Growing up, my home was a collection of other people’s things. My parents bought plenty of things new, but many of the biggest items in our home didn’t come from a store. My dad made some of our furniture—the…
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A note on how to this piece came to be After women join my email list, I often send a simple email welcoming them to our community and inviting them to share with me anything they’re struggling with. As…
Years ago, when a customer threatened to get me fired, I read Brené Brown that night to remember that I am worthy, no matter what anyone may say. When my brain feels like it’s on overload as I try…
Recently, as I dropped our boys off at school, amid the usual scramble of putting lunch boxes and homework folders in all the right places, I noticed that our kindergartener had his shoes on the wrong feet. This is just how this child…
The more I move toward a simple life, the more I see how multifaceted it is. I can donate under-used items throughout my home, but how are my donations impacting the economies of under-developed countries? In this case, I’d…
How many times have you longed to call a time out on… yourself? I mean, kids hate them, but what’s not to love about some time in a room alone? How many times have you counted down the minutes—as…
Thank you so much for your interest in the Mental Unload! A friendly reminder that this post is for subscribers only, so if you want to share this resource, please share this post instead. Thank you! This article is for…
I’ve felt it more times than I can count—the pull to end a conversation prematurely, to back out of a get-together with friends, or to simply leave when I should stay. I’ve noticed lately that I’m almost always the…
The other day a friend asked to see inside my closet. (Every closet in my house, actually.) 😉 She seemed… surprised (shocked?) that my whole wardrobe takes up about four horizontal feet. “You don’t have a dresser?” “Wait, where are all…
Like most women I know, I have a complicated relationship with sleep. There were the years when my husband (rightfully) accused me of being a sleep monster, because when you have a new baby in the house, no one—except…