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

The sadness began to dominate, the phobias started to prevail, and a sense of helplessness in my environment set in. Usually people with anxiety disorders hide it well, although in their minds they think everyone can tell. The fear of everyone looking at them when near other people is overwhelming. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older (18% of U.S. population). Anxiety disorders dev

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

Toss the Negative Thoughts Away Take all the negative thoughts about yourself and throw them out. Seriously — you don’t need that crap anymore. I often wonder how young people navigate the constant noise of social media, advertising, and society while trying to maintain a positive self-image. Back in the 80s, it was hard enough. I struggled with comparing myself to models and celebrities — wondering if anyone would ever see me as enough . When Self-Image Is Tested In my late

The Confidence Connection: Boudoir and the Art of Feeling Beautiful Every woman wants to feel pretty, sexy, and confident . It’s not vanity—it’s a human desire to feel comfortable in your own skin and connected to your inner power. But life has a funny way of chipping away at that confidence. Stress, expectations, body changes, and endless comparisons can dim the inner sparkle, leaving us wondering where the confident version of ourselves went. So, we look for ways to bring h

The Red Heel Revelation: Escaping the Trap of Self-Sabotage The answer to self-sabotage is… not to self-sabotage yourself . Sounds simple, right? Years of research, hundreds of dollars on self-help books, and countless motivational audiobooks led me to that mind-blowing revelation. I could’ve saved myself a fortune if I’d just slipped on those red heels  sooner. (Okay, I said six inches on the podcast, but let’s be real—three inches feels like six when it’s me. 😉) Recognizin

Her wheelchair didn’t fit easily between the table and the kitchen island. I finished helping her get ready for the day — the same routine we’d shared for months — brushing her hair, fixing her breakfast, and making sure the morning ran as smoothly as possible. That day, though, I was bursting with excitement. I had something to show her. The Mango. My new car.Bright. Bold. Orange. I couldn’t believe that I  — the woman who hated attention and proudly claimed the title of “in

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

Broken by Jenney Lawson on Audible . As I started back into my gym routine, I decided to bring a friend — not a real, sweaty workout partner (those people scare me), but Jenny Lawson’s Broken (in the Best Possible Way)  on Audible. There I was, pedaling away on a stationary bike, sweating like a champ, while laughing at the absurd, raw, and painfully relatable moments of Jenny’s life. If anyone was watching, they probably thought I was losing it — grinning one minute, sniff

People Are Not Flawed Products have flaws. They are made by humans and sometimes the design isn’t perfect. But people? People are not broken. We aren’t put together by others. We are made from our experiences, our learning, and the world around us.  Our feelings—joy, sadness, confusion, hurt—are all part of being human. They don’t make us flawed; they make us whole. Put Yourself Together You are physical, mental, and spiritual. Every moment, every emotion, every reaction buil

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

Let’s be honest — “self-possession” sounds like something out of a ghost show. I know, I thought spirits possessed me too. 👻 But no, this kind of possession is about something far more empowering — it’s the ability to control your behavior, emotions, and responses  no matter what’s happening around you. It’s self-command , willpower , and that grounded sense of “I got this” that nobody can take away. And in a world where every post, email, and commercial tells you to love yo

Depression is one of those topics that’s difficult to put into words. It’s easier to stay at a distance, to nod along to the conversation without fully engaging. Awareness is the first step, but how do we make it personal? How do we talk about our own depression ? Recording my latest podcast episode was surprisingly easy. Speaking into a microphone about my experiences felt natural. But publishing it? That’s when the real anxiety hit. Sharing your inner world invites opinions

Hot, sexy, steamy, erotic, romantic… are these the words you’d use to describe your sex life? Wet, sweaty, hard, exotic… maybe these? Or dark, cozy, normal, over… is that more accurate? A few words can tell a thousand stories. Look into your bedroom: is your sex life always exciting, or has it become a habit, a ritual, or, dare I say, a job? Life gets in the way of intimacy—too busy, too tired, too stressed, kids, schedules, travel, a hundred other reasons. But here’s the tru

A Real Talk About Body Image, Media Illusions & Learning to Like Ourselves Again Barbie was normal when I was a young girl — dressing her up, brushing her hair, and trying to find matching shoes before the dog ate them. Marsha Brady brushed her long blonde hair a hundred times before bed. Twiggy was impossibly thin with no breasts — I related to that part. I was called “bean pole.” Meanwhile, Farrah Fawcett and Cheryl Tiegs were plastered on boys’ walls. That was my normal —

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

Mental illness is tough to talk about. Really tough. And yet, it’s something we need to talk about —not in passing, not with a shrug, but deeply, honestly, and without judgment. On Episode 2 of the Sex’n’Fries Podcast , I dive into the messiness of mental health: the fears, the stigma, and what it really means to live with a mind that sometimes doesn’t behave the way society expects. 🎙 Episode Takeaways Mental illness is complex . Environmental stress, genetics, and biochemi

Comfort zone bliss Have you ever wondered if your comfort zone is secretly holding you back? That cozy little bubble where everything feels safe, familiar, and blissful—could it also be stalling your emotional growth ? I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately, and here’s the truth: comfort zones feel good because fear feels bad . Fear is a natural, evolutionarily programmed response that keeps us safe. But it can also become a convincing excuse —a justification to avoid dis