© Jem Sullivan
Relationship advice
The sky at dawn—so much lovelier with clouds.
Likewise, the beach—so much more interesting after storms.
The metaphors that these observations suggest to me sometimes seem trite, even reductive, on the surface. Clichés, song lyrics and memes abound: Every cloud has a silver lining; what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger; … Read More
I’m throwing myself a party this weekend, complete with birthday cake, party hats, balloons and presents! I love presents. I love to get them, and I love to give them. I’m really good at both.
But there’s a rule for this birthday party—in bold print right there on the invitation—No gifts please, unless you made it yourself, grew … Read More
“It doesn’t have to be this way. It doesn’t.” (pg. 218 My Vices Collide; A Celebration of Being a Little Messed Up)
Is it vain to quote myself? Well, maybe so, but no truer words have ever been spoken by me. So I will say them again:
It doesn’t have to be this way.
I am proof.
You think … Read More
I found a letter in an old keepsake box—a love letter actually. Across the top of the single sheet of notebook paper, in careful cursive, was the salutation: To Sharla with love. My heart fluttered a little to read those words. The letter was dated March 10, 1975. We were sixteen.
It is not hard … Read More
I got unfriended a couple of weeks ago. It wasn’t very nice. Yet it was very necessary. And I swear I’m not sitting here snacking on sour grapes when I tell you this: I am relieved. A little sad. A lot baffled. But nonetheless relieved.
Unfriend. What a hostile sounding word. Everybody knows what it … Read More
