Tag: personal essays
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Why Selling Things Online Is More Practical Than You Think
Selling things online is technically a side hustle, but for me it’s a way to reclaim space and get some money back. During the pandemic, I really started living in my space, and when things opened back up, I didn’t exactly pick the habit of putting everything away back up with the same energy. Either…
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The Friendships That Surprised Me the Most (How They Actually Started)
Some of the most important friendships in my life started randomly. I’m kind of annoying in the sense that I have many best friends. I know that’s not how it traditionally works, but I’m not very traditional. Life has a way of deciding for you. You don’t always see it coming, and you definitely don’t…
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What I Don’t Overthink Anymore
I think our brains are overstimulated, across the board. It’s easy to disappear into worry about whether I’m doing the right thing, but my mom used to say, “You can’t change the outcome.” She wasn’t telling me to be careless. She encouraged preparation, not agony. That distinction stuck. These are a few things I don’t…
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Things I’ve Owned Long Enough to Trust
I’ve been told by friends that I tend to be particular. Which, depending on who you ask, doesn’t always read as Medium Maintenance. I don’t think that’s a bad thing. Being particular usually just means you know what you like and what you don’t. It’s good to keep an open mind, but some things are…
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What I’m Weirdly Proud of This Week
I’ve been busy juggling work and my mother’s affairs. Things have been stressful. Lately, I’ve noticed a small shift. I’m joking more. My texts to my boyfriend aren’t just about the estate or logistics. They sound more normal. I’m not letting the loss eat away at me the way it was a month ago. My…
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The Idea of Getting Married Again
Where I’m at I’ll start this off by saying I’m not engaged. I’m just a nice lady who thinks about everything all the time. I’m in a very loving and healthy relationship with my boyfriend, and the idea of making things official on paper is something we’re into. I couldn’t imagine sharing my life with…
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Loving a Dog and Losing Them: What Stays After Goodbye
The Kind of Love You Don’t Question I still say my relationship with Mr. Jax was the most stable male relationship I’ve ever had. Loving him was easy. I got him when I was 21, and he was with me through everything. He was there for my college graduation. He gave me strength when I…
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What Felt Different This Year
What Expectations I Had About Turning 40 That Simply Didn’t Materialize Turning 40 is kind of like turning any other age. Nothing really changes, and I think I’m still too close to it to notice anything meaningful yet. Time needs to pass before anything becomes notable. I half expected a moment where I suddenly felt…
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What I Refuse to Feel Bad About at 40
Turning 40 brings a sense of clarity and the realization that personal choices should not be dictated by societal expectations. The author reflects on valuing comfort, building a smaller inner circle, saying no assertively, and embracing personal interests without guilt. These insights represent newfound boundaries and a commitment to self-acceptance.
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Turning 40 and Still Paying Attention
Even though this post is about turning 40, let me take you back ten years. January 14, 2016. I had an early morning, so it was still dark. I woke up and wandered to the bathroom, barely awake. I remember perking up once I looked in the mirror because even though I knew it was…
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Do 5: How I Try to Keep My House Clean (Without Becoming a New Person)
Some images in this post were generated using AI. They’re used to enhance the visuals and mood of the post, not to represent my actual home or real-life scenes exactly as they appear. I am not diagnosed with anything, but I am fairly certain my brain runs on side quests. I am not a professional…
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What I’m Relieved to Leave Behind From This Year
This year asked a lot. More than I was prepared for, more than I would have volunteered for, and definitely more than I would recommend to others. As the calendar turns, I’m not interested in a grand reinvention or a dramatic “new year, new me” announcement. I don’t have the energy and I don’t think…