Identity & Self-Discovery
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Part 2 of 2 — Read Part 1: What Is the Hays ADDRESSING Model? In Part 1, I introduced the Hays ADDRESSING model, which is a psychological framework for examining the ten dimensions of your cultural identity. I explained what it is, why it was created, and how you can use it yourself. Now I’m going…
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Part 1 of 2 — Read Part 2: My ADDRESSING Profile Most of us have been asked some version of “who are you?” at some point in our lives, and most of us have given some version of a surface answer. Maybe you answered with your job title, your name, your race, or just where you’re…
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In the wake of Jesse Jackson’s passing on February 17, 2026, I began reflecting on the enduring legacies of those who shaped the fight for civil rights, equality, and social justice, especially during Black History Month. Jackson’s leadership, advocacy, and influence over decades mirror the impact of other key figures in the movement, including Carter…
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Upon traveling down to Tifton, Georgia to celebrate my partner’s Mother’s wedding union, it had not occurred to me Imbolc was also this weekend. For those unfamiliar with Wiccan Sabbats: Wiccans celebrate Imbolc (Feb 1st) by honoring the goddess Brigid, focusing on purification, new beginnings, and the returning light, using candles, spring cleaning, feasting (especially…
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Watching HeartStopper makes me feel bittersweet. Jealous. But most of all… alone. Nicholas “Nick” Nelson came out to his Mom and friends (new and old) as Bisexual with a response that most people of the LGBTQ+ community are absent of having: support, love… A Hug. A hug layered in a deep and rich sense of…
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Today, I’m 37. Not just older, though. Different. Quieter in some ways. Louder in others. Sharper. Softer. Less afraid to be both. This year’s birthday has been about pausing just long enough to look at where I’ve been, what I’ve carried, and who I’m finally allowing myself to become. What I’ve Survived (Especially With CPTSD)…
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Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate and honor mothers, but for many of us, it can also be a time of reflection on what we’ve received, and more often than not, on what we didn’t. For me, this day brings mixed emotions, as I think about the relationship I had with my mother, and…
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Life isn’t linear, and neither is self-discovery. Growing up, I didn’t have a stable family life, with friendships being secondary to my parents’ needs. Taking care of my favorite grandmother and one of my uncles with schizophrenia, I learned early on that life could be unpredictable and full of challenges. This shaped who I am…