And I’ve never been happier. — In America, you can’t afford not to think about politics. Well, that’s not completely true. If you’re a cis white male, I guess you can. But for the rest of us, politics are something we have to consider whether we want to or not. And I’ll be 100 percent truthful…

For those who have been here awhile, but might need to start again. — When Medium announced they were changing how the Partner Program functioned and now requiring people to have at least 100 followers in order to qualify, some people were a bit upset. No one likes change and I understand that. …

Keep your opinions to yourself unless you’re asked. — I’m almost 45 years old and I can tell you, dieting and weight loss have been a pretty prevalent part of my life for at least 39 years. Sound crazy? It should. My mother put me on the first diet I remember being on when I was around six years…

Knowing when to reach out is important for our mental health. — It’s often said, one is the loneliest number, but I dispute that argument. One of the worst feelings in the world is to feel lonely when you’re not alone. When you’re surrounded by people and you still feel as if you’re doing things all on your own. Some days, that’s…

The older I get, the more comfort is important to me. — There’s a certain expectation for women to be feminine, no matter what. It starts in childhood and continues and grows into adulthood. A couple of years ago when my mother-in-law was staying in our home, we had a conversation. …

Sometimes, all we need to do is believe in our dreams to reach our goals. — When it comes to dreams, I’ve had my fair share. As I’ve grown and matured, I like to think my dreams have as well. In reality, more often than not, I’ve let go of them because they just didn’t seem workable. I’ve always had this misconception about when certain things…

Telling our children their emotions are gender based is harmful. — One of the most vivid memories I have from childhood centers on emotions. My brother was angry often, and my mother always chalked it up to him simply being male. However, if I dared show anger about anything, I was told it wasn’t ladylike. Similarly, if he showed anything resembling…

Psychological detoxing is not only freeing, it’s eye-opening. — When life gets difficult, I’m the type of person who goes ghost. Not with those nearest to me, but my online presence all but disappears. …

Happiness doesn’t have to be attached to a white picket fence. — The happily ever after (HEA) trope can often be seen as another tool of the patriarchy. Want to ensure your life will be filled with meaning, happiness, and hope, as a woman? Find the man of your dreams and watch the sparks fly. Hallmark movies are some of the worst…