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Romanticizing Life as an INFJ: Why I Stopped Trying to Fit In
There’s something quietly powerful about choosing to live life as art. I used to spend a lot of energy trying to explain myself—why I felt things so deeply, why I noticed small details that others overlooked, why I never quite fit in no matter how hard I tried. Being an INFJ means constantly walking the Continue reading
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Easter Thoughts from the Back Row at Benaroya
Happy Easter. I’m currently nursing a head cold and still recovering from surgery, so today looks like tissues, tea, and sweatpants. Not exactly the fresh start kind of energy Easter is known for, but it’s real. Yesterday, though, I managed to leave the house for the first time in four weeks. I went to a Continue reading
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Over the Moon in Opera Alley: My Favorite Restaurant and a Love Letter to Romance
What is your favorite restaurant? Some places feed your body. Others feed your spirit.And then, there are places like Over the Moon Café, where the food is unforgettable, yes, but the feeling? That’s what lingers. Tucked away in Tacoma’s Opera Alley, Over the Moon isn’t flashy or loud. In fact, you could walk right past Continue reading
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Soft Toes & Soothing Moments: A Pedicure After the Pain
It’s been a minute since I treated myself, and today felt like the perfect time. I got a much-needed pedicure and let me just say, it felt amazing. Like, close your eyes and sigh kind of amazing. The warm water, the gentle scrubbing, the soft touch on my skin—it all felt extra special this time. Continue reading
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Dear INFJ: Letter #3 – You Were Never Meant to Be Small
Dear INFJ, You’ve spent so much of your life folding yourself into quieter versions of who you are. You learned how to dim your light, not because it wasn’t bright, but because it made others squint. You learned how to carry other people’s pain without them even asking, like it was your job, your purpose, Continue reading
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I’m So Tempted to Start a YouTube Channel… But Where Do I Begin?
Lately, I’ve found myself daydreaming about starting a YouTube channel. I’ve always loved creating content, whether it’s for my podcast, Artifacts & Anecdotes, or sharing my photography with friends. But YouTube? It feels like a whole new world. And to be honest, I’m a little unsure about where to even start. I’ve been tossing around Continue reading
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Submerged in Relief: My First Bath After Surgery
In the quiet of the afternoon,I sank into the water,The heat wrapping around my bodyLike a slow exhale. The tension, built up over weeks of recovery,Softened in the warmth,Muscles once stiff and soreFinally letting go. Each breath seemed to syncWith the rhythm of the water,A quiet release,A fleeting escape from discomfort. For a moment, I Continue reading
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Finding Joy in Movement: My Love for Music and Exercise
What’s the most fun way to exercise? My favorite way to exercise is by dancing around the house to great music. There’s something freeing about moving to the beat, letting go of any stress, and just enjoying the moment. When I’m not dancing, I also love getting on the elliptical while listening to music. It’s Continue reading
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INFJs and Narcissistic Abuse: A Personal Reflection
Being an INFJ feels like existing in a world that isn’t quite made for you. We’re the dreamers, the idealists, the ones who are wired to understand people’s pain, often before they even realize it themselves. We seek to help, to heal, and to guide others through their darkest times, sometimes without even being asked. Continue reading
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Electric Reverie
In the quiet dark,Pain whispers, yet still I create—Silent strength unfolds. Continue reading
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Dear INFJ: Letter #2 – Your depth is a gift
I see you. I see how the world looks at you and whispers that you’re “too much.” Too intense. Too deep. Too emotional. Too serious. Too… something. And maybe, for a while, you believed them. Maybe you tried to tone it down, to laugh a little louder at jokes that didn’t land, to nod along Continue reading
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Recovery: A Journey of Patience and Resilience
It’s been a long and challenging road, and I still have four more weeks of recovery ahead of me. Each day brings a mix of hope and frustration. I want to move forward, but my body is reminding me that I need to be patient. The restrictions placed on me are tough to live with, Continue reading
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Laughter
What makes you laugh? Laughter is one of my favorite things in the world. I absolutely love to laugh—it’s healing, it’s freeing, and it’s a beautiful way to connect with people. My sense of humor tends to lean toward the quirky, the exaggerated, and the timeless. There’s something about old-school physical comedy that just cracks Continue reading
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Reclaiming My Health: A Journey Through Grief, Healing, and Transformation
Four years ago, I was strong. I was disciplined. I was healthy. And then, my world fractured. When my mom passed away, something inside me unraveled. Grief wasn’t just an emotion, it became a presence that lived inside of me, shifting my habits, numbing my ambitions, and slowly eroding the foundation of my well being. Continue reading
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Spring
Cherry blossoms dance,soft petals kiss the warm breeze,whispers of new life. Continue reading
The Dreamer's Pen 