“Still Waiting to Exhale”
A raw, stream-of-consciousness piece about the lifelong exhaustion of survival mode—constantly running from pain, mistrust, and the past. It explores the ache for peace, the fear of stillness, and the complicated hope of finally feeling safe enough to breathe.
“The Carousel Between My Ribs”
YUNGBLUD’s “Zombie” has been on repeat in my head all weekend. It’s like he’s singing the feelings I can’t say, taking me back to a 90’s mall with my Walkman. This essay’s about how the song makes me feel raw, seen, and strangely free.
“The God Between Us”
A personal reflection on losing someone who’s still alive—changed by faith, distanced by doctrine. This piece explores the ache of longing to be seen and loved without conditions.
“The Wild That Holds Me”
Short essay about longing for realness, memory, and the wild spaces that remind us who we are when the world stops asking us to perform.
Photo credit: Jen Jones
“The Celestial Connection”
This short story was written in honor of my partner’s birthday, inspired by our visit to the planetarium last fall. It’s a reflection on how the universe—vast, beautiful, and full of wonder—can also feel incredibly lonely when there’s no one to share it with. That evening under the stars wasn’t just a quiet outing; it was a celebration of being alive together in the same moment, the same orbit. A reminder that even in an infinite cosmos, love is what gives it meaning.
“Coffee, Waffles, and George Harrison”
Some mornings don’t need to be extraordinary to feel special—just good coffee, a warm waffle, and George Harrison playing in the background. It’s those small, quiet moments that remind me life can be soft and good, even in the middle of a regular weekday.
Photo credit: Jen Jones
“Tuesday Tomatoes”
Lessons in gardening and life. How four little tomatoes showed up and reminded me that sometimes hope just means sticking with it, even when things get tough.
“Dead Dad’s Club”
Just sitting with the feelings and letting them be.
Photo credit: Jen Jones
“A Simple Man”
Tribute to Cpl. Anthony Clay Ward. Inspired by the song Simple Man, this piece is a reflection on laying down guilt and holding on to what truly matters — love, memories, and the simple truths he left behind.
12/16/81 - 6/13/09
“The Season That Stuck to My Skin”
This piece is a memorial for someone I loved, someone whose presence shaped my world and whose absence continues to echo through it. It has been fifteen years since I lost him, and still, some days feel just as heavy. This is my way of honoring our time together, of grieving out loud, and of learning to let go of the pain without letting go of him. On the days when the air is still and unbearably thick, I remember him most. This is for him.
This is for us.
Photo credit: Jen Jones
Timex Time Travel
Travel back to the mid 90’s through the joy of a once borrowed watch, now reclaimed.
Photo credit: Jen Jones
"I Am a Quiet Storm": An INFJ and Neurodivergent Voice to the World
A short piece to see beyond surface contradictions and recognize the quiet strength, emotional depth, and unique perspective that neurodivergent INFJ’s bring to the world.
The Quiet Root of Things
Reflections on nature, resilience, and the enduring spirit inspired by the “Morning Poem” by Mary Oliver.
Photo credit: Jen Jones
The Ceiling Fan
A short story inspired by real life—about time blindness, task paralysis, and the everyday chaos of getting things done.
We all know the feeling: a to-do list full of good intentions, and somehow... nothing gets done. Minutes turn into hours, distractions multiply, and the day slips away. This story captures one of those moments—the kind we’ve all experienced, where productivity takes a back seat and focus feels just out of reach.