Good morning!
Is it just me or has January flown by? Maybe that’s because I started the year with my son having emergency surgery. That wasn’t exactly in our plans. But in other news, I also turned 40 this month. I always thought this would be a scary milestone, but I’m more in love with my life every day. It may not look the way I once imagined, but I have much to be thankful for—not least of which is the fact that I do what I love for a living. On that note, let’s recap the month, shall we?
In Relationships
Although I’m often accused of writing about my exes and using my personal life as fodder for more articles, the truth is that I keep writing about my life and experiences in hopes that someone else out there who is struggling reads this at the moment they need it. I’ve spent the last year grieving a relationship and a major loss in my family. I’ve learned a lot in the process. I’ve also done a deep dive into dating trends. Enjoy!
A Cougar, A MILF, and a Single Mother Walk into a Bar…
Lessons in Love: What I’d Do Differently Now
Vaccination Status in Dating Profiles and the Toxic Trend It Can Hide
Don’t Let Chemistry Develop When Character is Questionable
Why Staying Friends with Exes isn’t in Your Best Interest
Can You Still Meet Single People in the Wild or Is That Just a Myth?
In Personal Growth
We lost an icon with the death of Betty White. As a lifelong super-fan of the Golden Girls, I had to write about it. I also talk about an unexpected side effect of having an endocrine disorder, a growth moment I experienced that has been life-changing, and what it’s like to step fully into my power at 40. Happy reading!
Thank You for Being a Friend: 3 Lessons from America’s Golden Girl
How an Endocrine Disorder Grew into Greater Empathy
In the Moment Before You Do What You’ve Always Done, Consider This
Fierce at 40: The Year Women Level Up and Own Their Power
In Mental Health
If you follow me on Instagram, you already know my living room is a veritable jungle. Sometimes, I write about plants-what they teach me, how it supports my mental health. I didn’t have a “green thumb” (that I knew of) before COVID. I’ve also written about a need to ask for help (and funnily enough, my therapist gave me homework on just this topic shortly after I wrote it), and I dove into Encanto and family scapegoating. We really do need to talk about Bruno.
How a Houseplant Taught Me Better Self-Care
Learning to Accept Help: A Guide for the Fiercely (& Foolishly) Independent
We Really Need to Talk About Bruno
In Poetry
I only have one poetry entry for the month (so far). I’ve always been a grudge-holder. I know it’s not pretty, but it’s the truth. Lately, I’m leaning into forgiveness. It serves me better than holding a grudge.
In Books
No, I didn’t write all of these in January, but this is your monthly reminder that Valentine’s Day approaches, and books make great Valentines! Gift a romance or a book of poetry to the love of your life, your lover right now, or your single friend who could use a little love on Singles Awareness Day. Don’t forget to leave me a great review!
Left on Main (book 1, Heart of Madison)
Right on Walton (book 2, Heart of Madison)
Deep in the Heart of Madison (book 3, Heart of Madison)
Waiting for the Girl Next Door (book 4, Heart of Madison)
Letters to Lost Lovers (poetry)
Alright, that’s a wrap on reading today. As some of you know from social media, I recently wrote a screenplay. I’ll be pitching that out into the Universe soon. I’m also fiddling with a children’s chapter book. It’s not my first children’s book project, but it may be easier to complete since it won’t require an illustrator. I’m always working on something.
On that note, thank you for reading. I truly appreciate you. Thanks for following me on Facebook for my memes, buying my books, and reading my work on Medium and other sites.
What else? Ah, yes! Let’s do a quick shoutout to some other authors who’ve had some recent releases I want to mention. Check out fellow Sands Press authors Jillian McClory and Emily Pickard. McClory’s A Certain Kind of Sadness is now available. Also, check out the recently released Beginning’s End by Emily Pickard. My friend and fellow author Renee Dubeau recently had a story published in Chicken Soup for the Soul’s Believe in Angels. My friend and fellow author Donna Y. Ferris recently released her memoir, We’ve Got to Stop Meeting Like This. Last but not least, friend and fellow poet Pavita Singh released her first collection of poetry, To All the Magic in Me.
If you’ve come this far, thanks so much for reading! Click the links for anything you’re interested in reading or learning more about. If you hit the paywall, just message me, and I can send you a free friend link. (Subscribers, your $4.99/month Medium fee goes to pay writers you read—and is greatly appreciated. To subscribe today, click HERE.)
Have an AMAZING week! xo
Crystal