First Person Singular by Wendy Braitman

Never Regular

I have a searing memory of being 15 years old in the shag-carpeted attic bedroom of a school friend, and feeling like the most boring person in the world. My life was so regular. I hated it. All I wanted was adventure. Fast forward 25 years later, as a single woman with an inkling that I might not ever marry, all I wanted was to fit in. Now, I love my life. Perspective is a funny thing.

Art by Wasted Rita

Being Single is Hell in “The Lobster”

This new sci-fi film (released today in the States) takes place in the near future when single people have 45 days to find a compatible mate, or else be transformed into an animal and released into the wild.

Feeling Retro

I adore technology, but wouldn’t consider sending an e-card. This is right out of my playbook.

Desert Island Food

Parmigiano Reggiano. This is one of my most important staples from Costco, which sells the cheese in huge hunks. Perfect to use with a vegetable peeler. What single food item couldn’t you live without?

FYI, I’ve just started blogging on my Career change Coaching website. If you’re contemplating a job transition, check it out.

Photo by The Voorhes

What To Do With an Iron

For the last 20 years, my iron has been gathering dust in the back of the hall closet. The few times I’ve taken it out was to spot press the top sheet on my bed. My mother used to iron every night. When she should’ve been kicking up her feet for a well-deserved rest after a day at the office, cleaning the house and feeding her family, she stood exhausted in the den steaming away the wrinkles on my father’s shirts. This image made a lasting impression. Once, I had a boyfriend who found it therapeutic to iron. That was a relationship made in heaven.

Shrink-wrapped iron by Chris Labrooy

The Shadow Knows

I find this image very intriguing. What does it say to you?

Painting by Jim Houser

Shout Out to Mom

It has been 23 years and a month since my mother died. I think of her every day. Now that so much time has passed, I’m filled with love and gratitude. But it took a full decade after she passed for me to make peace. She taught me to be independent, to stand up for myself, to take risks, and be a big thinker and doer. But paradoxically, my mom was also desperate for me to be married, and never let me forget that I disappointed her. So you might say I owe First Person Singular to her. She was beautiful and amazing, and I’m so lucky to have been her daughter.

Painting by Michael Dumontier and Neil Farber

Flying High

This week, my ballet teacher brought his active, 11-month old daughter to class. The mom is also a dancer, and she was there taking class, they switched off tending to her, and somehow it worked. I was watching him hold his daughter above his head, turning her upside down, spinning her around, and he’s a towering 6’4”, so that’s high up. And I thought, this girl will probably never be afraid of heights (unlike me). She’s going to be physically fearless.

Illustration by Geoff McFetridge

Do You Nap?

Illustration by Jean Jullien

National Day for Soul Searching

Dear readers, you know I don’t write about politics much unless it rises to a special occasion. Trump becoming the standard bearer of the Republican Party is one of those times. My soul aches over the thought of 6 more months of his race baiting and misogyny, and the possibility that he could be the leader of the free world. Now it’s up to us. If you’re a U.S. citizen and not registered or not in the habit of voting, get it together. Think about volunteering. Contribute $$. Persuade your relatives. Do whatever you can. We must unite and stop this.

Neon from Kendell Geers