Why needing help from others, and showing vulnerability is coded OUT of our most common understandings of masculinity. — TLDR: If more guys trained in the traditional fighting arts (with good teachers, not that Cobra Kai crap) maybe they’d find out that self- compassion and empathy are attitudes of the strongest men. Not the weakest. The guys were just watching the football game My writing friend Ed Frauenheim told me the other day about an incident. From…

Rediscovering this softer, more forgiving way of dress — Maybe it’s the lack of exercise caused by my janky, torn left meniscus. Maybe it’s the food I’ve been eating, while not being active enough to burn it off. Maybe it’s the stress. Or the less than optimal sleep, despite many efforts. Pretty sure it’s menopause related. Maybe it’s all…

Creating room by sacrificing space — Why does life feel so complicated these days? There always seem to be so many things to keep track of, tend to, and take care of — all the time. Especially with a full time job, a budding suburban homestead project, and the two young kids I’m raising together with my amazing husband. Yes these are all things…

But the hair on your head has different ideas entirely. — My friend Caroline got the cutest bangs cut into her long hair. Now she’s rocking this look that’s a cross between glamorous pinup girl and wholesome girl next door. As I look into the mirror at the staccato wisps of hair that stick straight up from my forehead like some…

The answer is right under your nose — Oh no! You did it again! Fell into the trap of people-pleasing, to your own detriment, and agreed to do something you didn’t really want to do. All because (subconsciously) you just wanted the person who asked you to be happy. Dammit! How does this happen to you all the…

With even-keeled parents who had balanced nervous systems, good communication, and skills in holding strong, clear, and healthy boundaries? — Yeah, me neither. None of us did. And I’m not saying this to blame prior generations. They were just doing the best they could. Even though it wasn’t always so great. Without clinging to victimhood, knowing what’s gone wrong with the system at large is going to be necessary if…

No seriously, I’m asking… — This isn’t a meta advisory post to show off my faux-knowledge of how the internet works. It’s an honest plea for help! With a few wry laughs thrown in for your reading pleasure. I’m Not Stuck on the Mechanics of List Building Goddess knows I’ve only read, IDK, a billion articles on the topic over the past decade. I…

Honoring the seed and all the work it takes to cultivate. — A vase of cut flowers Stripped of their roots Grown for their beauty and not for their fruits Wrapped up in plastic and zapped with some lights to make sure they look pretty fresh colorful and bright This is what our culture has done to each other Made us decorative…