The Power of Mindful Breathing

I have found comfort in my breath. Inhaling and exhaling are often done without thought. The body knows how to breathe without the mind getting involved. But there is something about getting my mind involved with my breathing that has helped calm my thoughts and body. Learning how to belly breathe can change the body’s way ofContinue reading “The Power of Mindful Breathing”

Saturday Drive

I go on a drive looking for my old self.I listen to old music and sing along. Dixie Chicks and Bob Dylan,Songs from my childhood that have bled into my young adult years.The leaves have barely changedAs the season of summer is about to leave for the year.Saturday, 79 degrees, and endless blue skiesGuide myContinue reading “Saturday Drive”

Outside of the Box

Society has a standard for everyone. If you’re outside of the cookie cutter Example, then you’re deemed as different. As we grow up, we realize we all have our Struggles and strides, we’re all different in Some shape or form. Though, those who Are capable of protecting what makes them Different are lucky. Those whoContinue reading “Outside of the Box”

Before I Say Hello

Before I say hello,I acknowledgeto myselfwhat will happen. I will stutter. Sometime throughout the string of words that will flowout of my mouth, there will be a bump.It’s inevitable. This is okay. A bump or two of threewon’t kill my flow. A big bump that causes me to use a trick won’t stop me from speaking. What’s important is that I share my thoughts. I speak formy voice,my voicedoes not speak for me.I continueContinue reading “Before I Say Hello”

Hello Stranger

I wake up in the morning and do not feel like myself. My body aches in unfamiliar ways. The joints in my hands crack, my right thumb somehow feels unnerved. The muscles in my back and neck haven’t been the same since experiencing multiple panic attacks. I look in the mirror and do not recognizeContinue reading “Hello Stranger”

Hard Truths

Underneath the surface of your skin lies truths about yourself that you refuse to acknowledge exist. Character flaws, irrational fears, bad habits, annoyances, troubles letting go, many more I can think of that make up who you are. We all want to be the reliable narrators of our own stories but we’re the worst narrators, especiallyContinue reading “Hard Truths”

A Letter to Myself at 15

Dear 15-year-old Kelly, Ten years from now, you’ll be finishing up your bachelor’s degree in English after years of trying to figure out what you want to do. You will be a published writer. You don’t realize this now but writing will become one of the most important parts of your life. Writing will helpContinue reading “A Letter to Myself at 15”

AIS: Speak Freely Live Fearlessly

This week at the American Institute for Stuttering has been amazing. I went in with a few ideas of what I wanted to work on and I’m leaving having learned a lot about myself and my stutter with the tools to navigate this lifelong journey of stuttering. I learned little things I have known about myself butContinue reading “AIS: Speak Freely Live Fearlessly”