Paper Ghost: Musings of a Restless Girl

 This week has been incredibly anxiety-inducing. Of course, a minute to breathe with the election results, but as a white woman and one who considers myself to be an anti-racist ally, I reposted some stories from Black, Asian, and Indigenous activists and advocates simply reminding white people to not be complacent.  Someone I considered a friend, who I also work with, responded with "Jesus can we celebrate one damn day?" This was the first thing I woke up to Sunday morning before work.  Mind you, I consider social media to be a place where we can express our opinions and feelings without an invitation for others to come into our personal space and do the same unless we ask for it.  I do my best to not insert my opinion where it's not asked for on someone's social media and I expect others to respect my social media space the same way.  I also try not to speak to my friends in such a tone as this response conveyed.  Without rehashing it because I feel I've ...

I am tired of this idea that the holidays are -supposed- to be stressful. they're not. at all. I think more of us need to learn to let go of expectations and learn how to say "no" to things we don't want to do. Yes, we all have obligations and have to do things we don't want to do sometimes, but we CAN limit those things, and we can compromise, too. What is the point of the holidays if we can't do the things we want to do, the things that make us happy? While the holidays are about spending time with family for some, it doesn't always have to be if that's not what you want. Some of us have toxic families, and sometimes they become even more toxic around the holidays. The holidays are a time that we should all have a right to enjoy, and if that means avoiding the people that cause that holiday stress, then so be it. Turn your phones on silent, block their number, do what you have to do.  Take the time to set them aside and say "hey, I have ...

I don't know why it's so hard for me to get into writing again. I used to spend hours on blogs and online journals pouring my heart out. Something changed me and made me feel like it's strange to put it where I can go back to it. Something made me feel weird about my own feelings. I don't like it. I miss being an open book, at least to myself. I'm trying though. I am so stressed about money right now. I'm 26 years old and I feel like I'm working for the same wages I was when I had my first job. I feel like I work my ass off for nothing. This month marks six years at PetSmart. I have had enough. I need to get out soon. I need to move on to better (paying) things.