All Posts

I Know Why

I know why writers isolate for months—to create. I also understand why it can be so difficult to sit with your own thoughts and worry that memories will unravel during the long moments of silence, especially those tough times you still feel shouldn’t have happened, at least not to you. What I don’t fully understand is why my time alone is often filled with creative procrastination. I have one task to complete. This marks the beginning of the third year of a great idea that s

K Collier

Jul 211 min read

The Butterfly Effect

The day this butterfly patch sparked an idea 🦋✨A tiny detail… and the beginning of something bigger. The affirmation on my desk that morning. April 5, 2021 I found this iron-on butterfly patch tucked inside the fold of a skirt my grandmother gave me. (Yes—I love her hand-me-downs. She’s way fancier than most grandmas 💅🏽) I called her laughing about it, and of course, she immediately asked about her “great baby”—aka the Ladybug. After we hung up, it hit me… we’ve had so man

K Collier

May 91 min read

Empathy for Educators

Lately, the idea of goodbyes has had me thinking about how stressful the end of the year can be for educators. Many are not fortunate enough to have secure positions. Even tenured educators often end the year unsure of what the next one will hold. There are forms to complete, preferences to submit, and uncertainty about who will or won’t be retained in the budget—all while managing the stress of final grades and striving to end the school year strong. There’s also the wonderi

K Collier

May 52 min read

Monsters

There are plenty of things that go bump in the night—whether it’s the imagined monster in your closet or an animal rustling just outside your bedroom window. But the real monsters are the ones who walk upright. The ones who stand beside you while you trust them to be who they claim to be—teammates, friends, family, even loved ones. You never truly know what to expect. As we move through these episodes, a clear theme begins to emerge. What approaches our main character is ofte

K Collier

Apr 231 min read

Sleepless in the City

I woke up because I didn’t feel alone for once. Did I dream of your touch? Did I feel your thoughts? Heavy as it may seem. I swear I felt someone was here with me. Pulled me up from the bed and wrapped up in their arms. Choked up, confused, and surprised since, I woke up alone. Just a thought - no reality - or reason- Just me here alone again during another season of “Sleepless in the City.”

K Collier

Apr 231 min read

“The Quiet Work of Self-Love”

I have developed the habit of moving through spaces that weren’t always meant for me without apology. I’ve noticed how often people struggle with self-esteem, how many carry a quiet discomfort with themselves, and I sometimes find it hard to share what I’ve learned—that loving yourself is essential, not optional. I think a lot about the “spaces” in my own mind—the ones that helped me grow into my confidence. I built that over time, with a lot of gratitude. And honestly, I am

K Collier

Mar 241 min read

I thought I ran out of Tears, Mr.

Tears are not something most people consciously track. As a professional school counselor, however, tears are a normal part of my workday. Most of the tears I witness are attached to frustration, grief, or displaced anger — rarely requiring me to show my own emotions. Some school years, my work consisted almost entirely of responsive services: holding space for the feelings of others, practicing restraint with my words, staying overly conscious of my behaviors, and learning h

K Collier

Jan 272 min read

This is Your Sign...

Just in Time for National Family Literacy Month

K Collier

Oct 29, 20251 min read

Crush... Ed

Is it possible to have an adult crush? Hear me out. I don’t like a lot of things or people. I tend to share my thoughts openly first and then I will pull back if I feel trust is compromised. It has been a while… and I know disappointment follows once reality sets in. Currently, considering moving to Canada to avoid this man. Walking the furthest distance away, while keeping your eyes away from… the high cheekbones, the smooth skin and the bright eyes. Nope look down, up and o

K Collier

Oct 26, 20251 min read

Living in My Learning Curve

Living in my learning curve, I’ve found a few things to be true: I tell a good story. My heart shows through—whether I mean for it to or not. When I speak, even if the person I believe the message is for doesn’t hear me, the universe does. This is a tale in two parts: One of work. One of how I am received. I allow this version to be in the first person because it feels more powerful. I’d love to narrate this without feeling or emotion, but some feelings knock too loudly to

K Collier

Oct 13, 20252 min read