How Are You? Checking In and Sweet Words From Readers…

how are youWelcome back, friends!! How are you?? I hope you all had a splendid Memorial Day weekend and kicked off the unofficial beginning of summer in style. As we ease back into our routines (is that EVER an easy thing??), it occurred to me: You all are always so wonderful and listen to me prattle on endlessly about everything — even the most mundane things — and I am SO grateful for that! So I thought today would be the perfect time to ask YOU…

What’s going on in your corner of the world? What exciting things have you been up to lately?? I’d LOVE to hear all about your life, friends!!! Also, I’ve been getting lots of sweet emails ever since my Good Housekeeping essay came out! I’ve so enjoyed hearing from everyone and thought I’d share some of those sweet words from readers…

–“I have MS and am 20 years older than you, but I just read your article in Good Housekeeping! Great writer, funny as hell, and oh yeah disabled. I am so used to pity looks, disgusted looks, and so on…that I stopped looking at all. So excited to see a woman willing to bare her soul…”

–“I just read your story in June’s Good Housekeeping. You are quite an inspiration. Your story made me think of my own dad and how we supported each other through the bad times and how much we enjoyed the good times.”

–“I read your article in Good Housekeeping on “Father’s Day”. I must say your depiction of your father in your life brought me to tears. You are very lucky to have had such wonderful memories with a great man. Congratulations on your successes in life and overcoming the challenges you have faced with your disability.”

–“I came across your essay in Good Housekeeping this month and wanted to tell you how much I loved it. Your father sounds like an incredible man. I then of course headed over to your blog and spent an hour or so reading through it this morning, and I just had to write and tell you how much it inspired me. I really struggle with being open and vulnerable as a writer, and you do it incredibly well on all kinds of topics–love, relationships, depression, body image, fashion. I’d love to be half as open as you are on a tenth of the topics!”

–“I just wanted to let you know that I LOVED your writing piece in Good Housekeeping. The love you and your Dad shared reminded me of my relationship with my Dad. We are lucky women, aren’t we? It was very touching. You are a great writer! I just discovered your blog after reading your article and will start following. Keep up the great work!”

And, look at this!!! Another piece of excitement I JUST discovered when I logged on to So About What I Said this morning…

how are youWhaaat? Can you believe it? Almost nine years later and 5,700 posts — I guess this whole blogging thing is going to stick, huh?

Anyway, hope you all are having a marvelous Tuesday! I’ve got some fun posts planned for the rest of the week, so STAY TUNED… xoxo

[Top photo via We Heart It]

Inspiring Letters From Readers

It’s no secret that I was a bit afraid once my first piece went live on Cosmo last month. Granted, I’m not the least bit apprehensive about putting it all out there on So About What I Said because I’m so proud of the safe and positive space we’ve created here — and, yes, of course I say “we” because you’ve all been such an integral part of shaping this blog and making it what it is today.

Anyway, back to those uneasy feelings. It’s one thing to put my feelings here, which is something I’ll never stop doing, but it’s quite another to send your thoughts and story out into the world without knowing how they’ll be received.

Thankfully, there were only a few nasty comments about my essay (tip: Reading Facebook comments is never a good idea), but what really touched me were the emails I received from readers. Many wrote to say that they could identify with my story. I’ve always felt so different because of my disability, so to hear that maybe I’m not so different after all was such a joy. I asked a few readers if I could share their words, and they were game! Here are their inspiring words…

–“It was really inspiring to read your article on Cosmo. I have a brother with a disability who often thinks the exact same thing. He is amazing and I’m sure that you are too! Your disability doesn’t make you imperfect; if anything, it makes people even more beautiful! I just wanted to thank you for telling your story because it was really special to hear! I know that it can be really hard not to listen to the voice in your head, but please don’t because I know you have inspired so many people and that a physical disability will never make somebody not beautiful!”


–“I just wanted to tell you that your article on cosmopolitan.com was amazing. I don’t have a disability, but I’m overweight and wanting to be loved by others has been a lifelong battle for me. I think your beauty is something you should be proud of. You’re beautiful inside and out. I hope you find someone who enhances all the great qualities you have. You are such an amazing, inspiring and beautiful person. Thank you for sharing your story.”


–“I am so proud of you. Even before you wrote for Cosmo, I was going to write you and tell you that you were doing so great. I know it is not easy being disabled; in fact, it’s a hard fact but should not be used to define us. We are proud women and proud women stand up and take the challenge. It’s not the hand that was dealt to us, but what we do with it that matters. A lot. All this crap about leaving the house and finding a man is just so many bubbles in the wind. You would make ANY man proud. You are honest with your feelings and know yourself, and not many women can say that. You hug yourself because if I were there, I would be hugging you!”

Thank you, everyone!! I just felt like giving the world a gigantic fist pump after reading their messages; I even saved them for those days when Anonymous decides to make his next appearance.

What’s on your mind these days, friends? Happy? Sad? Stressed? All of the above? You know my inbox is always open, so email me sometime! My email is mellow1422@aol.com and let’s chat, OK? LOVE YOU ALL… xoxo

[Photo via We Heart It]

So About What I Said: Reader Feedback Survey 2016

Welcome to the third Reader Feedback Survey!!! I’m so excited to hear your thoughts and suggestions again this year. What sorts of posts do you love? Which ones do you loathe? Which ones are just plain TMI? Whatever it is, I WANT TO HEAR IT ALL!!!

I’ve created a quick and painless 10-question survey and would love your input. You can take the survey here or embedded at the end of this post. I’ve also left a comment box at the end of most questions so you can add additional thoughts if you’d like.

And just like last time, there’s a prize involved!! After you take the survey, leave a comment below and you’ll be entered to win a free month of ad space! It’s the perfect chance to share your blog, Etsy shop or brand.

I like to consider us on this blog journey together, sharing the ins and outs of our lives, and I hope you know how much you mean to me, friends! After all, you’ve seen me at my worst and at my most awkward, so we’ve got quite the history together, don’t we? Excuse me while I go get a tissue…

Anyway, enough of my rambling! I’d love it if you’d take the survey, and go ahead and leave a comment below. Take the survey between now and February 1st, and don’t forget to let me know you did so below. Thanks again for everything, friends, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts! xoxo

Help! Advice For a Reader!

It looks like we’ve got another first on So About What I Said today! I received an email a few weeks ago from reader Emily, who was seeking advice. She wrote…

I’ve REALLY liked this guy for months. He’s attractive, smart, witty, passionate about similar things and a challenge (dream guy!). I’ve tried different ways to get his attention (including some crazy, “almost made it” stories), but he seems impossible to contact (no email, rarely on Facebook) and constantly busy with work. At first I wanted to see if I could just send him a letter explaining who I was and my feelings, but it became much more complex. I’ve still gotten no response/reaction from him; I don’t even know if he even knows I’ve been trying. Do I… 

A. Give up trying and possibly regret it. 

B. Keep trying and risk looking crazy or annoying.* 

C. Give up for now, wait and hope that someday when he’s not as busy, he’ll still be single and I’ll have a chance. 

*If B. What do I do?? Something bold and risky or keep slowly trying little methods?

I found myself thinking for a few moments after I read her note. Oh, how many times had I found myself in her very predicament? Surely, far too many to count! So maybe I’m not the best one to be giving the advice here. That’s where you come in, friends! I asked if it would be OK to share her email, and she answered with a resounding, “Sure!”

So, what advice would you give her? Which option would you pick and why? Are you like me in that it’s hard to take your own advice?

**Would you like to see an Advice Column of sorts on the blog? It could be fun and a great way to inspire conversation. Are you game? Send your pressing questions to mellow1422@aol.com! I look forward to hearing from you! xoxo

So About What I Said: Reader Feedback Survey 2015

When we celebrated So About What I Said’s fifth anniversary back in 2013, I included a blog survey, and I can’t emphasize enough just how helpful all your thoughts and ideas were. After all, you’ve been on this amazing blog journey with me and have helped make So About What I Said the wonderful community it is today.

With that in mind, I’d like to start doing these surveys every year. It’ll help me get a sense of what you love, what you could do without and any other questions you may have for me. Maybe you love my disability talk or following my budding fashion obsession. Or maybe you could do without all my bossiness when it comes to love (thanks, Mom!). Whatever it is, I WANT TO HEAR IT ALL!!!

I’ve created a 10-question survey and would love your input. You can take the survey here, and I’ve also embedded it below…


And just like last time, there’s a prize involved!! After you take the survey, leave a comment below and you’ll be entered to win a free month of ad space! It’s the perfect chance to promote your blog, Etsy shop or brand.

So, take the survey between now and February 1st, and don’t forget to let me know you did so below. Thanks again for everything, friends, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts! xoxo