Brianne McDonald

As a little girl caught in a difficult, and often damaging home situation, video games offered me what they offered to so many — an outlet, a way to feel empowered and in control of a life that was tumultuous and scary.

Caught up in a torrent of emotions that we seem powerless to control; hardly able to think of anything else, barely able to function outside of the situation. We lose ourselves in ‘love,’ in what we believe love is supposed to be and how it is supposed to feel.

You rarely assume that you can know or understand someone at first meeting, or even the second, or third.

Tangled cords bring out the worst in everyone, especially if they happen to be Christmas lights.

Take the time to occasionally remember that your needs are important and if you don’t make them a priority, no one else will. Take the time to understand those needs, and actively pursue them.

3. In reality: sure, men seem to initially appreciate your laid back, easy going demeanor, but it actually ends up turning against you.

Life is about risk-taking. It’s a gamble and sometimes you will lose.

3. You quickly come to realize that the only difference between wedding decorations and regular decorations is the word ‘wedding’… and a 50% markup.

One thing people don’t really prepare you for when deciding to reproduce is… other parents.

Hey, you. Yeah I mean you. I just wanted to say, in a totally non-creepy way of course, that… well, I can see you.

I think we all find our own ways to cope with trauma. Mine has always been, for better or for worse, reading and writing.

Inevitably we all will let someone, or several someone’s, into our hearts and souls and we won’t be able to get them out again.