A woman with long, wavy hair wearing large sunglasses and a black top, standing outdoors with a wooden background.

Hi, I’m Carie. I write for myself, and others, about navigating these times.

And I teach Introducing Mindfulness. Learn more.
To the man who will never see this blog post
Essays Carie Behounek Essays Carie Behounek

To the man who will never see this blog post

After the murder of Renee Good, I saw a tweet that said:

“Every woman who has been assaulted by a violent man knows exactly what ‘fucking bitch’ in that tone means.”

A boyfriend in high school introduced me to that tone. So, I’m familiar. And, my best friend and I recently encountered that same energy out in the wild. Read on.

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This and that can be true
Essays Carie Behounek Essays Carie Behounek

This and that can be true

Most days I’m confident. Over-confident, some might say. But I also have days like today, where everything I thought about myself was disasterous. It was a perfect day to allow my big feelings to flow, and I gratefully had the time and space to do so. It was also a day that I should not — NOT — judge my entire body of work.

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On surrender
Essays Carie Behounek Essays Carie Behounek

On surrender

Today I reflected on a way I learned to create new patterns in my life as it relates to anxiety, sharing a simple practice I started 10+ years ago. I also included some links as to what science says about this God Box practice. And, read to the end, because once again the universe humbled me today, giving me a situation that’s largely out of my control. Simple practices, but dang it — never easy.

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How do you catch an elephant?
Essays Carie Behounek Essays Carie Behounek

How do you catch an elephant?

I told a crass joke at Grandma’s memorial. My family put me up to doing it right after she died. I thought it would be hilarious so I agreed. I didn’t think too much about it. Until, of course, I ascended the steps and stood behind the pulpit of a church where I spent my formative years and had second thoughts. 

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Tribute to my grandmama
Essays Carie Behounek Essays Carie Behounek

Tribute to my grandmama

My grandma died on Nov. 26, 2025. Today, our family is celebrating her life. Here’s something I wrote about her a few years ago, about Why I Write. It’s largely becaue of her!

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TL/DR: You’re exactly where you’re supposed to be
Essays Carie Behounek Essays Carie Behounek

TL/DR: You’re exactly where you’re supposed to be

Life can be so funny. You can feel so far out of alignment from where your ego mind believes you ought to be. Things can be so quiet in life, for days, months, even years. You can be on the brink of losing faith, of believing you’ve taken far too many wrong turns to even consider that you’re still on your highest and best path, then WHAM. 

You find yourself at a Starbucks, far from home, and the universe reminds you that you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. 

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