Priviledge requires listening.

I am privileged. As a white, straight, middle class Midwestern woman I have not had to fight to gain access to my rights or many of the opportunities that I have accessed. Honestly, I have no idea what it is like to be discriminated against based on factors far beyond my control. This is my … Continue reading Priviledge requires listening.

As an inpatient psychiatric nurse, I’m glad you’re here.

Today was the day. The day you felt the overwhelming urge to be done with this life. Suicide felt like the right decision. As a relief from pain you have been desperately trying to escape. There was a flaw in your plan. Fear, family, friends or fate caused a pause in the plan you were … Continue reading As an inpatient psychiatric nurse, I’m glad you’re here.

Trying to express emotion when you’ve lived life emotionally controlled. A story of a failed attempt at opening up.

Emotions have always been carefully controlled in my life. Growing up I was told not to be upset when bad things happened. This did not eliminate the issue I was facing but facilitated a pattern of suppressing what I was feeling and only revealing levels of emotional expression that would be considered acceptable. As with … Continue reading Trying to express emotion when you’ve lived life emotionally controlled. A story of a failed attempt at opening up.

Why I should probably be dead. Tales of “Crash n’ Burns”

5 years old I was playing Chop, chop, TIMBER! on my parents bed. As I trust fell backwards over and over again, I didn't realize how close I was to the headboard on the bed. The last time was a doozy and I cracked my head and neck on the edge of that wooden piece … Continue reading Why I should probably be dead. Tales of “Crash n’ Burns”

If you are going to take a “No Makeup Selfie” take off your damn makeup.

Summer has been in full swing now and another round of no makeup selfies has begun. Women of social media have been posting photos with the tag #nomakeup in droves. The posts garner plenty of attention and seem to fulfill one need or another. There is always an excuse as to why it is vitally … Continue reading If you are going to take a “No Makeup Selfie” take off your damn makeup.

Giving Up on Giving a Damn

In life many people strive for perfection. There is an image of a perfection that seems completely unobtainable. Guess what, it is unobtainable. I am now a mom of three under five, in my thirties, and there are just so many damns I do not give. Damn not given #1: Toxic relationships: Growing up I … Continue reading Giving Up on Giving a Damn

Presence Not Presents 

Christmas is full of planning, stress, and obligations. The anxiety of the day can take over rather quickly. The distractions of the holiday details can blur your view of what is truly important. Many times this holiday season I have found myself worrying about preparing to have a perfect day. I worry my children will … Continue reading Presence Not Presents 

Tonight I cried in front of my kids.

There are days that are more emotionally taxing than others. We've all been in an emotionally vulnerable frame of mind that leaves us exhausted. For me, today was one of those days. Emotional vulnerability is not something I am comfortable with. I prefer to keep my emotions tight-lipped. Honestly, I'd rather have a colonoscopy than … Continue reading Tonight I cried in front of my kids.