Self-Care for Cynics

I remember telling people that my ex ended our relationship by ghosting me - a term that didn't exist at the time, but pretty much sums up what happened. When I told people, I always said, "yeah, it was awful, he just literally stop speaking to me - he just disappeared from my life." And instead of receiving the sympathy I expected, people reacted very differently. Many just shrugged - "yeah, that happens all the time." Does it though? Okay, maybe it does - but should we be so nonchalant about that? I for one believe we should be chalant (I know that's not a word, but I'm making it a thing, okay!) Why do men behaving badly get off the hook so easily? We should be outraged, yet we're complacent. Is it that women are supposed to be submissive, demure and non-combative when it comes to our broken hearts? We're supposed to just accept that "boys will be boys," and move on? 'Cause if we do react with the slightest bit of venom, we...

Two day's ago I turned 34. It was low key, which I'm learning is the best way to have a birthday. This isn't to say I did nothing. But I also didn't have high expectations. I did, however, feel the love from family, friends and co-workers. Speaking of co-workers...this was my desk when I came into work on Thursday morning: That was pretty cool. No one's every decorated my desk on my birthday before, so that was fun. It really improves your mood to work surrounded by balloons. The problem I have had surrounding my birthday, and still face today, is a serious case of expectations vs. reality. Due to my anxiety and my inability to cope with change, I often get too psyched about my birthday plans, then consequently disappointed when it doesn't live up to the hype. Past examples have been friends bailing last minute, boyfriends who forget and/or don't buy you a gift, weather not co-operating (as I type this, it's ice storming outside and I ...