In a narcissistic society of take-and-take, quantity over quality, and wealth over principals, will we ever settle down with someone on dating apps? — Swiping on the Date Richard checks his phone, eyes narrowed to his brightly-lit screen, the vibrant colors of his apps and screensaver reflect into a sherbet-like swirl on his black-framed glasses. He shifts in his seat, his eyes zipping across his last few messages on Tinder.

Johnny Depp V. Amber Heard defamation trial uncovers abuse and untreated mental health and substance abuse issues… in Hollywood, who do you believe? — The $50 million dollar defamation trial between Hollywood actor Johnny Depp (Pirates of The Caribbean) and actress Amber Heard (Aquaman) has revealed a lot of information exposing details from their tumultuous relationship to their traumatic childhood homes.

Dating too soon after a toxic relationship led to handing out bad dating advice and a highly memorable Bumble Date…. — The Bumble dating app had been the only dating app I used for the last four years. Tinder had brought on too many bad dates, disgusting men, and at one point a temporary restraining order. With Bumble, I loved that everything was under the woman’s control. We swiped, we reached…

The story of the depressed girl who found herself addicted, depressed, and dope sick before her 21st birthday…. — Everything hurts. My entire body from my chest to my calves is throbbing and aching. Glops of sweat have turned strands of hair into oily, writhing snakes. Pins and needles prickle my arms and stomach and dull aches radiate through my entire body. …

In celebration of International Women’s Day, let’s take a step back and remember the toxic advice our Latin mothers told us… — My mother is first-generation Puerto Rican and Cuban. Most of her advice has been enmeshed in gender inequality and toxicity, and religious sexual shame. Though I did not know it at the time. Their tips were the rules and commandments to being the proper woman. Life experiences, education, and therapy…

How Madness Influenced Writing and Creativity — A local photographer, Stacy Soriano, had asked me to be part of her series on Inspirational Women, a 12-part photoshoot that would present women around the area with various talents. Stacy and I have known each other for a long time but she had reached out through my Instagram with…

Am I the crazy one? Or, is it an unhealthy attachment style? — Am I the crazy one in this relationship? Have you ever felt like the crazy one in your romantic relationship? This idea constantly bombarded me in one of my last serious relationships. One so toxic, I’m surprised we didn’t leave with emotional radiation poison. When the relationship deteriorated, I started…

The convicted con-man manipulated and gaslit dozens of women to satiate an extravagant lifestyle he was too lazy to earn — According to the self-help book on Gaslighting by Stephanie Moulton Sarkis, Ph.D., gaslighting is psychological manipulation used to control and influence one person or a group of people. It is a form of emotional abuse and deep manipulation, one that is slow and subtle. …

The Turpin children’s further neglect and abuse by Riverside County revealed a myriad of other injustices…. — Most people are familiar with the Turpin case. It was the story of the 13 Turpin children who made national news when they were rescued from abuse, torture, and imprisonment by their two parents, David, and Louise Turpin, in 2018. And, in 2019, David and Louise Turpin were arrested and…