I'm an Oxford-comma-loving word nerd. My career began in Spanish translation. I'm a dork about grammar and an advocate of bilingualism. I'm fascinated with the roles that language plays in identity, social connection, and education. You can expect to see some personal poetry as well as book reviews, long-form content, and handy glossaries. We're quick to assume unintelligence...but so often, people just haven't been taught the language needed to adequately express themselves!

I've been a creative person for as long as I can remember. I used to spend hours doodling, took cartoon and painting classes, and had a sticker collection my adult self is jealous of. Somewhere along the way, I drifted from art to become more focused on traditionally-applauded academics. When I entered eating disorder treatment in 2012 and began art therapy, I was reintroduced to these abandoned hobbies and saw how healing the creative process can truly be.

So much of our reality is shaped by internal dialogues. When we take accountability for the stories we repeat, reiterate, and manifest in solitude, we empower ourselves and our peers to seek change instead of settling into ambivalence. Therapy has helped rewrite my mental narrative, and only in changing that mindset was I able to reach recovery, stability, and self-love. I'm a big believer in affirmations, but none of Aunt Margret's sugar-coated toxic positivity.

There are lotsa processes and skills I've had to bootstrap on my journey. That said, I don't believe in gatekeeping the lessons I've stumbled through. When I divulge tips, crafting instructions, insider-style guides, and business methods, I'm not holding out on ya! Breaking Seams is a long-format blog, which allows me to share AS MUCH detail as possible. That was intentional. There's a certain tenacity to be found in DIYs, but no one should be left unsupported due to lack of public info.