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Diary of a dysgwr
Lifelong learner. A laudable philosophy. Looks nice on your LinkedIn. But in practice? As something more than a slogan? Exhausting. In my 20s, fresh out of school, it felt like an invigorating mantra. A celebratory affirmation of the wonder of the universe. As I approach 40 and find myself nearing the likely halfway point of…
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Mental health, community, and giving a shit
When it comes to mental health, we have lots of misconceptions—and I think one of the biggest is that mental health difficulties are a phenomenon that occurs purely on the individual level, to be cured with the right balance of therapy, medication, and exercise. I know from personal experience that each of these can help…
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Twenty highlights from 2024, in twenty words or less
Taking a look back on some of the highlights from 2024, from my worst habit (go ahead and guess) to the mountaintop moments that have helped me start to believe in myself—at least a little bit.
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Non-binary, but he/him is fine
I spent 30 years looking in the mirror trying to find myself, trying to make sense of myself. Or rather, trying to make sense of how I fit in—perhaps the most terribly cliché of human pursuits—and largely finding that I don’t. (I’m a medievalist for a reason.) Along the way, I played some good roles,…
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We Were Supposed to Be a City on a Hill
In 1630, Puritan lawyer and governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony John Winthrop uttered the words that have come to represent the audacity of America’s founding enterprise: “For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people will be upon us.” Three hundred and fifty years…
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We Started a Patreon
A couple weeks ago, my husband and I were waiting for a bus when we had one of those “What if …?” conversations. The kind that might lead to something wonderful, or perhaps nothing at all. This past year has been one of significant self-discovery for us both. Juan has taken the plunge to begin…
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Driving out the Dark; Or, Making My Peace with Christmas
My feelings on Christmas hit an all-time low when I lived in Indiana. I took a job working for the Purdue Alumni Association. Not a great fit. Things went from bad to worse a few months into the job when we returned from Thanksgiving break to find the entire building covered in Christmas decorations. It…
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Finding My Way Back
When a friend from undergrad heard about my plans to pursue a master’s degree in Wales (Cymru), she told me, “It’s wonderful to hear you’ve found what brings you joy—and will send you to Wales, where you’ve always belonged.” And it’s true. Call it a longing or a calling, but I’ve felt it for a…
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Democrats: Stop Talking Down to Voters
Well, here we are folks. Another Trump presidency. What has surprised me, and I think many, isn’t necessarily that Trump won, but that it wasn’t even close. The numbers still aren’t final, but it looks like Kamala Harris got about 10 million fewer votes than Joe Biden in 2020, whereas Donald Trump has slightly surpassed…
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This Is My Voice
I spent the final four months of undergrad at York St. John’s University, where I took a creative writing module. I honestly don’t remember any of it very well, apart from two gems from the instructor: First, that I had been using “per se” incorrectly my whole life. (Thanks.) And second, in response to a…