On The Frisky: 5 lessons about life after college

Exciting news, friends: I’ve written a new essay for The Frisky today! I can’t believe it’s been almost an entire decade since I graduated college — I know what you’re thinking, “She doesn’t look a day over 22…” But it’s true. I’m an older and wiser lady these days. Still, it would have been nice to have a little life advice to go along with my diploma. So in the name of continuing education, here’s an excerpt of the 5 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me About Life After College…

1. You haven’t really figured out life yet: No, no, stop shaking your head at me. I know you think you’ve got it all figured out, but you really don’t. So you took intro to philosophy and wrote investigative articles for your college newspaper? That’s all well and good, but let me be the first of many to break it to you: You’ve still got a heck of a lot to learn. About life. About love. About the ins and outs of your checking account. I’d even be willing to bet that life is something you never truly figure out because it’s always changing. Instead, I’ve found, it’s all about learning to roll with the punches. 

2. You have to laugh as much as you can along the way: Be clear: Life can get incredibly messy. It can explode and feel overwhelming. Just when you find yourself sobbing on your best friend’s shoulder, try something a little radical: Laugh. I know it sounds crazy, but as I’ve been saying a lot lately, “if you don’t laugh, you cry.” And who wants to go through life crying?

You can read the rest of the essay here. What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts! xoxo

P.S. Read my other pieces on The Frisky here, here, here, here, here and here. Enjoy! :)

On The Frisky: 4 ways The Fault In Our Stars got it right…

Remember when I instagrammed the above photo with the caption “Here we gooo,” and warned you to brace yourself for lots of talk and reflection about a little book (and movie!) called The Fault In Our Stars? Well, it all starts now! I wrote about four ways I can identify with Hazel for The Frisky yesterday. Hazel’s story was my story: As I was reading the book, I kept identifying with Hazel and her story, especially when it came to her cancer and how her medical past has affected her life – both as a child and as a young woman. Here’s an excerpt…

“She seemed to be mostly a professional sick person, like me, which made me worry that when I died they’d have nothing to say about me except that I fought heroically, as if the only thing I’d ever done was Have Cancer.” 

Translation: I am not disabled. I am a person with a disability. There’s a huge difference, and it’s something I’ve been trying to reconcile even more as I get older. It’s a very fine line to walk (no pun intended), but I am more than my disability; it’s part of me, but it’s not all of me. Growing up, I never wanted to be known as The Girl In The Hospital Bed With Messy Hair And A Bunch of IV Chords Sticking Out of Her Arm. I’m so much more than that. Plus, it just wasn’t a good look for me. It’s still not.

You can read the rest of the essay here. What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts! xoxo

P.S. Read my other pieces on The Frisky here, here, here, here and here. Enjoy! :)