If we look at the past, we can also see that there were unexpected times that shaped us - experiences that made us who we are today even though they were NOT pleasant to go through when we were in them.

This scenario also plays out in our relationships. When we aren't purposely moving towards another, we tend to drift apart even if this is not our intention.

Estrangement wasn’t what I ever wanted. I certainly never imagined that I would go years without speaking to my own mother. Without her speaking to or seeing her grandchildren. And  yet, here we were.

Intermittent fasting is one of the most popular. What is intermittent fasting? It’s an approach to eating that requires the participant to cut calories by either skipping meals, not eating at all on certain days, or limiting eating to certain hours of the day.

Most of us have many different kinds of people or friends we know who represent a vast array of personalities, habits, and unique characteristics. Perhaps you have that one friend you know you can call on when things in your life are really challenging.

I’m a huge perfectionist, and unfortunately, that travels over into my art (or the art I attempt to make). Basically, I struggle to do a lot of creative things because I have this idea in my head of how it should look (immaculate), but my hands don’t get the memo.

At some point in our lives, most of us are going to know at least one person who has died of suicide. The way I phrased that is important. Maybe you didn’t grow up hearing this as much as I did, but I still often hear others say “committed suicide.”

It used to be almost painful to read some of my past entries. For example, in my twenties, I would read stuff that I did in jr. high and high school and cringe out of embarrassment, almost like it was happening to me all over again.

I wish I could go back and tell my 16 year old self that nothing had happened to justify calling the police. Instead, I can only watch the playback in my mind of the call I placed to my mom to let her know what was happening.

It was a particularly busy day. All three kids needed to be in separate places at about the same time, the fridge was showing the great need to be restocked, the pile of laundry was pleading for attention, and there were about 12 other items on my to-do list that I needed to get to.

Quick, see if you can answer these questions without looking at your closet or doing any counting! How many shirts do you currently own? How many pairs of pants? How many sweaters? How many pairs of shoes? Dresses?

When I pull it indoors, the tree is still full of leaves; gorgeous and green. However, after about a week inside away from the sun, the leaves start to turn brown and fall off.

You’re standing among a group of people you don’t know while waiting for a friend. Instead of engaging in a conversation, you reach for your phone. You’re sitting in traffic, your mind wanders, and you pick up your phone.

Like many of us, I love a good checklist. The action of crossing something out or “checking” that box is satisfying! Being in school for years now, checklists are one of the only ways I can keep my sanity and organize my tasks.

What do you remember about yourself as a child? Were you constantly trying to be the center of attention or maybe more content to hide in the back of the room? What kinds of things did you like doing the best?

I loved getting that phone call where he would sing just for me. As soon as I said ‘hello,’ he'd launch into the melody. Then he'd ask about my day, talk about the weather, and wish me a happy birthday.

From her bed, Alexandra stared at the boxes her grandmother had left stacked in the corner of her room. No, stared wouldn’t be the right word for it. She glared. If she could have lit them all on fire with the loathing in her gaze, she would have.

The above is an example of a Monday and Tuesday in February 2021, my last (and lightest) semester of undergrad. Everything I did went on the calendar. Anything where I was expected to be somewhere, I logged it in my iCal, syncing across all devices.

If you want to start caring less about what others may think of you, here are a couple things you can do to begin that process. First figure out who your tribe is, who your safe people are, and then start to focus more on their feedback and less on others.

I think most people fall into one of two categories in life: those who like to camp and those who don’t. It’s funny but true! Most individuals I’ve spoken with side strongly one way or the other. Either it’s, “Camping?! You mean out with the bugs and the raccoons and stuff?