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OCT 2025
Through the Fog Within A Mental
Health Memoir
As a teenager, I sat in a restaurant with my parents and sister and felt a quiet panic I could not name. I watched people talk and smile and thought everyone wore a mask. If they were performing, maybe I was, too. The questions that followed were classic and heavy: Who am I? How do people see me? Do I matter? That season when you grow past your parents’ idea of you is rarely graceful, and it was not for me. After high school, and in breaks during college, I went looking for meaning in new places. I lived in Brazil for a year, wandered through South America, worked on an olive farm in Italy, and slept in hostels in Spain and France. Travel stretched me and taught me to adapt, but it did not quiet the restlessness inside. Chicago became home. My dad died of cancer. The anxiety did not loosen its grip. From the outside, I was doing well. I had a growing business, good friends, and a full life. Inside, the churn stayed loud. I started therapy. I spoke with my doctor and began Lexapro. That decision felt complicated. When help comes in a prescription bottle, we ask if we really need it or if we failed by taking it. When it comes from a liquor store, we rarely ask anything at all. Even with therapy and medication, I leaned on alcohol to take the edge off. I liked the social buzz. I liked the speed of relief. One drink was not enough. COVID normalized daily drinking for many people, and I took
months without alcohol. That was four years ago. I never restarted. The first months were clumsy, then steadier, then normal. The quiet I had been chasing showed up when I stopped chasing it. Therapy is still part of my life. I go once a month, the way you service a car before it breaks down. It is a check-in, an outside view, a small act of prevention. I do not think of it as a fix for everything. I think of it as one tool among several. If there is a lesson here, it is not a grand revelation. Tell the truth early. Name the thing that scares you. Make a plan you can repeat on boring days. Ask for help from the right people: a therapist for your head, a doctor for your body, a friend for the rough mornings. And remember that progress can look ordinary. Mine does. I work, I parent, I exercise, I keep the simple commitments that keep me steady.
my place in that line. Before long, I could not relax without a drink and could never drink enough. I told myself I was functioning, which was true, but it was also true that addiction was steering the car. With an addiction- focused therapist, I set a clear goal: 12
Check out the “Illinois Divorce Guide Podcast”! Listen and Share!
I’m writing this to make room for honest stories. World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10 marks the topic on the calendar, but your daily care matters most. If you feel stuck, ask for help and keep the steps simple.
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Start Your Day the Danish Way
Create Hygge in Every Comforting Morning Step
There’s a quiet magic in the early morning. It’s a time made for gentleness, nourishing both body and spirit. That’s the beauty of hygge , a Danish philosophy rooted in comfort, mindfulness, and savoring life’s small pleasures. Pronounced “ hoo-gah ,” this gentle lifestyle encourages you to slow down and enjoy the present moment. And what better time to begin than first thing in the morning? Begin right where you wake, still nestled beneath the covers. Before your feet ever touch the floor, take a moment to stretch — not the kind that feels like a chore but one that softly awakens your muscles and soothes your joints. This small act stirs your blood and eases your body into the day with kindness. Let your shower become a sanctuary. Choose a soap that smells like the season — apple, cinnamon, or something crisp and woodsy. Let the warm water remind you that you’re not in a rush, that this moment is yours. As the coffee brews or tea steeps, light a candle . Watch it flicker and think of someone who has touched your life. Offer a quiet thank-you and wish them well. This small blessing is a gift to them and you.
Slip on your walking shoes and greet the world outside . Even a short stroll can awaken a sense of calm. Listen to the autumn leaves rustle, feel the sun on your cheeks. Let nature’s rhythm soften your own. These hygge-inspired rituals help you reclaim mornings with grace, presence, and joy. You’ve earned mornings like these. Let them carry you forward.
Split Home, Steady Grades
School Success After Separations
ENROLL IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES. Some parents try to use
We’re almost two months into the school year, and many children have settled into their new routine. They’ve made new friends at school, loved learning new things, and shared their excitement for each school day. However, some kids can find this routine stressful and difficult, especially if they went through a challenging experience during the summer, such as their parents’ divorce. They may struggle to maintain friendships, their grades could drop, and they may even start acting out in the classroom, leading you to wonder how you can support them and help them succeed academically. Here are three strategies to consider if your children are struggling in school. FIND OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE. As parents, we strive to be the perfect support system for our children. We want to answer their questions, help them problem-solve, and lift them up when they feel down, but we can’t always fill this role. Your child may need time to process their feelings about the recent divorce. While you may want to smother them with love, they may be better off with space. Consider hiring a tutor or counselor to help, depending on what they’re struggling with in school.
punishment when kids struggle in class to keep them on track. They’ll ground them, restrict them from watching TV or playing video games, or remove them from their sports
teams and extracurricular activities. This will not encourage them to dedicate themselves to school. In reality, it will likely have the opposite effect. Kids need an outlet to work out their feelings and let loose. Get them involved, and you may see a whole new side open up. WATCH FOR PROBLEMS BEFORE THEY DEVELOP. Most issues kids have in school don’t happen spontaneously. It builds up over time, and plenty of warning signs usually tell you it’s time to intervene. Have regular conversations with your kids to see how they enjoy their classes, whether they’re making new friends, and whether the school experience is positive for them. If you allow your kids to use the internet, monitor their activity to watch for cyberbullying or more serious problems.
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Depending on the circumstances, divorce can be one of the most difficult decisions you’ll ever make. However, sharing that news with those closest to you may be even more challenging. Whether you’re sitting with your kids in your living room or in a café with a dear friend, announcing a divorce is rarely easy. Here are two tips that may help make this conversation more comfortable. KEEP IT CALM AND CLEAR WITH THE KIDS. Ideally, you and your spouse will approach the discussion about your divorce with your children together. Presenting the situation as a united front will help you communicate effectively with your children. It will also reassure them you’re working in tandem to make the transition as smooth as possible. Most importantly, enter into this conversation with a solid plan in place with your spouse on how to break the news. Rehearse it with your spouse if necessary. Additionally, consider the questions your children may ask, and think of the best responses in advance. While certain details surrounding your divorce may be subject to chance, try to work out living arrangements and other matters the kids may question immediately upon learning your plans to divorce. Split Speak Divorce Dialogue Done Right
TRY TO KEEP FAMILY/FRIEND DISCUSSIONS DRAMA-FREE. As with preparing to discuss your divorce with your children, taking the same care with what you’ll share with your family and friends (and even practicing your words in advance) is equally essential. As this conversation may happen without your spouse present, consider how you’d like the person you’re telling to view your divorce. If the parting is amicable, present it as such. If it’s less than amicable, find a way to express that unfortunate reality without making the news uncomfortable or upsetting for the recipient. Sometimes, discussing an emotionally driven event like a divorce can lead to oversharing and other faux pas that harm a situation rather than help it, especially if the listener is also close with your spouse and now feels obligated to choose a side. No matter how you share the news, leading with compassion and clarity can make a lasting difference for those you love.
TAKE A BREAK
Extra-Crispy Ranch Chicken Cutlets
Ingredients • Olive oil • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste • 3/4 cup flour • 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 cup panko
breadcrumbs • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese • 1 oz ranch seasoning, store- bought (1 packet) or homemade • Cooking spray
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with olive oil and set aside. 2. Season both sides of chicken breasts with salt and pepper. 3. Set out three shallow bowls. In the first, combine flour and a pinch of salt and pepper. Add the eggs to the second bowl. Mix panko, Parmesan, and ranch seasoning mix in the third bowl. 4. For coating, dip seasoned chicken breasts in flour, coating both sides. Then, dip the chicken in the beaten eggs and, finally, the panko mixture. 5. Place each coated chicken breast in the prepared baking dish. 6. Spray the tops of the chicken with cooking spray. 7. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165 F and is golden brown.
Candy Gourd Haunting Leaves
Libra Marigold Moon Opal
Pumpkin Soup Teachers Touchdown
Inspired by TheCookieRookie.com
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161 N. Clark, Ste. 1700 Chicago, IL 60601 (312) 488-1938 rbbfirm.com
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IN THIS ISSUE
1.
Vulnerability and Victory
2.
Hygge Morning Rituals to Nourish Your Spirit
Help Your Kids Thrive Academically Despite Family Changes
3.
Chats About Change
Extra-Crispy Ranch Chicken Cutlets
4.
Reel in More Fish This Autumn
As cooler temperatures, golden leaves, and holidays roll in, fall is one of the best-kept secrets in fishing. While many pack up their rods after summer, savvy anglers know autumn is when the real magic happens. Fish feed aggressively as they prepare for winter, and the crowds of people enjoying the water have thinned out. A few tweaks can level up your fishing game this season, whether you’re chasing bass, crappie, or trout. TARGET SHALLOW WATERS As temperatures drop, baitfish like shad move into the backs of creeks and embayments. Predatory fish such as bass and crappie follow, making these areas hotspots. Focus your efforts on these shallow zones to increase your catch rate. EXPERIMENT WITH DEPTHS Fall turnover can scatter fish throughout various depths. Don’t hesitate to try different depths until you locate active fish. Using a fish finder can help you identify these productive zones. FISH THROUGHOUT THE DAY Unlike summer, when fish are most active during dawn and dusk, fall fish feed more consistently throughout the day. This allows for flexible fishing schedules without the need for early starts. Autumn Angling
Where, When, and How to Hook Fish This Fall
FOCUS ON STRUCTURE Fish gravitate toward structures like submerged wood and rocky banks during fall. These areas provide shelter and warmth, and targeting them can lead to successful catches. MATCH THE CATCH In fall, baitfish grow larger. Adjust your lure size and color to mimic the prevalent forage in your fishing area. This increases the likelihood of enticing bites. EXPLORE STOCKED WATERS Many lakes and streams are stocked with trout and catfish in the fall. These fish are often eager to bite, providing excellent opportunities for anglers. UTILIZE LIVE BAIT Live bait can be particularly effective in cooler temperatures. Minnows, nightcrawlers, and shad can more effectively entice sluggish fish than artificial lures. MONITOR WATER CONDITIONS Fall often brings changes in water levels due to drawdowns. Stay informed about these conditions, as they influence fish locations and behavior.
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