Pain |

The Harm of Fixers | 5 Types of Well-Meaning People You Encounter When Suffering

March 28, 2019 // 1 Comment

There are people in your life who only like you when you are shiny and happy. They’re there to celebrate your triumphs. They love it when you’re grateful and full of joy. [...]

Notes from Nanea | Emotional Pain Management

August 2, 2018 // 0 Comments

My dear Sweatpants & Coffee tribe, I’m thinking a lot these days about pain management. Mitigating pain has been a big part of my life these last few months. When my [...]

What You’ll Remember

July 31, 2018 // 0 Comments

Previously published on The Next Good Thing. Over the past several years, my mom’s dementia has been slowly progressing. While her mind has been fading, her body has [...]

Notes from Nanea | Ordinary Sad

June 27, 2018 // 0 Comments

My dear Sweatpants & Coffee tribe, I woke up the other day feeling sad. There’s the Big Sad, because, you know, terrible, not-fun life events, but then there’s also [...]

Personal Essays | Burn the Pages & Keep Going

May 25, 2018 // 0 Comments

The past teaches us important lessons about where we do and do not want to go, but we also need to let go. [...]

Personal Essay | The Strength in Weaknesses

February 28, 2018 // 0 Comments

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of Minnesota is corn. Lots of it. Like, you are literally surrounded by corn. The second thing that comes to mind when I think [...]

Sweatpants & Soul | In the Darkness, Together

February 26, 2018 // 0 Comments

I was a teenager when I first encountered death. It was summertime and the nights were uncomfortably warm. It was the kind of heat that made you sweat even if you stood still [...]

Sweatpants & Soul | The First Shower After

September 17, 2017 // 1 Comment

We sit side by side on padded chairs next to the exam table, my husband and I. He’s there for emotional support but that part is easy. Physically, he’s not sure where to [...]

Sweatpants & Sanity l Finding the Guts to Make Things When I Feel Lost

January 12, 2017 // 0 Comments

"I often find myself flipping through the pages of my notebooks, looking for inspiration; some outlet for the building pressure in my chest from not creating things." Jerusha shares the path to breaking herself open and making room to create. [...]

Sweatpants & Pop Culture | A Monster Calls – Interview with Liam Neeson, J.A. Bayona and Patrick Ness

December 26, 2016 // 0 Comments

By Lesley Gayle A Monster Calls, starring Lewis MacDougall and Liam Neeson as the monster, is a beautiful and emotional tale of a boy struggling with growing up and with [...]