tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28274070926300441432024-03-18T18:34:19.774-07:00Reality by Rach Rachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11536859379111285611noreply@blogger.comBlogger723125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2827407092630044143.post-86270788791208103762021-04-27T18:53:00.006-07:002021-04-27T18:53:50.276-07:00The Burnt Out Millennial<p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LcOXfMkQtME/YHhCpk3Oe3I/AAAAAAAAGd8/uUmPsCK8AdE-fBvoRAk7wxOaszk1yjs6QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/Burnout-Dice.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2000" height="250" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LcOXfMkQtME/YHhCpk3Oe3I/AAAAAAAAGd8/uUmPsCK8AdE-fBvoRAk7wxOaszk1yjs6QCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h250/Burnout-Dice.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Burnt Out Millennial</h2><div>Millennials...we're this Generation with so much advantage; Technology at our fingertips, voice controlled lights the latest movies streaming on our tv's so that we can enjoy our movie with the peace of mind knowing that we can pause the movie for a bathroom break or a snack and not miss a thing! So with all this access and and tools to make life easier...why the eff are we so tired all the time?! </div><blockquote><div><span><a name='more'></a></span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qJX1k_xChy4/YHhEzCxCE7I/AAAAAAAAGeE/PclGT51vctccwbQ2aoJ_-9lmdi0Uyt-ywCLcBGAsYHQ/s600/bandwidth.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qJX1k_xChy4/YHhEzCxCE7I/AAAAAAAAGeE/PclGT51vctccwbQ2aoJ_-9lmdi0Uyt-ywCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/bandwidth.png" /></a></div>Something that's been on my mind over the past few months has been this idea of our 'mental bandwidth'. With so much information at our disposal it seems that part of our generations' problem; or disadvantage is information OVERLOAD. Having access to so much information; life hacks, streaming shows, grocery delivery services and so on that our mental bandwidth is at capacity leading to the well known term of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analysis_paralysis" target="_blank">Analysis Paralysis</a>. Wikipedia shares, Analysis Paralysis: </div></blockquote><p> </p><blockquote><h3 style="text-align: left;"><i style="font-weight: normal;"><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 17.5px;">"describes an individual or group process when </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analysis" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 17.5px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Analysis">overanalyzing</a><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 17.5px;"> or </span><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 17.5px;">overthinking</span><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 17.5px;"> a situation can cause forward motion or </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decision-making" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 17.5px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Decision-making">decision-making</a><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 17.5px;"> to become "paralyzed", meaning that no solution or course of action is decided upon. A situation may be deemed too complicated and a decision is never made, due to the fear that a potentially larger problem may arise. "</span></i></h3></blockquote><p><br /></p><p>As you can imagine this can be exhausting! So what do we do? How to we feel better and make better decisions for ourselves and our mental health in the face of all this information being thrown at us?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O293tpCBlFQ/YHhG8Ir9rpI/AAAAAAAAGeM/FwdK-T4qTuIhlcU4h11U5uKbkZ_17wAFwCLcBGAsYHQ/s892/Burnout%2BPrevention.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="892" height="354" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O293tpCBlFQ/YHhG8Ir9rpI/AAAAAAAAGeM/FwdK-T4qTuIhlcU4h11U5uKbkZ_17wAFwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h354/Burnout%2BPrevention.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"></h3><h3><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Do a Consumption Audit.</li></ol></h3><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Take some time figure out what types of content really matter to you.</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">What types of hobbies or skills do you actually want to learn. What do you actually like listening to, watching, learning about? What matters to you and what inspires you? Then take some time and unfollow, unsubscribe or mute content that you find yourself mindlessly scrolling past. </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Because</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> let's be honest... if it mattered or brought your some </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">semblance</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> of joy you would have taken longer than 2 seconds to look at that piece of content.</span></p><div><div><br /></div></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span> 2. Start Batching Your Time.</span><br /></h3><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">One of the best things that you can do for your time and your mental health is to STOP living in your inbox. </span><span><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/mattdavella/?hl=en" target="_blank">Matt D'Avella</a></b></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> has this fantastic </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sb9Si5ih3os&t=543s" style="font-weight: normal;" target="_blank">video</a><span style="font-weight: normal;"> where he breaks down time batching and how it works to begin giving you back your most valuable currency... time.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"> 3. Let Go Of 'Hustle Culture'.</h3><p style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">A few months ago I was listening to an episode of the, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-problem-with-productivity/id1524835935?i=1000494422645" target="_blank">Yes Theory Podcast </a>that talked about the problem with productivity. In the episode Anne Helen Peterson, author of, </span><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088W5Q5ZR/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1" target="_blank"><i>Can't Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation</i>,</a></b> shares,</p><p style="text-align: left;"><i></i></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>" Our identity is so intertwined with out work that, when the works start to fail, the work starts to feel hard, less fulfilling or exploitative it starts to fall apart."</i></span></h3><p></p><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><div><div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is something I've personally struggled with for so long now. </span><span style="font-size: 23.4px; font-weight: 400;">Particularly</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> with being a creative it can feel so personal when my work doesn't resonate or 'hit the mark'. This for me is a work in progress. I think for now the intent of me creating content is to get my thoughts out there, have it processed by others and maybe have it resonate and be helpful in some way. But ultimately, I'm just working on being proud of just putting myself out there. </span></p></div></div><div><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></div></h3><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p></p>Rachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11536859379111285611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2827407092630044143.post-54665212568940485882020-11-20T07:17:00.011-08:002020-12-06T11:33:39.851-08:00Why is it so Difficult to Treat Ourselves with Kindness??<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0aE4_4VBWlg/X80x-aMyrPI/AAAAAAAAGTY/h1U565J_frwcPNyPCKGCXQvhW21UQUb8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2792_jpg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0aE4_4VBWlg/X80x-aMyrPI/AAAAAAAAGTY/h1U565J_frwcPNyPCKGCXQvhW21UQUb8QCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_2792_jpg.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /> Why is it so hard to treat ourselves with kindness? My Therapist once said to me, "You wouldn't say that to a friend who was struggling. So why would you say that about yourself?" And it's true, while we like to believe we give ourselves credit for our accomplishments we often brush them aside in lieu of, "what's next". What goal can I reach or what accolade can I achieve next. As I write this post the lyrics of a Charlie Puth, yes, I said Charlie Puth...song ring in my head. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><blockquote><i>"I can see you're strugglin'<br />Promise you'll find love again<br />Yeah, it will be alrightWhy are you so hard on yourself?"</i></blockquote><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>So why are we so hard on ourselves?, "Why do I think I have a "weird" body? and Why do we constantly play this comparison game with our peers? Honestly, I think it's, "A tale as old old as time..." and the beast is this carrot at the end of the stick that we're always chasing. It's a bigger house a nicer car , a higher paying job. So how do we stop this vicious societal cycle? </p><p>I think much like i've mentioned before I think breaking this pattern has a lot to do with retraining our approach to how we view our lives. Some days it may be as simple as just practicing gratitude. When we wake up in the morning just acknowledging what we're grateful for. And it doesn't have to be this huge thing. Yes maybe some days it's expressing gratitude for something as vital as our health but maybe other days it's something as simple as waking up to the smell of coffee that your partner made or the sound of your kids laughing in the living room. </p><p>Getting into the routine of practicing gratitude can lead to such a perspective shift. This certainly isn't always the case and sometimes can be difficult to do when we're really struggling. But the more we do it, the more we begin to appreciate the life that we've created for ourselves. And once we do that this idea of wanting what others have begins to fade away. I once heard on a podcast that, "envy is the thief of joy," and that statement rang so true me. We're always content with what we have until we see what someone else has. So let's begin to fight against that!</p><p>I think the next step is to really draw that clear line between 'Instagram and Reality' social media continues to be a highlight reel of someone's life no matter how hard we try to break down those barriers and allow authenticy to shine through online. But defining this line allows us to give ourselves more grace and to stop holding ourselves to such high expectations. It's also important to celebrate someone's wins rather than immediately turn inward and thinking that we're falling short in our own lives. </p><p>And lastly, I think it ultimately comes back to strong boundary setting. This is probably one of the most difficult thing for myself and so many of us to do. But when you set clear boundaries in your life if the people in our life really care about you they'll respect them. Whether it's a dietary change, deciding to stay in and canceling plans or taking time to text someone back. Boundaries are healthy and I believe they allow you to show up better in your life. </p></div>Rachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11536859379111285611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2827407092630044143.post-88166489576781847382020-11-04T18:34:00.001-08:002020-11-05T07:40:42.197-08:00How Creating Art and Following My Passion Helped My Mental Health<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--HBxrpXsUQQ/X6Qc4DknekI/AAAAAAAAGMY/DStBz3uxAN8fdOqxYX6SZj48s1_DR6FfwCLcBGAsYHQ/IMG_3636_jpg%2Bcopy.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--HBxrpXsUQQ/X6Qc4DknekI/AAAAAAAAGMY/DStBz3uxAN8fdOqxYX6SZj48s1_DR6FfwCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_3636_jpg%2Bcopy.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><br />"Do what you LOVE and you N E V E R work a day in your life." That's what they say right? Now I don't know about all of that because I work the majority of my between content creation and freelance photography and while most day are filled with joy and I love it and am always grateful to be able to have the opportunity to be creative and figure out what I want to do with my life; trust me, it's still work. In fact, I don't know if I've ever worked harder and often times for little or NO monetary compensation.<p></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><br /></p><p>However, what I cannot put a price on is my happiness and my mental health. And in that, I am paid ten fold. I think while we try not not to let our careers be our WHOLE identity and they're NOT; if we're passionate about what we're doing it's hard not to associate who we are with that and even harder when we don't feel that way about our career. </p><p>For me, it's this balancing act. Both my parents had careers that they loved. My Dad served in the Military for 20 years and my Mom was a Nurse for 35 years and there is not an ounce of time they regretted doing what they did. They always went above and beyond in their duties. And they instilled that in me. So for me, being a creative came with the difficult task of of working a lot of 9-5's that weren't in my area of study or honestly, things that I was even all that good at!</p><p>So over the pandemic I enrolled in the "School of Youtube" and began going back to my creative roots and learning photography and videography. With so many great content creators and teachers online I was so inspired! I didn't realize it was possible to learn and work creating all day and not find myself drained: in fact, it fueled me! I could color correct photos for hours! In fact, I even find it soothing. </p><p>What I'm ultimately getting at here is that doing work that doesn't fill your cup just like relationships or anything else in your like it will leave you drained, unhappy and can have a serious impact on your mental health. So I want to encourage you to continue to go after work and relationships, that ' fill YOUR cup!"</p>Rachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11536859379111285611noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2827407092630044143.post-27484927418195099192020-09-09T17:40:00.001-07:002020-09-28T09:11:35.859-07:00How We Can Use Social Media for Good<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lecl2u_DYuo/X1ghlhk2e9I/AAAAAAAAGGw/A0vTDIXJNbsopsbFMRGr6-AmYL7aWR7nwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/Social-Media-Transparent-Background-PNG.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="858" data-original-width="1200" height="448" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lecl2u_DYuo/X1ghlhk2e9I/AAAAAAAAGGw/A0vTDIXJNbsopsbFMRGr6-AmYL7aWR7nwCLcBGAsYHQ/w625-h448/Social-Media-Transparent-Background-PNG.png" width="625" /></a></div><p> </p><p>This is something that's been on my mind as of late. Seeing so many people in my social network post about how they need beaks from social media and how they feel so much better and so much more productive when they're not on it got me wondering...is social media actually toxic or can we create an online social media experience that makes us feel seen, heard and most importantly, safe. </p><p><br /></p><p>Of course the research shows that we benefit from being out in nature. It goes back to our ancestral roots and is innately in us to thrive when we spend our time outdoors. And as someone who loves to hike, bike, jog, kayak, swim and anything else outdoors, I can attest that there is no feeling quite like having the sun warm your face and breathe in the fresh air. It just, heals the soul.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HWBTr5BS_7k/X1gfshQVQaI/AAAAAAAAGGc/MwhJlkZeR4UR6MJnhHT002ed6NRdN1u5gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/Digital-Around-The-World-In-July-2020.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="275" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HWBTr5BS_7k/X1gfshQVQaI/AAAAAAAAGGc/MwhJlkZeR4UR6MJnhHT002ed6NRdN1u5gCLcBGAsYHQ/w488-h275/Digital-Around-The-World-In-July-2020.png" title="Source: Smart Insights" width="488" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>So it's not that I'm proposing that this idea of being more present and getting outside more isn't valid but rather, that we are not bound by the rules of social media. What we are bound to however is the dopamine hit our brains' receive when we do go on social media. So it's not that we shouldn't be on social media as so much good can come from it. We can connect with groups of people with similar interest and hobbies, raise money fro important causes and event start movements. </p><p><br /></p><p>And yes, while there's this movement of "keyboard warriors" who hide behind their screens and bully, likely, because of their own insecurities, what's important is to regulate ourselves on social media. Set boundaries, because no one's going to do it for us.</p>Rachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11536859379111285611noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2827407092630044143.post-915890878600941402020-06-23T06:58:00.004-07:002020-12-06T11:39:39.982-08:00The Importance of Pressing Pause<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8lxppgz3Tpg/X80zFVppGWI/AAAAAAAAGTo/aLCHOpi6Q18fz3h1tsv8FymUHWtD8vo1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8lxppgz3Tpg/X80zFVppGWI/AAAAAAAAGTo/aLCHOpi6Q18fz3h1tsv8FymUHWtD8vo1gCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_7019.JPG" width="300" /></a></div></span></div><br />With everything that is going on in the world around us I wanted to take a moment to reflect and encourage those of you reading this to just, pause. The world of course has always been spinning around us with so much going on, places to go, people to see, chores to be done. But now it feels that over the past few months the world has seemingly stopped spinning, and as a Nation we have all been on pause.<span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /><br />
So I wanted to cover this topic after thinking about one of my more recent conversations I had with my therapist. She had some encouraging things to say about my progress over quarantine and threw out the idea that maybe it could be because society around me has paused and taken a moment to reflect on their own lives and began asking those bigger questions like, "Am I really happy with my job? or my nutrition? or what do I really value in life?", that I now felt okay with the fact that these are the larger questions I've been struggling with for the better part of a decade now. And I found this concept really interesting because until we were actually forced to stay in our homes with no distractions, were we able to finally focus on larger issues and forced to look upon the racial injustice that has been plaguing our Country for hundreds of years.<br />
<br />
So I'm wondering if it is important, dare I say critical to press pause every few months in our own lives, without being forced to do so because of the terrible circumstances of a pandemic? And also not just being open to this concept every time when New Years rolls around. And I'm not saying it always has to be these larger over-arching big life questions that we should be asking ourselves but maybe just starting with small things like, could we implement better, smaller habits into our everyday lives that could help us feel better and thrive?<br />
<br />
Ultimately, I think, making those smaller adjustments could lead us to asking those larger questions. Which I believe could lead to a happier life. One where you're living a life on your own terms and leading a life based on what you value and find important. I think my Mom's death showed me how fleeting life can really be. For me, everything I had ever known in life changed in a phone call. So I encourage you, press pause, reassess and then, move forward with a life that is more in line with your values. As always, thanks for reading and for , 'getting your dose of reality'!</div>Rachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11536859379111285611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2827407092630044143.post-9888044083835521602020-05-31T08:48:00.000-07:002020-05-31T08:48:58.860-07:00The Only Black Girl in the Room<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-orRGhkJBhiY/XtPOzkoFwMI/AAAAAAAAF0s/OuhBdHcr_FwYCBcIz_bMQo1UR1-ZlnvQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/I%2527m%2BRachel%252C%2Band%2BI%2Blove%2Bsharing%2Bstories.%2BI%2Bbelieve%2Bvideo%252C%2Bpicture%252C%2Band%2Bsocial%2Bmedia%2Bcan%2Btruly%2Bgive%2Bpeople%252C%2Bcompanies%2Band%2Bideas%2Ba%2Bpowerful%2Bvoice%2Band%2Bmake%2Ba%2Bpositive%2Bimpact.%2BI%2527ve%2Bworked%2Bwith%2Bnon-profits%252C%2Bfinancial%2Bcompa%2B%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1236" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-orRGhkJBhiY/XtPOzkoFwMI/AAAAAAAAF0s/OuhBdHcr_FwYCBcIz_bMQo1UR1-ZlnvQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/I%2527m%2BRachel%252C%2Band%2BI%2Blove%2Bsharing%2Bstories.%2BI%2Bbelieve%2Bvideo%252C%2Bpicture%252C%2Band%2Bsocial%2Bmedia%2Bcan%2Btruly%2Bgive%2Bpeople%252C%2Bcompanies%2Band%2Bideas%2Ba%2Bpowerful%2Bvoice%2Band%2Bmake%2Ba%2Bpositive%2Bimpact.%2BI%2527ve%2Bworked%2Bwith%2Bnon-profits%252C%2Bfinancial%2Bcompa%2B%25281%2529.png" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bruthadave/" target="_blank">@bruthadave</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 29.3333px; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<br /><br />I suppose the main purpose of this post is to sort of do my best to describe my experience navigating growing up in my formative years not really identifying as black or white. While not every bi-racial person may experience this, it seems that many of us do. And I feel it’s important to open our societies eyes about how others may be navigating their place in the world in hopes that we can all be a little kinder to one another.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br />In High School I was the girl who was friends with everyone. Not in that super cool popular sort of way. But more so in the way where I was a little nerdy but not too much, played sports but not a super dedicated athlete and was in Honors and AP classes. So, to be honest, a lot of my fellow classmates in Honors and AP weren’t black. And the black kids in my school, well, they basically thought I talked funny, dressed funny and certainly did not act, by their definition, black. I would often get dirty looks from the black girls in my High School and made fun of and one girl even threatened to beat me up because I accidentally threw a french fry at her lunch table (but that’s a story for another time).<br /><br /> Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to say it was all the black girls in my school but certainly the majority. And before you start thinking that everything was just perfect with the white friends I had think again. Nowadays, we live in a culture where most Millennial white people are ‘woke’ (man, I hate that word) but in High School I had friends say things like, “they respected Hitler’s work ethic”, drop the ‘N’ word and one white male friend tell me he was growing his 'fro bigger than mine.' So yeah…not great white people. But let me clear, in my heart I believe that most people are truly good and while you’re probably reading this with your mouth agape, trust me when I say that these things were the ignorance of teenagers and that, I can forgive. What’s not okay is to let trends like this continue. So I think the goal moving forward is to just communicate with one another and for any minority to move forward we all must ban together.<br /><br /> <br /><br />Race has always been a tricky topic for me-I never really quite felt black and I certainly couldn’t identify as white so what was I? Who was I was? I was always just Rach. And part of me always felt for guilty for feeling that way. Growing up bi-racial you’re always told to identify with your African American side. I feel like the pressure clearly comes from the hard-fought battle by the Black Community for racial equality. My Dad would always tell me, “Rach, you can’t be black and good, you have to be black and better.” As you can imagine, that’s a lot of pressure for someone to have growing up.<br /><br /> <br /><br />I remember I would get into these awful fights with my older brother, who, in full transparency, has had run ins with the law off and on throughout his whole adult life, about how we racially identify. To clarify, we both are fairly light skinned, however, he most certainly identified as Black. I’ll never forget what I believe is the last Holiday we all spent together as a family. It was my Junior of College and I came home over the Thanksgiving Holiday to have my wisdom teeth out. Yes, I know, terrible timing to not be able to eat anything! Anyway, Thanksgiving rolls around and my Mom, who had decided to come up and stay at my Dad’s place to help take care of me was helping my Dad prepare the dinner and I was looking forward to all the mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie I could eat. It seemed like it was actually going to be a pretty ‘normal’ dinner. Not long before dinner my brother rolls in and at first the conversation stays pretty light. Then somehow things took a turn when it came time for dessert. My Mom was cutting us slices of pie and asked if we wanted Kool-Whip on top. I immediately said yes. I mean, who doesn’t want that deliciously sugary goodness on top of more sugary delicious goodness??! Am I right?! My brother chuckled to himself before answering no. I couldn’t resist so I asked him, "What was that about?” And he turned to me and dead face serious said, “Having Kool-Whip on your pie is a, ‘White people thing’. “<br /><br /> Well for some reason that sparked something in me and I basically lost my shit. Going on a rant about how ridiculous of a statement that was and that we are part White, to which he quickly retorted, “I’m not, I’m Black.” When I told him that in saying that it somehow in my mind disowned our Mother, he just shrugged it off. But for me I couldn’t just pick a race and say, “Hey this is me; this is who I racially identify as.” To this day, I still mark, “Two or more races” when filling out paperwork.<div>
<div>
<div class="msocomtxt" id="_com_1" language="JavaScript">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Rachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11536859379111285611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2827407092630044143.post-78159993516618893192020-05-03T12:44:00.001-07:002020-05-22T09:18:27.356-07:00The Shifting Emotions of Grief<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "futura medium" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8qqOlK7tj50/Xq3EvsPXihI/AAAAAAAAFyE/oPsp49lnccweIkhgk3sgmXgRcD8qVcDLACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Female_Window_Rain_1296x728-header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="728" data-original-width="1296" height="222" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8qqOlK7tj50/Xq3EvsPXihI/AAAAAAAAFyE/oPsp49lnccweIkhgk3sgmXgRcD8qVcDLACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Female_Window_Rain_1296x728-header.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Courtesy Healthline<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "futura medium" , sans-serif;"><br />I didn’t think it was possible to hate an entire month but somehow May manages to be a real shithole. Not only was my Mom taken from this month but ironically, she was also brought into the world this month as well. Oh yeah, and there’s Mother’s Day. Does it make me a terrible person to now call it a bullshit Holiday?? I go back and forth every year when this month rolls around. Some years I’m able to have some perspective and look back on our memories together and they make me smile. Other years, I’m filled with rage that she was taken from me and just want to be able to talk to her about well…anything. Tell her how my day was, what my struggles are and get her advice. While she ultimately left me to make my own decisions she always offered incredible advice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "futura medium" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MckOpyyBOck/Xq8esu0ESrI/AAAAAAAAFyU/CVrfCsxgU4c5Y2mpBOzaAbF2nkQb0KInwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5717.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MckOpyyBOck/Xq8esu0ESrI/AAAAAAAAFyU/CVrfCsxgU4c5Y2mpBOzaAbF2nkQb0KInwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_5717.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "futura medium" , sans-serif;">I guess what I’m learning throughout my grieving process is that, whatever way I’m feeling is okay. And let me tell you it was quite the journey getting to this point. Especially when you feel guilty for feeling either one of those ways. When I’m angry or sad that she’s not here I feel bad because I should celebrate the already wonderful women I have in my life who are Moms. Then on the other end there’s this immense guilt for not being sad that she’s not here. To me, it proves that I’ve moved on and in some ways that’s not okay to move on without her in my life. And then there’s the guilt of faded memories. Trying to remember her voice. The last message I had from here was on my birthday. She sang me happy birthday and said, ‘to call whenever’ and that, ‘she’d always be there.’ I really don’t appreciate the lie she told in the last part of that message.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "futura medium" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nYjoJ8AX2Bw/Xq8esh8u-gI/AAAAAAAAFyY/dmyN3jDDkrkZcGt11-iKK_aqkXgt7T5ygCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5718.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nYjoJ8AX2Bw/Xq8esh8u-gI/AAAAAAAAFyY/dmyN3jDDkrkZcGt11-iKK_aqkXgt7T5ygCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_5718.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "futura medium" , sans-serif;">Some of the things that helps me cope are looking at old photos of us together; it just reminds me of how much she loved me and how much fun we had together and also making goulash, a pasta dish that she would always for our family. I haven’t written or posted about my Mom in a while and I guess a lot of feelings and memories came up when I had the realization that May 2<sup>nd</sup> was the day she passed. I was in such a haze for so long that I hadn't even realized when, or even how long ago she passed. And that’s not fair to her or her memory. So let me tell you about my Mom, as it states so eloquently in her obituary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ggW8wb2m_Y/Xq8esqyPRlI/AAAAAAAAFyQ/SUH-NC1IjdMUUBjV7zWEh3knqtHYrb7jQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5719.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ggW8wb2m_Y/Xq8esqyPRlI/AAAAAAAAFyQ/SUH-NC1IjdMUUBjV7zWEh3knqtHYrb7jQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5719.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><i><span style="font-family: "futura medium" , sans-serif;">“June served her country in the U.S. Army and was a graduate of Sacred Heart Hospital School of Nursing. She not only served her Country and her patients with respect and love, but she also wholeheartedly cared and loved her family and friends unconditionally. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "futura medium" , sans-serif;">She was a loving wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, Great Aunt, and avid lover of animals. She could find the beauty in all of God’s creations. She was loved by so many. “<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
Rachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11536859379111285611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2827407092630044143.post-69940991740314345962020-04-29T17:26:00.001-07:002020-04-29T17:26:48.800-07:00What is it About Grief that makes us Search for Control?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6u7VUekiy10/XqoYj06xD6I/AAAAAAAAFxw/j_3CcBZR7947fgdAj_LjzdVn3vuQdhR-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/grief.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6u7VUekiy10/XqoYj06xD6I/AAAAAAAAFxw/j_3CcBZR7947fgdAj_LjzdVn3vuQdhR-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/grief.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Courtesy Getty Images/ TIME</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Futura Medium", sans-serif;">During a recent conversation with a podcast guest they brought up this interesting point about how experiencing grief makes you want to have a sense of control in your life. They continued by adding how this may have to do with the idea of questioning our own mortality. This of course got me thinking about my own experience with grief and wanting to take control of my life after loss and how that applied to my own journey with grief.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Futura Medium", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Futura Medium", sans-serif;"></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Futura Medium", sans-serif;">I think for me, it really goes back to when I lost my Mom. I’ve talked about this before but I think the biggest difference between when I lost my Dad compared to when I lost my Mom is that there was such a sense of closure when my Dad passed. I got to see him one last time, hug him, laugh with him and most importantly tell him I loved him and say good-bye. But when my Mom passed it was the furthest thing from closure. I got a phone call and that was it. To be honest, I’m still not quite sure how my Mom died. And I think when you’re given news like that it’s difficult not to want some sort of control over your life when it feels like everything is in chaos.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Futura Medium", sans-serif;">Having control could exist in many forms: control over what you eat and don’t eat, having things set up in your home or apartment a certain way, or having a detailed schedule for the day. Now, I’m not saying all of these things are bad. I whole-heartedly believe that having structure and order in your life can really help with your anxiety and depression (this has especially helped me). But when does your sense of control become too much?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Futura Medium", sans-serif;">I can only speak to my own experience when it comes to having control issues. For me, it manifested in the form of OCD where I had to accomplish things in a certain order or it would make it very difficult to move on with my day. And the thing is, that deep down I knew that my OCD tendencies weren’t creating order in my life, in fact they were making me even less productive, but it is taking time to retrain my brain into understanding this. And as far as diet and exercise go I would say control over these aspects of my while advantageous to my overall health and well-being, there were certainly some subtle underlying issues with food control as well. I would have a fear of eating certain foods or would feel the need to workout solely because I had a few slices of pizza the night before not because I actually wanted to workout that day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Futura Medium", sans-serif;">So I guess what I’m getting at here is, ask yourself, “Are the things I’m working to control in my life benefiting me or hindering me, and becoming over-bearing?” And from there, take steps to walk away from your controlling habits that aren’t benefitting you. In my meditation there’s a great intention statement offered by the person leading the meditation which states, “Today I will accept the things I cannot control,” and I try my best to live by that everyday.</span><span style="font-family: "Futura Medium", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Now don’t get me wrong, some days this is easier than others but it’s a goal I strive for when I start each day. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Futura Medium", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Futura Medium", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In closing, there’s this great episode of this podcast I listen to, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tiny-leaps-big-changes/id1071032154?i=1000466390740" target="_blank">‘Tiny Leaps, Big Changes’</a> where the host makes the great point around the idea that, you may not be able to control your dog or your kids waking you up in the morning earlier than you’d hope but what you can control is your reaction to that event. And I feel like that relates to every scenario life throws at you. It’s okay to feel whatever emotion you are feeling in that moment but then take time to step back and evaluate the situation so that you can react accordingly. I hope you’ve found this helpful and thank you for reading and as always, thanks for getting your ‘dose of reality.’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<br /> Rachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11536859379111285611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2827407092630044143.post-74364297473853864812020-04-23T09:20:00.001-07:002020-04-23T09:20:58.927-07:00The Fight to Reconnect: Life During the Pandemic<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NcEOVz6BL7Q/XqDAW-V28nI/AAAAAAAAFsA/lKRZWMW_uPoby-6T0135VlM04orNJAz6wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Staying%2BConnected%2Bduring%2BQuarantine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="745" height="262" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NcEOVz6BL7Q/XqDAW-V28nI/AAAAAAAAFsA/lKRZWMW_uPoby-6T0135VlM04orNJAz6wCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Staying%2BConnected%2Bduring%2BQuarantine.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Photo Courtesy The Cleveland Clinic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "futura medium" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "futura medium" , sans-serif;">It seems that nowadays we have more of a desire than ever to connect with our friends and loved ones. In a world where we previously took for granted that we’d be meeting up with our families for Holiday dinners we are now grasping at any chance to see our family (even if that means driving to a fast food restaurant 45 minutes away to meet your Mother-in-Law and sitting in the parking lot in separate cars with the windows down while you eat your family meal together). It's clear that today's society has certainly left behind the idea of family dinners and a once a year family vacation. No longer are we in the days of the days of Walt and June Cleaver, where there are soda shops and the milk man drops off your inventory at the door. We’re a society that is more disconnected than ever and maybe one of the few bright sides of our current circumstances is that we can start to rebuild those connections with those we care about.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "futura medium" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GMirdNCmtzM/XqDkgKaGOOI/AAAAAAAAFsQ/5cTE0cjtW5AY5BYgamhV4-dhVEyCvNXZQCEwYBhgL/s1600/hello-can-you-hear-me-com-17919534.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="311" data-original-width="500" height="199" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GMirdNCmtzM/XqDkgKaGOOI/AAAAAAAAFsQ/5cTE0cjtW5AY5BYgamhV4-dhVEyCvNXZQCEwYBhgL/s320/hello-can-you-hear-me-com-17919534.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "futura medium" , sans-serif;">So how did we become so distant from one another? One theory is that social media created this false idea of connection with an online community, therefore, creating this false narrative and false reality that we have made real connections. Now, to be clear, I believe that there is something to said for having a sense of community and a sense of belonging to a group of like-minded people or that have gone through a similar experience as you have. What I’m getting at is more of the idea that the number of ‘followers’ you have or how many ‘likes’ a piece of content you post gets leads us to believe that we’ve made these sincere connections; However, I think it is the exact opposite. When you close your app or computer at the end of the day, ask yourself, out of the number of ‘friends’ you have on a social media platform, “how many of them would you actually be able to pick up the phone and call if you really needed something?” And that, I think is where we started to lose not only way but our path to building meaningful connections.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "futura medium" , sans-serif;">So why is this desire to reconnect so strong right now? Is this something that was already innately in us? Is it because our ability to connect has been taken away from us causing us to now want to pursue something we previously took for granted? What is it about community and connection that bring us so much comfort and joy? Is it knowing that we have someone out there who will have our back? Does connecting with someone else actually set off the same receptors in our brain as a delicious slice of pizza, causing a spike in dopamine?? Why is connection so powerful dammit?! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "futura medium" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "futura medium" , sans-serif;">If you ask me, at the end of day, I think we all want to belong. To feel we have a place and purpose here on this big giant sphere that rotates around the sun. And to know that our existence, that being brought into this world wasn’t futile. So during these strange times, make that phone call to a friend, have that Zoom Happy Hour, let those who you care about know it; and, when this quarantine is finally over let’s all make more of an effort to connect with one another now that we know how easily that opportunity can be taken away from us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Rachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11536859379111285611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2827407092630044143.post-2760767334126746232020-04-10T09:50:00.000-07:002020-04-10T09:50:33.126-07:00How to Pass the Time During a Pandemic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HS9scCiagdQ/XpCje4tguuI/AAAAAAAAFqo/GfYwu8Gt0qQ4ddnWHKFWViM2aM3G62jSwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/the_breakfast_club.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="928" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HS9scCiagdQ/XpCje4tguuI/AAAAAAAAFqo/GfYwu8Gt0qQ4ddnWHKFWViM2aM3G62jSwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/the_breakfast_club.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
With the newly-found amount of free available to us during this quarantine, I have no doubt many of you may be asking, “What the heck do I do now that every minute of my day isn’t packed??!” Well, don’t worry; I’ve got you covered! In this post I wanted to offer a few suggestions (all free or relatively cheap).<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<h3>
<br />1. Find a New Hobby</h3>
<div>
<br />
Have you been wanting to learn a new language? An instrument? Now’s the time! With so may resources available to us our ability to learn is limitless! Personally, I’ve been learning French via the <a href="https://radiolingua.com/coffeebreakfrench/">Coffee Break French </a>podcast. That way whenever we can all travel again, I’m able to say more than ‘Bonjour’ and ‘Bonswa’ the next time I’m in Paris. <br />
<br />
<br />
There have also been a ton of bakeries as of late conducting online baking classes as well. So, if you don’t mind a longer than usual wait at the grocery store pick up some supplies and make that loaf of sourdough you’ve always wanted to try but never had the time.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
<br />2. Read</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
During this quarantine one of my favorite things to do particularly on the days it has been a little rainy and chilly outside is to grab a good book! I will admit, finding the desire to read for fun took some time after four very long years in the Writing program at Pitt. But now that some time has passed, I’ve once again found the joy of sitting down to a well told story or reading a biography or personal development book where I can take away some skills and apply them to my own life. I have a previous post with some book suggestions but will throw one in now that I’m currently reading called <i><a href="https://jamesclear.com/books" target="_blank">Atomic Habits </a></i>by James Clear. Without going into too much detail this book has really helped me create structure and develop some extremely helpful habits, not just during this Pandemic but for life.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
<br />3. Game Night</h3>
<br />
That’s right guys I’m bringing back a classic…the timeless game night! Whether it’s with your entire family or just you and your partner break out the pile of board games that have been collecting dust on the shelf and pass the time interacting (maybe not so civilly depending on how competitive you are) with your family. There are also tons of online options where you can play games with your friends and family who are different household and you can’t visit with due to the quarantine. And there’s always the option of FaceTiming with friends and family while playing the same game as well!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
In closing, all we’re really being asked to do is sit at home, drink wine and possibly get some work done in between video games and binge-watching Netflix series. The real heroes are the first responders, health care workers, truck drivers delivering goods and grocery store workers that are on the front line dealing with this deadly virus. So let’s do our best to stay positive and be productive with our downtime. Not every day will be easy but hopefully this time will help us to reconnect with our family and loved ones and make us a little more grateful the next time we finally do all get to out to socialize again.</div>
Rachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11536859379111285611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2827407092630044143.post-87709094540986106452020-04-09T18:19:00.000-07:002020-04-09T18:19:32.078-07:00How to Navigate Working from Home with Your Partner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5GZnuh2Xpj8/Xo_IjbFGTqI/AAAAAAAAFqc/qnEyR0xKfDs0G1J9zyK4vusUIZ5DIOubACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/remote-couples.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5GZnuh2Xpj8/Xo_IjbFGTqI/AAAAAAAAFqc/qnEyR0xKfDs0G1J9zyK4vusUIZ5DIOubACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/remote-couples.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />With the Coronavirus having the majority of us working from home not only does this pose the challenge of learning to be productive and accomplish getting your work done in a whole new environment but also adapting to the idea of sharing what was previously just a living space now turned into a work space with your partner. How do we navigate this? Below I have a few suggestions on how to deal with this situation and keep you from wanting to kill the other person!<br /><br /> <a name='more'></a><br /><h3>
<br />1. Give the Other Person Space</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
So, this first suggestion may be a little difficult to manage if you happen to share a tiny one-bedroom apartment with your significant other but if you can do your best to set up separate workspaces. If you can, maybe one of you takes over the home office and the other works in the kitchen or outside on their laptop. Or if it’s a smaller living space maybe one of works from the breakfast bar or your kitchen table and the other works from coffee table or small desk you have in your living room. Or even something as simple as each of you setting up at different ends of the same desk or table but wearing headphones so that each of you are totally focused on your work task for the day. <br /><br /> <br /><br /><h3>
2. Set Boundaries</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
Now that you and your partner are both working in the same space it’s critical that you set clear guidelines from when you are on the clock until you done with work for the day and make this known to your partner. Let them know that you are booked until 8pm. Sync your calendars so that they know when you have a conference call so maybe they can leave and go for a walk or a grocery run during that time as to not interfere. But this doesn’t have to be all work related. Schedule a drinks date for after work or a specific time to watch that movie you’ve been waiting to see. Just as your work schedule is made clear be sure to schedule non-work events as well.<br /><br /><h3>
<br />3. Find New Topics to Talk About</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
After spending the whole day together at home one unexpected issue that could occur is running out of things to talk about. Previously, you both would be away from one another for 8 or more hours and having plenty of office gossip and things to catch up from the day but now you both pretty much know what has happened in the day. So what now?<br /><br /> <br />Start dreaming about future: Are their trips you’d like to take once things calm down? Plan out the details, where, when, how much you need to save, etc.…make it happen! Are there new hobbies you both want to try, wine tasting, a fitness class…? cooking classes?? Or do you want to HGtv up you place? Got some home improvement projects you want to do? Talk it out and then get out those paint overalls and get to work!!Rachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11536859379111285611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2827407092630044143.post-50747271511536544552020-03-30T17:47:00.000-07:002020-04-14T09:34:37.592-07:00Tips for Finding Some Structure During a Pandemic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PcZ4Y2hMFYo/XoKQDZTyoKI/AAAAAAAAFpk/Hy1ri3-_aYg31qqPIqf3N4xDKCmRTC93ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/to-do%2Blist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PcZ4Y2hMFYo/XoKQDZTyoKI/AAAAAAAAFpk/Hy1ri3-_aYg31qqPIqf3N4xDKCmRTC93ACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/to-do%2Blist.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
So it’s clear by now that we are living in unprecedented times; So how do we cope with our new ‘normal’? We’re working from home, spending WAY more time around our partners than we ever could have anticipated and are having limited social interactions. So how does all of this affect our mental health? This is certainly something I’ve been thinking about over the past week or so as we been social distancing and as a society trying to figure out how to move forward in these strange times.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b><b>Research </b>shows that we are a social society-that we thrive in a community setting so what do we do when that is taken away from us? Okay, I feel like I’ve stalled enough. The truth is, I don’t have an answer but am writing this more as a thought piece; as a suggestion of how we can not only survive but thrive while in uncertainty.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>So</b>, what’s the first step? Don’t stop interacting with people! Just because we can’t see people physically doesn’t mean we have to cut off all lines of communication. Set up virtual happy hours with your friends, call or FaceTime your family. Now, more than ever it’s imperative that we don’t lose that connection especially during this period of isolation which can most certainly lead to depression.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Secondly</b>, do your best to stay as close to your normal routine as possible. Now I know this one may be particularly difficult with new situations like working from home, longer than usual lines at the grocery store and gyms and studios around the Nation being closed but I’ve found that for me, having structure in my day allows me to focus, get more done and helps calm my anxiety during these uncertain times. So the first I have for this is have a solid Morning routine. I’ve talked about this in a previous blog post but feel that it bears repeating. What I suggest is start your day the way you normally would if you were going into the office. Get ready for the day (no working your pj’s! Okay, maybe on Friday’s). If you have a podcast that you listen to on your commute to work throw it on while you have your cup of coffee or tea in the Morning.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Related</b> to working from home set up an area in your home or apartment that is conducive to you actually getting work done! I got this great tip from the podcast <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tiny-leaps-big-changes/id1071032154?i=1000470351390" target="_blank">Tiny Leaps, Big Changes</a> hosted by Gregg Clunis. So for example if you have limited space, set up your home office at your breakfast bar or dining table. Do your best to not work from your sofa or favorite lounge chair. Try to keep a degree of separation between your home work-station and the parts of your living space that are set up for lounging.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>The</b> last two points I wanted to touch on are closely related so I’ll group them together. With gyms and studios being closed it certainly poses a challenge to keeping up with our normal workout routines. So I wanted to offer some suggestions to do your best to stay on track at until they re-open. A great resource that I love is <a href="https://www.instagram.com/achievefitnessboston/?hl=en" target="_blank">@achievefitnessboston</a>. They have great content that requires no equipment and suitable for all fitness skill levels. Also, if the weather is nice get out outside and go for runs or walks while of course maintaining proper social distancing.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Now</b> as far as diet and nutrition I’m not going to preach staying on track during these strange times (I mean, my diet the past 2 weeks has consisted of chicken nuggets, Doritos and cookies…yeah, not great) but do your best to eat as close to how you were before the pandemic. For instance, try to find frozen meat and veggies if fresh aren’t available. If you can’t find eggs, make oats and add peanut butter for protein. In closing, it’s truly the little things that add a sense of normalcy when everything seems so off kilter. During these times it’s more important than ever to focus on our mental health and do our best to understand that we are living in a new normal and that that means we have to adapt but that it’s okay when things don’t go as planned.Rachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11536859379111285611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2827407092630044143.post-20167007917152789232020-03-23T16:32:00.000-07:002020-03-23T16:32:12.657-07:00What to Watch During the Quarantine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-myBx052Z-qs/XnlGhibKL6I/AAAAAAAAFo0/ceU-yv7SNNUVN4PAhd065vVE45lSTNITwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/amazon_netflix_hulu-100827339-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-myBx052Z-qs/XnlGhibKL6I/AAAAAAAAFo0/ceU-yv7SNNUVN4PAhd065vVE45lSTNITwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/amazon_netflix_hulu-100827339-large.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
As we find ourselves in unprecedented times and stuck inside our houses for an extended period of time I wanted to offer a list of things I've been watching in hopes that it will get you through this very strange time and hopefully keep you from killing your significant other. Enjoy and stay safe and healthy guys!<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<b>Love is Blind</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9kxk5E0nKW4/XneSJePsTPI/AAAAAAAAFno/PKZjLRcyu1ML0jA_p6LCNmwHKdrezCzcQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/MV5BZGI2MTFiYjUtMjFhMS00ODY5LWJlNGEtZWIyNzNmNWU1NjU2XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTMxODk2OTU%2540._V1_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1081" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9kxk5E0nKW4/XneSJePsTPI/AAAAAAAAFno/PKZjLRcyu1ML0jA_p6LCNmwHKdrezCzcQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/MV5BZGI2MTFiYjUtMjFhMS00ODY5LWJlNGEtZWIyNzNmNWU1NjU2XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTMxODk2OTU%2540._V1_.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
It's likely you all have heard of the Netflix reality show sweeping the Nation where people go on a journey to find love with someone they've never seen before. So of course I though, "What is this this nonsense?!" But after further review (several hours of wine and binge watching) I came to a much different conclusion, "This shit is riveting!"<br />
<br />
Without giving away spoilers I truly enjoyed the narrative of each of the couples on the show. The show is engaging and such a different concept than anything we've seen in the reality space in a long time. What I also enjoyed about the show is that it kind of makes you pose those bigger questions in your own relationship such as, "What are you really looking for in a partner?", "What are your deal breakers?" and "What sort of future you envision with your partner?" I know, pretty heavy for a reality show right??!<br />
<br />
So if you're looking for something to end your long days working from home with a glass of wine and just not think about the world ending or to binge watch on the weekend since well, you can't really leave your home or apartment I highly recommend!<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Ugly Delicious</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-58QK76VIjeE/XneUisXkPQI/AAAAAAAAFn0/84hdH9g-URUWG00u0RBmQERqYWNnqtepQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/80170368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-58QK76VIjeE/XneUisXkPQI/AAAAAAAAFn0/84hdH9g-URUWG00u0RBmQERqYWNnqtepQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/80170368.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
Whether you're a self proclaimed 'foodie' or not this series from Chef David Chang tells compelling stories about how food plays a much bigger role in our lives socially, culturally and shapes the people we are much more than we ever could have imagined. While I found the first Season a bit more engaging there is an episode from the recently released second season about Indian cuisine that really opened my eyes to what we consider 'real' Indian food here in the States and how we need to change our perspectives on what Indian cuisine really looks like.<br />
<br />
What I love is that Chang as he stated previously on his podcast, 'uses food a a conduit to have bigger conversations'. In regards to that I also recommend his 'Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner' series also on Netflix. Particularly the ones with Seth Rogen and Lena Waithe. I also don't recommend watching while hungry, unless food delivery apps are still delivering in your area!<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Brexit</b><br />
<div class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JwldhfQIG98/Xnf1YEwUviI/AAAAAAAAFoA/fxYN-Od53eAo5_LNbmLegE4TtvT3MbbWACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/p16340894_p_v8_ai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JwldhfQIG98/Xnf1YEwUviI/AAAAAAAAFoA/fxYN-Od53eAo5_LNbmLegE4TtvT3MbbWACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/p16340894_p_v8_ai.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<br />
I watched this HBO movie a while back when I had a cold and found it pretty interesting. Obviously, this should have been a wake up call and foreshadowing to what was to happen in our Political sphere. In the film Benedict Cumberbatch plays Political strategist Dominic Cummings who leads a campaign attempting to convince British voters to to leave the European Union. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
What I found fascinating was this idea of how easy can be to sway someone political when they are unhappy with the current state of affairs. Cumberbatch delivers a great performance and while the movie covers an event that will forever live in Political infamy it doesn’t get too bogged in the politics of it all but focuses rather on the emotional decision to leave the Europeans Union.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>The Bodyguard</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JU70FSbQhkc/Xnf4937skWI/AAAAAAAAFoY/-DjQu9oD9BQacpxrUi1jxK9e1g233JuzgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/80235864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JU70FSbQhkc/Xnf4937skWI/AAAAAAAAFoY/-DjQu9oD9BQacpxrUi1jxK9e1g233JuzgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/80235864.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
I also ended up binge-watching this series last year when I was sick. It action packed, a great story and extremely well acted. And I believe the lead actor on the show won a Gold Globe for his performance. And no, before you ask it's not an adaptation of the 90's film starring Kevin Cosner and Whitney Houston (although I do love that movie...I will always love that movie). The series follows a former British military member who is hired to protect a member of Parliament who's in danger and trust me, the plot just gets wild from there!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Pete Davidson- 'Alive from New York'</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MnEqHEbcMv4/Xnf8xesHTOI/AAAAAAAAFok/PMiQT-Fy4EY2GspEn59VTtt5r9tlVQuhACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/imrs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1440" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MnEqHEbcMv4/Xnf8xesHTOI/AAAAAAAAFok/PMiQT-Fy4EY2GspEn59VTtt5r9tlVQuhACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/imrs.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo courtesy Marcus Price/Netflix</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
I picked this out one evening on a whim and could not have been happier. The SNL member delivers a unique brand of comedy that is so awkward it's like-able. And I don't mean that it a rude way. Like it's truly endearing and feels real, which seems to be lacking in a lot of comedy these days. Davidson covers everything from hilariously awkward SNL moments, to his break up with Pop star Ariana Grande to losing his father in 9/11. Also, so random but for my peeps from Northeast PA there's a hilarious Poconos reference at the end of the show!<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Yesterday</b><br />
<div>
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nZtTjHn7yOw/Xnf2rQAOg3I/AAAAAAAAFoM/iLUPUJJE_zspDmuUL9CRZQ4mVgASQJTygCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/MV5BMTc2NTI3ODUwMF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwNzkzMTE0NzM%2540._V1_SY1000_CR0%252C0%252C631%252C1000_AL_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="631" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nZtTjHn7yOw/Xnf2rQAOg3I/AAAAAAAAFoM/iLUPUJJE_zspDmuUL9CRZQ4mVgASQJTygCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/MV5BMTc2NTI3ODUwMF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwNzkzMTE0NzM%2540._V1_SY1000_CR0%252C0%252C631%252C1000_AL_.jpg" width="251" /></a></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
I mean, if you're looking to have some faith in humanity again with everything going on right now look no further then Yesterday! This feel good film from Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle will certainly put a smile on your face. The film follows a struggling musician who, after a bike accident wakes up in a world where no one knows who the Beatles are. I know, hard to believe!! But the premise is solid despite sounding a bit far fetched. You'll sing along and root for this guy the whole time!<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Rachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11536859379111285611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2827407092630044143.post-82400426983501899972019-12-23T10:41:00.000-08:002019-12-23T10:44:55.094-08:00RBR Book Recommendations <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O-IR2QvU63s/Xe8L_T2ZceI/AAAAAAAAFkk/vM_vgF3yE6gj0ClBEEa82EKHzR0VcWgIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_4637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O-IR2QvU63s/Xe8L_T2ZceI/AAAAAAAAFkk/vM_vgF3yE6gj0ClBEEa82EKHzR0VcWgIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4637.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
I wanted to hop on the blog real quick here to write a complimentary piece to one my recent podcast episodes where I give some book recommendations. I know for myself, it's nice sometimes to have a visual component to go along with the content I cover on the podcast. So here we go!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
First up,<i> Grit</i> by <b>Angela Duckworth</b>. I've been struggling a lot with where I am in my career and self doubt has really crept in as of late and this book has truly been a great resource and instrumental in helping me rebuild my self confidence. It may sound cheesy but in a lot of ways this book has taught me not to doubt myself, continue to dream big and realize that a skill that I wasn't innately born with could be learned and I could hone that and become skilled at it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-42Le1iG1pLI/Xe8L_V_t1XI/AAAAAAAAFko/zKiu9jqScHs5FN9MrgbLd4DfL6Q_0X3BgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_4770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-42Le1iG1pLI/Xe8L_V_t1XI/AAAAAAAAFko/zKiu9jqScHs5FN9MrgbLd4DfL6Q_0X3BgCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_4770.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Next, <i>Lost Connections</i> by <b>Johann Hari</b>. I recently came across Johann while on youtube and watched his Ted Talk where he dives into and so eloquently talks about how external stressors can effect our mental and emotional happiness ( I've included Johann's Ted Talk below). I truly believe this and find Johann's message about how we have lost that human connection with one another so powerful. I highly recommend this book if you are struggling with anxiety and depression or just want a better understanding of what truly makes<br />
you happy.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tUtOF4saIFY/Xe8OwEiXdQI/AAAAAAAAFk0/dxw2ajG6iGUAX-eN0gFTfoC0pcfLbyqswCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tUtOF4saIFY/Xe8OwEiXdQI/AAAAAAAAFk0/dxw2ajG6iGUAX-eN0gFTfoC0pcfLbyqswCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_3216.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Lastly, but certainly not least is a book that really helped me through some of my darkest days while dealing with the grief of losing my Mom, <i>Option B</i> by <b>Sheryl Sandberg</b> and <b>Adam Grant</b>. This book changed my whole perspective on my own grieving process, let me know that it was okay to feel whatever it was I was feeling and really helped me truly begin to understand my grief and heal knowing that I was not alone. If you are struggling with the loss of someone in your life, when you're ready please read this book. I hope it brings you as much healing as it has for me. Below I shared a passage from the book that really resonated with me.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2WMxWMjpNq8/Xe8OwFHugQI/AAAAAAAAFkw/hmCiXlm3R5EdgcVc5Ju3Go7FQqKi4ONbACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2WMxWMjpNq8/Xe8OwFHugQI/AAAAAAAAFkw/hmCiXlm3R5EdgcVc5Ju3Go7FQqKi4ONbACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_3217.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MB5IX-np5fE" width="520"></iframe>Rachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11536859379111285611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2827407092630044143.post-73418849530469040582019-08-21T10:41:00.000-07:002019-08-21T10:47:59.995-07:00RBR Trailer Roundup August 21st<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-084Mb4zByCA/XV2DdJgLSrI/AAAAAAAAFgw/vOKWZIBLTCEpDv8607Zig0VvB8ymSP2bACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_2965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-084Mb4zByCA/XV2DdJgLSrI/AAAAAAAAFgw/vOKWZIBLTCEpDv8607Zig0VvB8ymSP2bACEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_2965.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Guys, first off thank you so so much for your kind words and responses to my most recent posts where I opened up about my anxiety. It means so much and continues to prove that we're not alone in our struggles, so again, thank you. Now, I'm excited to continue to share things I'm passionate about, whether it be film, television, art, food or books. So I return you to your regularly scheduled 'Reality by Rach' programming with a roundup of some upcoming movies and shows I'm looking forward to. Hope you enjoy! And, as always, thanks for getting your 'dose of reality'.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WoQgTm-orII/XV135poD2QI/AAAAAAAAFf4/bIruiuUJHJYw4UWOChq4sr4R3to5KqWmgCLcBGAs/s1600/2bc3480355093a322b0344f0dda104cd-2400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WoQgTm-orII/XV135poD2QI/AAAAAAAAFf4/bIruiuUJHJYw4UWOChq4sr4R3to5KqWmgCLcBGAs/s320/2bc3480355093a322b0344f0dda104cd-2400.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
First up,<b> 'Brittany Runs A Marathon'</b>. Starring Jillian Bell (<i>Workaholics</i>), Brittany Runs a Marathon follows a woman on a journey to try to change her life. Besides the film looking hilarious and Bell seemingly delivering a stand out performance I have a feeling this film has some hidden gems and that there's more to this film than what initially appears as typically indie comedy.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ks_HSj1UqKI" width="520"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bJo0kjrAVR8/XV17HxbvqzI/AAAAAAAAFgE/e5ofFNzBoVkNtvum_Y4GWXr2cbEejff9gCLcBGAs/s1600/Marriage_Story_Vertical_2up_EN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1186" data-original-width="1600" height="296" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bJo0kjrAVR8/XV17HxbvqzI/AAAAAAAAFgE/e5ofFNzBoVkNtvum_Y4GWXr2cbEejff9gCLcBGAs/s400/Marriage_Story_Vertical_2up_EN.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Next up, a couple of Netflix projects I'm looking forward to. <b>'Marriage Story' </b>starring Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver. The teaser shows a couple in a 'seemingly' happy relationship dealing with some pretty heavy issues. I'm most looking forward to a real look at marriage and relationships in general. Relationships take work and it's nice to see a non rom-com version of one (although I love a good rom-com!).<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VfBSbgaqPr8" width="520"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Eh0_z5G1Aw/XV19-RNs2QI/AAAAAAAAFgQ/SD1M99evtEET7BMgW_Z0hrHVODc5DTb5QCLcBGAs/s1600/american-factory-poster-410x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="410" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Eh0_z5G1Aw/XV19-RNs2QI/AAAAAAAAFgQ/SD1M99evtEET7BMgW_Z0hrHVODc5DTb5QCLcBGAs/s400/american-factory-poster-410x600.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Also from Netflix, a documentary I'm looking forward to called, <b>'American Factory'</b>. The doc takes a very real look at life in middle America and the struggle that many are going through, yet has been overlooked. Wanting to have a greater understanding of this part of America has peaked my interest in this doc and I hope to learn from this depiction of our country.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/m36QeKOJ2Fc" width="520"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AVUKiQpKF4g/XV2BBlcgHWI/AAAAAAAAFgc/kVjz-k2V0N8GtNT8tel99Xb9Zqwo6663gCLcBGAs/s1600/first-look-jennifer-aniston-reese-witherspoon-drama-morning-show-apple-tv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AVUKiQpKF4g/XV2BBlcgHWI/AAAAAAAAFgc/kVjz-k2V0N8GtNT8tel99Xb9Zqwo6663gCLcBGAs/s400/first-look-jennifer-aniston-reese-witherspoon-drama-morning-show-apple-tv.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Lastly, we have an entry from Apple's endeavor into the streaming game with, <b>'The Morning Show'</b>. With an all-star cast, including, Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Billy Crudup and Mark Duplass The Morning Show follows a shake-up at popular morning show. Aniston and Witherspoon deliver strong, powerful and impactful performances. What I'm delighted to see in this upcoming series is the potential it has to bring to light the gross inequity that exist in Hollywood.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eA7D4_qU9jo" width="520"></iframe>Rachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11536859379111285611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2827407092630044143.post-27816351173097116382019-07-07T14:34:00.000-07:002019-07-09T10:31:20.205-07:00How Going To Therapy Changed my Life: A Series on Tackling Anxiety<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VBfrV269-4o/XRe24OZn4nI/AAAAAAAAFaw/NfYVMiAkbNwuCUA_aoTJ_gGojRxaWPiHACLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF0234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VBfrV269-4o/XRe24OZn4nI/AAAAAAAAFaw/NfYVMiAkbNwuCUA_aoTJ_gGojRxaWPiHACLcBGAs/s320/DSCF0234.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
In my final post in my series on tackling anxiety I wanted to open up about my experience with therapy. So let me back up a little here. After losing both my parents within a few years of one another I didn't realize all the feelings I was harboring and that were bubbling beneath the surface not being dealt with. And to be honest it took me a long time to even come around to the idea of therapy. Honestly, the stigma around it made me feel like going meant that something was 'wrong' with me. But now, thankfully, I know that's not the case and want to encourage those who are on the fence about going to therapy to do so.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dpsBRMwE-30/XSJgN5BPv4I/AAAAAAAAFbA/jvMZpRkdQzEem_Dlm3c0r1qMMh5D_pGsACLcBGAs/s1600/pt163_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="384" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dpsBRMwE-30/XSJgN5BPv4I/AAAAAAAAFbA/jvMZpRkdQzEem_Dlm3c0r1qMMh5D_pGsACLcBGAs/s320/pt163_cover.jpg" width="243" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
For me, as strange as this may sound I was actually motivated to go to therapy after listening to an episode of the popular podcast, 'My Favorite Murder'. On the episode, the hosts talked about their experience with therapy and suggested heading over to the<a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists" target="_blank"> 'Psychology Today'</a> website where you can type in your zip code and find a therapist in your area if you're looking for one.<br />
<br />
<br />
So I took them up on the suggestion and found someone in my area who I felt would be a good fit to help me deal with a lot of the issues I was dealing with. I remember in my first session being so nervous and questioning if I'd even be able to open up to a complete stranger. But that's what they're there for. They're trained to ask the right questions and are so skilled at helping you navigate a path to feeling better.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vSIZKjqye3s/XRe2bCRNsyI/AAAAAAAAFag/9MJLhzkShm8Gmx4O5Y67T8g9AQ5Sh4bagCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vSIZKjqye3s/XRe2bCRNsyI/AAAAAAAAFag/9MJLhzkShm8Gmx4O5Y67T8g9AQ5Sh4bagCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2417.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
So during my first session I cried probably 5 minutes in! And then immediately cracked a joke saying something like, "Oh man, that wasn't supposed to happen until at least the third session!" Clearly, a defense mechanism on my end. And it took a long time for those walls to come down. So if you are just diving into therapy be gentle with yourself and realize that it doesn't happen over night.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
So after almost 2 years of therapy I wanted to share some takeaways from my experience.<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Take time to find the right therapist for you:</b> The first one you find may not be the best the fit. Honestly, I take at least 15-20 minutes to pick out ripe avocados so this being a much more serious investment I took my time finding the right therapist for me.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li><b>Be willing to go there:</b> Real talk, you're not going to accomplish anything if you don't dig deep and tackle difficult topics. </li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li><b>Implementation: </b>Remember your days in school where you would put off doing your homework or studying for a test?? Yeah, don't do that with the tips your therapist gives you to put into place. It's for your benefit and it may be difficult at first but totally worth it and gets easier with time. </li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1aPs7ELqfnM/XSJkMAmeKBI/AAAAAAAAFbM/HrC1a5RNAY8vlw44bzmSCZHB4RRlPi4VQCLcBGAs/s1600/istockphoto-528917900-612x612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="612" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1aPs7ELqfnM/XSJkMAmeKBI/AAAAAAAAFbM/HrC1a5RNAY8vlw44bzmSCZHB4RRlPi4VQCLcBGAs/s400/istockphoto-528917900-612x612.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'll leave you with this, bringing it full circle and back to the ladies of the <b>'My Favorite Murder' </b>podcast, one piece of advice that I really took with me and found value in is, <b>"Anxiety is a fucking liar"</b>. It's sort of become my motto. And every session, in fact, everyday, I work hard to remind myself of that and use therapy as a tool to work on overcoming my anxiety. I hope you find some value in these tips and find this helpful if you're looking to find a therapist that's a good fit for you. As always, thanks for getting your dose of reality!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Rachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11536859379111285611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2827407092630044143.post-83882158616115388402019-06-25T12:44:00.001-07:002019-06-26T13:03:49.097-07:00Having A Solid Morning Routine: A Series on Tackling Anxiety<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sVOuFgt5NZ0/XQpnB2_HswI/AAAAAAAAFVU/21Jtc6td3NQpJEDhSidKwCMiLHYvyzztgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9372.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sVOuFgt5NZ0/XQpnB2_HswI/AAAAAAAAFVU/21Jtc6td3NQpJEDhSidKwCMiLHYvyzztgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_9372.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Mornings can be tough to get a handle on especially if you're not a morning person, like myself! But one realization I've made over the past few years is how vital a morning routine is to helping with my anxiety as it sets the tone for the rest of my day!<br />
<br />
So I wanted to take some time out and share a few things that I do to get the day started off on the right foot and hope you find some of this helpful!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
For me, I like to ease into the day. I know not everyone has this luxury so if you can give yourself just an extra 10 or 15 minutes or more realistically even 5 or 6 in your busy morning it can make a huge difference!<br />
<br />
So I'll start by making sure to drink some water and while the dog eats his breakfast I meditate. Meditation is something I've been a little off and on with over time but am working on being more consistent with. I like using an app since I usually can't focus on my own. I've previously used Headspace and am currently using one called Shine. I do this for anywhere from 6 - 10 minutes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SjZ_2X-dID8/XQplmNzuOWI/AAAAAAAAFVM/lkTcUnXLMg4Let41h-KoSDEvEUe2VUxsgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_8493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SjZ_2X-dID8/XQplmNzuOWI/AAAAAAAAFVM/lkTcUnXLMg4Let41h-KoSDEvEUe2VUxsgCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_8493.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
I also, tend to journal from time to time in the mornings. I write down goals for the day and sometimes will think big picture and write down some goals for the year. Getting my thoughts out on paper helps to calm my mind and focus more on the task I need to complete for my day and be more present.<br />
<br />
While these couple of things may seem small they've made a huge difference in my life and allow me to be able to focus and tackle the day! It also helps me take a step back and assess a situation and respond calmly and thoughtfully, rather than reactionary. Although my husband may beg to differ! Hope you guys found this useful, and as always, thanks for getting your 'dose of reality'.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Rachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11536859379111285611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2827407092630044143.post-35079275237085107892019-06-19T09:31:00.000-07:002019-07-09T10:31:38.014-07:00Using Fitness to Help Control Anxiety: A Series on Tackling Anxiety<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EOYWaa4FKj4/XQpWiWvWXWI/AAAAAAAAFVA/EfKniMAzITIzLR2sZWppaMIndPmUwt_kgCEwYBhgL/s1600/C416837A-09C6-4934-9332-52F76C61BB51.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EOYWaa4FKj4/XQpWiWvWXWI/AAAAAAAAFVA/EfKniMAzITIzLR2sZWppaMIndPmUwt_kgCEwYBhgL/s320/C416837A-09C6-4934-9332-52F76C61BB51.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
One of the things I've been working on over the past few years is finding ways to cope with my anxiety. Honestly, I've probably always been a little anxious, even as a kid. But that definitely got worse after dealing with some traumatic events in my life.<br />
<br />
After a year or two of just kind of sitting with this feeling or drowning it out by over boozing at social outings or burying myself in work I wanted to find a healthier way to cope.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C_VdS-bZp0M/XQpWiZAC7xI/AAAAAAAAFU8/Hte94xYy5uQk--B_wIx-zqHEidr34ErdwCEwYBhgL/s1600/D8520A64-3C2C-4A9C-B204-F0DFA3A5AB26.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="901" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C_VdS-bZp0M/XQpWiZAC7xI/AAAAAAAAFU8/Hte94xYy5uQk--B_wIx-zqHEidr34ErdwCEwYBhgL/s320/D8520A64-3C2C-4A9C-B204-F0DFA3A5AB26.JPG" width="180" /></a>So I began my fitness journey about 7 years now and haven't looked back! Over time my fitness routine has changed and evolved and I am excited to share a few things I do that will hopefully help you tackle any anxiety you may be feeling and just generally make you feel better!<br />
<br />
So when I first started working I dove right into the deep end doing an at home program from a company called 'Beach Body'. The 60 day program called 'Insanity' was probably one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life! I went in with an 'all or nothing' mentality and made the commitment to get the workouts done everyday even if that meant getting up early. Between the program and dietary changes (which I'll get into in another post) I ended up losing over 40lbs!<br />
<br />
Now I know this isn't for everyone! So now that I'm a little further along in this journey I just want to urge people to go at their own pace. There are a lot of factors that come into play when it comes to getting in a workout. There may be kids in the picture, health issues, work obligations etc.. While a lot of navigating these things has to do with mindset it's really about little things. Take a quick walk, google 10 minute workouts on YouTube whatever works for you!<br />
On days I don't feel like lifting hard at the gym I love just walking on a trail near my home with my husband and our dog. And <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/more-evidence-that-exercise-can-boost-mood" target="_blank">research </a>shows that taking time out to exercise helps boost mood and reduces risk of depression. Honestly, I have so many thoughts running through my head that exercise helps me focus my thoughts and be present and ultimately feel better and more relaxed at the end of the day.<br />
<br />
<br />Rachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11536859379111285611noreply@blogger.com166tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2827407092630044143.post-58200550615310084262019-06-03T18:20:00.001-07:002019-06-07T16:25:46.507-07:00How the Burden of Perfectionism Is Ruining Millennials <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aJWGpEfVi74/XPWu6jdnoMI/AAAAAAAAFTQ/DgZAFSubj_o-hpQUroXWzbxt0LjdHjtYACLcBGAs/s1600/giphy%2B%25281%2529.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="500" height="176" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aJWGpEfVi74/XPWu6jdnoMI/AAAAAAAAFTQ/DgZAFSubj_o-hpQUroXWzbxt0LjdHjtYACLcBGAs/s320/giphy%2B%25281%2529.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Something I've wanted to address on the blog for a while now are a lot of the myths and some of the truths surrounding Millennials. And while I'm more at the tail end of this demographic, being in my almost mid-thirties, I felt the need to speak up and shine a light on some of the things we're doing right but also call us out and talk about some of things we're doing very, very wrong.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qmovSpLc6mA/XPWyN42oGoI/AAAAAAAAFTc/GCKl8UiDZKwXQobNwg_I_PQueU0LB54_wCLcBGAs/s1600/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="500" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qmovSpLc6mA/XPWyN42oGoI/AAAAAAAAFTc/GCKl8UiDZKwXQobNwg_I_PQueU0LB54_wCLcBGAs/s320/giphy.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
So how about the good news first? Thanks to people like <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCctXZhXmG-kf3tlIXgVZUlw" target="_blank">Gary Vaynerchuk</a>, fondly known as Gary Vee, inspiring a younger generation to stop talking about their ideas and actually start executing them there's a new set of entrepreneurs, who are utilizing the digital space to monetize their content and make a pretty good living doing so.<br />
<br />
However, there's also a down side to sharing our lives on the digital space. There's seems to be this, "keeping up with the Jones'' mentality when it comes to posting on social. And content must be "curated", which tends to leave little room for raw emotion or what is actually going on in our lives.<br />
<br />
Another things Millennials seem to be doing, or trying to do, is live their life on their own "terms". One lesson I learned from my Mom was to love what you do. I watched practice Nursing ever since I could remember until she retired in her fifties after nearly 30 years in Geriatric nursing. I saw my Mom spend extra time with patients whose families never visited. She would even have me come in some days after school and sit with residents at her nursing home. It instilled in me the idea of being passionate about whatever it was I decided to do with my life. All this to say, what I also learned from my Mom's experience was that the work was back breaking, literally, she retired because of her bad bad. She worked doubles and took on any overtime she could to make sure we would more than just get by since my Dad only had a small pension from his time in the military my Mom was responsible for the majority of our household expenses. I saw al the sacrifices she made for our family and the older I got I knew I only wanted to sacrifice my time and energy on causes or projects that I truly cared about.<br />
<br />
However, this new found concept of living life on our own terms can be a little more complicated once you dig a little deeper beneath the surface. It seems that the idea of financial independence and setting our own schedules has become convoluted with the idea that we don't have to work hard to achieve those things. Nowadays, everyone wants to grow up to be "YouTubers', or everyone's least favorite word, 'influencer'. The problem with this is the lack of research on what it takes to actually achieve success in those mediums. When you pull back the curtain there's so much more that goes into these careers. From waking up early to plan out your content to thoughtfully deciding which brands you decide to partner with. Being your own boss has its perks but it also means that your success rises and falls on your shoulders. There's no 'blame game' here. If the ball gets dropped it's on you! What I'm getting at here is that Millennials have to grasp the idea of work ethic. And that yes, if you want the ginormous house and the fancy car, if that's really what you're working toward then you're 'really' going to have to work to get it!<br />
<br />
In closing, us Millennials aren't these lazy, uninspired, 'snowflakes' that the media portrays us as but, we do need to organize our ideas and thoughts and turn them into tangible actions. One great example of this in my opinion is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's win over veteran Democrat Joe Crowley to represents New York's 14th district. She was believed to be "too young" and "too naive" to take on the challenge. She had bold new ideas that resonated with a younger generation to move us forward but more importantly, she executed those ideas properly by putting in the work from the ground up! She knocked on doors, she showed up at every debate, she took time out to speak with members from all different communities and she wasn't bogged down about her message coming off off 'perfect' and 'curated', she wanted it to be raw and real and just get it out there! And that is why she succeeded. She didn't just have an idea, she brought it to fruition!<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_wGZc8ZjFY4" width="520"></iframe>
Rachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11536859379111285611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2827407092630044143.post-80838827784030465642019-05-23T07:37:00.000-07:002019-05-23T16:26:11.217-07:00The Triumphant?? Return of Reality by Rach-My Marathon Journey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lrOAoL4KSoo/XOatIkfhhjI/AAAAAAAAFRM/K8x09OBygLgBvObuCSzvJZsfm3QKVFtRwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9183%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lrOAoL4KSoo/XOatIkfhhjI/AAAAAAAAFRM/K8x09OBygLgBvObuCSzvJZsfm3QKVFtRwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_9183%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
"Let's go for a run" is a phrase you'd absolutely 100% never hear me say! I hated - no, what's stronger than hate - loathed running. So you can imagine the shock of those around me -and honestly, I think I even shocked myself-when I signed up for the Pittsburgh Half-Marathon. <br />
<br />
I played soccer growing up and while I enjoyed the short sprints up and down the field, running a long distance was something that never crossed my mind to do - and it is certainly not something that seemed enjoyable. So, when I met my now-husband in college and found out (once I was already too far into the relationship to turn back) that he ran 5K's and 10K's for fun, I found this information mind boggling. After cheering him on at a few races, he finally convinced me to run a 5k with him. I begrudgingly agreed and with minimal training set off one foot after the other to run my first race. Things were going great until after I crossed the finish line and ended up having an "athletic" induced asthma attack! I was 40 pounds overweight at the time and thankfully, after a few minutes, my lungs stopped turning on me and finally let some air in.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Long story short this was one of several wake up calls that I needed to take control of my health. I did one of those "Beachbody" programs featured on those cheesy infomercials called 'Insanity'; and the name was fitting! This program was the hardest thing, up to recently running the Marathon, that I had ever done. Between the program and adjustments to my diet (no more Doritos and Oreos for me. Well, I still have Oreos sometimes, but just the Halloween ones!) I was able to shed the weight and began hitting the gym regularly and weight lifting.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Jn4R73P5Mc/XOavoN8IkJI/AAAAAAAAFRg/2GVgBlKHJtsZvVtEBvkEYmANqwLUyBNswCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Jn4R73P5Mc/XOavoN8IkJI/AAAAAAAAFRg/2GVgBlKHJtsZvVtEBvkEYmANqwLUyBNswCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_5705.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
After running a few more races, I decided I wanted to tackle the Pittsburgh Marathon. Completing a marathon is something that had been on my bucket list for a while and I thought of taking on the task more of a mental one than a physical one. So like Forrest Gump so elegantly said, "I just started running."<br />
<br />
I started with 2 miles, then 3, then 4 then 5, then 7, then 8. Finally, I woke up one weekend morning and decided it was time to tackle the whole 13.1 miles needed to complete the half marathon. Miles 1-6 were pretty fun actually; I started to see running as more meditative rather than an agonizing physical activity. However, miles 7-13 were brutal, I mean, they absolutely SUCKED! But I just remember feeling so accomplished when I finally made it up the steps to my house and passed out on my living room floor with my dog aggressively licking my face.<br />
<br />
Then finally, race day had arrived and although I was super excited to take on these 13.1 miles on the big day, I was also pretty nervous since I had tweaked the muscle in my left foot on a previous run a week before the race. I had an Ace bandage on and it felt okay but not great. Much like the first time I went on my endeavor to tackle all those miles, the beginning leg went great! Then around mile 7 things started to get rough with my left foot cramping. Then miles 9-13 my right knee started to take a lot of the brunt of the work. If it wasn't for the amazing spectators along the marathon route cheering us on and holding up their encouraging and hilarious signs, I don't think I would have made it (there was also a sweet text from the hubs that was nice to see). I felt like I was going to collapse until I saw the sign for mile 12. I was barely walking at this point, more like a hobble when another runner came up behind, put her arm around and gently nudged me forward saying, "Come on, let's go." Her words of encouragement were just enough to get me to the finish line and for that, I am forever grateful.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-psnQMbzOgKM/XOatbc9cADI/AAAAAAAAFRU/kJeM3ywLB-YwWuOD0ooin5BdyzxUItI2gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-psnQMbzOgKM/XOatbc9cADI/AAAAAAAAFRU/kJeM3ywLB-YwWuOD0ooin5BdyzxUItI2gCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_5714.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
In closing, I'm not sharing this story because I accomplished something. I'm sharing it in hopes that it will encourage you to tackle something that may seem impossible to you. Honestly, we are capable of so much more than we think we are and the process of achieving something is more mental than physical. I hope you'll take away from this post a new found determination to pursue something you've always wanted to do.<br />
<br />
Thanks for getting your 'dose of reality'!<br />
<br />
-Rach<br />
<br />
<br />Rachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11536859379111285611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2827407092630044143.post-12244554453741428552018-08-19T12:18:00.001-07:002018-08-19T12:18:46.615-07:00Netflix Series And Movies I'm Obsessed With<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-odYGlfSUH6M/W3nBB11iUHI/AAAAAAAAFG0/oRx6VEZhVI8vcynsygA0e1f6oejVomAIACLcBGAs/s1600/9283749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="665" height="185" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-odYGlfSUH6M/W3nBB11iUHI/AAAAAAAAFG0/oRx6VEZhVI8vcynsygA0e1f6oejVomAIACLcBGAs/s320/9283749.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
In the vast world of streaming services, web series, and tons of cable shows(for those of us who still overpay for a bunch of channels we don't use) it can be hard to sift through all the content out there.
Ever since I took novel and film during my junior year of High School I've wanted to to be a movie critic. Like old school flip open a print newspaper and read the review for a movie you were looking forward to seeing because it was $5 back then, (which seems like a bargain these days!)and you didn't want to waste your money, kind of film critic.
So thanks to the wonders of the internet I get to hop on my own platform and hopefully help shut out the noise and offer up some fun and enlightening content to binge watch!<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
First up, <b>'Love Sick' formerly 'Scrotal Recall':</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nx8ymb6zM_s/W3mpc_Vs1aI/AAAAAAAAFGA/uMRepFr6HXMZmoNG0DfnOuV8VsTmD_xXgCLcBGAs/s1600/LovesickPromo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="236" data-original-width="421" height="179" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nx8ymb6zM_s/W3mpc_Vs1aI/AAAAAAAAFGA/uMRepFr6HXMZmoNG0DfnOuV8VsTmD_xXgCLcBGAs/s320/LovesickPromo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
I absolutely adore this show! And side note, miss the original title (what's up with Netflix?). The show follows a group friends through the ups and downs of their complicated love lives. And to add extra charm it's British! Even with the accents the show still feels relatable and you end up really rooting for everyone you meet.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SwWmxWK9x5s" width="520"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Next up, <b>'Easy' :</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mNOSMAzpaF8/W3mvY7l6hTI/AAAAAAAAFGQ/r-fSKlKq06sksLf48U-L3BIrxeD66BCMwCLcBGAs/s1600/MV5BMjA3MTAyNzUyNF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwNDk4NzgwMDI%2540._V1_UX182_CR0%252C0%252C182%252C268_AL_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="268" data-original-width="182" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mNOSMAzpaF8/W3mvY7l6hTI/AAAAAAAAFGQ/r-fSKlKq06sksLf48U-L3BIrxeD66BCMwCLcBGAs/s1600/MV5BMjA3MTAyNzUyNF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwNDk4NzgwMDI%2540._V1_UX182_CR0%252C0%252C182%252C268_AL_.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
The series hails from <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsYBCof6NHU" target="_blank">'Drinking Buddies' </a></b>and dubbed king of <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mumblecore" target="_blank">mumblecore </a></b>films' director Joe Swanberg. What's great about this series that follows a group of couples navigating growing plains in their relationships is that this feels really real. It's like you're sitting in a room with your friends and shooting the shit, mainly because a lot of the scenes and dialog are improvised.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And lastly, <b>'To All The Boys I've Loved Before'</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OYsp_-5fdaM/W3mw37aVdaI/AAAAAAAAFGc/cxo9UXiri7MqeFezoeOpiDLlFs6Ky1CPACLcBGAs/s1600/to-all-the-boys-ive-loved-before.119306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1544" data-original-width="989" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OYsp_-5fdaM/W3mw37aVdaI/AAAAAAAAFGc/cxo9UXiri7MqeFezoeOpiDLlFs6Ky1CPACLcBGAs/s320/to-all-the-boys-ive-loved-before.119306.jpg" width="204" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
If there is a word to sum up this movie, it's simply, adorable. Everything about this movie based on the book by Jenny Han was charming. The story took me right back to my High School days. And unlike the darker tone a lot of teen dramas have taken as of late, this was sweet, innocent but also felt very true to my High School experience. The high's had you at the top of the world and the low's felt earth shattering.<br />
<br />
<b>**Plus an extra bonus for me were the 'Sixteen Candles' references</b>.<br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UPp0LAinZkc/W3mzKBNpaWI/AAAAAAAAFGo/PUZHqQHQKn0NHd3HqUc_r50ZDfQ40o-2ACLcBGAs/s1600/16-things-you-might-not-know-about-sixteen-candles-1-26440-1398649823-2_big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="236" data-original-width="355" height="211" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UPp0LAinZkc/W3mzKBNpaWI/AAAAAAAAFGo/PUZHqQHQKn0NHd3HqUc_r50ZDfQ40o-2ACLcBGAs/s320/16-things-you-might-not-know-about-sixteen-candles-1-26440-1398649823-2_big.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/555oiY9RWM4" width="520"></iframe>
<br />
<br />Rachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11536859379111285611noreply@blogger.com80tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2827407092630044143.post-37071639280076143052018-06-06T10:02:00.000-07:002018-06-06T10:02:15.434-07:00The Renewal of '13 Reasons Why' For A Third Season And Its Cultural Relevance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sqiLvEP3Z60/WxgJ2x_o0KI/AAAAAAAAFFA/POUBZvcjlj4W8tXluITDN2pfr8vhDxiOwCLcBGAs/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="268" data-original-width="182" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sqiLvEP3Z60/WxgJ2x_o0KI/AAAAAAAAFFA/POUBZvcjlj4W8tXluITDN2pfr8vhDxiOwCLcBGAs/s1600/download.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
With the second season barely having a chance to settle into its streaming home, <b>Netflix </b>has renewed controversial teen drama<b> '13 Reasons Why' </b>for third season.<br />
<br />
And while the renewal comes on the heels of an uproar from the angered public over the graphic scenes portrayed once again in the series it seems note worthy to address why this conversation the show has started needs to continue.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IrP3XEB4ECI/WxgKOlNpxnI/AAAAAAAAFFI/7zy3NwimMc0AQyREPiS8_AZZzpKmjsOdwCLcBGAs/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="182" data-original-width="276" height="263" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IrP3XEB4ECI/WxgKOlNpxnI/AAAAAAAAFFI/7zy3NwimMc0AQyREPiS8_AZZzpKmjsOdwCLcBGAs/s400/images.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'13 Reasons Why' Cast</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />So I first got wrapped up into the fanfare surrounding the show by hearing about the book and that it was going to be adapted by Netflix for the small screen ( I'm a sucker for book adaptations). When the show first dropped, I couldn't believe how caught up I got in and its message. Being in my thirties I'm far removed from the drama of the enclosed walls of the hyper emotional and at times, hyper toxic environment of High School. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But what I felt '13 Reasons Why' did an exceptional job at was creating a dialog about what life "can" be like inside those walls and what adults, other teens and young adults can do to make it better. And while the shows' content is quite graphic and upsetting, it's not gratuitous.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In closing, I think the show is eye opening, adds value to the cultural conversation and when looked back on will be reflective of a very real and very tragic dark period of our history of instances of sexual assault and senseless gun violence.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And while the show may not have the answers to how we can fix the problem I believe it's creating a dialogue about how we can attempt to move forward and be better.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>*quick note*</b></div>
<div>
The thing I appreciate most about the show is that it does its homework.</div>
<div>
You can watch <b>'13 Reasons Why/ Beyond The Reasons' </b>from seasons <b>1&2</b> on <b>Netflix</b>,<b> </b>which covers how the show consulted psychologists, activists and with a mother who tragically lost her son to suicide, allowing the show to stay grounded in reality despite its fictional world. </div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yNOAs3poxMw" width="520"></iframe></div>
Rachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11536859379111285611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2827407092630044143.post-24699868942092173052018-01-20T09:44:00.000-08:002018-01-20T10:01:31.965-08:00America's Fascination With American Crime Story <a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4CW5JQOntj0/WmN_CZTWwBI/AAAAAAAAFB0/ahZ4FjGxYG0ouo9AGKUkHN2juk6eBjMiQCLcBGAs/s1600/171212-fallon-american-crime-story-hero-5_fqgder.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4CW5JQOntj0/WmN_CZTWwBI/AAAAAAAAFB0/ahZ4FjGxYG0ouo9AGKUkHN2juk6eBjMiQCLcBGAs/s320/171212-fallon-american-crime-story-hero-5_fqgder.gif" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
With the newest installment of American Crime Story, American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace debuting of FX this week it has many fans asking the question:<br />
<br />
Will it mesmerize audiences and critics as much as the first installment of the anthology series, American Crime Story: The People Vs. O.J. Simpson?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zgRwUfciCv4/WmN-z2QeCpI/AAAAAAAAFBs/1APSLzULKtMyEhqCRg0Znfft7GTwq30BgCLcBGAs/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="195" data-original-width="258" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zgRwUfciCv4/WmN-z2QeCpI/AAAAAAAAFBs/1APSLzULKtMyEhqCRg0Znfft7GTwq30BgCLcBGAs/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
The first thing to keep in mind is how drastically different this season of American Crime Story is compared to the first.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Kos2EtBdg_M" width="520"></iframe>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dYnI4lHkiDo/WmN-z7JxkdI/AAAAAAAAFBo/pSd5CAWwnCswZMzv6rJHYCFJCdqxjGPAACLcBGAs/s1600/images-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="299" height="179" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dYnI4lHkiDo/WmN-z7JxkdI/AAAAAAAAFBo/pSd5CAWwnCswZMzv6rJHYCFJCdqxjGPAACLcBGAs/s320/images-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Actor Darren Criss Portraying Andrew Cunanan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The new Season tackles a slightly lesser known case.<br />
<br />
While most are somewhat familiar with the tragic story of the fashion designer who was gunned down in front of his home in 1997.<br />
<br />
Many don't know about the man who committed the crime, Andrew Cunanan.<br />
<br />
The Assassination of Gianni Versace makes the bold and controversial move to follow two separate story lines as we get to know Versace and his killer.<br />
<br />
In doing so, fans are asked to explore a world of rampant homophobia in the 90's rather than issues of race tackled in Season one.<br />
<br />
While it's only been 20 years since Versace's assassination the thing to keep in mind is how different the world was not so long ago with many gay people still not living openly.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dQHalEvqAEg/WmN-zyki83I/AAAAAAAAFBk/AZNCwvkiYUsMxQswu4OknkV4PNAoDx0RQCLcBGAs/s1600/images-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="184" data-original-width="274" height="214" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dQHalEvqAEg/WmN-zyki83I/AAAAAAAAFBk/AZNCwvkiYUsMxQswu4OknkV4PNAoDx0RQCLcBGAs/s320/images-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fashion Designer Gianni Versace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Overall, the new season is sure to capture fans and critics fascination but quite possibly leave them with more questions about why this crime happened than answers.<br />
<br />
The cast and creators of the series have often reiterated the idea that the American Crime story anthology is an attempt to explore a crime committed by the society rather than the actual people involved in the tragedy.<br />
<br />
And this season could possibly have audiences wondering how the public was just as much to blame as Cunanan.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RTvpwQ_fyD0" width="520"></iframe>Rachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11536859379111285611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2827407092630044143.post-42355256747413987342017-05-02T15:41:00.003-07:002019-06-29T12:12:08.923-07:00Having Difficult Conversations<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nMk3XtAop4s/WQkKnZFPF1I/AAAAAAAAE3c/HQCnY1qYiJIL7xR0YpnDwctIjJ8qKNCtgCLcB/s1600/IMG_5126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nMk3XtAop4s/WQkKnZFPF1I/AAAAAAAAE3c/HQCnY1qYiJIL7xR0YpnDwctIjJ8qKNCtgCLcB/s320/IMG_5126.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Talking about grief is never easy. Perhaps that's why we don't talk about it. I mean like at all. For me, I think it was always this fear that I projected onto to others that I would make them sad if I talked about how I felt. It turns out, the only person I was hurting was myself. I don't think I ever fully realized the toll that losing both of my parents so close together would have on me.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mjdunNckNE0/WQkK0ucxMMI/AAAAAAAAE3g/GvvKD6p_wDQkIuXUkdLEXuiN-_Zu2u9igCLcB/s1600/IMG_5128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mjdunNckNE0/WQkK0ucxMMI/AAAAAAAAE3g/GvvKD6p_wDQkIuXUkdLEXuiN-_Zu2u9igCLcB/s320/IMG_5128.jpg" width="320" /></a>But then suddenly I had this huge epiphany. This sort of WTF moment where I realized that it was finally manifesting itself. I was having panic attacks, feeling overwhelmed ( oh yeah, that's anxiety) and somehow had been living in my own time warp as I had no real grasp on how long ago they had passed away. But now I can say, as hard as it is that it's been seven years without a Dad and four without a mother. Which is wild because to be honest I didn't think I'd still be standing once they were gone. When the two people that brought you into this world are gone how can you feel that you still exist?<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
So I guess I'm talking about this for a few reasons. Today marks 4 years exactly since my Mom passed suddenly. I want people to know that it's ok to be sad sometimes. I think I got lost in this image that others painted of me of this "happy go lucky" super chill, low maintenance person and wanting to continue to live up to that despite inside wanting to burst. And to a degree I still am that "old" Rachel but also a new one that has scars and imperfections and I'm alright with that. And lastly, I was inspired by the release of Sheryl Sandberg's latest book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Option-Adversity-Building-Resilience-Finding-ebook/dp/B01N8R5QD7/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493739073&sr=8-1&keywords=option+b"> "Option B" </a>where she talks about the unexpected loss of her husband and how she has dealt and continues to deal with the grief in an attempt to move on. I hope this in some way creates a dialogue. Whether you've lost someone close to you or are just having a bad day know that it's more than fine to talk about it and no one should have to suffer in silence.</div>
Rachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11536859379111285611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2827407092630044143.post-49914178167216447742017-03-23T09:56:00.000-07:002017-03-23T16:43:30.555-07:00My Interview With Pittsburgh City Councilman Dan Gilman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g3xoxMMRYJU/WNP8IjsngbI/AAAAAAAAE0k/Xzw7QvUD6nE3tObmkggTi7U8CVSOji0OgCLcB/s1600/_DSC8853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g3xoxMMRYJU/WNP8IjsngbI/AAAAAAAAE0k/Xzw7QvUD6nE3tObmkggTi7U8CVSOji0OgCLcB/s400/_DSC8853.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After the election I felt pretty disheartened about our current political climate. Not simply because 'my side lost' but rather because I felt like for the most part people wanted to just sit back and share their thoughts on social media without necessarily digging deeper into the bigger issues or wanting to get involved. So I reached out to Pittsburgh City Councilman, Dan Gilman and he was kind enough to set aside time to meet with me to answer questions I had about my city but more importantly we went in depth on how normal everyday citizens can get involved on a local level and make a difference. Check out our full interview below!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TT0KedsobIs" width="560"></iframe>Rachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11536859379111285611noreply@blogger.com0