Aug 25, 2021Member-onlyLiving with the BeastsFirst chapter of my new poor self-perception book — Please give me feedback! Chapter One Living with the Beasts I remember Sunday evenings were the worst for me; the thought of school the next day filled me with more than just dread. Gone would be the safety of my home…Writing Advice7 min readWriting Advice7 min read
Published inAINYF…Alcohol is NOT Your Friend·Aug 5, 2021Member-onlyWhat the… Sober Weekend?4 ways to champion a sober weekend — You’ve made it through the week. You have dragged yourself through each day like a champion. There used to be a reward at the end of the day or with the weekend’s arrival in the past. It used to be a glass of wine (more likely a bottle), maybe even…Sobriety5 min readSobriety5 min read
Jul 24, 2021Member-onlyLike a Moth to the Quietly Flickering Narcissism FlameAre you dealing with a secret, covert, or introverted Narcissist? We all know that particular someone who enters the room and makes a spectacle of themselves. You know, the one who laughs a little too loud, the one who makes loud exclamations and draws attention to how fabulous, funny, or…Narcissism4 min readNarcissism4 min read
Jun 10, 2021Member-only5 Ways to Reduce Work Stress in 1-minute or LessQuick mind resets for the ultra-busyStress4 min readStress4 min read
May 31, 2021Member-onlyToxicity Masquerading as “Love”What if old married couples have toxicity and not love? “Just don’t tell that story again — no one wants to hear it!” — she said. He instantly shut up, seeming uncomfortable and embarrassed but maintaining polite kindness towards her before exiting the room quickly. A few moments later, he…Toxic Love4 min readToxic Love4 min read
May 16, 2021Member-onlyMe: “I Don’t Drink Because…” - Him: “Just Don’t Think About It.”“Just don’t think about it” is the biggest thief of our time and human experience. I recently got into a conversation (as recent as yesterday) with someone who questioned my alcohol-free and “first, do no harm” approach to living. I was minding my own business (well, mostly) and deeply engrossed…Alcoholism4 min readAlcoholism4 min read
May 12, 2021Member-onlyRecently Sober? Try These Mood-Boosting Hacks!How to spruce up your mood with soulful self-care Bah humbug! That used to be me first thing in the morning. Let’s get real; some mornings are harder to wake up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed than others. And for me, it became even harder when I decided to quit drinking, tussle…Self Care8 min readSelf Care8 min read
May 7, 2021Member-onlyAnxiety Kicks 10-Year-Old’s ButtI remember being about ten years old when I was in line for an achievement certificate. I still have that certificate. It sits in a file on my desk, and sometimes when I page through it looking for pertinent identity proof items, I see it and doff my proverbial hat…Anxiety5 min readAnxiety5 min read
May 5, 2021Member-onlyThe Art of Self-CareOver the years as a counselor and self-help writer, I have become acutely aware of something: people generally misunderstand self-care. When I say the word “self-care,” what comes to mind? Most people think of bubble baths and facemasks. And while that forms part of self-care rituals and people walk around…Self Improvement6 min readSelf Improvement6 min read
May 2, 2021Member-onlyHey Sober Guy/Girl — Your Sobriety is Inspiring!There have been a multitude of occasions where I wish I could take the sober girl or guy at a party to one side and say one simple sentence to them; “Your sobriety is inspiring.” The timing of this sentence would, of course, be significant. Perhaps if I told them…Sobriety4 min readSobriety4 min read
