In My Head

Golden brown toast neatly arranged on a vibrant yellow plate set against a rich green background. I had a conversation with my therapist yesterday morning, telling her that I felt like plain, dry toast. She was ecstatic, bouncing with joy, because it means the treatment plan is working. Now it’s time to explore other ways to bring hope and happiness back into the mix without being on the very high end of the spectrum. Being bipolar, I am used to being a little out there after

A cheerful woman in glasses and a cozy sweatshirt smiles warmly, exuding a sense of comfort and happiness. The other day, I went to my local dispensary, and while speaking with the attendant, they asked how I was doing since I just started working again. They asked if leave was helpful at all. I said it was beneficial. I finally got the official diagnosis. I am bipolar. She paused, kind of shocked, and then said, “Congratulations, you’re extra spicy.” Sometimes I wonder if I

A woman relaxes on her bed, journaling with a notebook while using her laptop, creating a cozy and productive atmosphere. Writing has always been more than creativity for me. It is one of the ways I process emotions, manage overthinking, and protect my mental health. I write it out so it stops living loudly inside of me. That’s my response when people ask why I write. I do it so it stops screaming. Once I write it down, it feels like a weight has been lifted. Then comes the e

A pair of hands gently holds an open book, inviting a moment of quiet reflection and contemplation. I think about this every time I start a new project—and especially as I near the end of one. This time, it’s the latter. As I begin to wrap up my poetry manuscript, Perfect Reflection , I find myself stuck. What is my budget? What is it worth? The answer, honestly, depends on you and your project. I’ll be completely transparent. As an author, I edit most of my own work. That’s

# A Personal Reflection on Living with Depression: Maintenance and Learning to Stay Afloat Content note: This post discusses depression and suicide statistics. Understanding Depression Depression is a weighted blanket that’s just a little too heavy to push off. It feels like being trapped underwater, with wave after wave crashing down on you while you try to hold onto the last ounce of breath. This feeling can leave you stuck, unable to ever fully escape. In the article “Depr

My writing routine isn’t aesthetic. It’s about survival. Most days, I’m either writing before the sun comes up or after the house finally goes quiet. Even then, half the time I feel like I’ve done a lot of trying and not much actual finishing. Working full-time from home with a toddler isn’t exactly optimal for an aspiring writer. However, it is my reality, and here is what I do to try to stay on track. For me, writing happens during cracks of time. I don’t necessarily have t