Over the past five years, I’ve become a student of grief, stuck in a classroom I never wanted to be in. It began with the sudden passing of my best friend in 2019. Then my brother, two years later, in 2021. These losses initiated me into grief greater than anything I’d ever known. I’ve written, …
The flowers known as annuals bloom beautifully for just one season; the roots do not linger far past the first freeze, and the sole evidence of their brief life are the seeds left behind. But when winter wipes the green from the earth, there are some plants whose roots remain intact, waiting out the freeze …
Educator, author, and researcher Emily Nagoski, Ph.D. says “There are as many unique sexualities as there are humans on earth.” For most people, sexuality is a key part of how we connect with ourselves and other people. But like many things in life, sexuality is not stagnant. It’s dynamic, and it can shift and change as …
One of the most beautiful aspects of falling in love is that no two love stories are the same. Everyone falls in love and experiences romance differently. Each moment you spend with a partner throughout your life is precious — and totally unique. As someone who writes about relationships for a living, I’ve always been …
I recently ruptured my Achilles tendon and tore my ankle ligament in what I would say was a desperate attempt at “self-care.” I got injured in a basketball game — playing basketball brings me peace, especially in my busy life — but while I was getting triple-teamed by the opposing players, I jumped and heard …
If you’ve ever suffered from dry skin or scalp, eczema, or brittle strands, hard water may be to blame. An estimated 85% of the US water supply is considered “hard water,” aka water with extra minerals. While not all minerals in hard water are dangerous, there is the potential for contaminants like heavy metals. You’ll often see those same effects of …
There are seasons in life that seem to last forever. Then, there are mornings when you wake up and realize an entire decade has gone by. You’re older, you’re different, and all of your former selves feel little more than distant memories. When you roll over and see the person lying next to you, you …
Relationship & marriage counseling is perfectly normal. Romantic comedies often paint relationships as easy—effortless, even. But the truth is that a commitment to someone isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it kind of thing. Relationships require maintenance, especially after the changes we all experienced in the past few years. Perhaps you’ve mastered the art of open and honest communication …
A few years back, I was tidying before friends arrived for New Year’s Eve when my stomach made the sort of sound you’d expect from a swamp monster. I thought it was just a little gas. We were at the tail end of the Bacchanalia that is the last two weeks of December, and as a …
A Moroccan tray sits on my kitchen counter, a little oasis dedicated solely to the morning ritual of coffee. On it sits my Frieling Double-Walled Stainless Steel French Press, and a small brass bowl to hold my measuring spoon. I keep my beans in an airtight container in my pantry to protect from light, heat, …