Allie Reefer

Growing up, I was always the clumsy one in the group. For a while, I think my feet were just growing faster than my body, but then my height caught up, and I still found myself stumbling over [...]

The day I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes felt like the end of my life to my 9-year-old self. My life went on, but it was definitely never the same. I remember getting blood drawn at the [...]

Ok, rewind about 10 to 15 years and imagine a music video for a famous alternative rock band. The song is about something a little sad, a little hopeful. The singer is standing in the middle of a [...]

Anger is an emotion that’s always been hard for me to control, especially in the heat of the moment. Jaw clenched, fists tightened, heart racing, head pounding–all it would take is one [...]

It took me a long time to understand that creating was a spiritual experience, an expression and extension of my faith. When I was little, I created because that’s just what kids do. They color; [...]

Throughout the changes and challenges in life, it’s hard to find a constant to hold onto. For me, the turmoil can lead to an identity crisis, and it’s easy to search for answers in the wrong [...]

“Clothes.” “Treat yo’self!” “Fragrances.” “Treat yo’self!” “Massages.” “Treat yo’self!” You know how it goes—you have a rough day, week, month, or even year and decide to participate in some [...]

My heart sank as I read the email rejecting my application for my dream entry-level job post-grad school. My dreams were shattered. I had no idea where I would be working, how I would make money, [...]

dear me, You hold onto a lot—dreams, hurts, relationships, fears. Not all of the things you clench so tightly are bad, but you’ll quickly learn that to fight for that much control will only pull [...]

“For in grief nothing ‘stays put.’ One keeps on emerging from a phase, but it always recurs. Round and round. Everything repeats. Am I going in circles, or dare I hope I am on a spiral? But if a [...]