“Those of use who choose not to become parents are a bit like Unitarians or nonnative Californians; we tend to arrive at our destination via our own meandering, sometimes agonizing paths” –Meghan Daum Selfish, Shallow, and Self-Absorbed: Sixteen Writers on the Decision Not to Have Kids offers multiple perspectives and journeys to childlessness. Some ofContinue reading “A Child-Free Life: Selfish or Self-Aware?”
Author Archives: kate
The Girl on the Train: A Must Read Summer Thriller…And a Sobering Commentary on Substance Abuse?
The Girl on the Train, written by Paula Hawkins, is a New York Times best seller, currently #1 on the list right now, which seemed like a great beach read. I settled into my beach chair under my favorite palm tree, shading me from the harshest of the sun’s rays. Looking out at the boatsContinue reading “The Girl on the Train: A Must Read Summer Thriller…And a Sobering Commentary on Substance Abuse?”
A Thought Piece: Disentangling the Web of Race and Mental Health
We spent a week leading up to Charleston shooting weighing in on Rachel Dolezal. She had been passing as black woman for many years. She said on the Today Show that she identified as black. What does race mean? Many asked and answers varied. Yes, race is a social construct. Some likened her comments toContinue reading “A Thought Piece: Disentangling the Web of Race and Mental Health”
A night with Paris Hilton
Why I am I still in my clothes? Why is there vomit on my shirt? I get out of bed and go to the kitchen to get some water. My head hurts. I walk into my living room and notice the front door is wide open. What the hell happened last night? I remember beingContinue reading “A night with Paris Hilton”
How are you? I’m fine.
How are you? I am fine. How often do you have this exchange everyday? With your coworkers. Your friends. The store cashier. Sure there are many times you expand and share your fabulous weekend or that story about the horrible traffic you were just in…. Half the time though it is just a formality. ForContinue reading “How are you? I’m fine.”
Looking for Answers: Navigating Grief
I did it again. I was thinking about something and reached toward my phone to call her. She was always there for me. During our phone conversations, I don’t think I ever cried. She listened and we laughed. She heard me bitch about my day. She talked to me when I was in a badContinue reading “Looking for Answers: Navigating Grief”
Stand on the escalator
Today I woke up and didn’t want to go work. This happens a lot. I stayed in bed until the last-minute and that turned into another five and another five. Suddenly, it was 8:35 and I was supposed to be at work in ten minutes. I wrote my HR person that I had accidentally turnedContinue reading “Stand on the escalator”
Cracks in the System Resurface…But it’s not so simple.
When I saw the news of the Creigh Deeds shooting, I had to tune in. This incident was different than the usual nightly montage of shootings and killings and robberies and general malaise. The spotlight has once again turned on the mental health system. Where did it go wrong? I was flabbergasted when I readContinue reading “Cracks in the System Resurface…But it’s not so simple.”
Chasing Wellness
I was reading an article recently about taking responsibility for your treatment compliance. It is a very hard road and it takes determination to achieve stability. And then there is the even harder goal: being truly happy. Happiness seems so elusive. There is always a temptation to find an excuse, blaming your illness for yourContinue reading “Chasing Wellness”
The Price of Silence
One in four adults—approximately 57.7 million Americans— experience a mental health disorder in a given year. –NAMI How many times have I heard someone call a person with bipolar disorder (or any mental illness) a slur and not said anything? I just didn’t have the energy for the conversation. A friend and I were watchingContinue reading “The Price of Silence”
