When I was Twenty

When I was twenty, I knew I wanted to have a healthy relationship. I wanted to do everything “right” I thought if I could be honest and open and kind and giving, if I was a good listener, if I did everything in my power to please my partner, then there would be no way …

Listen to Yourself

I was just thinking about how far I’ve come. I remember the fear So much fear Should I get divorced? Should I stay? Will my kids be okay if I end the marriage? Will they be okay if I stay? Will I be able to keep my house? Will I even be able to feed …

Fear of No

Why is it so hard to say no to our kids? Maybe it isn’t for some people, but it is for me. I have always been such a fucking people pleaser. Until about a month ago, if I created a boundary for my kids, it was coupled with a long drawn-out conversation about why, and …

Check the Boxes

Check the Boxes Ever since I put my book “F*ck That,” out into the world, people have been reaching out to me with one common theme: fear, and running from it, and wanting to stop. People run from so many things. Running from the hard things in life. Running from fear of love, fear of …

The Corner Chair

*** Trigger warning, discussion of rape. Details changed for privacy. She sat in the corner chair in my office. It’s the chair everyone in deepest pain chooses. It feels safe there, with a wall on each side.  She didn’t cry.  She didn’t smile either, and she didn’t meet my eye. She stared ahead and told …

Stronger Together

Friends are family and family are friends “I love you.”  The text said.  Suddenly the tears welled and spilled, down my face, splashing onto my shirt and jeans. I could wipe the tears from my face but the wet splotches soaking my shirt were a certain giveaway of my big heart, literally on my sleeve, …

How to be Good at Life

How to be Good at Life When you hit the absolute breaking point, what do you do?  What I do, and what I want to do, are sometimes very different things. The pressures of parenting and life and generally holding it all together can be too much sometimes. People say, when you are overwhelmed, focus …

Letting Go of Avoidant Love

Letting Half-Love Leave I noticed when he walked away this time, he didn’t see he was abandoning himself more than he was abandoning me. He didn’t see it but for the first time, I did.  In the past I would be distraught and confused, consumed with ache and anxiety and self-loathing at his leaving.  I …

The Joys of Online Dating

A Midnight Rant about Online Dating Can we just call it out that online dating is fucking horseshit?  I mean Jesus fuck. Sorry if this is not PC but there are some creepy ass motherfuckers out there. Not to be mean, but honest question: why would you take a close-up picture of your eye, just …