At some point during the pandemic, I realized that I was starting to wonder why I even bothered at all. Why did I get dressed every morning? Why did I shower? Put on a little makeup? Brush my hair?

Sometimes the very hardest part of goal setting is deciding what goal to set. It sounds simple, but if this question is not answered, then there is simply no way forward.

Once I finished one exam, I had to start studying for the next one. And if by some miracle I didn’t have to start studying for a few more days, there was a presentation to crank out or another time-eating assignment.

Have you ever seen a bride karate chop a board in half while wearing her wedding dress? I have! Several years ago, I was lucky enough to photograph a wedding where the bride and groom were both karate instructors so their reception was… shall we say, interesting?

The above are all very real conversations I’ve had with myself, and two of them happen pretty regularly. Talking to ourselves is something we all do, maybe the most when we’re by ourselves.

We all want to be seen. And that’s what makes walking past someone all that much more hurtful. Walking past without even a single glance (let alone a second one) says, “I don’t see you.” It says, “You don’t matter.”

I like a clean house. A house where surfaces are cleared off, items aren't "stored" on the floor, and things tend to lean toward the minimal versus cluttered. My kids do not share this desire. The table is the best place to put all the things.

There are times in our lives, especially after a traumatic event, that we may feel that we are better off if we isolate ourselves from others. Intimate partner violence, loss of a loved one, or recent trauma are a few triggers that may push a person to think that they would be better off alone than with others.

My children have a picture book on the shelf called, Someday is Not a Day of the Week written by Denise Brennan-Nelson. It’s one of those sneaky books that I think is actually written more for parents than for kids.

Confession: I didn’t learn how to truly say “No” until I was well into adulthood. Oh I said no to the big things or easy things. When I was sick enough that I was actually feverish or throwing up for example.

There is one go-to for spending my time that never, ever seems to fail: volunteering. Perhaps part of it is the fact that whenever I volunteer somewhere, I get the satisfaction of knowing that I’m making a difference in the community.

Good news! If you are a teenager, after reading this article, YOU will be able to explain and defend your sleep habits to any adult who questions you. No, seriously, there are hormonal and biological reasons for why adolescents sleep the way they do.

Do you need to wade through the past and make some order, but you have a hard time staying focused? Writing is the best solution I’ve found. 

One of the things we absolutely need to consider when dating is what we are NOT looking for. I call these the non-negotiables. These are the things that, if they become present in a relationship, are a major red flag.

If there was one place I spent a LOT of time in my pre-teen and teen years, it was the car. Yes, the car, but not on my way to vacations, exciting new places, restaurants, or even friend’s houses (all that much). No, I passed countless hours traveling between my parents’ homes.

find them incredibly helpful at giving me a visual reminder of what I hope to accomplish in a day, and they are extremely valuable in helping me set tangible goals. However, I have come to learn that they are not the right tool for every circumstance.

For various reasons, however, I haven’t had the opportunities to make those dreams a reality yet. That doesn’t mean that I can’t soak up some of the benefits of a getaway like that right in my own home though. 

There are many ways to approach this hobby while keeping the cost down. If pottery is something that interests you, read on to see how you can bring more of it into your life!

Fact: the teen years are host to one of the biggest transitions you’ll ever experience in your life. This is the season when your entire being, your body, mind, heart, and soul shift from being a child to being a sexually mature young adult.

If I’m honest, there are moments when life feels hopeless. You may understand that feeling as well. But looking at my life as a story is the best way I know to turn that feeling around and set things on a better track.