Alcohol, Marriage, Personal Growth and More
Refusing to Settle. Choosing Peace. Living Free.
Today I want to write about what feels like a softening of the heart. This is my journal note from today. I grew up loosely Christian. My mom identified as Protestant and my dad as Catholic — labels that didn’t really match their actions, but they shaped the little religious exposure I had. I was... Continue Reading →
There’s a workplace bias that rarely gets talked about, but it needs attention. So I will take charge here and bring it up! 🙂 In many organizations, having children often functions as a “free pass” for exceptions that employees without children don’t receive. I've seen it countless times throughout my career. I understand that parents... Continue Reading →
The first graph shows my VO₂ max climbing from “below average” to “above average,” and the second shows my resting heart rate dropping from around 70–72 down to about 59–63 — all in the last year. These two metrics matter because they’re basically snapshots of how well your body is handling life: VO₂ max reflects... Continue Reading →
Over the last few years, I’ve been moving through more major life stressors than I ever really pulled together into one view. From 2021 through late 2023, I was in a daily alcohol cycle—finishing a bottle of vodka every two days, my main goal every day was to pull my shit together enough to do... Continue Reading →
I’ve been thinking a lot about alcohol lately — not from guilt, not from shame, and not because I’m wrestling with it. The truth is, I’m long past the phase where alcohol had any real pull on me. My relationship with it changed years ago, slowly and quietly, as my life got cleaner, calmer, and... Continue Reading →
There are moments in healing when something finally clicks — not because the idea is new, but because you’re finally ready to stop minimizing what actually happened. These four insights from a recent therapy session did exactly that for me. If you’ve ever been in a relationship where you weren’t just unheard but worn down... Continue Reading →
Has she never said, “I see how this hurts you, and I want to do better”? No. And this is why I can’t go back. This is why I knew, deep down, there was no remorse—or enough sympathy—to say it out loud to me and show vulnerability. In the face of overwhelming evidence, the inability... Continue Reading →
Today, an attorney filed a divorce petition, symbolizing years of emotional exhaustion. Despite moving out five months ago, memories of conflict linger. Subtle criticisms during interactions reaffirmed the need for separation. While empathy remains, the author recognizes that peace, freedom, and respect are unattainable in a relationship marked by constant invalidation.
Tonight I’m writing from a place I never expected to be again: the house I used to call home. I’m here temporarily while my wife is in Chicago visiting her family for Christmas week. I am helping with the dogs, sleeping in the same bed where I spent so many nights trying to convince myself... Continue Reading →
If you’re starting to think about goals and resolutions for 2026, you might find this helpful. As an avid goal setter and someone who’s perpetually looking to grow and optimize, I’ve learned a lot (and tried a lot) on this subject. If you ask 100 people their opinion about goal setting, you’ll probably get 150... Continue Reading →
Alcohol, Marriage, Personal Growth and More 