It’s Not Just Your Gut. It Never Was.
Before I was diagnosed with celiac disease, some things were happening that nobody connected to what was going on in my gut. I’m not going to lay out my entire medical history on the internet. But I will say this: there were things — neurological things, mental health things — that existed before my diagnosis…
Keep readingThe Celiac Tax Is Real and We’re All Paying It
Let me tell you about a cinnamon roll. We drove over an hour to get it. There’s a place — fairly well known in the GF world, the kind of place that shows up on lists and gets shared in celiac groups — and we decided to make the trip. Because that’s what you do…
Keep readingNobody Warned Me About the Bread Aisle
Twelve years ago, I went in for a follow-up appointment because I couldn’t keep food down. Bread especially — it felt like it was getting stuck in my throat. They did an endoscopy. They found celiac disease. And then they handed me a piece of paper. That was it. A diagnosis on a sheet of…
Keep readingPractical Self-Care: Taking Care of Yourself When You Have No Time or Energy
Self-care gets thrown around like it’s all bubble baths and spa days. But when you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, or just trying to keep up with life, the last thing you need is another thing on your to-do list. Real self-care isn’t about luxury—it’s about what actually helps you function and feel human. So if you’re burned…
Keep readingPractical Self-Care: Taking Care of Yourself When You Have No Time or Energy
Self-care gets thrown around like it’s all bubble baths and spa days. But when you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, or just trying to keep up with life, the last thing you need is another thing on your to-do list. Real self-care isn’t about luxury—it’s about what actually helps you function and feel human. So if you’re burned…
Keep readingTaking Up Space: Why Building Community Matters
For a long time, I felt like I had to do everything on my own. Maybe it was stubbornness, maybe it was survival mode, or maybe it was just not wanting to be a burden. But here’s the thing—we’re not meant to do this alone. Community matters. Having people who understand, support, and show up…
Keep readingBurnout, Overwhelm, and Why I’ve Been Quiet Lately
If you’ve noticed I haven’t been posting as much, there’s a reason for that—I’ve been burnt out, overwhelmed, and trying to figure out where I’m going next. Burnout isn’t just about being tired. It’s the kind of exhaustion that seeps into everything—your work, your creativity, your ability to care about the things you normally love.…
Keep readingHow to Create the Ultimate Anti-Valentine’s Day Self-Care Routine
Valentine’s Day isn’t for everyone. It’s not all roses and hearts, especially if you’ve been burned or you’re just done with the pressure to be “romantic.” But just because it’s marketed as a day for couples, doesn’t mean you have to hate it. You know what I’m talking about: the chaos. Instead of wallowing, why…
Keep readingFinding Strength in the Fight: Holding Onto Glimmers in Dark Times
Lately, I’ve been quiet. Processing. Watching. Feeling the weight of everything happening—the attacks on women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and the basic freedoms we thought were secured. It’s hard to wrap my head around the fact that in 2025, we’re still fighting battles that should have been won decades ago. And honestly? It’s exhausting. Infuriating. The…
Keep readingThe Secret to Not Being on Your Phone at 2am
It’s 2 a.m., you’re lying in bed, and your brain’s all over the place. So what do you do? You pick up your phone and scroll. And scroll. And scroll. You tell yourself it’s just a quick check—nothing big, right? Except now it’s 3 a.m., and you’re wide awake, staring at your screen wondering what…
Keep readingThriving (Not Perfectly) in Chaos: Real Talk About Self-Care with Anxiety, Depression, and Chronic Illness
Let’s be real—self-care isn’t a one-size-fits-all thing, and if you’re dealing with mental and physical health challenges, it can feel like a constant uphill battle. But here’s the truth: you don’t need to have it all together to take care of yourself. In fact, sometimes not having it together is where the real magic happens.…
Keep readingThe Art of Saying No: Prioritizing Your Mental Health This Holiday Season
The holidays can feel like a whirlwind of activities, expectations, and never-ending to-do lists. Between family gatherings, work commitments, and the pressure to make everything perfect, it’s easy to lose track of yourself. But what if I told you that saying no this season could actually be the best gift you give to yourself? Why…
Keep readingThe Art of Saying No: Prioritizing Your Mental Health This Holiday Season
The holidays can feel like a whirlwind of activities, expectations, and never-ending to-do lists. Between family gatherings, work commitments, and the pressure to make everything perfect, it’s easy to lose track of yourself. But what if I told you that saying no this season could actually be the best gift you give to yourself? Why…
Keep readingThe Healing Power of Creativity: How Soap-Making Saved My Mental Health
In a world that often demands productivity over passion, creativity can feel like a luxury. But for me, it became a lifeline. Over 20 years ago, I started making soap as a way to cope with my mental health struggles, and I discovered that creativity wasn’t just a hobby—it was healing. The Link Between Creativity…
Keep readingOvercoming Decision Fatigue: How to Simplify Your Life and Reclaim Mental Energy
Have you ever stood in the kitchen at 5 p.m., staring into the fridge, wondering why deciding on dinner feels like climbing a mountain? That was me this week. My partner and I went back and forth—pizza? Tacos? Maybe pasta?—until I finally snapped, “Just pick something!” It wasn’t about the food. It was about the…
Keep readingSomething went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
Fern and Fog 