Back in November, my husband let me know that our daughter would be performing in a Christmas recital. “Cool,” I replied. I assumed that the recital would be online, as all recitals had been since the start of COVID. A week went by, and as we were discussing the recital, I learned that it wouldContinue reading “Assumptions: Making an Ass Out of Me, Every Day of My Life”
Category Archives: personal growth
Personal Essay: The Girl Who Never Knew What She Wanted to Do With Her Life
They gathered all of us into the school auditorium, the entire senior class. We were there to listen to university reps do their best to sell their respective schools. We were told, by our own high school teachers, without too much mincing of words, that the smart kids would go to university. College was meantContinue reading “Personal Essay: The Girl Who Never Knew What She Wanted to Do With Her Life”
Self-Care Mama
When I was 22 I saw a therapist. It was a required component of my school curriculum. I went to the counseling centre on campus and spoke with one of the resident therapists. I didn’t expect it, but as soon as I sat down in that chair and opened my mouth, I began to cry.Continue reading “Self-Care Mama”
Re: The Way of Integrity
I’m a bit of a self-help book junkie. I love to read self-help books, whether memoir in nature or this-is-how-you-do-life directives. There was a time in my life when I needed the ideas and inspiration they provided, I was looking for someone to kick me in the rear. Now, I look at these books moreContinue reading “Re: The Way of Integrity”
What Happened After I Surrendered
I had this moment, at the start of March 2020. I was lying on a bed in a hotel room. My son was lying againt me, my daughter and husband in the neighbouring bed. We were watching some tv after a day of exploring – the kids were on spring break. It was one ofContinue reading “What Happened After I Surrendered”
In My Fortieth Year: Life, Love and Lessons
As my birthday approached, I heard messages such as “it’s not so bad,” “it’s just a number,” and “it’ll be okay.” Perhaps because I’m stubborn, but I decided that I didn’t want 40 to be just okay. I wanted 40 to be reverent, I wanted 40 to be inspiring, I wanted 40 to be a game-changer. Continue reading “In My Fortieth Year: Life, Love and Lessons”
Self-Care Yourself this Holiday, Mama
Self-care is still needed, I think at this time of year, more than ever. As moms move about making their lists and checking them thrice, making sure there is holiday joy for all and holiday magic a plenty, we can get a little run down. For me, the forced staycation actually feels like a blessing.Continue reading “Self-Care Yourself this Holiday, Mama”
Make Space for the Pivots
Recently, I came to understand that there is a vast difference between being defensive and defending oneself. One comes from a position of lack; it says, in your body language and the tone of your voice, that you feel like less. The other comes from a position of power—not power over others, but power withinContinue reading “Make Space for the Pivots”
Random Thoughts: Self-Care vs. Individualism
There is a great misconception in society today, a divide between honouring our individual needs, and respecting our community. The message to go after your goals, to say ‘fuck you’ to people who are standing in your way, or to “the man” trying to keep you down—that message is good, that message is necessary: LearnContinue reading “Random Thoughts: Self-Care vs. Individualism”
Self-Care & Pandemic Parenting
I’ve been having a hard time focusing lately. I’ll sit down at my computer in the morning, prepared to get to work, and I’ll just stare at the screen, unable to process my next steps. There are too many balls in the air, too many things requiring my attention. The kids have been pushed to beingContinue reading “Self-Care & Pandemic Parenting”
Maria Giuliani 