I recently witnessed one of my favorite authors experience some professional setbacks and disappointments. After wallowing for awhile, her colleague asked her, “what does this make possible?” It’s easier said than done. Isn’t it? There’s a note on my desk that mocks me: Create more. Consume less. I haven’t felt much like writing lately. I…
Tag: Body Image
Who Needs a Map?
“The lies still come. Sometimes they are a whisper when I am walking onto a stage, sometimes they are a quick cut when I see a picture of myself, and other times, they scream. They scream in a way I cannot describe – they are constant and vulgar and violently unkind. And when the lies…
Internal v. External
Aren’t personality types fascinating? I have always thought so. Even my favorite sleepover activities as a kid included pouring over magazines and taking quizzes for hours on end. It’s no surprise that as the Enneagram recently gained popularity in my corner of the world, that I would go all in with it, too. I am an…
Thief of Joy
Often times my mind will drift to things my younger self has said or done. Some memories make me giggle, reminding me that the same silly sense of humor exists, however deep inside. Other times, I cringe. Who knows why we do the things we do? Words have always come fairly easy for me. I…
Growing Pains
Do you remember the worst pain you’ve ever felt? Eight years ago, I opened my eyes in the comfort of my bed and felt something very wrong. My elbows were sore, my knees were stiff, and I couldn’t move my fingers. Later that day, my shoulders started aching and my wrists swelled. In less than…
El Roi & El Shâma
“People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.” –Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Quiet. It’s my most favorite sound. For the past two weeks, I’ve had the most glorious sleep. Coming off a long…
The Shame Game
I’m about halfway through Brené Brown’s Gifts of Imperfections. It’s a short book, but I’m taking it chapter by chapter, averaging one every two weeks to really unpack this. It’s like my Voice of Reason and I have our own little book club (although, mostly one-sided), where I draw parallels between other things I’ve read…
Let Your Heart Be Light
During a typical year, I feel distinct seasons of inspiration, busyness, introspection, and rest before the whole cycle gears up again. This has not been a typical year. 2018 has been one long season of journey. Only now do I feel I’m squeezing my introspection of fall and rest of winter into one weekend. The…
‘Tis the Season
Shout-out to diet culture for an excellent marketing strategy. It’s the holidays! Celebrate! Oh, but not TOO much celebrating. See, now you’ve overdone it. But you’re in luck! We have programs that will fix you – half off if you join today! Brace yourselves. We’ll be bombarded for the next two months with anti-us messaging….
On the Hunt for Lovely
Hi. My name is Amanda and I am Annie Downs‘ #1 fan. With every word she writes, I want to call her up and invite her to dinner because we have so much in common and I feel like we would be the best of friends. In a totally non-creepy way, of course. After finishing…
A Liviting Life 