Keeping a journal or committing to a free writing practice can be a soothing—even meditative—activity that helps to bring clarity, alleviate stress, boost mood, hone focus, and improve overall wellness—at any age (even if the “writing” begins, for our youngest writers, as drawing pictures). But what if your chosen writing tool is also equipped with powerful distraction capabilities? How can you develop a healthy writing practice without getting sucked into distractions (and b

A few weeks ago, my husband asked me if I had a tissue. “Sure,” I said. Of course I had a tissue. I had a backpack full of useful stuff, right? I dug through my bag, rummaging for a tissue underneath discarded grocery lists, schedules, and reminders. Past about twelve pens. Beyond my wallet, a few random toys, crumpled wrappers, receipts, a couple small books, and a collection of brochures we’d picked up over the past several months. Not a tissue in sight. But aha! There was

My favorite childhood Christmas memory is one I can pull up from my mind as easily as a photo stored on my phone. I don’t even have to try, actually, because it’s the first image that pops into my mind when I think about the Christmas season. I remember a teenage me, complete with braces, braided pigtails, and flannel pajamas, baking Christmas cookies in the kitchen with my mom late into the night on Christmas Eve. After everyone else had already gone to bed, the two of us st