Health

Why It’s Not A Bad Thing To Just Feel “Okay”

I told a friend recently that it’s a weird time to be online. To be honest, this statement feels evergreen — when is it not a strange time to live your life publicly on the Internet? But recently, there’s been a push to be authentic (something I’ve written about several times) without being too authentic. No one wants to make the people around them uncomfortable, right?

How To Be Authentic Online Without Damaging Your Brand

Posting online has become a time-consuming process for me. First, I take the picture. (If I’m being honest, I take several pictures. Sometimes 20 or 30.) Then, I have to find one that works, edit it in Lightroom, run it through FaceTune to get rid of any stray hairs, come up with a caption, find relevant hashtags, share it on Instagram, share it on Facebook and monitor the posts for any comments to respond to. 

Can You Be Depressed And Happy?

Happy Tuesday, friends! I wanted to get a little bit serious during today’s post and address something important to me. My Twitter bio used to say, “Always loud, always laughing.” And it’s true! I am usually talking too loudly and laughing obnoxiously — most people describe me as outgoing and friendly after spending time with me. I have an amazing family, a doting husband and abundant resources at my fingertips. 

5 Ways To Stay Energized That Don’t Involve Caffeine

One thing you’ll learn about me after a brief conversation is that I am always tired. I know that doesn’t make me special –– aren’t we all always tired? –- but I’ve had sleep problems for almost five years, and I take a prescription sleep aid to help me sleep through the night. Unfortunately, the medication leaves me feeling hungover, so it’s not exactly ideal. I try to “catch up” on sleep on the weekends, but obviously that doesn’t always work!

I Have A TON Of Travel-Related Anxiety, But I’m Not Letting It Win

A week ago today, I jetted off to California for a press trip to Facebook’s headquarters. I posted the above on Instagram and made it all seem like a breeze. 

Reality: The day of my flight, my hands felt shaky and I felt lightheaded. I was sobbing the entire drive to the airport. I’m not afraid of flying –– unlike most people I know, I actually enjoy getting meeting chatty passengers — but I am super anxious about traveling away from home. Cue the world’s tiniest violin.

How To Feel Confident In A Swimsuit (& Where To Buy!)

Breaking news: I’m not a size 0. 

Of course, if you’ve ever seen a picture of me, you’re probably like, “well, duh.” I’m usually a size 12 or 14 at most stores, and I go from medium to XL depending on sizing. It sounds silly to say I’ve struggled with this when the average American woman is a size 14, so I’m in good company, but I’ve tried pretty much every weight loss scheme. When I was a teenager, I saw a therapist because my relationship with food was disordered, and I coped in some unhealthy ways.