Life
Donna’s Diary, Deaf World, Career/Work, Food, Blogging Tips, Personal Growth, Money + Finance, Travel
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ASL on the Go: 7 Everyday Moments to Practice Sign Language This Summer
Summer is made for movement—pool days, backyard BBQs, road trips, slow walks with iced coffee in hand. If you’re learning American Sign Language (ASL), these warm-weather routines are also perfect for weaving signs into your daily life without needing to block off extra time or energy. No fancy apps. No pressure to be perfect. Just consistent, real-life practice that helps ASL become second nature. And to make it even easier, we created a free printable ASL Summer Toolkit—complete with: 👉 [Get your free ASL Summer Toolkit here] and start building your signing routine today. ASL on the Go: 7 Everyday Moments to Practice Sign Language This Summer Why “On-the-Go” ASL…
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Deaf/Hard-Of-Hearing TLO Communications
👀 COMING SOON !!! 🛠️ This page is currently in progress — but I promise it’ll be worth the wait. As a Deaf woman and founder of The Life of Donna, I’m creating resources that make communication access clearer, easier, and more empowering for all of us. 💳 Our new TLO Communication ID Cards™ are launching soon — with support for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, and Mute communities. Stay tuned. It’s happening. 🫶🏼 ⏳⏳⏳⏳⏳⏳
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You’re Not “Difficult.” You’re Being Dismissed.
- ASL Advocacy, ASL Stories, Deaf History, Deaf Lifestyle, Glow-Up + Wellness, Life, Reflections, Wellness & Self-Development
Vision or Illusion? My Wake-Up Call on MLMs and False Empowerment
The truth behind MLMs and how they sell us dreams that don’t hold. Let me be real with you: I almost didn’t share this. Vision or Illusion? My Wake-Up Call on MLMs and the Deaf Community’s False Empowerment Trap Not because I’m embarrassed, but because I know how sensitive this topic can be. MLMs are everywhere and they promise so much. But this isn’t about dragging anyone. It’s about truth, lived experience, and making sure others don’t fall into the same trap I did. I speak from experience and research. This isn’t personal – it’s advocacy. I hope we can respect each other’s journeys. – Donna Melena This post reflects…
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Turn Up the Heat: 10 Empowering Ways to Practice Deaf Self-Love This July Turn Up the Heat: 10 Empowering Ways to Practice Deaf Self-Love This July
July is here—and it’s not just about sun, fireworks, and popsicles. It’s also the perfect time to reconnect with yourself, recharge your spirit, and show up more boldly as a Deaf person in a hearing-dominated world. Whether you’re new to self-love or deep into your personal growth journey, this post is your invitation to pause, breathe, and turn up the heat on what really matters: your relationship with you. Turn Up the Heat: 10 Empowering Ways to Practice Deaf Self-Love This July 👇 Free Download: Grab our Deaf Self-Love Toolkit — includes a printable habit tracker + ASL affirmations to help you stay grounded and consistent all month long. It’s…
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Do We Have to Be Broken to Become Better?
Hi online friends! This one’s coming straight from the soul. One night, it hit me while I was sitting on a small cozy brown chair with a feeling… That weird mix of awareness, sadness, and gratitude. And I couldn’t shake this question: “Do we have to go through the bad just to become better?” The honest truth? Yeah. Sometimes, we do. Not because we’re weak. Not because we deserved the pain. But because truth reveals itself in contrast. You don’t realize how dim the room was until someone opens a window. You don’t know how heavy the silence was until you finally speak. And a lot of us, especially as…
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Immigrants Work. Companies Profit. The System? Still Broken.
Immigrants Work. Companies Profit. The System? Still Broken. I filmed this ASL message mid-flight — because this truth doesn’t wait. Let’s talk about how immigrant hands build this country, while the system continues to fail us. Immigrants keep America running. In the fields. On construction sites. In hotels, restaurants, and homes. They clean, build, cook, and care. They do the work no one talks about — but everyone relies on. And yet, they’re constantly pushed to the margins. Undocumented. Underpaid. Undervalued. Let’s be real. Immigrants keep America running — in the fields, on construction sites, in hotels, restaurants, cleaning crews, and more. They do the jobs no one wants to…
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Deaf Girl Summer: 15 Ways to Soak Up July with Confidence, Culture & Chill Vibes
Hey sunshine!Summer’s here—and if you’re anything like me, you’re ready to make this one count. Whether you’re Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or signing-curious, Deaf Girl Summer isn’t about doing the most. It’s about feeling the most: confidence in who you are, joy in how you spend your time, and pride in your community and culture. But let’s be real: summer can also feel overwhelming. Social events, busy calendars, sensory overload, accessibility struggles—whew. That’s why this July, we’re keeping it simple but intentional with 15 easy-to-love ideas to make your summer feel bold, beautiful, and actually doable. Before we dive in—want to make this the summer you actually stick to your…
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Try to Copy Me? Here’s What You’ll Learn the Hard Way
What people think they’re copying vs the reality why most quit ad what they overlook “I can do that too!” – common misconceptions The difference between doing it once and doing it for years 6 key skill areas with side-by-by score chart + short paragraph What People Hit (and Quit) Timeline of drop-off points (reusing the stages we built above) emotional/mental challenges people don’t talk about Why I keep Going Purpose-driven leadership Impact + Income Not just “content” but legacy Why real success isn’t easy to copy Invitation: Don’t copy – learn, grow, and evolve your own path CTA: Download the free “Real Glow-Up Manifesto (PDF Below) Please fill this…
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How I’m Juggling My Digital Nomad Life (TLO Style) – With One App That Plans It All For Me
Heads up: If you give me your email to try Use Motion, I’ll send you a personal invite. You’ll get a free 2-week trial (no card needed). If you subscribe after that, I may earn $100 credit as part of their referral program. No pressure – Just real transparency! You ever sit down to start your day… and suddenly remember 6 things you forgot to do, 4 you were supposed to do yesterday, and 2 that still haven’t been captioned? Welcome to the chaos of running a digital nomad life as a Deaf creative across different time zones, while managing client work, captions, content, and just… life. I used to…
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Raw. Real. Remembered.
Raw. Real. Remembered. This Memorial Day weekend, Donna took to her platform with a video that didn’t need filters, edits, or rehearsed lines. She sat down—15 minutes “late” by social media standards, but right on time in spirit—and let her heart speak. In an era of polished tributes and performative patriotism, Donna’s message stood out because it wasn’t about perfection. It was about presence. In her unfiltered video, Donna didn’t just mention names—she honored legacies. With visible emotion, she spotlighted Richard, Matt’s father, with deep reverence. His service wasn’t just acknowledged; it was felt. She also called out @skylar_madison and @christian_madison with heartfelt appreciation, recognizing their outstanding service with the…
