In almost all of my childhood memories, kitchens act as the backdrop. From the private quiet of our kitchen at home to the bustling early mornings at my parents’ bakery, my memories are all marked by cast iron, chef whites, and stainless steel. Most of these memories are sweet and comforting, the kitchen a space of joy and sustenance. I remember my mother’s cotton … [Read more...]
Perfectly Natural: Tales of a Recovering Perfectionist
Have you ever drawn a realistic-looking tree? I haven’t. Creating lifelike visual representations of nature with my own hands (drawing, painting, sculpting) does not come easily to me. I have a hard time with such things because I’m wired to pursue symmetry. I’m a recovering perfectionist. I like precise circles, straight lines, and right angles. Up until I began to fear I’d … [Read more...]
What Is Emotional Incest?: Surviving Emotional Abuse in Childhood
Content Warning: This article uses the term emotional incest and discusses childhood emotional abuse and harmful parental relationships. The first time my therapist mentioned the term emotional incest, I was taken aback. The term alone elicits a gut-level reaction. She wrote down the book information for me to look up when I was ready. I wasn’t ready for quite some … [Read more...]
