Justice for the Em Dash

Justice for the Em Dash

Today, I'm pausing from discussing diabetes insights and reflections to focus on what it's like to run a business in 2026. This topic is also an integral part of this blog, at times.

The following article is for folks who take their Mondays spicy. If you'd like to stay sweet, look to your coffee creamer and move along. Let's get into the "problem" with em dashes in 2026.

Eyeroll.

These punctuation marks have existed long before AI tools like ChatGPT, so using them doesn’t imply that someone relied on AI. Even if they did use AI, it doesn’t necessarily discredit their work.

As a small business owner, I sometimes use these tools—where allowed—for lower-priority tasks, and I disclose that when required.

Ope! I used em dashes.

Did that make you stop reading?

Did it make you question my credibility?

(As a millennial, I must admit I had to resist the urge to use a "gasp" GIF here. I warned you that I was feeling spicy, didn't I?)

I believe in work-life integration; not everything can take top priority, and prioritizing everything equally can lead to burnout. While I care deeply about my business, my family's health and well-being come first, and that influences how I manage my daily responsibilities.

I understand this reality well; I’m a pet mom, planning a wedding, supporting two businesses, and managing a chronic illness—type 1 diabetes (T1D)—without many breaks.

Priorities, Priorities, Priorities

I’m constantly evaluating where to focus my attention and effort. On a day-to-day basis, I usually find my flow and know exactly what to focus on in each moment. After living with T1D for over two decades, let's just say that I've become somewhat of an expert in organizing my time.

Admitting this isn’t glamorous, but it’s the reality of running a small business in 2026. It's not idealistic; it's realistic. I’m sure many of you can relate, whether you share your struggles publicly or silently nod as you read.

I used to judge those who used AI too, but now I see its value when used sparingly and strategically within the ethical boundaries of whatever you're practicing or creating. That said, I’m also mindful of the environmental impact of overusing AI, so I try to limit my usage.

Like many of you, I juggle multiple responsibilities every day. I’d prefer we avoid unproductive comparisons of our workloads. When someone says, “Sorry, I couldn’t do this because I had to do that,” it simply means they chose not to prioritize one task over another.

Noted. There's always a choice. You get to decide how much you push it and where you apply that push on a daily basis. You have accountability for where you exert effort. Claim it.

However, let’s avoid comparing struggles; that can be one of the most cringe-worthy things in meetings, networking, and business culture. Back in college, we used to call this "busy fighting," which is something my roommate and I fiercely avoided.

Now, back to my point about my gal, Em.

Skilled Writer or ChatGPT Fan?

Once upon a time, using an em dash demonstrated writing skill. Now it raises questions like, "Did this person use AI to generate this content?" and "Do I trust them less?" How strange!

Relax; not everyone is scamming you. Some people are just trying to be more efficient. Others just like a good old em dash.

As a writer, I don’t rely on AI to create complete articles. Let me make that perfectly clear. Doing so would sour the relationships I have with my Chronically Creative clients. I have been creating content for 10 years, often serving as a social media, content, and email marketer, as well as a writer and editor.

My first degree is a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communication. I was the arts and entertainment editor at my school newspaper. We had no tools except our own eyes and peer reviews. I took many video production, journalism, and media law courses as part of my degree program.

After college, as I made my way in the workforce, my colleagues used to call me a machine. Because I was. I was efficient and creative. I'm tired of apologizing for that or glossing over it. I was valuable.

I still am, even if I use extra tools to support my small business. I still operate in that same way, now just with more resources at my disposal.

There were times I produced hundreds of social media posts a day, all without these tools. I say that without hyperbole. It was hundreds. I had to consider text variations, embrace A/B testing, cater to different sister brands, and tailor content for various audience personas. All while tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) and striving to meet or exceed the marketing performance metrics we set for ourselves.

AI Didn't Learn from Itself

So I ask you, who do you think AI systems learned from? They learned from professionals like me who have shaped digital culture over the last decade. These tools didn’t just appear out of nowhere.

AI learns from every single one of us, all the time.

I sometimes use tools like Grammarly for self-editing my business content because, as I mentioned, I'm managing a small business alone and want to ensure my content is professional. When I don’t have another human eye to rely on, I’ve found this system helpful over the years.

Grammarly existed before ChatGPT, but now it faces similar skepticism. And guess what? That’s absurd. Truly ridiculous. It begs the question: "You know em dashes existed before AI, right?"

ChatGPT, I will never forgive you for taking away my em dash!

Can We Give Fellow Business Owners and Creatives Grace? They're Not Lazy for Leveraging Their Resources

If you're sitting there thinking, "I got through without using these tools," you're part of the problem. Judgment motivates no one. Constructive criticism is a more useful driver for professional growth. It elicits respect while maintaining the dignity of both parties.

You're part of the group that says we shouldn't use new resources available to us because you suffered through without them. Guess what? Your generation was part of the group that saw a problem and created these tools to support future generations.

Sometimes you're somewhere in the middle, like me. I'm someone who came up somewhere in the middle of those generations.

We Must Consider Other Perspectives in Life, Always

Plainly, I'm also someone who's hyper-focused on seeing both sides of any coin. I don't want a filtered view of life based on my opinions or beliefs, because that would mean squinting through life and being inconsiderate of those I don't understand.

And while I may never fully understand, I must respect that they're coming from a different place and actively listen to their perspectives.

I am committed to leading with empathy and compassion. I always seek multiple points of view. Your feelings aren't lost on me, and I don't disrespect them.

I just ask that you look at points of view that don't match your own with new eyes, even when it's hard. When we face challenges, that's when we have the greatest opportunity to grow.

If someone has found a business model and operating approach that works for them while remaining ethical, who are any of us to judge?

Are We All Okay?

Okay, so this isn't all about the em dash anymore. Or maybe it is, depending on your viewpoint.

Social media has become a breeding ground for egomania and cynicism without a lot of room for positive intent, which is usually where humans are coming from if we take the time to listen without judging first. We're usually not that far apart if we truly listen and are willing to be wrong or challenged.

These days, I see that we’re all just trying to build something we’re passionate about for the communities we care for. That’s where I’m at, anyway. So yes, if you see an em dash in my writing, know it came from me. I wouldn’t let it stay there if I didn’t believe in it.

I have your back, Em.

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Now, back to your regularly scheduled diabetes reflections, personal essays, and insights. Find those here.