When to Fight

In a recent Instagram post, I shared my most recent layer and struggle–well, the external part of it.  The response has been staggering–the emails pouring in–just like when I talked about my booze problemo for the first time. Summary: so many of us are struggling. With addiction. With pain. With trauma. With emotional abuse. With […]

The Night the Darkness Almost Got Me

I attempted suicide eighteen years ago. I failed. Anthony Bourdain is dead. Kate Spade is dead. They didn’t fail at their attempts. I am saddened, truly devastated by these losses to the world. I failed, and I am glad that I was such a failure. The gifts of failure are plenty. This is the blog […]

The Dry Drunk Routine

Someone recently talked behind my back: “You know, I’m just really tired of Meredith’s ‘dry drunk’ routine. Who CARES how sober she is?” My first instinct was: THAT person should care, because clearly they aren’t willing to face their problems. My next instinct is THIS: I really, truly don’t care if someone is tired of […]

Why Side-by-Side Photos Saved My Life

Part of the problem with social media is the comparison culture. The before and afters, the #TBT (throwback Thursday) and #TT (transformation Tuesday) posts and pictures. Worse than that is the focus on looks and lighting and angles. Yep, I am a pro at this. Look at these two pictures, taken seconds apart. In one, […]

A Freaking Long December

Today’s email went out, and I figured I would share here on the blog too, because it received such a huge response in my inbox. By the way, if you’d like to receive the below type of email to your inbox from me from time to time, don’t forget to subscribe (form is at the […]

Why MODERATION is a Lie

Last year, I listened Rich Roll’s episode with Andrew Taylor. This Andrew guy is interesting because he’s known as the “Potato Man.” Basically, Taylor was 300 pounds and decided that he’d had enough… So he committed to eating NOTHING BUT POTATOES for a year. “Okay, so that’s a little weird.” (Or is it revolutionary??) I listened […]

Why I Chose to Quit My Addiction During the Holidays

Almost two years ago, I quit drinking… for good. I know many in recovery take it “one day at a time,” and I do too.  But I don’t allow the possibility of ever drinking again enter my thoughts. So I always say, “I quit drinking. Forever.” Being sober is now foregone conclusion for me, like […]

3 Ways to Pick Yourself Up When You’ve Fallen Down

“Struggle is the gold.” – image from Ishita Gupta at Tribe Conference. As I had my second large cookies and cream milkshake of the week, which has been followed by a week tons of unhealthy food, I wondered, “Why am I really back here again?” [I can really take something to the next level, by the way.] […]