Depression didn’t show up quietly. It didn’t knock gently or ease itself in. It hit me like a storm I never saw coming.For a long time, I felt like I was trapped inside a glass case — able to see the world around me, but convinced no one could truly see me. My body ached. My spirit was exhausted. And the more I tried to hide the pain from myself and everyone around me, the worse it became. People sensed something was wrong. I could see it in their eyes. Yet we all pretended e

Understanding Midlife Glam Anything can throw you off your game—divorce, death, loss of a career, or even something as subtle as menopause, hair loss, unwanted hair, or mood swings. The list goes on, and all of these can derail your self-confidence. Self-confidence influences how you feel, how you look, and what you expect from yourself. Recently, my daughter was dramatically horrified by the return of 90s fashion. Meanwhile, I spent the 90s in maternity clothes or anything t

Listen now Belief, Faith, and the Messy Middle This episode — and this post — is a reflection on believing in something. Not necessarily God, not necessarily religion, but something  bigger than us. The kind of belief that anchors you when life feels uncertain — or when you’re sitting in your car trying to remember why you walked into Target in the first place. I didn’t grow up with a consistent religion. There wasn’t one faith that shaped our home or dictated how we prayed,

Dreams, Diners, and Conversations That Stay With You Have you ever found yourself sitting in a cozy diner in your dreams — the kind with warm light, soft chatter, and the smell of coffee and bacon in the air? You’re across the table from someone you love. Maybe they’re gone, maybe they’re far away. You talk, you laugh, you feel that deep comfort that feels both familiar and surreal. Sometimes, those dream conversations remind us of something powerful — that connection doesn’t

I knew I could do it, well, I know now! Season 2 Episode 4: Holy crap I did a photo shoot! Is That Really Me? So, there I was — 55, standing in front of a camera, wearing lingerie I hadn’t touched in years. Was it crazy? Absolutely not. Was it terrifying? Oh, yes. But also… exhilarating, empowering, and honestly, life-affirming. Sharing my photos with a few people, I realized: this experience wasn’t just about pictures. It was about reclaiming my body, my confidence, and my j

Confession Time: I’ve Ignored Affirmations Most likely, I’ve tossed affirmatives to the side — thinking, “Ugh, who has time for this fluff?” They seemed like a waste of my time. Yet, every once in a while, I jump on the bandwagon and douse myself in them. And you know what? They work. But maybe not in the way the self-help books promised. The Affirmatives I Actually Use Forget the soft, sugary lines you find in every Instagram post. My affirmatives have attitude: “You can do

Our Childhoods Shape Us We carry our childhoods with us — the good, the bad, and the messy in-between. In this episode, I get personal. I share stories from my own childhood struggles — experiences that weren’t always easy, and moments that still echo in my adult life. The truth is, those challenges helped shape the person I am today . Facing the Past to Build the Present Acknowledging your past isn’t about blame or shame. It’s about understanding: How your early experiences

What We Don’t Owe Anyone Being shamed, guilt-tripped, or emotionally manipulated does not create debt . Holding someone emotionally hostage to force them to act—or act the way you think they should—is not a thing . You and I owe nothing  when it comes to emotional currency. Not our time, not our energy, and certainly not our peace. This episode reflects on life lessons that sneaked into a current situation, reminding me (and you) that: “You do you, and I will do me.” …isn’t j

Still Wild at Heart: Owning Your Midlife Confidence As I gaze into the mirror, I can’t help but wonder— how did time fly by so fast? The woman staring back at me has a few more lines, softer skin, and a body that tells the story of years lived fully. But inside, I still feel like her—that curious, adventurous, sometimes reckless version of me who believed the world was wide open. It’s funny how the outside changes, but the inside? She’s still ready for a little trouble. The M

Kindness. It’s one of those words that gets tossed around like confetti — beautiful, well-meaning, but often forgotten when it comes to the person in the mirror. You determine kindness’s meaning. It’s how you  choose to show it. Kindness can be empathy, acceptance, kind gestures, or thoughtfulness. The possibilities are endless — and entirely yours. We usually think of kindness as something we give  to others. A smile. A helping hand. A “you’ve got this” text to a friend. But

Fifty seemed like a never number . When you’re in your twenties, it doesn’t exist. And then… suddenly, there it is. Right in your face. Like someone spun you around and you are standing in front of the 50 door . All you have to do is wake up and walk through it . Fifty has so many perks—but until you get there, they are a well-kept secret. A Fifty-Year-Old Walks Into a Bar A fifty-year-old woman walks into a bar… and the rest is history. This episode explores what turning 50

Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.” — Dr. Seuss We live in a world overflowing with self-help quotes and motivational mantras. Scroll through social media, and you’ll see: “Live your best life,” “Choose joy,” “Good vibes only.” Yet, despite all the inspiration, many of us are still putting on masks—pretending to be fine when we’re not. Even Steve Jobs reminded us: “Your time is limited, so don't waste it

Let’s rewind to 2009. That’s when I started a little blog called “Sex’n’Fries.” Why? Honestly, I didn’t fully know myself yet—and that’s exactly why it mattered. I wanted a space to laugh, explore, connect, and maybe even heal. A space to tell my story without filters, to experiment with my authentic self, and occasionally wonder what the hell “finding yourself”  even means. 💃 The Wild Side of Normal Here’s the truth: life isn’t a magazine shoot in a champagne bath (unless y

Self-image. Sounds simple, right? Ha.  Wrong. I thought this was going to be a deep but manageable conversation. Instead, it turned into a bottomless pit  of questions, confusion, and head-swirl moments. Self-image isn’t just how we see ourselves—it bleeds into identity, self-awareness, and the relentless pressure to be the “perfect” version of ourselves that self-help books, podcasts, and Instagram quotes promise. 🪞 What is Self-Image Anyway? Self-image:  The idea one has o