Today, I did an activity with my second graders to review the literary concept of cause and effect. They were presented with “if” statements (causes) and “then” statements (effects). They … Continue reading Cause and effect.
Author: Diana Koester
Bittersweetness.
This past Monday, I made a peach coffee cake. I often bake on weekends, but had decided to squeeze this effort in on a weeknight instead, so it would be … Continue reading Bittersweetness.
Salting the earth.
Narcissists have a remarkably effective gift for making you question everything about yourself. The only way they know how to get their own validation is at your expense. If you’re … Continue reading Salting the earth.
Growth
Old me: “Hello, I’m sorry to have to ask, but I need to leave work early tomorrow, because (insert long-winded justification here). I hope that’s okay, let me know if … Continue reading Growth
How Narcissistic Abuse Works
I was raised by a narcissist. Her toxic hooks were in real deep, and the marks of her harm are still revealing themselves even several years after I finally was … Continue reading How Narcissistic Abuse Works
Lucky me.
Victim. Survivor. Strong. Brave. I rather hate those words. I don’t really identify with any of them. I have a hard time with the inevitable sympathy and fawning that comes … Continue reading Lucky me.
Kenopsia (TW: pregnancy loss)
Kenopsia (n.): the forlorn atmosphere of a place that is usually bustling with people (or once was), but is now eerily abandoned and quiet. Old empty shopping malls; decrepit defunct … Continue reading Kenopsia (TW: pregnancy loss)
To infinity, and beyond…!
Buzz Lightyear is my ultimate favorite Disney character, and there is logical reason behind that affinity. (Of course there is. Not that what I write here is bullshit, but, I … Continue reading To infinity, and beyond…!
Trauma hurts. (No shit.)
The word psychosomatic gets a bad rap. It literally is defined as the interaction between mind and body, and is used to describe a physical affliction that’s caused or aggravated … Continue reading Trauma hurts. (No shit.)
I can eat my dinner in a fancy restaurant. (part 2 of 2)
(Notice the fun I’m having with Sinead O’Connor’s lyrics?) In my previous post, I explained how I used to frequently downplay my traumatic and painful experiences, insisting others have had … Continue reading I can eat my dinner in a fancy restaurant. (part 2 of 2)
Journeys in the Dark 