Right in the nick of time — After years of studying the matter, both on and off the couch, I have a pretty clear thesis on why I struggle emotionally. Developmental injuries left me feeling periodically worthless and unlovable, which I have been ineffectually trying to remedy by frantically scrambling to somehow make myself more lovable and…

A cautionary tale told too late — When I was in 4th grade, our principal Mr. Price always forced us to tuck in our shirts. I didn’t think too much about it at the time, but I clearly should have.

An open letter from a friend to what could be the most wonderful human ever — Dear Jeffy, Even though we’ve never met, may I call you Jeffy? I’d like this letter to feel like it’s from a friend since, in an imaginative sort of way, it is. I’m a big fan of what you created with Amazon and I’m constitutionally inclined to friendliness. So, even…

It doesn’t have to be so deadly — Everybody wants to be seen. The drive is unavoidably hammered into our DNA. But capturing anyone’s attention, even for a moment, is quite the challenge these days. So, it’s no surprise to see the extremes people go to satisfy this hard-wired need. Pulsing with an evolutionary mandate to earn our…

To smoothly slip your crack into any social situation — I discovered, way back in my single digits, that quick one-liners were the most effective way for me to pop into any group setting, draw a semi-positive response affirming my existence, and quickly pop out before anyone has the chance to resent me. Over the years, I’ve made an art…