Emily Flanagan
Bio
Emily is a reader, writer, nature-enthusiast, and lover of stars. She strives to write beautiful stories and is currently working on a novel and two children's books.
Stories (12)
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Unrequited Love
It is an unspoken rule of the universe that a love which burns too brightly cannot be sustained. A friend told me that five years ago and I had repeated those words over and over again on the drive to the restaurant but, now that I was here and in his arms, that rule flew swiftly into the wind.
By Emily Flanagan 5 years ago in Humans
On Writing
It is in the ordinary of everyday housework that words decide to tumble into my head. Doing laundry, sweeping the floor, and making the bed are all good conduits for imagination, but none of these chores inspire my inner-writer quite like doing the dishes. Maybe it's the hot water that clears away the fog or the soap bubbles sparkling in the air like fairies. Then again maybe it's the repetitive nature of grabbing, rinsing, washing, rinsing, and drying, that allows the two hemispheres of my brain (logic and creativity) to communicate with each other effortlessly. Either way, for a long time, my solution for writer's block has simply been to do the dishes.
By Emily Flanagan 5 years ago in Motivation
Second Chances
I dreamt of him again last night; of his hands on my hips, thumbs tracing languid circles like he always did. I dreamt of his lips hovering over mine, his breath tickling my skin. I dreamt of twisting my fingers through his dark brown curls and smelling the sweet smell of him which was salt and sea and air. I dreamt of him last night and when I awoke twisted and tangled in sweaty sheets I believed, for that one sweet second between sleep and consciousness, that I was back on that tiny Grecian island in the Aegean Sea. My heart constricted in my chest when my eyes adjusted to the daylight and my surroundings came into focus. I was not back on that tiny Grecian island in the Aegean Sea. I was in my small, Napa Valley apartment, I was alone, and I was late for work.
By Emily Flanagan 5 years ago in Humans
A Letter to My Daughter
My Dearest One, This morning you woke up at 5:00 am, curls bouncing, mouth smiling, ready to start your day. This morning, your four-year-old self climbed out of bed and pitter-pattered to the kitchen, still dark, and sweetly asked for waffles and berries. As I prepared your breakfast, you sat on the couch flipping through one of your "comics" we borrowed from the library. I looked at you and wondered how it could be possible to be here, in this moment, with you.
By Emily Flanagan 5 years ago in Motivation
Reclaiming Your Mental Health
Mental health is an issue in America, and many other countries, during the best of times. In 2019, the National Institute of Mental Health conducted a study that revealed that 51.5 million Americans were living with a mental illness. That number equates to nearly 1 in 5 American adults, and that was before our world was thrust into a viral pandemic! Our country has been through more trials over the last year than most of us have seen in our lifetime and it has had a strong effect on those of us suffering from diagnosed (or undiagnosed) mental health disorders. As someone who suffers from both generalized anxiety disorder and bipolar disorder, I understand how difficult this year has been, and it has been difficult, make no mistake about that. For those of you who are reading this and suffering as well, I hear you, I feel for you, and you are not alone. This will not last forever. You will feel happy and healthy again.
By Emily Flanagan 5 years ago in Psyche
What I've Learned from Parenting
Parenting is the hardest job in the universe. Yes, I am convinced it is harder than deep-sea fishing, exploring space, performing brain surgery, or any other job you want to offer up as a contender. Do you know why? Because from the minute that screaming little bundle of joy pushes its way into the world, your life will never be yours again. Every hour, every minute, every second of every day is now a never-ending devotion towards your greatest creation. There are no sick days, no vacation days, and paid time off? Yeah, right.
By Emily Flanagan 5 years ago in Families
A Year of Triumph
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 51.5 million Americans reported living with a mental illness in 2019. That number represents 20.6% of the American population. As a part of that number, I've struggled with generalized anxiety disorder and bipolar disorder for many years. Like all battles, there are periods of rest; seasons of life where the symptoms lie dormant and I'm able to breathe, and connect, and live the way I want to live. I'm able to wake up in the morning, drink a cup of tea and enjoy the peace that so often eludes me. Those periods of rest can last anywhere from a week to 4 years, but they do come, and they are coveted.
By Emily Flanagan 5 years ago in Psyche
Hamish and Agatha's
Fiona stared into the fireplace, watching the flames flicker and dance, while around her, everyone who had known and loved her grandmother, talked or cried or both. She was numb. Curled around her steaming cup of hot coffee, she tucked her toes underneath herself and held the warm mug close to her chest. Her eyes closed and all the chatter and weeping slowly faded away into nothing.
By Emily Flanagan 5 years ago in Humans
