I’ve spent my life waiting for things to change, expecting the worst, counting on crises, and planning for disasters. I watch the cigarette ash beginning to bend, threatening to break apart and scatter on the Persian rug. My body tenses, waiting for it, wanting to stop it. But I force myself to think about the […]
If my looks have begun declining, well, I haven’t really noticed. And if I haven’t noticed, should I really bother worrying that anyone else has? Men check out my dog more than me. I only wish I were kidding. I’ve gotten used to catching unexpected smiles creep onto strangers’ faces while gazing at Henny (why […]
Because social cues and verbal communication are so important in forming new friendships, my anxiety often makes me come off as being cold, disinterested, and even mean. There are many downsides to having social anxiety: 1) I constantly worry about what other people are thinking of me. 2) I second-guess most of what I say, […]
Because of what we publish about ourselves online, we assume a level of comfort and familiarity that is not only potentially insulting, but misses the real point of connecting. The other day I posted a photo from my recent wedding on Facebook. Unlike many couples, whose 450 shots are plastered and tagged the day after the vows have […]
When I turned 52, I dared myself to do 52 things I’d never done before. Preparing Thanksgiving dinner was one of them. My place in the preparation of the Thanksgiving meal has always been that of scullery maid, table setter, or dishwasher. My mother’s little sidekick, I wholeheartedly embraced these roles, being far more interested […]
Maybe it makes everyone more comfortable to keep mothers in a safe, cozy, maternal box, their sole focus being their children, their homes, and maybe their book club. I’ve never been a very high-maintenance girl. I let my curly hair air-dry, I rarely wear makeup, and often choose comfort over style. Once my twin boys […]
Widespread anti-fat prejudice typically stems from misconceptions about health, weight, and body positivity, and negatively affects millions of people every day. At the bottom of nearly every article celebrating body diversity, you will likely find some version of the following comments: “Aren’t you promoting an unhealthy lifestyle?” “I’m all about confidence, but this is just […]
Living with someone who simply doesn’t let himself care about what other people think is a constant revelation. I thought I’d dealt with most of my body image issues before I started dating my current boyfriend. But during the three years we’ve been together, he’s taught me a lot about size, fatness, and self-care. How? By being fat and […]
