pink elephant mug
how a day of full of slut shaming myself inspired one of my favorite purchases of all time
I wrote this piece back in the Spring of ‘23. It was the second or third thing I wrote after launching my substack.
I’d always planned to publish it. And I almost did a few times. The timing never felt right. Also, I was kind of nervous. It’s… R rated?
On Valentine’s eve eve at The Tortured Bloggers Department storytelling soiree, the timing felt right.
This ain't your average reading series. It's where messy, raw, and laugh-until-you-cry tales of dating, sex, love, and heartbreak take center stage.
We’re turning Galentine’s Day eve into a full-blown spectacle of hilariously chaotic moments, steamy confessions, and the kind of moments that make you feel seen. Our reader lineup is a fearless crew of the baddest babes spilling their guts (and maybe their cocktails) on stage, sharing stories that will make you laugh, gasp, and not feel so bad about that last text to your ex.
This is the night to celebrate every bad decision and the lessons that came with it. Because let's face it, we've all been there.
I couldn’t be more grateful to
for inviting me to be a part of this incredible reading series alongside , Paulette Perhach, Lauren Courtney, Mia Arias Tsang, and Melissa Meier.(Does being in The Tortured Bloggers Department make us all an honorary professors, like when celebrities get to wear a hood and gown when they give commencement speeches and get honorary degrees? I’d like to think so.)
I can’t explain what a magical night this was. While I’ve been writing for years, and was a actor before that, this was my first time reading my own words, about my own life, in an intimate venue like this!
I was nervous, but mostly excited. There was a moment while I was reading when I consciously thought, “You’re doing it, Alexa. You’re doing it! Slow down, let yourself enjoy it, and soak it all in.”
And that’s exactly what I did. I soaked it all in. And I’m already itching to have another night like this, where I can share my work and be in community with inspiring, creative, hilarious, deeply moving writers like these.
In the meantime, I thought it was about time I finally hit publish and share this story with the Wild Cozy Free community. Consider it a Valentine’s Day present from me to you.
Without further ado, here is the story of how I got my pink elephant mug, after a day of slut shaming myself to no end. Essay plus video from the The Tortured Bloggers Department reading below!
PS I may eventually make this available to everyone, but right now it’s just for my paid subscribers due to the very personal, raw nature of the piece.