Author: Michelle

I've lived with mental illness my whole life. I walk hand-in-hand with my neuroses these days, and sometimes I write about what that's like for me. I prefer the peaceful coexistence of détente to the open warfare of the past. I'm also in recovery from an eating disorder that ate decades of my life, pun intended. It's been hard: recovery is very much a walk through hell - the rainbows, puppies, and chocolate fountains come later - but it's worth it. Recovery lets you have the life the eating disorder promises and lies about 💜
an image of an open, coil-bound notebook, white, sitting on a white table against a white background with the Mary Oliver quote, "tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"
pop culture

Podcasts, social media, and inputs – an off-the-cuff joint.

Once upon a time, there were limits to how you could waste your “one precious life” (Mary Oliver). It mostly involved time spent at community gatherings and in conversation. Less enjoyable in the winter months, especially pre-car. Luckily, there was radio. People could sit together and listen to the news, music, and serial entertainment. Together was still part of the entertainment equation. Then came television … Continue reading Podcasts, social media, and inputs – an off-the-cuff joint.

Unknown's avatarMichelle5 Comments
Mental Health

Everyone loves an anniversary, and by “everyone,” I mean me.

Your birthday is an anniversary. Did you know that? You only have one original birthday, unless strange things are afoot. Every year after that first entry is a revisit. I don’t mind a revisit. I’m not someone who gives up on birthdays. I like celebrating the good things: hit me. I’m less a fan of remembered misery, but anniversaries show up there too. I’m lousy … Continue reading Everyone loves an anniversary, and by “everyone,” I mean me.

Unknown's avatarMichelle17 Comments
off the cuff, pop culture

When Misogyny Ends.

“May you live in interesting times” is a great curse. “Interesting” is such a weighted word. I’d rather have come of age in less interesting times – the history I’ve lived through is full of such darkness. Vietmam. The explosions of the space shuttles. Various American wars. Tiananmen Square. 9/11. Lockerbie. Ecole Polytechnique. Sandy Hook. Sarin gas. And these are just off the top of … Continue reading When Misogyny Ends.

Unknown's avatarMichelle15 Comments
Mental Health

If mental illness was like a broken leg, people would help.

When I split from my son’s father, the lawyer gave me a piece of advice. Not unsolicited – I’d asked him how long it would take before I felt better. He told me that in his experience. it took about half the time of the relationship to pass before people felt fully disconnected from it. This didn’t mean that I didn’t move on. But damned … Continue reading If mental illness was like a broken leg, people would help.

Unknown's avatarMichelle12 Comments