If a stranger were to scroll through my Instagram feed, there’s not much they would learn about me. There are no pictures of my relationships, no captions detailing my innermost feelings and no political opinions or commentaries. There are just select snapshots from various seasons of my life. That is intentional. While I appreciate and … Continue reading Why You Don’t Have to Share Your Personal Life on Social Media
When I was 8 or 9, I received a bamboo plant in a sweet little ceramic pot with a panda crawling up the side as a gift. It was the first plant I ever owned, and it inspired an enduring love for collecting and cultivating houseplants. From fiddle leaf figs to monsteras to succulents, there’s … Continue reading Greenery 101: Low Maintenance, Potted Plants for the Plant-Loving Newbie
To some degree or another, we’ve all been shaped by our pasts, by our disappointments, our transgressions, our pains, and our regrets. There are defining moments in each of our stories, which, for better or for worse, shape the narrative of our lives. From minor faults and failures to major mistakes and mishaps, all of … Continue reading Your Past Can Shape You, But It Doesn’t Have to Define You
When I was searching for colleges in high school, Greek life wasn’t even a consideration. Instead, I was laser-focused on qualities like campus location, class sizes, majors offered and national ranking. I never could have imagined that I would end up rushing or how impactful and lasting the Greek life experience would prove to be—both … Continue reading Thoughts From a Former Sorority Girl
In a world saturated with social media and its ubiquitous highlight reels, the pressure to “have it all together” is greater than ever. No matter where we turn, we’re inundated with images of perfect bodies, perfect relationships, perfect homes and perfect careers. For some, these projections can be inspiring and positive, but for others (and … Continue reading How to Overcome Perfectionism
We’ve all encountered strangers we’ll never forget. Throughout time, I’ve met countless men and women who’ve left deep impressions on me—sometimes due to a profound remark, an act of kindness or a simple smile. There’s one man I remember for all three. I used to live near the beach and went on frequent walks there. … Continue reading The Gift of a Smile
A friend of mine is about to begin a long-term program in which, among other things, she’ll learn how to farm, bake bread, make cheese, dip candles and more. It’s hard to imagine that such a life is still possible in our modern world, isn’t it? To me, the notion of living off the land … Continue reading 4 Ways to Reclaim the Simple Life Right Where You Are
We all face limitations in our lives. Perhaps we’re coping with a broken relationship, experiencing financial struggles, dealing with an illness, or feel stuck in a dead-end job. Perhaps we’re facing several challenges. The truth is, we are creatures of limitations — confined within time in frail bodies, with exhaustible resources. No matter how hard we … Continue reading What If We’re Looking at Our Limitations All Wrong?
In his book Walden, Henry David Thoreau writes, “Every generation laughs at the old fashions, but follows religiously the new.” Considering that I love this season’s off-the-shoulder tops and chokers as much as I now cringe to think of the overalls and bucket hats I embraced in the ‘90s, I’d consider this statement true. Fashion aside, … Continue reading The Art of Unlearning: How Do We Know What’s False?
Happy Labor Day! For many Americans, the first Monday of September marks the end of summer, the start of school, and a much-anticipated day away from the office. It’s a designated time of rest and relaxation, filled with weekend road trips, neighborhood barbecues, and countless shopping sales. Yet beyond these, Labor Day has a deeper … Continue reading Happy Labor Day!