Bethanie Sherwood
Bio
Writer + Illustrator in northwest Iowa. Previously known as Ziza Dabbles. Check out more of my work, here!
Stories (7/0)
Bandaid
There’s a bandaid on my foot. I was standing in the doorway one moment, and just the next, the abhorrent strip of adhesive was plastered to my flesh. How did it get there? What does it want? You know, it’s peculiar, just yesterday there was one on my hand. If I didn’t know better, I’d say I’ve stumbled upon something quite strange. But of course, I haven’t. What oddity would it be for an old woman to have not one but three bandaids clinging to her aging skin?
By Bethanie Sherwood7 months ago in Fiction
What Color Is Your Lens?
There's an analogy in philosophy that compares perspective to a lens. The idea that each of us can look at the same object and interpret different things is fascinating, but growth doesn't come until you try to broaden your worldview. Perspective shifts are no small feat, and it isn't something that can be forced. Each person must come to a conclusion independently and on their timeline. However, with the exception of a few cases, perspectives can be (and usually are) challenged.
By Bethanie Sherwood8 months ago in Longevity
The Philosophy Behind Slow Living
In November of last year, I was let go. Seven years of around-the-clock availability and service left me feeling burnt out and more than a little jaded toward the corporate world. The plan was to take a short break, get through the holidays, then reconvene. One day, I was on the phone with a family member who asked when I would start interviewing again. Just the thought of it was enough to drive a surge of disgust through my system.
By Bethanie Sherwood8 months ago in Humans
I Shaved My Head
Tell me...how many women in your life have wanted to change something about their appearance? Do they follow through? Have you noticed the difference in how long it takes someone to advocate for their wants versus the length of time required for the doubt to creep in? After all, what will people say about preferences and modifications that don't have any lasting effect on them?
By Bethanie Sherwood8 months ago in Viva
An Introduction to Growth
If you’re anything like me, even a fleeting glimpse of how your goals can come together is enough inspiration for you to take off at top speed. Yet at the end of the day, you find yourself buried under mountains of momentum and confusion. There are many versions of this quote, but my all-time favorite is by Eknath Easwaran. He said, “Nothing really worth having comes quickly and easily. If it did, I doubt that we would ever grow”. No matter which path you choose, it’s important to take your time building a solid foundation. Outlines with measurable objectives, reminders of the future/goal you’re working toward, and a way to track progress are all things that help me figure out a course of action and remain on it, even when curiosity, impulsivity, and (occasionally) pride come knocking. We’ll take a look at these tools and some alternatives to accommodate different learning speeds and styles. Additionally, we’ll go over how to maintain these changes later in the article.
By Bethanie Sherwood8 months ago in Psyche
- Top Story - April 2023
The Gen Z LegacyTop Story - April 2023
If you’ve been on the internet for any length of time, it’s likely you’ve run into content with “Gen Z” plastered across the front. If you’ve dodged all the articles, conversations, and advertisements, gen z stands for generation z otherwise known as “iGen” or Zoomer. Typically born between the mid-1990s and 2010s, these kids are the first generation to grow up with the internet. Because of their unique position, they’re also the most documented generation to date. As anyone with a social media account will attest, there are pros and cons to this type of exposure.
By Bethanie Sherwood8 months ago in Humans
