In the winter of 2017, I interviewed women. I was creating a group program, and I wanted to know what women were dreaming about and what kind of support could feel useful. As I began the planning process, I wondered, “What do women really want? And what do they need in order to start moving in that direction?” I am, in fact, a woman. I had my own guesses, but I was curious. Did other women have the same desires and feel stuck in the same ways?
Read MoreSeveral months ago, I signed up for a writing program. Why? I desired support with my writing. I desired to learn from someone. I desired to have a container where I could practice and grow in my writing without having to do it alone. During our latest meeting, I shared with my writing coach, "I've felt stuck for the past few weeks. I come up with all kinds of excuses. And, most of them, they feel so real. It gets confusing. Everything feels heavy." "Why didn't you reach out to me and let me know how you were feeling?" "I don't know. I want to be the A+ student. The one who doesn't disappoint or make mistakes or become difficult or annoying, I guess." "You've got it wrong. The A+ student asks for help."
Read MoreI spent one quarter at Pacifica Graduate Institute instead of the intended five years. I had already spent 20 plus years as a student. It was something I knew how to do well. To be honest, being a traditional student doesn’t require a ton of creativity. With diligence, you can do quite good in school. I liked that feeling. Knowing I could succeed. But very quickly in that first quarter, I knew I didn’t want to be there.
Read MoreLast Friday, I woke up and wanted to spend my morning at the complex pool. I picked a podcast, brewed some coffee, packed blueberries and a sandwich, and made my way over.
Read MoreI was having a conversation with my friend Holly. She said something to me that I needed to hear. Maybe you need to hear it too: “Ability does not equal obligation. You’re capable of achieving anything, but that doesn’t mean you have to.”
Read MoreIn November 2016, I got a call from Kirsten, my adventurous college friend. “Hey girl, I’m backpacking through South America in January. Wanna come?” She’d laid out a dream itinerary full of nature, cities, art and culture. Opportunities like that don’t come along often. I jumped on it.
Read MoreThis weekend was interesting. I bought brownie mix then realized I don't have the proper pan, so I made one giant brownie cookie instead. I proceeded to eat most of it, getting up from the couch to cut giant slabs from the thing while watching episode after episode of The Office. It felt good. The rest. The laughter. The nothingness.
Read MoreOprah recently did a beautiful interview with Lady Gaga. In it, Lady Gaga candidly shared her personal journey with mental health, authenticity, purpose, shame, and lots of other deeply inspiring stuff.
Read MoreLast summer, I received a call from the nurse at my doctor’s office. “We got the results back. We found precancerous cells on your cervix. We recommend getting them surgically removed as soon as possible.”
Read MoreWhen my grandmother died five years ago, it was the first time in my life I experienced deep, aching grief. The kind of grief that overwhelms you. And all I wanted was for it to go away.
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