Blog Posts

Thoughts on growth, healing, and more from Christine DArrigo

No More Report Cards

Tomorrow I’ll celebrate yet another trip around the sun with the gratitude for my many blessings that has become the hallmark of my new life. In previous years, I’ve also used the milestone as an opportunity to reflect on the previous year, with an emphasis on all of the improvements I’ve made or the things I’ve accomplished. And, because I was rebuilding this phoenix from the ashes, I believe that approach served to encourage me and validate my hard work. Then. This year I f

5 days ago

Seeking Softness

A week in which I sought out softness (in community, in self-love and care, in the arts) to counterbalance the brutal realities that surround us. A week in which I realized the need to pace myself; I do believe that good will ultimately prevail, but that it may take a while. Ways I Found Joy This Week Relaxing and unknotting with a deep tissue massage Meeting at a local museum to introduce the CWP to my 7 th grade bestie (an amazing artist) so we could check out and di

Mar 26

Connection

A week in which I was bathed in an abundance of loving connection. Visits from far-flung friends, precious extra time with the CWP (silver linings!), chance encounters in the neighborhood and my daily rounds. Reminding me that there is an extra boost we get from nourishing ourselves with in-person connection. While this week’s boon was unplanned, it’s inspired me to make more of an effort in that regard. Ways I Found Joy This Week Breakfasting (and usually laughing) eve

Mar 12

Enduring

A week in which I was once again reminded: of the crushing, recursive brutality of loving someone with a chronic illness; of the bitter disappointment when the sudden arrival of disaster follows a period of relative progress; of the amazing fortitude and grace necessary for endurance, unfair to expect from one so young. In crisis, the world shrinks to the moment, slowly expanding to the hour, or maybe the day, as things improve. And yet, there is always a scrap of joy to be

Mar 5

Brrrrrrr

A week in which I transformed into an iguana: paralyzed by the arctic blast. I’m the first to cheer when the temperatures drop into the sixties, and even the fifties (nothing like a vigorous walk without having to shower off again ), but wind chills in the twenties are a bit more than I bargained for. Especially now that, after eleven years, my blood has officially thinned. While I’m not falling out of trees or being rescued from the middle of the road, I am spending lots of

Feb 5

When Will It Be Enough?

A week in which I hit a wall. I’ve been in or near tears daily, my privilege feels repellent, and it all seems so crushing. My anger is close to the surface and I’m beginning to fuel my refusal to give up with spite rather than optimism. And I’m doubling down on that refusal. Ways I Found Joy This Week Hosting a girls’ movie night Joining PEN America in the fight against book banning (you can, too: Don't Censor America - PEN America ) Receiving a copy of the latest book by o

Jan 29

Dawn Approaches

A week in which I doubled down on my resolve to resist by shining a light on joy. It is always darkest before the dawn, and I am convinced dawn is around the corner. After which we’ll have lots of work to do, so let’s pace ourselves. Ways I Found Joy This Week Making two more great library hauls Enjoying a fabulous deep tissue massage Laughing out loud at a comedy special Switching my BlueSky feed from “Following” to “Discover”, and counterbalancing the grim realities of o

Jan 22

Renewal

A week of sprinkling in joy as I returned to the outside world and a semblance of routine. Ways I Found Joy This Week Being feted by the nurses for “graduating” from my year of monthly shots that actually reversed osteoporosis Receiving two moving personal notes from readers of Rising Hosting the first ladies’ movie night of the year at my place Stopping for a chat with the elderly man down the street whose authentic positivity is an inspiration and whose smile lights up th

Jan 15

Re-Emergence

A week in which I further honed my perspective and began a slow return to “normal”. Ways I Found Joy This Week Connecting with far-flung friends to exchange New Year greetings Taking my first outdoor walk in weeks and savoring the fresh air and sunshine of a (rare) 60-degree day Spontaneously laughing so hard and long with the CWP that we were both clutching our stomachs and wiping away tears Taking the patient to have his feeding tube removed and getting clearance to st

Jan 8

Happy New Year!

Thinking about being grateful to be on the mend and bulking up This begins my new “week in review” format. Herewith, the Isolation Edition. I’m happy to report that the patient is steadily improving. Because he has a tube dangling from a hole in his neck (and because he is a menace), I’m unable to leave him. With the CWP away on a dog sitting gig, this means I’m confined to the house. I’m finding it very reminiscent of quarantine : the dawning recognition that I’m captive,

Jan 1

Create More, Consume Less

I’m sure it’s just frequency illusion (like when you decide you might like to buy a red car, and suddenly red cars are everywhere), but lately I seem to be haunted by this advice. If you want to fight the despair engendered by our inexorable descent into fascism and corruption… If you want to grow… If you want to save the planet… If you want to find peace… If you’re suffering from burnout… If you want to leave a legacy behind… …create more and consume less. Of course, the see

Nov 6, 2025