How learning my rescue dog’s breed DNA helped me help him
In March, after several months of poking around, my son and I found a new dog rescue to adopt. We thought we were getting a 2-year-old Yorkie mix, but we had no idea what we were in for…
Why only you can heal you (and why that’s fucking awesome)
Here’s how anxious attachment works: you grow up confusing the sensation of chasing attention with the feeling of love.
We adapted so well to unpredictable attention that it’s what we crave. Relationships that don’t involve chasing can feel boring…
Surviving divorce taught me how to survive a pandemic
When my 18-year partnership abruptly ended in late 2015, my life completely fell apart. It was a complete shitshow… kind of like this year. Here’s how surviving divorce taught me 9 lessons that are helping me survive 2020.
The ultimate offbeat breakup book: From Sh!tshow To Afterglow
Hey guys! It’s me, Ariel — the publisher of Offbeat Home. My new book, From Sh!tshow To Afterglow is about how to rebound after loss, grief, and the other cruel crises life throws your way — basically, it’s the anti-self-help book.
Exhuming love
Sometimes on my walks, I even leave my phone at home.…I KNOW! Lately, I’ve been trying to imagine my phone in my hand as a strong cocktail — do I really need to take this cocktail on a walk with me? Yikes. Do I really need to have this cocktail in my hand while I’m hugging my son? Eep. Is 7am really a good time for a cocktail? Barf.
Steal this resolution: one box in, one box out
For the new year, I’m trying this new idea. Any packaging that enters my home must now be filled up with old stuff, and given away.
3 life lessons I’m tryna teach my kid through holiday cards
I don’t have that many holiday traditions… But my son and I do holiday cards together every dang year because I think they’re a silly tradition that’s oddly important. There are valuable life lessons I’m tryna teach a guy…
This forgotten jewelry box holds my grandmother’s ghost
Suddenly, I heard a weird tinkly noise. I have a new phone, and it makes weird tinkly noises I don’t recognize, but this wasn’t one. I wandered through the house trying to track down the noise, and found it coming from our bedroom… in my closet… on top of my drawers.
The jewelry box I hadn’t touched in almost a decade was playing music. What the fuck?