It’s Not Easy to Parent When Your Soul is Leaving Your Body

My post-partum depression recovery was long and filled with brain zaps.

Just submitted this for a Human Parts prompt.
Since I started writing again a year ago, I've known this story was going to have to come out, but I've been afraid to face it. I bawled as I wrote it. I hope it ends up being therapeutic for me.

Photo by Davide Pietralunga on Unsplash

I Found Self Love Through Plastic Surgery: DDD to B+

I Found Self Love Through Plastic Surgery

DDD to B+: My breast reduction surgery story

My debut piece for Fearless She Wrote, a new feminist publication on Medium.
I opted not to use personal photos in the Medium piece, but here's a picture of me, healing from the surgery:

Healing from breast reduction surgery, 20 years old.

Who’s Afraid of a Children’s Book?

I am. But my kid isn’t.

"These images certainly make me feel something. They make me feel anxiety in my whole body, the exact feeling the kid in the book is feeling. So, I believe the art is impressive; it speaks to me. But does it belong in a children’s book?"
Click to read the rest on Medium.

Who's afraid of a children's book? Photo by Alice Alinari on Unsplash

You’re Not a Failure — You Just Need an Easier To-Do List

Eat, Poop, Lie Around: Check!

A humorous piece, published in Writing Heals on Medium

There’s so much to do! Why can’t I just lie in this children’s ball pit all day and night? Photo by Jacob Mejicanos on Unsplash

Seasonal Affective Disorder in the Spring and Summer

We want to have it all. We want to do it all. We’re (sun)burnt out.

I just published this on Medium, about summer-onset seasonal affective disorder. I told myself, don't do the pun. Don't do it. Don't do it. I did it. LOL.

Summer-onset seasonal affective disorder Cropped Photo by Chang Liu on Unsplash

How to Meditate on a Raisin

Breathe sweetness in, breathe sweetness out.

Published in One Table, One World on Medium

Heart made of raisins. Image by Tafilah Yusof from Pixabay

"She's Crazy, But in a Good Way"

"She's Crazy, But in a Good Way"
Yes, I deal with mental illness. But please don't call me crazy.
Published in Uncalendared on Medium.

Photo by Timothy Paul Smith on Unsplash

Research Shows Hugs are Good For Your Baby

Research Shows Hugs are Good for Your Baby
The power of touch, and the unfortunate myth that you can spoil your baby
I just published this on Medium.

Photo by Janko Ferlič on Unsplash

Writing is Healing for Children Too

Writing is Healing for Children Too
Your kid knows everything is not okay.
Published in Writing Heals on Medium
"She chose to wear a wig, because she lost her hair from chemo. Ellen, like her mother, had the Jewish breast cancer gene. Like her mother, she died young, leaving behind two children.

This was before gene tests, but the pattern was clear, and my own mother could only assume she was next."

My 1st grade journal, the day after my aunt died. (Author’s personal photo)

 

Write About Your Trauma

Write About Your Trauma
And let the healing begin.
Published in the new publication Writing Heals on Medium.

The Healing Power of Journaling Photo by Carli Jeen on Unsplash

If You Love Me, Share My Money

If You Love Me, Share My Money
For richer or for poorer, till death do us part.
Featured Story (!!!) on P. S. I Love You!

A heart full of cash, by pasja1000 on Pixabay

My Mom Friends Saved My Life

My Mom Friends Saved My Life: Post-partum depression and the power of friendship.
Published by P. S. I Love You on Medium.

Mom friends. Photo by Julie Johnson on Unsplash

"Getting Your Body Back" Post-Pregnancy

This one’s for all the mamas (and other parents) who have built a human inside of you, and after that superhuman trick, you’ve still stood in front of a mirror and doubted that your body was as it should be.
"Getting Your Body Back" Post-Pregnancy on Medium (originally published in the September 2018 print issue of Raise Vegan Magazine)

Breastfeeding Photo by Leandro Cesar Santana on Unsplash

And here's a photo of me nursing, 7 months post-partum:

Me nursing Tzivia at 7 months. Photo by my husband.

Dear Daughter,

Learning to love my body the way my daughter does.
Published in P.S. I Love You on Medium!

‘’Venus at Her Mirror’’ (The Rokeby Venus), 1650 painting by Diego Velázquez — Image is in the Public Domain.

A Lookback at My Favorite Writing on Medium This Year

Year-in-Review 2018
See it here (with all friends links, so you don't need to be a Medium member to read any of it).

Balloons. Photo by Sagar Patil on Unsplash

Dinner Date with My Husband

Dinner Date with My Husband - A Poem
Published in P.S. I Love You on Medium.

Us, gazing at our amazing kiddo, at my parents' house. Photo Credit: my mom.

“love 24 hrs” Photo by Wyron A on Unsplash

Living in the Moment, or Living for the Photo?

If we don't take a picture, did it really happen? Read it now on Medium!

Parental Anxiety and Accepting Help

Parental Anxiety and Accepting Help - Holding On and Letting Go
I just self-published this one on Medium.
It was inspired by a dream that helped me understand my feelings in regards to parental anxiety and control.
I also wanted to write something positive about the experience (free childcare!) that's happening right now while we're staying at my parents' house, as my mom is very concerned about how I write about very personal things and thinks my writing skews too negative. It is definitely a fine line, how to be honest instead of falsely rose-colored, but how not to cause others pain through your honesty. Let's add that anxiety to the mix.

Me and my boo, before a holiday party, when she was 1. Photo Credit: Author.

The First Time Your Baby Smiles at You

New piece published on P.S. I Love You on Medium. Complete with cute videos!