mental-health
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Another Year
Today is the 11th anniversary of my mom’s death and I’ve been grieving extra hard. In the past, I haven’t used this day to grieve her more than any other day. I haven’t really needed to. For some reason, I woke… Continue reading
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Existing in the Chaos
Dear Mom, You know how people talk about the calm before the storm? Well… I’m currently experiencing the storm. I’m in the middle of it. The eye of the hurricane is hovering. It’s windy and treacherous and feels like it… Continue reading
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Why Don’t I Drink Anymore?
Dear Mom, Often, when I meet new people, the topic of my sobriety comes up. I’ve received judgment. I’ve received skepticism. I’ve received odd looks. But most of the time I receive curiosity. Most of the time people simply want… Continue reading
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I’m Ready for Another Adventure
Dear Mom, After taking an entire week off from writing, I’m finding it challenging to start again. I’m not sure why. It could be my exhaustion following a week of epic adventuring in the rainforest. Or perhaps it’s the three-hour… Continue reading
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I Couldn’t Be Better
Dear Mom, Did you ever neglect to notice how good your life was because you were too busy worrying about what wasn’t perfect? Did you ever convince yourself that things could be better when in reality things were pretty great?… Continue reading
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Sometimes I Need a Reminder
Dear Mom, It’s been over a year since I began writing to you again and, in that time, I’ve learned a great deal about myself. I’ve discovered issues I didn’t know I had. I’ve processed issues I never knew I… Continue reading
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Sitting in the Muck
Dear Mom, I’ve learned something about myself recently. I want to be more relaxed. I want to be calmer. I want to be easygoing. I love the feeling of moving on and not sweating the small stuff. I love the… Continue reading
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My Aha Moment
Dear Mom, I’ve been staring at a blank page for hours. The cursor mocking me with its excessive blinking. I know what I want to write about this week. I know what I want to ask you. I know what… Continue reading
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A Lonely Child
Dear Mom, If you were alive, you’d say I was a troubled teenager, which I was, but I also know my troubles began long before. I can trace it all back to my childhood. When I close my eyes and… Continue reading
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What If I Had Asked for Help?
Dear Mom, For years, and I mean for all my life leading up to probably last week after my new therapist helped me open my eyes, I believed I had gotten away with it. I had pulled one over on… Continue reading
Sober Letters to Mom 