I never thought I'd say "I don't drink," but this past Sunday marked six months since I've had a sip of alcohol. The most surprising part of it all? I'm happier sober. And I don't say that lightly. I've dealt with depression most of my life. But after my brother committed suicide, I made it a priority to take care of myself.

It's been 9 years since my brother's suicide. Life since then has been... everything. Heavy and light. Lackluster and full of wisdom. Somehow, still beautiful. I wanted to share some things I've given up and some things I'm still doing to take care of myself. May my self-help laundry list shed some light on your own.

It could be a word. The way someone phrases what you could never put words to. A memory. Something you see in the sky, in the street, in someone's eyes. And just that one thing, in that moment, can spark change in your heart. It could mean the difference between who you've been, and who you're becoming. It could mean hope instead of fear, joy where there was pain—light in the darkness. It could mean everything.

It's easy to say forgiveness heals, that it's for the injured and not the offender, but it's another thing entirely to forgive. Forgiveness is a process rather than an event. It's an unfolding decision, one you make again and again. But why forgive someone who's hurt you? Here are 13 good reasons to try.

Death has a way of making you come face-to-face with your life. No words can capture the entirety of how loss shapes us. But until then, here are six truths I’ve learned through my own personal experiences of love and loss, grief and growth, survival and surrender, and 5 years of writing on the topic.

Okay, sometimes it’s a salt bath and a piece of chocolate. But real self-care isn’t set in stone. It changes as you change. It’s changing your focus, habits and priorities when what used to work for you doesn’t work anymore. And what you need right now, it’s not always pretty or popular.

Since I lost my brother to suicide, I've been a heck of a lot more aware about what works for me and what doesn't. I've learned there are things you don't have to do -- the sorts of things that chip away at your quality of life. I wonder if life has taught you some of these same things, too...

The more in tune you get with what you’re feeling, the better you can identify and meet your needs. It takes self-awareness, respect, and practice. Each affirmation here is like a “note to self.” It’s a statement of what’s true and possible for you. It’s a way to validate the way you feel, so you can move forward.

I wrote this letter to someone I love who's struggling to change their life. Maybe, it's for you, or maybe it's for someone you know too. This letter is a simple reminder that there's hope. That love can be rekindled and small changes can make a big difference. Share this with whoever you think might need it.

Grief isn't linear; more like the tides or the seasons. The more familiar I get with it, the more I see that everything in life has its seasons... including YOU. Each season of grief has its own lessons and challenges, its own weather and mood. And each one has its place. That's one thing I've learned from loss so far.