self improvement

If my friend told me…

In Stories & Reflections • by Amanda Herring, Writer, February 18, 2022 • Leave a Comment

If my friend told me she was lonely, I would offer to come see her, meet for lunch, or suggest opportunities to get out of the house and be among people. I might just listen. She might not want to be fixed. If my friend...

I want you to be happy. Really.

In Stories & Reflections • by Amanda Herring, Writer, January 17, 2022 • Leave a Comment

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,...

Who I am intended to be…

In Stories & Reflections • by Amanda Herring, Writer, January 7, 2022 • Leave a Comment

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...

“Boundaries” is not psychobabble to me.

In Stories & Reflections • by Amanda Herring, Writer, January 7, 2022 • Leave a Comment

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...

Therapy: Everybody needs it.

In Stories & Reflections • by Amanda Herring, Writer, January 6, 2022 • 2 Comments

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...

New Year…and my name is Wes.

In Stories & Reflections • by Amanda Herring, Writer, January 3, 2022 • Leave a Comment

“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...

THESE are the blessings you count…

In Stories & Reflections • by Amanda Herring, Writer, December 28, 2021 • Leave a Comment

I have been super sick for the last 2 days – high fever, chills, joint pain, misery. Finally, this afternoon, I managed to take a shower, wash my disgusting hair, brush my bloody awful teeth, and put on clean underwear. I’m not 100% yet, but...

Christmas Eve Wishes

In Stories & Reflections • by Amanda Herring, Writer, December 24, 2021 • 1 Comment

Happy Christmas Eve! Just wanted to send you good wishes from my warm, cozy, good-smellin’ house today. I’ve cooked sausage balls for the fam, made some creole rice for taking to the Christmas shindig tonight with Hubs’ side of the family, and whipped up chocolate...

Sorry I’m Late…

In Stories & Reflections • by Amanda Herring, Writer, December 15, 2021 • Leave a Comment

“Sorry I’m late. I didn’t want to come.” Have y’all seen that? It’s how I’ve been feeling about TILTs and posting until I can get this week behind me. Whew! I bought myself this book to start next week, but I couldn’t wait. I’m about...

Stupid Stuff I Do

In Stories & Reflections • by Amanda Herring, Writer, October 20, 2021 • Leave a Comment

I’m a real piece of work sometimes… I log into Zoom calls and can’t get in, then wonder what’s wrong. The meeting is tomorrow. I make a point to buy heavy cream for my coffee at the grocery store, because I’m out at work and...