Girlzone Category

Alcoholism rocked my early 20s.  Typically of the white wine variety, it was an hourly obsession that could have destroyed my life if I had let it.  Spoiler alert: I’m almost two years sober.  It’s not always easy though, especially during holidays like Fourth of July when I have to pretend that O’Doul’s is really doing it for me.  If I’m ever feeling envious enough of my normal-drinking peers to fantasize about picking up, I just have to remind myself that, well, I can’t.  “Elin, honey, you poured a bottle of chardonnay onRead More

There was once a time I dabbled in online dating (is it called dabbling if it goes on for 10 months?). During this period in my life I went on dates with total strangers from Tinder, O.K.Cupid, Plenty of Fish- pretty much anything that could lead to a free dinner. Anyway, during the summer of 2013, I was casually dating a man named Sam. Sam was older than me, had lived in cool places, prided himself on being a great chef, and was a former military man. Sam invited meRead More

Finding a significant other can feel like hitting the jackpot. It’s awesome to have that person to share your life with, to text when something funny happens, to cuddle with at night.  Entering into a relationship brings a lot of changes. One of those changes is that people will perceive you differently if you’re taken. There are many misconceptions and assumptions that come with being in a relationship, especially when you’re a woman. There are some things that ladies in relationships just don’t want to hear.   You’re going toRead More

In elementary school, your teachers always had a set of rules to tell you on the first day. “Don’t speak when I am speaking.” “Raise your hand.” Then, there was the “Golden Rule”- treat others how you want to be treated. We are told this throughout our lives in school, sports and even the workplace. But when does the rule stop applying? There’s different views to this “Golden Rule.” For example, should your enemies be treated how you want to be treated? We all wanted to be treated well, correct?Read More

1. Throw an awesome pool party with all of your closest friends Sun, water, friends, and good vibes, it does not get any better. Check out this awesome playlist to get the party started.   2. Get a decent tan 3. Find a song that will always take you back to the Summer of 2014 A work in progress playlist, still haven’t picked out my song yet.   4. Summerlovin’ 5. Take a trip or two to visit your friends, On a budget? Aren’t we all? Check out these awesome budget-friendly travelRead More

Ever since blowing eighteen candles out on a perfectly frosted cake, we’ve all been in the limbo that is emerging adulthood. We may proudly parade around calling ourselves “adults,” when really, we are still discovering what adulthood truly entails. As we soon observe, being an adult means at heart, not in physicality. Sure, we may legally be over the age of eighteen and eligible to vote, but it takes a while for the mentality and maturity of to solidify firmly. These milestones of adulthood don’t all happen overnight. Ultimately, beingRead More

Living under the rule of a federal agent made me a resentful adolescent. But it made me who I am today. “Wait till your father finds out.” Those dreadful words haunted me for most of my adolescence. My brothers and I were raised under the strict ruling of Dad (“The Dictator”) and Mom (“The Enforcer”). And much like a totalitarian state, there was no compromise or negotiation, and speaking out against the authoritative duo was intolerable. Similarly, in the event we were able to speak in our defense, our argumentRead More

After a breakup we all wonder, “What is my ex thinking about?” This is not only a female mindset but an across the board irrational thinking phase, if you will. For a little while after a breakup it is healthy to grieve and normal to catch yourself hoping he is thinking about you, but after a while it gets old and ugly. So to save some time and help those of you stuck somewhere between breakup and the break down, here is the general of what all exes are thinking.Read More

In this moment, you are afraid. You are afraid of being successful in your dream job you just landed. Afraid of failing grades in one of your classes at university. Afraid of possibly getting the opportunity to make a girl happy for the rest of her life. Afraid of possibly getting the opportunity to make a guy happy for the rest of his life. Afraid to ask for help in any part of your life. Afraid of letting YOURSELF be happy for the rest of YOUR life. In this moment,Read More

Because I write for a website—this one—the process isn’t as simple as sitting down at a coffee shop with a fashionable scarf on and asking scone crumbs as they rain down my neck and chest,  “What shall I write about today?” I have your needs to consider. The writer’s supposed to give you words worth reading cash advance loans online. You can think of me as your call girl взять займ на карту 10000. I’m not your only trick, I know that, but I want to make our time togetherRead More

Here’s what happened: 5 points to anyone who laughed at that reference. So here’s what happened: I was at my tied-for-favorite bar in Atlanta (it’s Mother, in case any ATLiens are reading this) and for whatever reason my friends were off doing something and I was left to my own devices for the moment (always a bad idea). Actually, in retrospect, I probably just went downstairs to pee, which goes to show you how much damage I can do in 10 minutes. Anyway, so I’m downstairs minding my own businessRead More

My early twenties, the years of my mindless actions, died as the third decade of my life became closer than the beginning of my 20th year of my existence. The first half of my twenties took their final breath surrounded by the experiences and knowledge I gained through the journey called life. Those years are survived by my friends that stood by me when I wanted to run from myself, my family that loved me for better or for worse, and my new view on the latter half of myRead More

I can’t tell you how many people have told me “fall in love with yourself first before someone else loves you.” Maybe not in those exact terms, but that’s the gist of it. I now use those same words as sincere advice to everyone that is looking for love. I have been single for a year now since my last relationship, and at first it was a lonely ride. Once you’ve been loved- touched, kissed, and spoken to in a genuine way, you feel lost when that all disappears. ItRead More

I started working in my first real world job three months ago, and quickly became friends with the only other 20-something in our side of the office, Ceara, who is one of the coolest girls I’ve ever met. She recently got offered a job teaching theater at a school just down the street from her, and I honestly couldn’t be more excited for her – it’s a great opportunity. However, I did go through a couple stages of being less than thrilled. After all, the person I was closest to atRead More

My last relationship was perfect. On paper. It was the kind of relationship that you dressed up in the clothes that you kept on the other side of the closet for. The kind that came with free coffee and the opportunity of advancement. Where you pretended to know about things you only had a vague idea about. It was the kind that made your mom happy. That made you feel like a grown-up. It was the kind of relationship that paid well, had a great healthcare plan, and you couldRead More