Month: December 2023

Dangerous Woman

Posted on by Lauren

A dangerous woman.

“I’m not going to lie to you. It’s a little dangerous to live a life in which you do what you want to do, behave in a way that feels authentic, pay attention to things you find of interest, and direct your passions in any way you see fit. You are now a woman who can’t be controlled by mass media and consumer culture. Congratulations, sister.”- Karbo

A dangerous woman, indeed. 

It has taken my entire life and the help of this book to become the woman I am today, but I guess that’s the point. There’s no substitute for experience.

I’ve learned to let go of the woulda, coulda shouldas and instead, focus on the here and now. 

Instead of regret, I channel my energy into encouraging my daughters to embrace their unique selves, while still pursuing my own. 

I wake. 

Karbo, Karen. Yea, No. Not Happening. How I found Happiness Swearing Off Self Improvement and Saying F*ck it All- and How You Can Too. 2020.

Camille Vaughan Photography

Green Grass

Posted on by Lauren

Counting down the hours, I could not wait to leave. 

A break from cooking, boo-boos and bedtime. 

Time to eat where and when we wanted. 

Time to sleep in, time with my friend. 

We decorated, wined and dined. 

We puzzled, visited the spa and stayed up late to watch movies. 

It was everything I wanted and yet . . . 

Counting down the hours, I could not wait to leave. 

I missed my husband and children. 

The grass is always greener.

Our Best Self

Posted on by Lauren

“I wish I could tell you it gets easier but I’d be lying.”  I told her. 

“I’m 40 years old and still dealing with friendship drama!”

She hugged me tightly and admitted, “That sucks.”

Yea, it does. 

It’s hard.

We change, the people change, the discomfort remains.

We’re all learning and growing.

Who am I my most authentic self around?

It has nothing to do with history and everything to do with who we’re becoming. 

We continue to become our best self. 

Sometimes towards one another and sometimes not. 

The one thing we can always count on is: Change. 

We hold, we release, we become

Our best self. 

Three Words

Posted on by Lauren

It’s just three words so why are they the hardest to say aloud?

“I. Need. Help.”

Her teachers were shocked: “She is so happy and helpful in class. She has friends and is on honor roll. I never saw this coming.”

How many times have we heard this same story of surprise? 

At what point do we not wait until it becomes irreversible regret and start paying attention to the little signs?

Depression is not sudden. 

It’s gradual. 

We know this but we don’t want to label it so we look for other explanations. 

Meanwhile, they continue drowning.

Not my child. 

“But if I tell her what’s wrong, I’ll cry!” She laments. 

It’s better than crying in the bathroom, I remind her.

School therapists are like life guards; on the side ready to offer help when needed. 

Our struggles may be a part of our story but they don’t have to be the end.

But first, we must take the hardest, most important step. 

Admit that we are struggling and ask for help. 

It’s just three words.

Camille Vaughan Photography