I’m wearing sweatpants as I write. Which is unsurprising, because I spend as much time as possible in my sweats. It’s been a lifelong love affair between me and that glorious cotton/poly blend and I have the childhood photos to prove just how often I’ve chosen to favor comfort over fashion.

So, it pretty much goes without saying that I can totally get on board with hitting the gym in sweats. Especially on an 8-degree morning, like the one detailed in The New York Times OpEd piece, ‘Why Yoga Pants Are Bad For Women’.

What I can’t get on board with is this: shaming women who choose to wear anything else, like the “skintight, saran-wrap-thin yoga pants” the author references. Continue reading →

Criticism Or Kindness: The Choice Is Ours

September 1, 2017August 31, 20171 Comment

By Jillian Stacia

I was at the grocery store doing my weekly shopping. After surviving the mad dash around the store, I was more than ready to check out and head home. When it was finally my turn at the register, I unloaded my items and attempted to make small talk with the cashier:

“How are you doing today?”

Nothing. Radio silence. The sulky teenage boy didn’t even look me in the eye. Continue reading →

We’re Going To Be Okay

August 17, 20171 Comment

By Jillian Stacia

It’s been a rough couple of days. If you live in America then you know what I mean.

When things like this happen, I find myself falling silent. Not in my personal life, or on social media, or in my own private journals, but here, in this space. More than ever, I’m realizing just how important our words are. I want to make sure I get them right. I don’t want to be another voice in the void. I don’t want to add more fuel to the fire. I don’t want to say something just because. Continue reading →

Raising A Child In The Trump Administration

July 30, 2017July 30, 20175 Comments

By Jillian Stacia

Recently, Thirty On Tap contributor Catherine Miele wrote about how she’s scared to have a second child in today’s political landscape. I’m currently pregnant with my first child and can completely relate to Catherine’s feelings. I’ve found myself thinking about this more and more with every passing news story. I’m insecure about so many things when it comes to motherhood, but nothing scares me more than having to raise a child in the Trump Administration. Continue reading →

How Random Acts Of Kindness Can Spark A Series of Fortunate Events

February 17, 2017February 14, 20171 Comment

By Cece Flores

I didn’t know that Random Acts of Kindness Day was a thing, but I’ve always operated on the belief that being kind to people — those we do and don’t know — can set off a chain reaction. When I worked in the service industry, I occasionally observed how much it made someone’s day when another someone paid their tab. Continue reading →

Focus On How It Feels

January 18, 2017January 17, 20174 Comments

By Kate Kole

I started running cross country in high school as a way to stay in shape for soccer season. That was my singular goal and purpose. Not to race competitively, or to smash PRs, or to lose weight, or for any other reason. So, it was as much a surprise to myself as it was to anyone else when I discovered that I genuinely loved the sport. I adored my teammates and found that meeting up to cover 6 miles after school was fun. We bonded over long runs where we had nothing else to do but talk. And of course, team dinners and getting out of school early to head to meets only added to my newfound enthusiasm for the sport.

Even after graduating, I continued to run. Just for the heck of it. Throughout college and into my early 20s, I signed up (and sometimes even trained!) for half marathons. I appreciated the time that running allotted me, to think, destress, and reach endorphin fueled highs. Continue reading →

Mute The Inner Critic With Loving Kindness Meditation

December 19, 2016December 19, 20162 Comments

By Heather Angiletta

I was having coffee the other day talking about a new idea I had and a dream for an exciting project, feeling pretty hopeful and inspired for a few minutes. Then someone said, “What are you thinking? There is no way you can pull that off. Why don’t you just stop trying to be so special, you aren’t”.

You know who that dream-killer bitch was? Me. Continue reading →

You Are Enough

December 12, 2016December 9, 20162 Comments

By Christie Page

This time of year is really difficult for a lot of people. As someone who suffers from mental health issues I can tell you that the holiday season is full of triggers, but I also want you to know that it’s ok. All of it. We are hardest on ourselves and often don’t know where to turn for help. Sometimes the simplest kindness can pull you through another day. I decided to extend that kindness to myself and wrote this piece to remind me that I am enough. I hope you will take a moment to watch and if you are so inclined to share and spread the message, we are all in this together. Continue reading →

It’s Time To Be Better Than We’ve Been

November 11, 2016November 11, 20161 Comment

By Jillian Stacia

The hardest thing about this election, for me at least, has been the people. It’s never (really) been about Trump. It’s about the growing crowd behind him.

There will always be evil people. But evil can never flourish unless we buy into it. And yet, on election night, we learned just how many people had.

One of the biggest things I’m grappling with right now: how do I make peace with the people I love that voted for Trump? Because these people are everywhere. They’re in our lives, in our families, maybe even in our homes. And I love them and respect them and cherish them, but it has been an honest to God struggle for me to forgive them and understand them. Continue reading →

Positive Vibes On Tap

March 2, 2016May 13, 20161 Comment

Some days feel like they require an extra boost of motivation – to work out, to cook dinner, to step out of a comfort zone, to reorganize the closet, cupboards, pantry, makeup bag – or simply to get out of bed.

Continue reading →