I’m Kelsey, and it’s so nice to see you here.

I love to meet new people, and my blog feels like my own corner of the internet. So please imagine me offering you a cup of coffee (cream? sugar?) and inviting you to make yourself at home. If you’re new here, the Explore page is a great place to start.

I’ve been sharing writing at RISING*SHINING since 2011. And I’ve been co-hosting The Girl Next Door podcast since 2014, before most people knew what the heck a podcast was.

My background is in environmental science, but I’ve always loved to write. While working full time after grad school, I found myself yearning for more creativity and connection with other women, especially as I contemplated motherhood. One day I was bored at work and stumbled upon a blog about motherhood. Immediately I felt that I had found kindred spirits. A few years later, I added my voice to the community by starting my own blog.

Writing here has inspired my own personal growth and creativity. In April of 2018 I quit my full time job as a science writer to make more time for writing and podcasting, and to have more flexibility while my kids are young.

Since then, I’ve grown my podcast, have offered workshops on goals and habits, and more recently began teaching college courses in writing and technical communication. Along the way, I’ve kept writing here and am continually grateful for the space to reflect and share, and to find connection with women around the world.

I always hope that my writing will offer readers encouragement, practical ideas, and honesty. I love hearing a reader or listener respond with, “Oh me too!” to something I’ve shared. Motherhood – and life! – can feel isolating yet my experience has been the more I share the more I find that we’re all in it together. When you stop by here, I hope you’ll have that feeling too.

I’m so glad you stopped by!

Warmly,

Kelsey