2 days agoMember-only‘I Hope You Had the Time of Your Life’When you realize you no longer need your vices. — Recently, I stopped drinking alcohol almost entirely. The “almost” accounting for any future event I may choose to partake at an event or something — that’s always going to be an option, whether I choose to take it or not. …Alcohol7 min readAlcohol7 min read
Mar 5, 2024Member-onlyWould You Expose a Cheater? Here’s Why I Personally Wouldn’t.I am not about to kick this hornet’s nest. — Today, I participated in a semi-heated conversation about infidelity. The incident that triggered this discussion involved a hypothetical workplace scenario (though I’m assuming the “hypothetical” part was a lie) where two married coworkers were sleeping together — the question was whether to expose them. One party was a supervisor to…Opinion7 min readOpinion7 min read
Feb 13, 2024Member-onlyLittle Girl at the Gas StationThanks, I think? — I whipped my then-boyfriend’s Chevy Aveo into the Speedway parking lot and slid next to a gas pump. As I shut off the car — rudely interrupting Adele in mid-belt — I took a few deep breaths. I was working as a merchandiser at a clothing store at the time…Religion4 min readReligion4 min read
Jan 20, 2024Member-onlyThe Most Bizarre Encounter I’ve Ever Had with a Jehovah’s WitnessI still have no explanation for this one. — I want to start by making one thing clear: I am not using this article as an excuse to bash Jehovah’s Witnesses (“JWs”). I have never been one myself, and to be completely honest, I feel like I’d get tossed out of a Kingdom Hall in five minutes flat. …This Happened To Me6 min readThis Happened To Me6 min read
Dec 31, 2023Member-onlyFinding Out I’m on the Autism Spectrum Has Been Rough on My EndBut, for some eerie reason, not everyone else’s. — As a kid, I had a few peculiar “favorites.” I loved Oscar the Grouch from Sesame Street because I appreciated the sentiment of wanting to be left alone, as a natural loner child. I loved Helga Pataki from Hey Arnold because I found her backstory fascinating. …Autism5 min readAutism5 min read
Published inPerceive More!·Dec 30, 2023Member-onlyAn Overlooked Reason In-Store Shopping in My Country Is Getting DifficultWhy is nobody talking about this? — At the time of writing this, I am home sick from my part-time job stocking at a local big box store. …Opinion5 min readOpinion5 min read
Published inPerceive More!·Dec 6, 2023Member-only“How Many More Pounds Do You Need to Lose Before You Finally Stop Insulting Yourself?”The harsh realities of living a post-weight-loss existence. — When I first started writing on this platform in 2021, my life was a lot different. I was a college instructor exclusively working from home; since my husband worked 50–60 hour weeks, I was also a full-time housewife. …Weight Loss5 min readWeight Loss5 min read
Published inPerceive More!·Sep 20, 2023Member-onlyJill Duggar’s ‘Counting the Cost’: A Reflection on the Toxic Side of Reality TVHer religious upbringing, believe it or not, is only part of the story. — The year is 2005. I’m home alone from class with the flu, flipping through channels. I watched the first Duggar family TV special, 14 Children and Pregnant Again!, …Reality TV9 min readReality TV9 min read
Published inPerceive More!·Sep 6, 2023Member-only‘Wait, You Work Here?!’When people assume you’re better off than you actually are. — Last week, an acquaintance found me as I was stocking candies at work. Running into people while I’m at work is always awkward for me, regardless of the job. I don’t like to cross-categorize people in different areas of my life. …Teaching6 min readTeaching6 min read
Published inPerceive More!·Aug 25, 2023Member-onlyWhen Someone Who Used to Call You Fat Compliments YouHow quickly they forget. — August has been a busy month for me. Between prep for a new semester/school year, working at my part-time job, and focusing on my ongoing weight loss journey, I am surprised I’m still walking upright. At the same time, I was inching closer to the 60-pound mark in the aforementioned…This Happened To Me4 min readThis Happened To Me4 min read