Easy Beauty: A Memoir
Since my mother was struggling herself and locked into her own sympathetic and dorsal ANS responses, she was unable to provide steady attunement. As a result, my nervous system began to expect for my needs not to be met, for people to only be present part of the time, and for them to unexpectedly break off the connection. My mom’s personal struggle
... See moreJessica Baum • Anxiously Attached: Becoming More Secure in Life and Love
Not long after bringing her demented mother home to live with her, Gillian walked into the living room to find her beloved books, including sacred Buddhist texts, scattered across the floor. Her mother announced, “I’m tired of all these dusty old books. I’m going to give them to my dentist.” Gillian was momentarily trapped by her anger. She scolded
... See moreFrank Ostaseski • The Five Invitations: Discovering What Death Can Teach Us About Living Fully
Cheese sweats
I used to think doing stuff like that - hitting myself, slamming things - was cool. Or manly, maybe? I don’t know. Maybe I didn’t think much of it at all besides a vaguely vindicating feeling afterwards like, ‘see, I am fucked up - why else would I do something like that?’
Which makes sense given how little physical proof there is
... See moreI don’t startle people as much as I used to, partly because I’ve learned how to arrange my face for the outside world, and also partly because I’ve reached the age of female invisibility.