Blog — Windrose Magazine

Posts in Life

My Protagonist's Internal Conflict: What to Write?

My Protagonist's Internal Conflict: What to Write?

As young post-grad writers, we often find one another invited to the same pity party. It’s an ongoing gathering, one that Facebook pesters you about seven gazillion times a day. Officially, the event is called: What On Earth Are You Gonna Write About/Fulfill Your Lifelong Dream With/While Holding Some Shred of Dignity With Your Laptop and Cappuccino, held at Location TBD from 6:30 pm through eternity. And everyone in the written world is invited. There is also a 40 percent chance of rain.

Career, Dreams, LifeTessa DukeNovember 27, 2016FeaturedComment

Hope Lost and Regained

Hope Lost and Regained

I was in the middle of working on an assignment where I had to accompany a client home on the train. This first job after college had me crying some days over how stressful it was, on top of not being anywhere I had planned for my career to go. As the days progressed, I became more depressed, continually feeling less sane than the first day it hit me that this job had not been meant for me long term.

Career, Dreams, LifeRegan CunninghamNovember 22, 2016FeaturedComment

Mountaintop Moments

Mountaintop Moments

Removed from the college bubble and re-planted in a new life, the field is wiped clean again. I have to again make a real, conscious decision about where I fit in and how I stack up. There seem to be metrics in place for who’s “winning” post-grad—high-power job? committed relationship? best apartment? coolest city?—but there’s no prize.

Dreams, Life, RelationshipsMelissa WartenNovember 20, 2016FeaturedComment

Overcoming Perfectionism Amidst the Process

Overcoming Perfectionism Amidst the Process

You should know, and you may find it ironic, that you’re reading an article on overcoming perfectionism from a Class A perfectionist.

If anything, I hope it makes you feel less alone, less crazy, more understood, and more capable of overcoming its downsides. Because perfectionists are already harder on themselves than anyone else, so when others put their flaws in the spotlight, it’s crippling. Worse than crippling, actually - it is suffocating.

Career, Dreams, LifeKaitlyn HiltzNovember 19, 2016Comment

Somewhere Else

Somewhere Else

"I'm moving to Canada."

That's something so many of us have heard, or even said ourselves, over the past week once America's long-awaited election results stared us in the face. Canada's immigration site even crashed from too many disgruntled, scared, devastated Americans looking for a way out. Canada will be better, we thought. In Canada we can find our peace.

Dreams, Life, TravelAmanda BeadlescombNovember 17, 2016FeaturedComment

Learning to Abide

Learning to Abide

Have you ever felt as if you’re always two steps behind the life you had planned? I’m tired. I’m tired of wet eyes and a dry spirit. I’m tired of the dreams that keep me awake at night. And most of all, I’m tired of the burden of the life I’m not living as I crumble under its tantalizing weight.

Dreams, LifeDanica CotovNovember 15, 2016Comment

Between Burnout and a Thriving Place

Between Burnout and a Thriving Place

“So Ashlee, what are your big plans for tonight?”

I was in the middle of working as a production assistant for a week-long writer’s workshop, and one of the writers tossed out the question as we were all packing up to leave the space for the evening.

It was simple small talk, but I didn’t have a good answer for it.

Career, Dreams, Life, RelationshipsAshlee LatimerNovember 13, 2016FeaturedComment

On Making Decisions and Having Regrets

On Making Decisions and Having Regrets

I don’t know what I’m doing.

How many times in the past two years have I said this or some variation of it? How many times in the past two years have I felt like I made mistakes or I regret the decisions that I made? Too many.

Career, LifeJulia NusbaumNovember 12, 2016Comment

Fear and Becoming an Adult

Fear and Becoming an Adult

Now that I'm graduating college the stress to make all the right decisions is heightened. It feels like if I make one wrong step now people will shake their heads, because they knew I would never be able to accomplish all my lengthy list of goals. I don’t want to be known as the girl who failed because she didn’t have whatever “it” is.

Career, Dreams, LifeCourtney SowderNovember 10, 2016Comment

It's Okay If You Don't Agree

It's Okay If You Don't Agree

There comes a time in every child's life when they realize that their parents might not be the "be all and end all" when it comes to opinions. There might, God forbid, be something that you question. Something that you choose, willingly, to defy. I'm not talking about curfews or rules when it comes to alcohol or boys in the house. I'm talking about the things that you believe to your core, the things that you choose to let define you, the things that you will go to bat to defend. The things that make you... you.

Life, RelationshipsKatie SerenaNovember 8, 2016FeaturedComment

That Time I Wanted to be a Nomad

That Time I Wanted to be a Nomad

And regardless of whether or not I became a nomad, I was still leaving Nashville. I was over this city with its drunken country music tourists on Broadway and lack of ocean or mountains and awful traffic and skinny-jean wearing boys who have no idea what they want.

“I’m leaving.”

That was my constant refrain to whoever asked me what I wanted to do.

Travel, LifeAlly WillisNovember 6, 2016FeaturedComment

How & Where & Why We Laugh

How & Where & Why We Laugh

A wistful gleam of light pours onto my pale face, bags like fake Prada clutches sit under my eyes and my hair is swept in a ponytail. I've decided to put on my makeup at work to save time, sanity, and immerse myself in an extra two minutes of sleep.

Career, LifeTessa DukeOctober 30, 2016FeaturedComment

Sunny Side Up

Sunny Side Up

“How do you want your eggs?”

I’m sitting next to him on the patio of an IHOP in the rain, smiling too much and keeping my hands in my lap where he can’t reach out and grab one.

If he notices the way I don’t lean in for a kiss and cross my arms when we walk, he doesn’t let on. He leans in for me, wraps his arms around me in my favorite bear hug.

LifeAmanda BeadlescombOctober 23, 2016FeaturedComment

Let This Be Enough

Let This Be Enough

“Let this be enough.”

I heard those simple words this morning as I sat quietly in my living room beneath the “Inhale” and “Exhale” artwork that reminds me to breathe. In my left arm sat my cuddly grey cat that I never intended to own; in my right hand steam rose from the coffee in my Be Brave mug. My jealous Poodle, deeply offended that I could love any creature apart from herself, had crawled into my lap and curled up on the pillow. A soft Target blanket was tucked around my legs, and my feet were warm inside fuzzy socks. A pumpkin candle glowed and fall’s weak morning light shone through the windows. Be still, I urged my mind. Be still and know. Stay quiet and listen.

Life, DreamsAlly WillisOctober 22, 2016FeaturedComment

On Moving Across the Country and Being Content

On Moving Across the Country and Being Content

When I got the email, I knew I didn’t really have a choice. I was growing bored of my small college town and the fear of remaining there forever was stronger than ever as all of the people around me were graduating. I hated that I had already stayed this long after my own graduation. I was feeling stagnant; I was getting restless. I loved everything about my life as it was, except for the fact that there was no way it would stay that way. I had the urge to leave before everyone else did.

Life, DreamsHannah ReedOctober 20, 2016Featured Comment