"I didn’t want to go with anyone but still sad nobody asked me to prom"

and other selected secrets/sparkles

May 11, 2023

Hi friends, thank you so much for being here! It means a lot to me. If you enjoy my writing, I’d love it if you’d share A Little Something Sweet with the people you love. I also invite you to upgrade to a paid subscription, which gives you access to my Rom Coms Revisited movie club, exclusive recipes, and other subscribers-only content. Your support of my work allows me to keep creating here and elsewhere. I’m so grateful, xoxo.

remember, in this context:

secrets are the shadowy things that we want to share but might be tempted to hide because of shame/fear/social obligations.
sparkles are the things that make you feel most alive - little moments of joy/satisfaction/contentment that you wish you could bottle up.

click here to submit your own secrets/sparkles anonymously anytime.

loosely defined themes of the week: small kindnesses, betrayal, making things your own

secrets

short & sweet/salty:

I kind of regret renewing my contract at my unfulfilling job.
I hate my fiances extremely judgmental and intolerant fundamentalist family.
We’re moving abroad & I haven’t told my family yet.
I need to get a new car but I’m scared.
Being gaslit by doctors, having an invisible illness, and chronic pain sucks.

Sending you so much love.

I’m almost 40 and I’m absolutely terrified. I’ve barely started to figure things out.
I broke up with my ex + he’s moved on with someone. I don’t miss him but I’m sad.
I forgot I had a term paper due today and have been panic working on it for 12 hours.
I pretend I’m not heartbroken as well, after awhile it’s like everyone was so sick of it.
Being a mom, even with a solid support system, is lonely as shit a lot of the time.
My boyfriend of 8 years and I broke up and I think this might just kill me.
I’m moving back to my hometown for the 1st time as an adult + terrified it’s a bad idea.
I’m going on a date on tues for the first time in literal years and I could puke thinking about it.
I got into so much debt for my masters degree from a top university and I can’t find a job.
I’m homesick all the time & it makes me feel like a failure.
Married life is boring.

I want to be in a relationship but for the wrong reasons.
I went on my first date last week at 28.
My boyfriend just broke up with me and I’m relieved.
I’m having a really hard time getting over an eating disorder.
I miss my best friend so much it hurts.
Just started a new job that I thought was my dream…and I already want to quit.
I’m falling in love with a woman for the first time.
My anxiety keeps increasing so I am finally seeing a therapist but not for another month.
I’m having a dual mastectomy next month and I’m insanely terrified.
I’m the happiest n most positive abt the future I’ve ever been but feel blocked bc I’m worried that my family is going to keep struggling/being unhappy.
My dad forgot my birthday yesterday.
I just got laid off for the first time ever.
I’m scared that I’m falling for a guy & that he won’t feel the same. Sometimes I feel so unlovable.
I’m graduating with my masters and have no job! It makes me so scared.
Capitalism is evil but I got a job after 6 months unemployment and feel fantastic.
Glad I broke my hand. I’ve felt so overwhelmed lately. This force stopped my life.
I work at a pole studio but take classes at a competitive pole studio.
I’ll never heal from the family and friends who abandoned me after my partner died.
I’m always so scared that everyone secretly hates me.
I have such bad acne after my secret abortion. Hard to deal with fam noticing my skin.
I reapplied to get my associates degree.

I stopped talking to everyone because I was so sad I couldn’t pretend to have conversations.
I’m into my dance teacher.
I have lost my libido and it might be ruining my relationship.
31 weeks pregnant and I’m ready for it to be over.
Turning 30 soon and fucking terrified of it!
I’m scared I won’t be as good a doctor as I thought I would.
Learned that I’m apparently in an open relationship? Not what I want, but can’t see a break up.
My fear of my losing my partner is paralyzing me.
I made a huge mistake at work and I’m spiraling bc of it.
My grandma is dying and I feel bad for my dad but I’m not sad about it.
I found out my “best friend” was using my trauma to mock me. She’s a therapist.
Moving out of my parents, finally, at 24…scared about $$.
I wish I had someone to share the sparkly moments with.
Chronic pain is making me miserable.

I’m in desperate need of change in my life but the change isn’t very clear yet.
I hate Mother’s Day because of my MIL.
I’m nervous to meet my boyfriend’s mom tomorrow.
Quit my job without actually quitting. I just stopped going lol.
I think women who choose to be child-free should get 3 months off work at least once.

sparkles

short & sweet:

I’m learning to drive and it’s the most terrifying and exciting thing!!
I’m in love for the first time maybe ever?
Tomorrow’s my birthday!!
A teacher on my team asked students what they liked about us on Forms. Responses made me cry.

I’m my dog’s favorite person and that unconditional love is so wholesome.
They’ve discovered why I’m infertile!!!
New glasses with glitter.
My 6 mo old daughter reached for me for the first time while she was in someone else’s arms.
We are about to sell our first home! Nervous and excited.
Taking my partner to the country where I do my research for the first time!
Looking at engagement rings with my partner.
Feeling so grateful that my 6 month old puppy is calming down a bit.
Finished a 10-week Hebrew course yesterday. I loved being a beginner at something again.
I am wearing lingerie for a new lover tomorrow. Never worn any ever! It’s hot!
Just got a positive pregnancy test for our rainbow baby.
FDA advisors voted UNANIMOUSLY in favor of OTC birth control pills!!!
Just bought my first house with my partner, can’t wait to decorate it with things I love.

We got approved to adopt Layla the senior puppy!!!
I just submitted my last final for my masters degree!!
Spring breezes and rose wine.
Overcame my intense anxiety to enjoy a trip to London with my SIL.
My divorce is final!!!
It smelled like summer today for the first time.
I finished my 5th year of seminary & my final paper was basically “support trans rights”.
I got a job 3 days after graduation and I could not be more grateful.
Went on my first date in over 3 years.
New (to me) mandolin!
I told my crush of 1.5 years I like him and it’s mutual.
Today my therapist told me “you’re doing really good work, I hope you are proud”.
Bought a cute shirt at a yard sale and the seller asked me what products I use in my hair.
It’s a week til my bday and my bf woke me up with a latte and McDonald’s to celebrate.

I really, really love this for you.

Got to start a new project in my lab and I’m so so excited about it.
The dog I walk was so excited to see me he whined & pushed his head into my hand.
Finally found a GYN provider who makes me feel seen/heard.
I had a beautiful 9 month boy after infertility. He lights my life!
Booked Lisbon for my 30th next month.
My partner attended their first AA meeting this week.
I got into Duke! With a scholarship offer!

My toddler counted to ten all on her own today.
Moved back to my hometown and so much happier being near friends and fam.
Put my spring/summer sheets on my bed. They smell so fresh.
Took my rescue dog on her first beach vacation and I think she loved it.
Finishing my degree tomorrow in a foreign country on my own. Hardest thing I’ve done! Proud.
Visiting my nephew and he holds my hand everywhere we go.
Getting lottery tickets to a show I’ve wanted to see for so long!!