Why did we ever stop caring about the things that matter most? Do you ever look around and see that state of the world and ask yourself that question? And if we’re going to ask that question, then we must also wonder: when exactly did we stop caring? Was it ten years ago? Fifty? One hundred? When did we sit down and decide as a collective group that the things that truly make up the human experience-love, family, friendship, collectiveness, kindness, generosity, creativity, freedom-don’t matter anymore?

Did we decide that we should transcend these things? Did we convince ourselves that…

I will always love my sister. How could I not? She’s my own flesh and blood. We grew up together. We share countless memories and joys and hardships. We share love and family. For as long as I can remember, she’s been there and the course of my life has been shaped by her existence, just as I’m sure my own has shaped her’s.

But in spite of this love, in spite of all the history, despite the fact that I will always love and care and advocate for her, I’m smart enough to know that she’s toxic. Not just…

I made the mistake of telling a friend that I was enjoying the coronavirus outbreak. She took one look at me, eyes narrowed, mouth gaping, like a fish. “Are you insane?” she asked. “People are dying.”

And she’s right. People are dying. Hospitals are overloaded. Lives have been shattered. People have lost their jobs. They’re lonely and afraid and yet. . .

There’s still a small, selfish part of me that’s enjoying the change of pace. I’ve been working from home the past few weeks. I’ve spent more time with my family and more time outdoors than I probably have…

I never was a big shopper growing up. I hated making trips to the mall with my mother. I hated all the noise and all the smells and the crowds. Most of all, I hated trying on endless new outfits in a stuffy, hot dressing room with my mother or sister breathing down my neck and an over eager sales associate asking me if I needed any help a half dozen times.

My frustration with shopping only compounded when I grew up and realized that if I wanted to buy the things, I liked I’d either have to have my…

I’m not career-oriented, and I’m tired of pretending to be.

I’m tired of talking about what I do for a living, obsessing over my LinkedIn profile and my resume, agonizing over the decision of whether or not to go back to school and what I’ll be when I grow up and where I see myself in five years.

I have no interest in being an entrepreneur or a solopreneur or a ‘girlboss.’ I’m not motivated or inspired by the thought of six-figure bank accounts and designer suits and top floor penthouses.

I’m not even motivated by the thought of rearing…

Admittedly, quarantining has been a bit of a dream for me. Of course, I’m one of the biggest introverts that I know, so this doesn’t come as much of a surprise to me. I’m also pretty low maintenance so the stay at home order doesn’t bother me all that much. I don’t have highlights that need touched up or nails that need redone and I practically live in sweatpants and old t-shirts anyway. I also do have the privilege of working at home, which of course, makes earning a living all that easier and safer.

Ensconced in my home in…

I’ll be honest, I fell out of love with life for the longest time. I was so focused on growing a profitable writing business, trying to handle my full time job, and figuring myself out that I was missing out on everything that was right in front of me.

My relationships were suffering, I wasn’t getting nearly enough sleep. My entire life felt like a chore, like one big long to do list. …

I’ve desperately struggled to put pen to paper the last few days. Every time I sit down to write, I feel my fingers grow heavy, my eyes glaze over, and fog descends in my mind, so thick and heavy, I can barely push through to see the words taking shape behind the curtain.

After several fruitless minutes, I usually pound the keyboard, give up and go find something, anything else to occupy my tired mind. The grief and the panic and the fear of COVID-19 has taken over my mind. It consumes my waking thoughts and dreams. I’m so focused…