Category: Commentary

From the front Lines of Quarantine from a Person with Anxiety

by Icess Fernandez Rojas, posted in Commentary, Essays, Mental Health

I just noticed that I've been in some kind of quarantine since AWP, more than 25 days ago. That's almost a full month.

That explains why anxiety is working hard against me.

I've had a couple of bouts with shortness of breath. So much so I was worried.

Then, of course, it goes away. My body reacting to stress.

How’s your social isolation going?

by Icess Fernandez Rojas, posted in Commentary, Mental Health, Writing, writing life

Dear Reader, How's it going with your social isolation? Let me say this about me... I was made for this and this is both exciting and worrisome to someone with depression and anxiety. The exciting part is that I am so productive. I actually am re-learning thing this thing about myself. I like having several … Continue reading How’s your social isolation going?

Joe Ide’s IQ: Playing with time and character

by Icess Fernandez Rojas, posted in Book Review, Commentary, Writing

Dear Reader, It's been a while since I've done a book review. There's been several reasons for this. 1.) Who has time to read for fun (sometimes me and sometimes not) 2.) And then who has time to write a review 3.) So many of my friends are writers and what if I don't like … Continue reading Joe Ide’s IQ: Playing with time and character

My 2020 word of the year is…

by Icess Fernandez Rojas, posted in Commentary, Mental Health, writing life

Dear Reader, Today is the first day of 2020. Welcome to the new year and the new decade! Just like in past years, I work at the end of the previous year to discover what I want to work on for the next year. I use a guiding word for the incoming new year to … Continue reading My 2020 word of the year is…

What I am truly thankful for. You’d be surprised.

by Icess Fernandez Rojas, posted in Commentary, Essays, Mental Health, Writing, writing life

Dear Reader, I've thought about what I'd write in this blog post for several days. I was hesitant to write it. I didn't want to come off as insincere and trendy. Heaven forbid that a blogger and podcaster do something trendy! I didn't want to be #thankful or #grateful. But I am. All those hashtags. … Continue reading What I am truly thankful for. You’d be surprised.

Looking forward in gratitude

by Icess Fernandez Rojas, posted in Commentary, Essays, Writing

Earlier this month, I was lamenting the ending of this amazing summer. But looking back at my Instagram feed, I'm changing my tune for a bit. I am not lamenting the end of this summer, I am celebrating that it happened and that I grew as a result.