Published inLit Up·PinnedMember-onlyI Found the Old Me Carefully Preserved in a Box in My ClosetA box of memories, a lifetime of grief — There’s a storm outside that nearly mirrors the one happening inside of me. I don’t know why I did it, but I found myself sitting in my closet with a box I’ve kept since high school. All the letters I’ve received from friends over the years are tucked carefully inside…Grief4 min readGrief4 min read
Published inBetter Humans·PinnedMember-onlyTrauma Therapy Un-F*cked My Nervous SystemIt was the missing link in my recovery process — and allowed me to finally enjoy a beautiful family vacation. — I just spent six days with family at the beach on vacation. Six years ago, I couldn’t have done this. I’m not even sure I could have done it six months ago. My nervous system was far too dysregulated to navigate family history and complicated emotional triggers. But trauma therapy…Trauma7 min readTrauma7 min read
Published inBetter Humans·PinnedMember-onlyNotes for the Next Time I Fall in LoveIt’s helpful to have an outside perspective but often, the thing we truly need is to shut up and listen to that quiet inner voice telling us what we already know to be true. — I’m a big believer in giving myself the advice I need. Sometimes, it’s helpful to have an outside perspective like a best friend. But often, the thing we truly need is to shut up and listen to that quiet inner voice telling us what we already know to be true.Love7 min readLove7 min read
Published inCurious·PinnedMember-onlyIt’s Hard Not to Betray Yourself for Love When You’re LonelyI’ve come too far to negotiate the non-negotiables. — Sometimes, if I’m honest, I want to compromise a little. I want to bend the rules I set for myself. I’m lonely, and it would be so much easier not to be if I was willing to wiggle my standards down lower. But lower is how I got here in…Relationships5 min readRelationships5 min read
Published inP.S. I Love You·PinnedMember-onlyThe Terrible Price of the Un-Lived LifeI’ve never considered myself fearful. Even as a child, I was borderline reckless with my bravery. There was no tree I was afraid to climb or height I was afraid to go to. If someone told me I couldn’t do something, I was definitely going to try to do…Self5 min readSelf5 min read
Published inHeart Affairs·Updated 15 hours agoMember-only4 Weird Things You Might Do While You’re Healing (That Are Completely Normal)You might be surprised at these side effects of a broken heart. — Happy endings are the only kind I’ve ever truly liked. Life doesn’t give us a whole lot of those. Instead, we often encounter uncertainty or loss. Sometimes, we get both in a chaotic little package. Happy endings probably happen, but it’s not as common as we’d like. …Relationships7 min readRelationships7 min read
Published inHeart Affairs·Updated 19 hours agoMember-onlyGreen Flags Mean Go, Not RunTo the anxious ones who want love but are afraid to love again. — Green might mean go, but it’s not supposed to mean run. Tell that to a person who has been hurt before though. I can handle red flags in relationships and dating. I know what to do with them. I’ve learned the hard way to recognize when someone just isn’t a…Relationships6 min readRelationships6 min read
Published inThe Lifestyle Times·1 day agoMember-onlyThe Best Restaurants in Madison GAThe ultimate guide to dining in Madison, Georgia — Madison, Georgia, might be a small town, but it has plenty of great restaurants. While I have personal favorites, it was surprisingly difficult to put them into a list of the best of the best. …Lifestyle17 min readLifestyle17 min read
Published inLiterally Literary·2 days agoMember-onlyBorrowing the Shoes of the Ex of My ExThank you — and I’m sorry — I had half the story But I hated all of you I thought I could do better And judged what you did And didn’t do I had only one side And still made my decision To assume your worst intentions And direct my resentment And derision I had only pieces How…Poetry1 min readPoetry1 min read
Published inThe Lifestyle Times·2 days agoMember-only21 Cheap and Fun Things to Do in Pensacola, FloridaYour fun and affordable beach town adventure awaits! — The Florida Gulf Coast’s clear waters and white sand beaches attract many visitors each year. In fact, the entire area is a coveted vacation destination. It’s even surprisingly affordable to visit. One of these vacation hot spots is the city of Pensacola. 21 Cheap and Fun Things to Do in Pensacola Pensacola has a rich heritage. Over time, it…Travel11 min readTravel11 min read