The paradoxes of flourishing
I once dated a man with borderline personality disorder. At one point, he told me that it broke his heart to see what I was not, what I hadn’t become, how small my life was, how I had squandered my brains and looks. This unsolicited mourning of a fantastical me (a...
Your Circle Is Your Mirror: Cliques, Gatekeeping & Life Lessons
***TRIGGER WARNING*** This article discusses trauma, including bullying, abuse, and crowd baiting references that may not be appropriate for all. My name is Jenney Clark and I am a voice for the voiceless. “I would venture to guess that Anon, who wrote so many poems...
“I’ve Forgotten How to Live a Normal Life”: Understanding Functional Freeze After Trauma
When basic tasks drain all your energy and what seems easy for others feels impossible for you, this isn’t weakness. It’s your nervous system protecting you. Here’s why it happens and how to heal. When Trauma Leaves You In Hibernation Mode Have you...
Finding Freedom in My Individuality and Overcoming the Fear of Not Being Liked
I still remember the name of their exclusive club: CHABELCK. In seventh grade, the children at my middle school traded their Nintendos and Polly Pocket dolls for iPhones and Barbie dolls–in the form of minions for their social cliques. Soon after the school year...