Depression didn’t just affect how I felt—it quietly shaped our family routines. Now, years later, I’m realizing that some of the boundaries I created to survive a difficult season became traditions I never expected to miss.
Author: kenconcini
Conversations I Can’t Have
There are conversations I can’t always have out loud. The ones that sit in my mind, take up space, and create clouds. But even the heaviest clouds don’t erase the sunshine. They remind me to pause, reflect, and find my way back.
Left on Read: Learning to Let Go of One-Sided Relationships
As the extrovert, I genuinely like checking in on people, hearing what’s new, rotating the groups, and maintaining relationships.
For years, I had this habit of scrolling through my contacts and thinking, “Wow, we haven’t seen them in a while.”
Then I’d send a text: “Hey, it’s been a while, what’s your schedule look like?”
“Lots of Women…”: Why We Need to Talk Honestly About Miscarriage
A bit of time ago, someone close to me went through an unwanted pregnancy. They navigated it with care & intention, making the best decision they could for themselves. During the process, they reached out to me to talk about how hard it all felt. I asked them, “Would you like me to just listen read more
Is Anything “Off-Limits”?: The Joy of Podcasting (Spoilers Ahead)
When you prep for a podcast, your host usually sends a welcome email, a confirmation, & asks the standard, polite question: “Is there anything you want me to avoid? Anything off-limits?” I’ve always been curious to see what people choose to ask. What they focus on. What they saw from my application. I tell hosts, read more
“Excuse me everyone!” Clap::Clap
I used to believe my cloud was mine alone — that if I kept it invisible, everyone else could stay in the sun. This post is about the truth behind that belief, the courage it takes to ask for help, and the reminder that there is always a room that cares.
We Don’t Talk About Depression.
Sharing mental health stories matters. In We Don’t Talk About Depression, I explore my journey through anxiety, panic, and intrusive thoughts, and how I’ve learned to acknowledge clouds without shame. This post reflects on breaking cycles, finding support, and modeling emotional awareness for my children — because it’s okay to not be okay. Resources and guidance included for those seeking support.
I wrote a book. It’s in the world.
What that process made clear to me is that there’s a real gap in the market when it comes to talking about big feelings in families—especially feelings that extend beyond a child’s own experience.
My intention isn’t just to teach kids how to understand themselves, but to build empathy outward. To help children see that their parents are human too—that they don’t have to be strong or perfect all the time, and that love and honesty can exist alongside hard days.
Words Matter: When People Forget That Differences Aren’t Defects
Words matter. I don’t always use the best words. I don’t always say the right things. What matters just as much as the words, is our awareness. The awareness of impact, potential for harm, & our capacity to grow because we know we might mistake our words. We don’t have to be perfect, but I read more
Merry Christmas: Facing anxiety, reading books, & buying supports
This holiday season, I’m sharing the story behind my book launch, including Pay-It-Forward bundles, ARC updates, and creative ways to give back. Follow along for behind-the-scenes insights, mental health reflections, and joyful reading moments.