schema['items'][number], 'branches' | 'content'>;
+export interface Item extends Omit<Schema['items'][number], 'branches' | 'content'> {}
 
 export function sift(items: Item[], payload: Query) {
 	const value = normalize(payload.search);
diff --git a/workspace/content/routes/curated/essence-of-semver/+article.md b/workspace/content/routes/curated/essence-of-semver/+article.md
index cac502cb..352a81c3 100644
--- a/workspace/content/routes/curated/essence-of-semver/+article.md
+++ b/workspace/content/routes/curated/essence-of-semver/+article.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 ---
 date: 2025-08-14
-title: The Essence of Semantic Versioning
+title: Semantic Versioning
 series:
   title: The Essence
 description: a contract in numbers
diff --git a/workspace/content/routes/curated/essence-of-svelte/+article.md b/workspace/content/routes/curated/essence-of-svelte/+article.md
index 51c6a1b4..61150531 100644
--- a/workspace/content/routes/curated/essence-of-svelte/+article.md
+++ b/workspace/content/routes/curated/essence-of-svelte/+article.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 ---
 date: 2025-08-14
-title: The Essence of Svelte
+title: Svelte
 series:
   title: The Essence
 description: a sleek language
diff --git a/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2020.08/+article.md b/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2020.08/+article.md
index 176ec76a..202898e2 100644
--- a/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2020.08/+article.md
+++ b/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2020.08/+article.md
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 ---
 date: 2020-09-01
-title: Harvest • August 2020
+title: August 2020
 series:
-  title: The Harvest
+  title: Harvest
+  chapter: 2020.08
 ---
 
 Hello and welcome to the debut of the Harvest! We're starting things off strong with amazing highlights August has offered followed by a recap of the month.
diff --git a/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2020.09/+article.md b/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2020.09/+article.md
index eada014a..acd3f9c6 100644
--- a/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2020.09/+article.md
+++ b/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2020.09/+article.md
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 ---
 date: 2020-10-01
-title: Harvest • September 2020
+title: September 2020
 series:
-  title: The Harvest
+  title: Harvest
+  chapter: 2020.09
 ---
 
 Hello and welcome back to the Harvest! September was pretty slow with everything except the articles. As always, feel free to skip ahead to your preferred content by using the quick links provided above to jump to your the section.
diff --git a/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2020.10/+article.md b/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2020.10/+article.md
index 207859b4..7ce82886 100644
--- a/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2020.10/+article.md
+++ b/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2020.10/+article.md
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 ---
 date: 2020-11-01
-title: Harvest • October 2020
+title: October 2020
 series:
-  title: The Harvest
+  title: Harvest
+  chapter: 2020.10
 ---
 
 Hello and welcome back to the Harvest! As always, feel free to skip ahead to your preferred content by using the quick links provided above to jump to your the section.
diff --git a/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2020.11/+article.md b/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2020.11/+article.md
index aef4d6cb..9d85551a 100644
--- a/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2020.11/+article.md
+++ b/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2020.11/+article.md
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 ---
 date: 2020-12-01
-title: Harvest • November 2020
+title: November 2020
 series:
-  title: The Harvest
+  title: Harvest
+  chapter: 2020.11
 ---
 
 Hello and welcome back to the Harvest! As always, feel free to skip ahead to your preferred content by using the quick links provided above to jump to your the section.
diff --git a/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2020.12/+article.md b/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2020.12/+article.md
index d08f8ec2..e2076639 100644
--- a/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2020.12/+article.md
+++ b/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2020.12/+article.md
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 ---
 date: 2021-01-01
-title: Harvest • December 2020
+title: December 2020
 series:
-  title: The Harvest
+  title: Harvest
+  chapter: 2020.12
 ---
 
 Hello and welcome back to the Harvest and Happy New Year! As always, feel free to skip ahead to your preferred content by using the quick links provided above to jump to your the section.
diff --git a/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2021.01/+article.md b/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2021.01/+article.md
index 0b6e952c..c066545b 100644
--- a/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2021.01/+article.md
+++ b/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2021.01/+article.md
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 ---
 date: 2021-02-01
-title: Harvest • January 2021
+title: January 2021
 series:
-  title: The Harvest
+  title: Harvest
+  chapter: 2021.01
 ---
 
 Hello and welcome back to the Harvest! Let's slow down things and start off the year calm, cool, and collected. A lot happened even though 2021 just started, but I'll try to start the year slowly so I don't quickly exhaust myself with overambitious things.
diff --git a/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2021.02/+article.md b/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2021.02/+article.md
index 481228d8..b5ccb7ae 100644
--- a/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2021.02/+article.md
+++ b/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2021.02/+article.md
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 ---
 date: 2021-03-01
-title: Harvest • February 2021
+title: February 2021
 series:
-  title: The Harvest
+  title: Harvest
+  chapter: 2021.02
 ---
 
 Hello and welcome to the Harvest! February's short month caught me off guard, even then it's been a month already. As always, feel free to skip ahead to your preferred content by using the quick links provided above to jump to your the section. I got a lot of interesting stuff to share even with the short month.
diff --git a/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2021.03/+article.md b/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2021.03/+article.md
index 1adfb7ba..eaffaeaa 100644
--- a/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2021.03/+article.md
+++ b/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2021.03/+article.md
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 ---
 date: 2021-04-01
-title: Harvest • March 2021
+title: March 2021
 series:
-  title: The Harvest
+  title: Harvest
+  chapter: 2021.03
 ---
 
 Hello and welcome back to the Harvest! As always, feel free to skip ahead to your preferred content by using the quick links provided above to jump to your the section.
diff --git a/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2021.04/+article.md b/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2021.04/+article.md
index 5132a45d..239fae79 100644
--- a/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2021.04/+article.md
+++ b/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2021.04/+article.md
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 ---
 date: 2021-05-01
-title: Harvest • April 2021
+title: April 2021
 series:
-  title: The Harvest
+  title: Harvest
+  chapter: 2021.04
 ---
 
 Hello and welcome back to the Harvest! As always, feel free to skip ahead to your preferred content by using the quick links provided above to jump to your the section.
diff --git a/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2025.06/+article.md b/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2025.06/+article.md
index 9d24722c..c93ffa68 100644
--- a/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2025.06/+article.md
+++ b/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2025.06/+article.md
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 ---
 date: 2025-07-01
-title: Harvest • June 2025
+title: June 2025
 series:
-  title: The Harvest
+  title: Harvest
+  chapter: 2025.06
 ---
 
 i'm so excited that i even brought this series back, albeit rebranded.
diff --git a/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2025.07/+article.md b/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2025.07/+article.md
index 64b104ad..b1b83dd5 100644
--- a/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2025.07/+article.md
+++ b/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2025.07/+article.md
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 ---
 date: 2025-08-01
-title: Harvest • July 2025
+title: July 2025
 series:
-  title: The Harvest
+  title: Harvest
+  chapter: 2025.07
 ---
 
 there's a lot more here because i consciously thought about *adding it to the Harvest* this time. the headlines are pretty jam-packed too, so let's get started.
diff --git a/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2025.08/+article.md b/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2025.08/+article.md
index 748b3e02..4fc3d280 100644
--- a/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2025.08/+article.md
+++ b/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2025.08/+article.md
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 ---
 date: 2025-09-01
-title: Harvest • August 2025
+title: August 2025
 series:
-  title: The Harvest
+  title: Harvest
+  chapter: 2025.08
 ---
 
 ## headlines
diff --git a/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2025.09/+article.md b/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2025.09/+article.md
index a9fcce39..9aba751a 100644
--- a/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2025.09/+article.md
+++ b/workspace/content/routes/curated/harvest-2025.09/+article.md
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 ---
 date: 2025-10-01
-title: Harvest • September 2025
+title: September 2025
 series:
-  title: The Harvest
+  title: Harvest
+  chapter: 2025.09
 description: "Meta's latest privacy issues, summer anime finales, round two of vocal synth finds, and unsettling truths about Indonesia's tofu industry."
 ---
 
diff --git a/workspace/content/routes/curated/notes-bash/+article.md b/workspace/content/routes/curated/notes-bash/+article.md
index a006b1d7..221eb792 100644
--- a/workspace/content/routes/curated/notes-bash/+article.md
+++ b/workspace/content/routes/curated/notes-bash/+article.md
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 ---
 date: 2025-07-17
-title: Notes • Bash
+title: Bash
 series:
-  title: My Notes
+  title: Notes
 ---
 
 my personal notes on bash scripting. they are mostly scripts that i use to manage my home media server. i forget things easily, so i write them down here for future reference. these notes are not meant to be comprehensive, and i'm no expert in bash, so please let me know if you have any suggestions or improvements.
diff --git a/workspace/content/routes/posts/beginning-of-the-end/+article.md b/workspace/content/routes/posts/beginning-of-the-end/+article.md
index c9664c3b..3dc32d19 100644
--- a/workspace/content/routes/posts/beginning-of-the-end/+article.md
+++ b/workspace/content/routes/posts/beginning-of-the-end/+article.md
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ title: Prologue to the Beginning of the End
 series:
   title: Orbit
   chapter: 2
-description: leaving pressure behind and learning to begin again after the end of one chapter.
+description: how the end of a chapter built on external requirements became the prologue to one built on an internal compass.
 tags: [introspection]
 ---
 
@@ -13,26 +13,22 @@ this was meant to be published a month earlier — on the 19th of September, to
 
 for reasons i can't quite remember now, i delayed it. in hindsight, that delay turned out to be a good thing. so much happened within that short span that it changed the entire tone of this piece — what was once a dark reflection has softened into something else entirely.
 
-## fragmented memories
-
-it's been months since [i stopped using social media](/posts/opting-out). or more accurately, since i stopped *caring* about it. the accounts are still there, but i no longer feel the pull to update or scroll through them. life feels calmer and my days move slower, and not in a bad way. i spend more time with my family — especially my parents — and i can actually feel moments sink into memory, not just my camera roll. maybe that's what living is supposed to feel like. maybe it's the damn phone after all...
-
-i know this is a privilege to not have to care about these things. not everyone can simply step away from these platforms, and we've grown so accustomed to watching others' stories that we've forgotten how to live our own. at first, it felt isolating — not knowing what's happening "out there", not sharing, not being seen. but the people who truly matter always find a way to reach out, wherever you are.
-
 ## four years of peer pressure
 
 you probably already know what i'm referring to. those four years weren't exactly the best, nor the worst, but they were heavy. there were moments when i questioned everything, from "why i was there", "what was the point of it all", and "whether i was slowly losing my mind". much of what was *required* felt meaningless. even now, i struggle to see the merit behind them.
 
-still, it wasn't all for nothing. i gained skills and experiences that wouldn't have been accessible if i hadn't gone through this, but my sanity took quite a toll. my mental state faltered toward the end, and i found myself thinking in ways i never thought i would, which i find unsettling. well, it's been a while since then, and i'm much better now. i don't resent those years, and i've learned what not to repeat. specifically, if and when i have children.
+still, it wasn't all for nothing. i gained skills and experiences that wouldn't have been accessible if i hadn't gone through this, but my sanity took quite a toll. my mental state faltered toward the end, and i found myself thinking in ways i never thought i would, which i find unsettling. well, it's been a while since then, and i'm much better now. i don't resent those years, and i've learned what not to repeat.
 
 ## memento vivere
 
-i'm deeply grateful to be where i am right now. i know that luck played a part, but i believe my consistent efforts did too. opportunities don't appear out of nowhere, they're often built from the stubborn persistence of showing up every day, until luck doesn't matter anymore.
+that *end* was a necessary catalyst. after my mental state faltered from trying to find meaning in external requirements, i realized the entire premise was wrong. the point of it all isn't something to be *found* in a job or a system; it's something to be *built* internally, every day.
 
 > success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts. \
 > — Winston Churchill
 
-you are your own measure. you're allowed to move at your own pace. there's no need to compare yourself to others, the only comparison worth making is with who you were yesterday. when you feel lost, remember why you started. no one else can walk that path for you.
+this is the prologue to my new beginning. it's a chapter defined by a stubborn persistence in building a life that feels honest to me, regardless of the script. i'm deeply grateful to be where i am, not because of luck, but because i learned to stop looking for external validation and started cultivating my own.
+
+the lesson from those four years wasn't a platitude; i am my own measure, and i'm allowed to move at my own pace. the only comparison worth making is with who i was yesterday, and the only path worth walking is the one i build myself.
 
 thank you for reading — and to those who know me personally, thank you for being part of my life, even in the smallest ways. be happy for this moment; it's the only one that's truly yours.
 
diff --git a/workspace/content/routes/posts/hundredth-light-year/+article.md b/workspace/content/routes/posts/hundredth-light-year/+article.md
index 0c77ff88..9eb2d4c3 100644
--- a/workspace/content/routes/posts/hundredth-light-year/+article.md
+++ b/workspace/content/routes/posts/hundredth-light-year/+article.md
@@ -5,55 +5,39 @@ title: One-Hundredth of a Light-Year Away
 series:
   title: Orbit
   chapter: 1
-description: learning to live at my own pace within the vastness of the universe.
+description: setting a personal pace in a vast universe and acknowledging the gravitational forces that define my orbit.
 tags: [introspection]
 ---
 
 it's strange to think that after all these years, i've only traveled a little more than one-hundredth of a light-year across the milky way — what a minuscule amount it is. over twenty revolutions around the sun, and yet the number feels almost comical. it's a humbling reminder of how small we are in the grand scheme of the universe, a speck of dust in the vast cosmic ocean.
 
-time itself is a human construct, something we built to make sense of existence. growing older doesn't necessarily mean growing wiser; some people simply accumulate years without reflection. i've met younger souls who understand life far better than those twice their age. i try to stay open-minded, to meet people as they are rather than through the lens of gossip or assumption.
+time itself is a human construct. growing older doesn't necessarily mean growing wiser; some people simply accumulate years without reflection. i've met younger souls who understand life far better than those twice their age. this perspective and sense of cosmic scale is the foundation of how i try to live.
 
-## past
+## noisy world
 
-years ago, i told a friend something i still stand by: *"i don't care what others say about you and i don't want to know either. if i want to know you better, i'll ask you myself."* it wasn't said with any other intention than to be sincere: that i want to hear their story from them directly, without filters or second-hand interpretations.
+when i internalize that scale, i start to see how much of human interaction is just short-term "noise". from then on, i can't seem to care less or have the patience to deal with gossip or second-hand interpretations. badmouthing others is a cowardly act, and i have zero tolerance or respect for it. i told a friend something i still stand by: *"i don't care what others say about you... if i want to know you better, i'll ask you myself."*
 
-i'm quite forgetful when it comes to people. i could literally leave a chat unread for days, but then reply as if no time has passed. i just can't help it; i do feel bad about it, but it's really not done with malice. similarly, i could have different answers to the same question asked at different times, simply because i forgot or my perspective changed over time.
+this applies to being the *subject* of noise, too. i reminded a friend that other people's opinions shouldn't weigh more than their own self-worth. most people are too absorbed in their own lives to give a shit about others. if i catch myself judging someone — be it for their taste, habits, or hobbies — i ask: *what does it matter to me?*
 
-## present
+most of the time, the answer is none. one of the most effective ways for me to manage this has been to [step away from most social media](/posts/opting-out). my mind feels lighter, i feel more content, and i have more time for what actually matters.
 
-not long ago, that same topic came up again with a close friend. she was hurt by people talking behind her back — something i've never had patience for. badmouthing others is a cowardly act, and i have zero tolerance or respect for it.
+stepping away has helped me notice something else: for a problem to be real, the relationship must be real. if someone's opinion comes from a place so distant that they don't know me well enough for a direct conversation, then they don't know me well enough to have a valid problem. their judgment is just surface-level noise, and i've learned to let it pass by.
 
-> criticize to help someone become better, not to feel superior.
+## my pace
 
-this doesn't mean to always be honest without tact. constructive criticism is valuable when given with kindness and the intent to help. honesty without kindness is cruelty, and kindness without honesty is manipulation.
+once you filter out the noise, you can finally set your own pace.
 
-going back to my friend, i reminded her that other people's opinions shouldn't weigh more than her own self-worth. those who talk behind your back are rarely worth listening to. if someone has something real to say, they'll say it to your face.
+my pace is asynchronous. i'm quite forgetful when it comes to people. i could literally leave a chat unread for days, but then reply as if no time has passed. it's not done with malice; i just operate on a different frequency, one that isn't dictated by push notifications.
 
-> you can't please everyone. you're not meant to. live in a way that feels honest to you.
+my pace is deliberate. i believe honesty without kindness is cruelty, and kindness without honesty is manipulation. i'd rather be silent than say something unkind. silence is often the best response, and will result in an outcome far better than any words could achieve.
 
-most people are too absorbed in their own lives to give a shit about others. worrying about being judged is exhausting and pointless — everyone else is likely doing the same thing in their heads. make yourself a priority, you're the only constant companion you'll ever have.
+my pace is authentic. you can't please everyone. you're not meant to. i learned to not let other people's opinions dictate my sense of self. it's about being at peace with who i am, so long as my existence doesn't harm others.
 
-despite my forgetfulness, i'm glad that certain values remain embedded deeper than thought, ingrained within my subconscious.
+## my orbit
 
-## future
+another year, another revolution around the sun. i've never cared much for the obligatory wishes, especially when they only come once a year; what matters are the small, genuine gestures shared along the way.
 
-i've long [stepped away from most social media](/posts/opting-out). i didn't delete everything — partly for archival reasons, and partly so that people can still find me if they need to. but for the most part, those spaces now exist as remnants of who i once was, preserved as an online reminiscence for the future.
-
-quitting social media had a huge impact on my life. my mind feels lighter, i feel like i have a lot more time for myself and those i care about, i feel more content with what i have and in turn, happier.
-
-> if you can't think of anything kind to say, say nothing at all.
-
-even though simple, this has been a line i've remembered for years. whenever i feel the urge to say something negative about someone, i pause and reflect. silence is often the best response, and will result in an outcome far better than any words could achieve.
-
-## philosophy
-
-i learned to not let other people's opinions dictate my sense of self. it doesn't mean that i can use that as an excuse to be inconsiderate, but it's more about being at peace with who i am, so long as my existence doesn't harm others.
-
-if i catch myself judging someone — be it for their taste, habits, or hobbies — i remind myself and ask: *what does it matter to me?* most of the time, the answer is none. when you stop caring what others think or stop trying to control how others see you, life softens a lot. you'll realize that the world and life in general isn't so bad after all. you learn to be more relaxed, composed, kinder, and exist without constant comparison or validation.
-
-another year, another revolution around the sun. i've never cared much for obligatory birthday wishes, especially when they only come once a year. what matters are the small, genuine gestures shared along the way.
-
-## to you, who
+my orbit is my own, but it's been bent and shaped by the gravity of every person i've encountered. this is to you, who:
 
 - kept me company during childhood
 - always shared your water bottle with me
@@ -74,4 +58,4 @@ another year, another revolution around the sun. i've never cared much for oblig
 - stayed by me when others left
 - believed in me when no one else did
 
-every single one who has been part of my life — whether still present or long gone — *thank you*. after all, you've literally been a part of my life and played a role in shaping the person writing this now, whether through kindness, hardship, or presence alone. every encounter, brief or lasting, has left its trace.
+every single one who has been part of my life — whether still present or long gone — *thank you*. after all, you've literally been a part of my life and played a role in shaping the person writing this now, whether through kindness, hardship, or presence alone. every encounter, brief or lasting, has left its trace on my trajectory.
diff --git a/workspace/content/routes/posts/losing-the-questions/+article.md b/workspace/content/routes/posts/losing-the-questions/+article.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6f8eb801
--- /dev/null
+++ b/workspace/content/routes/posts/losing-the-questions/+article.md
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+---
+date: 2025-10-24
+theme: reflection
+title: Losing the Questions
+series:
+  title: Orbit
+  chapter: 5
+description: "learning to see life not as a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced by letting go of the search."
+tags: [introspection]
+---
+
+every time i move forward, i find myself paralyzed a few months later. colors lose their glow, light doesn't shine, and trying to find what matters becomes the only thing that matters.
+
+## the void
+
+an existential inertia. zooming out, in the grand scheme of things, humans don't seem to matter at all. *nothing* we do seems to matter. the earth has been here for billions of years and will remain long after humanity ceases to exist. the world doesn't revolve around any one person. everyone who lives will eventually die.  
+
+so then — why am i alive? what is the meaning of life? why bother doing *anything* at all?
+
+this feeling bleeds into the present. when the only life i know is the one i'm living, it loses its spark. i grow so accustomed to my lifestyle that i forget there are other ways to live. the somber feeling of adaptation keeps me locked in place — unable to move forward or backward, simply enduring the passage of time.
+
+when i was a kid, everything seemed magical. the world felt big, there was so much to explore, and every day was filled with possibility. but as i play the game of life, the novelty wears off. i start to see the same routines, the same people, the same thoughts, the same feelings. life becomes monotonous and dull.
+
+## the search
+
+the monotony isn't the problem — merely a symptom. the paralysis comes from the *search* itself.
+
+a change in routine seems scary. being unable to predict the outcome makes me uncomfortable, so i lock myself in the comfort zone that feels safe. venturing through unfamiliar territory rarely feels easy. how do i know if i'm making the right choice? what if i fail? what if things get worse?
+
+this fear is a byproduct of overthinking. constantly traveling between the past and the future, never truly *living* in the moment. imagine going on a trip, thinking about making some memories and taking pictures — thinking about now as if it were the past in the future when looking back on the present... that's unbelievable time travel, and i used to do it all the time. i was so preoccupied with what could have been or what might be that i missed out on what *is*.
+
+what makes it worse is that we're more connected, yet more isolated, than ever before. i'm [Opting Out of the Algorithmic Social Life](/posts/opting-out), preferring in-person connection whenever possible. oxytocin bonds people together, and we lose it when we replace touch and eye contact with taps and videos on a screen.
+
+## the release
+
+i've realized that life is an impossible puzzle, missing most of its pieces. there are countless ideas and so-called wisdoms that can justify nearly any way of living. they all sound good, but by the same token, none are. all ideas and cliches are both true and false, meaningful and meaningless, depending on where and when and how they are applied.
+
+> what's the point of living if you get everything you want the minute you want it?
+
+the search for "why" is a trap. the meaning of life is not a problem to be solved; it is a reality to be experienced. the joy is in cherishing the little things, in finding beauty in the mundane moments of everyday life.
+
+the measure of wealth is not in possessions, but in the ratio between what i have and what i want. one isn't necessarily richer for owning more, or poorer for owning less. and i can feel content in the moment not because i've found all the answers, but because i've lost the questions.
+
+when i stop searching for meaning, i find meaning in simply being.
diff --git a/workspace/content/routes/posts/24k-journey/+article.md b/workspace/content/routes/posts/strength-from-within/+article.md
similarity index 83%
rename from workspace/content/routes/posts/24k-journey/+article.md
rename to workspace/content/routes/posts/strength-from-within/+article.md
index 6724c523..2c0ae101 100644
--- a/workspace/content/routes/posts/24k-journey/+article.md
+++ b/workspace/content/routes/posts/strength-from-within/+article.md
@@ -1,29 +1,29 @@
 ---
 date: 2023-10-24
 theme: reflection
-title: In Pursuit of a Meaningful Life
+title: Strength From Within
 series:
   title: Orbit
   chapter: 3
-description: "refining myself through happiness, discipline, and purpose."
+description: "24K gold is valued for its purity, but its strength comes from alloys. similarly, our character is forged not from perfection, but from our flaws and experiences."
 tags: [introspection]
 ---
 
-24 karat is the measure of pure gold. it's the highest attainable quality, with a purity of 99.9%. that remaining 0.1% of trace impurities gives it strength; without them, gold would be too soft to hold its form. similarly, i've come to see life in the same way...
+24 karat is the measure of pure gold. it's valued for its 99.9% purity, but this very purity makes it incredibly soft — too soft for most practical use. to gain strength and durability, it must be alloyed with other metals. similarly, i've come to see life in the same way...
 
 ## happiness
 
 if i find myself stripped of everything, who would i be then? in that stark emptiness, all i have left is myself. everything external is but a complement to who i am, none of which is a part of my core being. no amount of possessions can ever fill the void within, and no amount of validation from others can make me love myself more. the core isn't defined by what i own or how others see me, nothing outside can complete me, because i am already whole to begin with.
 
-happiness, i've realized, was never about acquiring more. no amount of wealth, achievements, or approvals can ever truly satisfy the soul. happiness has always been a journey — the willingness to listen my heart and discovering myself along the way, being kinder and embracing the person i'm becoming. i spend much of my life chasing after things i thought would make me happy, and i forgot to stop and notice what was already here.
+happiness, i've realized, was never about acquiring more. no amount of wealth, achievements, or approvals can ever truly satisfy the soul. happiness has always been a journey — the willingness to listen to my heart and to discover myself along the way, being kinder and embracing the person i'm becoming. i spend much of my life chasing after things i thought would make me happy, and i forgot to stop and notice what was already here.
 
 happiness was never in the hands of others; it is about being content in the present and embracing authenticity, including all the flaws and imperfections. when i finally accepted that, i feel like i've unlocked and acquired both [grit and resilience](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Fd06U-3TAY&t=641s). to be passionate and persevere, to adapt and recover from any adversity, to have my mind and spirit be resolute, to have an unwavering courage in the face of hardship, and to overcome any obstacle that comes my way. by harnessing and channeling my emotions to cultivate discipline, i can feel unshakable and unstoppable.
 
 ## discipline
 
-discipline enables us to maintain consistency and laser-like focus over time, but cultivating it requires more than just the exertion of willpower, it's not something we can sustain through sheer force. to understand deeper, let's examine what causes the *lack* of discipline in the first place.
+discipline enables us to maintain consistency and laser-like focus over time, but cultivating it requires more than just the exertion of willpower; it's not something we can sustain through sheer force. to understand deeper, let's examine what causes the *lack* of discipline in the first place.
 
-doubt or a wavering state of mind. when uncertainty creeps in, we tend to question ourselves, and this gets in the way of our discipline. on the other hand, the absence of doubt enables us to carry out tasks, we feel *resolved* and guided by a strong sense of purpose.
+doubt or a wavering state of mind. when uncertainty creeps in, we tend to question ourselves, and this gets in the way of our discipline. on the other hand, the absence of doubt enables us to carry out tasks; we feel *resolved* and guided by a strong sense of purpose.
 
 resolve can be cultivated. however, we often make the mistake of trying to build it through grand gestures or on special occasions such as new year, birthdays, or other milestones. unlike habits and willpower, emotions fluctuate the most on a day-to-day basis within our minds, and [resolve is one such emotion](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0N0LV0mqTYQ).
 
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ there isn't a universal one — only the meaning we choose to make.
 
 unfortunately, finding purpose is hard these days. most of us are too busy with our daily lives to even think about it, often overwhelmed by external distractions that leave us with a sense of meaninglessness. as life becomes meaningless, we start to seek external sources for quick dopamine rushes, we become so accustomed to instant gratification that we end up externalizing our attention.
 
-we live surrounded by distractions. constantly scrolling, constantly listening or watching something, there isn't a time when we're not bombarded with external stimuli. the more we fill every silence, the harder it becomes to hear ourselves think. we're bound to lose the ability to pay attention to our internal stimuli, be it our thoughts or feelings. it is not a surprise that we struggle to find our purpose, so much so that there's a [neuroscience evidence](https://youtu.be/NuHEY7CjjTI?si=0JcX0_xwzcxByg46&t=606) that backs up the fact that technology usage can suppress our amygdala and shut down our ability to be in touch with ourself.
+we live surrounded by distractions. constantly scrolling, constantly listening or watching something, there isn't a time when we're not bombarded with external stimuli. the more we fill every silence, the harder it becomes to hear ourselves think. we're bound to lose the ability to pay attention to our internal stimuli, be it our thoughts or feelings. it is not a surprise that we struggle to find our purpose, so much so that there's a [neuroscience evidence](https://youtu.be/NuHEY7CjjTI?si=0JcX0_xwzcxByg46&t=606) that backs up the fact that technology usage can suppress our amygdala and shut down our ability to be in touch with ourselves.
 
 in short, we lost the ability to be alone with *boredom*. as the mind quiets and the inner voice starts to speak again, boredom becomes a gateway — that is, if you can sit with it long enough. you don't need to climb mountains or travel the world to "find yourself", though it does help to step away from your usual environment. all you need is just stillness, and the willingness to face what we've been "trained" to avoid for so long.
 
@@ -48,6 +48,6 @@ the purpose isn't with life itself, but rather in the pursuit of it. it is withi
 
 ## 24K you
 
-the quality of gold is measured by the purity of its content; similarly, the essence of a person is gauged by their character and integrity. 24K isn't about pursuing perfection; a person's virtues more often reflect how authentic and refined they are.
+we value 24K gold for its purity, but it is too soft to be useful. it must be alloyed with impurities to gain the strength to endure. the same goes for people — our essence isn't found in perfection, but in the authenticity and integrity of our character, forged by our flaws and experiences.
 
 with the advancements of technology, we've become too comfortable with all the digital conveniences and lost touch with ourselves. grown too accustomed to external stimuli, constantly craving more. we've essentially forgotten how to enjoy solitary moments of self-reflection, left feeling numb and letting things happen rather than making things happen. one of the best things we can do to take back control of our life is to find contentment from within, and practice living with [The Art of Less](/posts/art-of-less).
diff --git a/workspace/content/schema/curated.js b/workspace/content/schema/curated.js
index 006c81ff..05326b33 100644
--- a/workspace/content/schema/curated.js
+++ b/workspace/content/schema/curated.js
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ export const schema = define(({ optional, literal, string, boolean }) => ({
 	date: string(),
 	title: string(),
 	series: optional({
-		title: literal('Highlights', 'The Essence', 'The Harvest', 'My Notes'),
+		title: literal('Highlights', 'The Essence', 'Harvest', 'Notes'),
 		chapter: optional(string()),
 	}),
 	description: optional(string()),