On the way to the shaman, our truck squeezed deeper into the white-washed jungle down a twisting path I’d never be able to find again. The lightly used dirt roads were narrow and unmarked, but Joanne seemed to know her way; at least, I hoped she did.

The white, mildew-covered trees created a surreal otherworldly entrance to the place where the shaman lived. Where, unbeknownst to me, I’d come face to face with exactly the thing I’d been avoiding.

How I Got Here

I took the trip to Tulum, Mexico, to do yoga, relax in a hammock with green juice, and read paperback novels…

If you had asked me 20 years how I’d feel sleeping in a van, I’d have dismissed you out of hand. Back then, I needed luxury. That meant lots of plush things—also, a margarita and a view.

Now though, my ideas about luxury and comfort are much different. “Things” no longer affect me the same way. Now, my luxury and comfort come from owning my life. It comes from freedom. (I’ll still take the margarita, thank you).

So, I bought a van, I’m earning money online, and I’m trying to see the United States.

The first leg of my journey…

This doesn’t bode well; it has the makings of an omen, I thought as I gripped the steering wheel of my damaged rental car and squinted into the fading light.

No, don’t think omen, my God, how dreadful, I chastised myself. But, but … three things in row … in one day … stop it. Now, here, alone in the darkening woods, is not the time. I pressed the gas pedal and forged ahead.

Twelve hours earlier, the day and my mood had started as sunny, warm, and idyllic until, just hours into my journey, both began spiraling into darkness.

…

Thanks, Eryn. Keep going! I wanted to stop so many times because I was so "bad" at it, but if you're trying, you're doing good - in all regards.

One of my friends, who is not a writer, wants to start writing about relationships. She’s had many interesting experiences and has a lot of wisdom to share. But she struggles to begin because she feels it has all been said before — and she’s right. It has all been said before — but not by her.

If there’s anything we can all agree on, it’s that everything has been written a million times before. Every creator, I think, has felt this way. I’m sure Claude Monet thought it as he began to paint Water Lilies. Surely, someone had painted…

I’ve finally done it. I bought a van to solo travel around the United States. I suppose I’m jumping on the “van wagon.”

I’ve thought about it for a long time, but a year of lockdown in my tiny apartment in downtown Chicago was the final breaking point.

I moved to Chicago from Detroit for a new job just a few months before COVID-19 struck. I was traveling a lot and didn’t have time to make friends or establish connections. So, when lockdown happened, I was completely isolated and alone. …

At first, I was surprised by the attention this alien story received, but now that I’ve connected with so many people had many new discussions on the “alien topic,” I’m not surprised at all. This is something everyone has an opinion on. What’s yours?

I wrote about my brother’s murder for a few reasons. Firstly, to share his story hoping that one day someone might read it and help us find his killer. Also, to speak the truth to a pain that many know but cannot express. Also, if I’m honest, to unburden myself and give away a bit of…

Happy International Woman’s Month (IMO). Let’s celebrate together with these stories I found recently that made me proud of my fellow ladies.

Madam Vice President

When I was a girl, I thought everything worthwhile had already been done and lamented why I couldn’t have been born into a more interesting time. Well, look at us now. History is made every day in our world. As a woman, this was a proud moment.

The Chicago Tribune wrote, “Kamala Harris may be the first woman to serve as vice president of the United States, but her inauguration last week also marked the first time an…