Shells from a Beach

Stories of life, love, and learning

Welcome!

This blog was sparked in text conversations with a friend who told me I write “beautifully” amidst discussions that helped me reclaim myself. Then, it was like dominoes: multiple friends stopped me to say that my writing was beautiful. I thought “I’m not a writer, I’m a mathematician…” but, in truth, I write a lot. I type my notes for classes to ensure that the conceptual understanding is clear, I journal things, I take forever writing emails because my words mean something to me.

Their words grabbed me. I feel vulnerable sharing my writing, but I want to share the work I’ve done in the hope that others can benefit from it. I hope you enjoy my words. I hope you find ways to reclaim yourself, love yourself, and spark the light inside you.

Love, -S.

Start from the beginning: Hello Internet

Or, read the latest posts:

  • Ease

    This post is also available as a podcast here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/s-p01/episodes/Ease-e2imhqk There’s a component to longterm relationships that is nearly intangible, but I like to think of it as “ease.” Have you ever met someone that you just could not stay mad at? Obviously, we get mad at people, but someone that you could forgive any

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  • Fear

    This post is also available as a podcast here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/s-p01/episodes/Fear-e2imhqv Fear ruled a lot of my life. I used to be afraid of strangers, carnival rides, witches, ant hills, the list goes on. Fear holds us back. It may be a protective instinct, but sometimes fear is an oppressor to growth. I stayed in bad

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  • Enough

    This post is also available as a podcast here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/s-p01/episodes/Enough-e2ikdrq I’ve mentioned it before. My deepest core issue is not feeling “enough.” I know I’m not alone in this. Some people use different words, but the feelings are similar. My story might not be yours, but I will do my best to unpack what “enough”

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  • Work

    This post is also available as a podcast here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/s-p01/episodes/Work-e2ikd7a I alluded to my goal-oriented drive to work harder in my last post. I was focusing on letting go, but I thought following it up with a post about working harder might create balance. I’m really good at working harder. So, if this is something

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  • Life

    This post is also available as a podcast here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/s-p01/episodes/Life-e2ikcqm Life happens. No matter what we do, or the choices we make, life will carry on. Life will move forward, regardless of whether we move with it. We may actively work to move things forward in the ways we seek, or stand by and watch

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  • Letting Go

    This post is also available as a podcast here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/s-p01/episodes/Letting-Go-e2eg78h This is a good follow up to my “fix it” post. I struggle to let anything go. I talked about that in the last post. I cling to things, people, even moments. I have moments I want to hold onto forever. By “letting go,” I

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  • A Valentine’s Day Post

    This post is also available as a podcast here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/s-p01/episodes/A-Valentines-Day-Post-e2fpmff This is an extra post, because there are some things in it that I wanted to get out. I went to the store and bought myself a dozen roses and some chocolate covered strawberries this week. I bought the strawberries last year when I was

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  • I Can Fix it

    This is also available as a podcast here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/s-p01/episodes/I-Can-Fix-it-e2eg6hq There’s a part of me that always thinks I can fix things. Work harder, it’ll work out eventually. I have a really hard time giving up on anything, anyone. I think it’s beneficial in my teaching because I don’t give up on my students. However, in

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  • Boundaries

    This post is also available as a podcast here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/s-p01/episodes/Boundaries-e2eg647 This is a much-needed post. Why? Because I’ve always been bad at boundaries. We need boundaries. Boundaries protect us and preserve our person and resources. People pleasers have elusive boundaries. It’s like this: we know we need them, but setting boundaries upsets people, so we

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  • Blessing, or curse?

    This post is available as a podcast here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/s-p01/episodes/Blessing–or-Curse-e2eg5ho Most of the time my empathy and ability to see people is a blessing. I do all I can to only use it for good. There are days it’s a curse. Probably not the way you think, either. The burdens of others are not my curse.

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