When Someone Makes You Feel Safe
How to Make Shame Your Ally
“Shame is the intensely painful feeling or experience of believing we are flawed and therefore unworthy of love and belonging.” ~Brené Brown
I was walking to my office one day when one of my colleagues gave me a compliment about what I was wearing. I was a little surprised and, without thinking, said something disparaging about my dress and darted off into my office.
As I sat down, I noticed an intense wave of discomfort all over my body, and dark churning thoughts started attacking me.
What is wrong with me? I asked myself. Why did I say such a …
Why I’m Now Welcoming My Anxiety with Open Arms
“You are not your feelings. You just experience them. Anger, sadness, hate, depression, fear. This is the rain you walk in. But you don’t become the rain. You know the rain will pass. You walk on. And you remember the soft glow of the sun that will come again.” ~Matt Haig
I have been anxious for as long as I can remember.
All of my earliest memories are ones where I was worrying or fearful for one reason or another.
Thinking back, the first memory I have that is akin to that of an actual anxiety disorder, meaning that the …
How to Feel More in Control in Life in Four Steps
“You may not be able to control every situation and its outcome, but you can control how you deal with it.” ~Unknown
Life is often crazy and rushed. Sometimes it’s difficult to feel a sense of control. It can be utterly chaotic and leave us feeling lost.
This is exactly where I was two years ago. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I felt hopeless, directionless, and completely lost pretty much every day.
I didn’t feel like I had a grip on anything in my life, including my thoughts, emotions, and actions.
I had …
The Unseen Stories and Hidden Beauty We All Carry
“The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode, but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows. The beauty of a woman grows with the passing years.” ~Audrey Hepburn
I was home for the summer on break from graduate school. As I walked into my childhood room, suitcase and duffle in hand, I noticed a small brown box on my bed. I placed my bags on the floor.
The box had a few simple items in it and was labeled “Mudder.” …
Join the Writers Rising Retreat – with Anne Lamott, Cheryl Strayed & others!
If you’re a fellow or aspiring writer, today’s post is for you!
The people behind the Writer’s Room have organized a pretty amazing retreat that you won’t want to miss.
Writers Rising 2024 , running from October 25th through 27th, is sure to be an unforgettable experience that will ignite your creativity, nourish your spirit, and deepen your connection to yourself and others.
I do what I do for all these reasons, and because I believe that writing heals. It helps us process our emotions, identify lessons from our experiences, and feel a greater sense of clarity and control in …
How to Be Brave and Speak up Early in the Conversation
“Fear is a reaction. Courage is a decision.” ~Winston S. Churchill
In a recent episode involving a field trip my daughter is taking, I found myself at a crossroads, grappling with the fear of expressing concerns early in a conversation. As a parent, I highly value my children’s growth but struggle with the balance of asserting my needs without risking relationships.
The plans felt, on first reading, overly ambitious, so I wanted more information and I wanted to be able to express myself and feel heard. I highly value situations where my kids have opportunities to overcome challenges and build …
Though I run this site, it is not mine. It's ours. It's not about me. It's about us. Your stories and your wisdom are just as meaningful as mine. 