Disorderly Content • 10th January 2025

The New York City Journals, Part III: Good Reasons & Bad Decisions

Shortly after returning to NYC from my Fourth of July trip to the Boston burbs, I settled into my rented bedroom in Stuyvesant Town—my third Manhattan apartment in three months, and the first with a private bedroom and any semblence of a real bed.Days later, I landed a Thursday through Saturday gig working the VIP door at Webster Hall. My shifts ran from nine at night until three in the morning. Dressed like a 1920s flapper skank in a size-too-small costume dress I found at Salvation Army on Fou...

Burning Heart Collective • 8th January 2025

The Wisdom of Oz

The Wizard of Oz is not just a tale of a girl and her dog trying to find their way home; it’s a powerful metaphor for our journey of self-discovery and transformation. It reminds us that the challenges we face along our “Yellow Brick Roads,” can only be overcome by the resources we carry within us—our thoughts, emotions, and actions.

#parentingSLACKS • 15th July 2022

Vol. 7: Letting Go of Ego

“Ego-based mind can dominate us; who we are as parents, friends, sons, daughters, and community members. It represents that part of ourselves that identifies with our personality, self-esteem, accomplishments, skill, and perceived weaknesses; everything that encompasses false self.”

#parentingSLACKS • 22nd July 2022

Vol. 8: Emotional Sobriety

"Although coined by Bill W., co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, the term "emotional sobriety" applies to anyone with a sympathetic nervous system, regardless of whether you're afflicted with addiction. Emotional sobriety is a body/mind phenomenon. It encompasses the ability to experience and talk about feelings alongside learning to live life in balanced ways so that both the mind and the body can live in harmony. As we sober up emotionally, we expand our ability to tolerate what we're feeling, to live through fierce emotions without acting out or self-medicating."

Disorderly Content • 16th May 2024

That Time I Was a Child Bride…

“Twice, I was a wife. Well, one of the two was legally binding, anyway. Ironically enough, the first was both illicit and the most ceremonious and expensive. The time I married my brother's step-kid after roommates turned bedmates, there was no requirement for signed parental permission when applying for the official marriage license. Although, there ought to been; let's be honest! No guests were in attendance for that one, and there was no dress; just him and me, my seven-month-pregnant belly…”

#parentingSLACKS • 26th August 2022

Vol. 13: Healthy Humility

“For some, the topic of humility can conjure up images of restriction and bondage, but the invitation to humility is incredibly freeing.
It's one of those simple but not easy principles and, not surprisingly, has much to do with our stress and anxiety levels.”

#parentingSLACKS • 2nd September 2022

Vol. 14: Gratitude

“Implementing gratitude has helped tremendously with my mental ailments, such as anxiety. A few moments of self-reflection on something I am thankful for is enough to slice through my toxic thoughts. That's because gratitude activates the limbic nervous system in a way that regulates emotions and puts a damper on the worrisome chatter of the mind.”

Love What Matters • 12th December 2022

‘The most unlikely teacher.’: How our dog taught me to love my mother unconditionally

“I answered my mother’s phone call that night nearly twelve years ago because I was drunk––the only time I liked to talk on the phone, despite hardly ever remembering any details of the conversations the next day. This time was different. I remember it well, all thanks to the hysteria in her voice that immediately killed my buzz..."

Burning Heart Collective • 8th January 2025

Morals, Complexities & Truth

This information might upset you, but I don't subscribe to good or bad—no right or wrong nonsense, either. I'm aware many of you will disagree. My neighbor, whom I respect and deeply admire, is a theologian who says, "But, Ashley, what about morally wrong, criminally bad?" Morality, conviction, insubordination, happiness, sadness, indifference—it's all remarkably subjective.

#parentingSLACKS • 23rd September 2022

Vol 17: 5 Ways to Level Up as a Parent in Recovery

“We avoid death traps and jump headfirst into things on the promise of reward. Sometimes we stand tall; other times, we shrink under pressure. And, inevitably, the moment comes to level up, but only after facing a terrifying beast and kicking his sorry ass.”

Disorderly Content • 1st May 2024

The Walk of Audacity

"The walk of shame is never pleasant. But you do get used to it. A New York City walk of shame isn't half-bad, save for when you inevitably wake up next to a bike messenger somewhere out in Red Hook, asking yourself why the hell you wore the Chloe slingbacks with the five-inch platform out for a night of doing rails off the lid of a dive bar toilet tank again. And don't think for a second you're taking a hot shower before wandering the concrete jungle in search of your own bed..."

#parentingSLACKS • 2nd December 2022

Vol. 27: Imposter Syndrome & Self-Sabotage

"We know that Imposter Syndrome is a direct route to Self-Sabotage, but what causes us to doubt our worth so madly in the first place?

Perfectionism is the leading indicator of Imposter Syndrome; typically, people who experience one also experience the other."

#parentingSLACKS • 25th November 2022

Vol. 26: The Introvert's Guide to Friendship

"Friendship is one of the most critical relationships in our lives; buddy bonds provide an essential source of social support. In addition, a strong network of friends can help cushion stress, loneliness, anxiety, and other potential mental health problems.
Research shows that people with close friendships are more likely to experience positive emotions and live with greater satisfaction. So even one solid homie can do wonders for your mental health!"

#parentingSLACKS • 17th November 2022

Vol. 25: Mental Health & 7 Ways to Improve It

"We often try to do 5,000 things daily to keep our mental load balanced and our inner peace in check, but this can lead to adverse outcomes. Instead, we're more likely to see long-term, sustainable success by laying a solid foundation of actions and mindsets — cornerstones that offer daily support and provide a sturdy base to build upon over time."

Disorderly Content • 6th August 2024

Where's Bruce?

Last Monday, I heard the sound of an incoming call through Instagram, and it lit me right up. Thank fuck, I thought; just the person I needed seventy-two hours after my boyfriend walked out on me a la oneway flight to NYC—of course, Bruce intuitively knew and was calling on me to give bitchfest. He is the only one who could understand the trapped and lonely feeling of a vagabond birdy with clipped wings—even though he has no kid keeping him from his old one-way plane ticket ways. He'd understand...

#parentingSLACKS • 14th October 2022

Vol. 20: Guilt, Remorse & The Shame Spiral

“Suppose we don't address our issues with shame. In that case, we allow our emotions to fester—silently, secretly, begrudgingly—and eventually, we begin projecting and shaming others, which can get ugly quickly when we are the primary caregivers of small children.”