Dear Husband, I feel like year 11 should have come with a warning label. WARNING: You will be physically separated by 7,000 miles for seven months of this year. Life as you know it will change in big and small ways. You will feel lost, anxious, discouraged and frustrated a majority of the time… But Read More
Category: Self Development
Progress Report: 500 Days
Today marks 500 days into my wellness journey of sobriety and personal growth. I decided to check in with myself and reflect on my progress. We get progress reports in school on our academic journey, and since I’m a teacher my mind thinks like that. Although organic in form, I find it helpful to look Read More
Remembrance of Things Past
Yesterday, I slid down the slippery slope of memory and floundered around at the bottom like a bug on its back. Normally, I don’t allow myself to dwell in the past. Much of it didn’t go as planned, and feelings of guilt and regret are all too happy to pounce, once I arrive. This trip Read More
The Yuck
Disclaimer: This post is not one of my usual hope-filled messages, but I feel the need to be authentic with my readers. Read on to learn more about my current affliction, the Yuck. Last week, the majority of California went back into lockdown due to COVID-19. My district informed me that we will be starting Read More
Life Lessons from my Garden
Let me begin by admitting I am not a master gardener; I consider myself a student of plants, a novice at best. But it brings me satisfaction and pleasure to putter around in the garden, whether it’s tending to my tomato plants or trying to propagate my succulents. I am an observer; maybe that is Read More
What to do? Give Yourself a Break
“What are we going to do today?” This question has no doubt been asked far more often over the past four months. Prior to the arrival of the Virus That Cancelled Everything, schedules used to be packed, trips planned and looked forward to, and staying at home doing nothing was a rare occurrence. Now that Read More
Autopilot: an unfulfilling ride
Get up, get dressed, eat breakfast, go to work. Come home, cook dinner, do chores, go to bed. It’s easy to get stuck on autopilot in this life. If you’re caught in the sticky trap of drinking, your life is likely a recurring nightmare of numbing, regret, broken promises and feeling like crap (physically, mentally Read More
Coffee Talk: Trying to connect with sanitized relationships
Yesterday, I went out to coffee with two dear friends who I haven’t seen since March. We’ve shared virtual interactions–sanitized relationships–but I hadn’t actually seen them in person for months. We shared stories about our kids and spouses, concerns about our jobs and the economy, dismay over the state of our nation, frustrations over our Read More
Disconnected
A week after my husband’s return, we took my daughter in our RV on a camping trip in the woods. Rest and relaxation. A beautiful spot with mountain air, a meandering river and a cathedral of trees. I knew in advance that this location had no Wifi or cell reception; I just didn’t realize until Read More
This One’s For You
Hi There, I’m writing this for you. The one who feels stuck. Like a bird in a building, or a mouse on a sticky trap, Knowing that things won’t end well. I’m writing this as the voice of experience. One who has been there before, But managed to break free. And now wishes she had Read More