I could have written a post about the tough lessons that 2020 taught me and how I’ve probably grown as a person because of them. That would be the mature and resilient thing to do. But honestly, I didn’t want to do that. I could have also written about how horrible this year was andContinue reading “2021, Please Don’t Hurt Me”
Author Archives: allisonljensen
Beware of Toxic Positivity
I have been trying to find the right words for this post for 5 months, and I hope that I do it justice. I want to open by saying that I am extremely grateful for my support system. I have a lot of people that care about me and want to help me through myContinue reading “Beware of Toxic Positivity”
Creative Ways to Use Leftovers or Other Extra Food
I picked up cooking as a form of self-care this year. Finding new things to cook, making up recipes based on what’s in my fridge, and getting more creative with my leftovers are a few things that work best for me. Especially when it reduces food waste. A few years ago, I started becoming moreContinue reading “Creative Ways to Use Leftovers or Other Extra Food”
From Wave Pool to Lazy River
I have never liked surprises. (Please never throw me a surprise party.) I can’t sit through an entire movie without wanting to look at the plot on Wikipedia, especially if I’ve heard there is a twist ending. I don’t like deep or dark water, because I don’t want to be surprised by fish touching meContinue reading “From Wave Pool to Lazy River”
Finding Gratitude
As I reflect on what I’m grateful for this Thanksgiving, I have to admit it has taken a lot of energy to get past “nothing. My Dad is gone.” My grief has made it really easy for me to fall into negative thought patterns. I don’t want to feel this way all the time, soContinue reading “Finding Gratitude”
Please Let Me Have Thanksgiving
Having a lot of thoughts tonight and this whole week, really. This was just going to just be a Facebook post, but apparently the wine I have been drinking tonight says otherwise. I started off by wanting to share my “depression anthem” with everyone: My parents introduced me to this song last Christmas, and itContinue reading “Please Let Me Have Thanksgiving”
Grief, Mourning, and Everything in Between
This is a really difficult post to write, because as much as I have written so far, there is something that I have been really struggling to put words to. It comes down to honestly not knowing the right words to describe it. To work through this, I have been spending time researching the differencesContinue reading “Grief, Mourning, and Everything in Between”
Happy Birthday, Mom!
Today I am changing things up because it’s my Mom’s birthday, and I want to write about how incredible she is. I won’t call her “strong,” because we have had many discussions about how much we both hate that word. Neither of us feel strong – we are grieving! This is hard work! We areContinue reading “Happy Birthday, Mom!”
Don’t Hold Back: Crying is a Good Thing
Here’s the thing about crying: I hate it. But unfortunately, it’s a perfectly normal and healthy reaction to grief, and one of the only things that really helps me get through whatever I’m feeling. I cry when I’m sad. I cry when I’m mad or frustrated. I cry when I’m happy. I hate it everyContinue reading “Don’t Hold Back: Crying is a Good Thing”
Already/Only
I’ve been thinking about the concept for this blog post for a while. Time has been moving a lot differently in 2020. It’s somehow flown by and stopped this year. (Shoutout to Kayleigh for that quote.) With Monday having marked 3 months without my Dad, I often find myself thinking about it two ways: HowContinue reading “Already/Only”
