January 2022 – Amanda Herring, Writer

I want you to be happy. Really.

Y’all notice the “support other women” movement happening over the last few years? It’s louder than ever. You can barely scroll any social media outlet twice without seeing posts, verses, and memes about women encouraging women. I don’t know where the sentiment comes from and, seemingly suddenly, why it’s a thing, but I don’t care.Continue reading “I want you to be happy. Really.”

Back to work!

After three GLORIOUS weeks off, I go back to work today and hit the ground running! My inclination is to pout a little and want to hold on tight to this beautiful peace I’ve enjoyed lately. I’m even feeling some anxiety. At the same time, though, I run a dance studio full of love andContinue reading “Back to work!”

Who I am intended to be…

I made a blog post this morning about “boundaries”. Go check it out, if you missed it. And in response to a comment, I mentioned that I hated to be late to the party on learning about boundaries but was sure glad I had at 46. Then… I get a text from a beautiful, smartContinue reading “Who I am intended to be…”

“Boundaries” is not psychobabble to me.

I did not like the word “boundaries” before now. The great Dr. Laura Schlessinger (I’m a fan.) has always considered it what she calls “psychobabble” (a word overused by mental health professionals instead of just cutting to the chase). I tended to agree. Psychology words are tossed around so frequently they lose their oomph andContinue reading ““Boundaries” is not psychobabble to me.”

Therapy: Everybody needs it.

About a year ago, I saw an ad on Facebook for something called BetterHelp. I stopped scrolling, because some girl was talking, and all the comments were about how soothing and beautiful her voice was. This, I had to hear. I didn’t have my sound up, so I clicked and replayed it. Meh…her voice wasContinue reading “Therapy: Everybody needs it.”

Died…from a cat bite.

You can’t write this stuff, Y’all. Our cat had a seizure last night, and in my trying to make sure he wasn’t choking on something, he chomped my finger. I might die. It’s swelling and red and painful. It’s been nice knowing you all. Make up a better story to spread around town besides “sheContinue reading “Died…from a cat bite.”

This is scary…but thanks!

I read the other day that people are longing for “real” online. Social media is so full of “fake” that people are yearning for authenticity. The perfect farmhouse kitchens inspire us, the filters make our skin look smooth (I ain’t even mad at the right filter.), and the barely breathless workouts that look easy motivateContinue reading “This is scary…but thanks!”

New Year…and my name is Wes.

“My name is Wes. I ain’t in this mess.” Keith and I heard somebody say this a few years ago (I think on TV), and it stuck. We’ve used it occasionally since then, mostly in jest, but lately, it’s become sort of a mantra. And I’m here for it. If 2021 was “my year” forContinue reading “New Year…and my name is Wes.”