Simply Op

04/05/2026 I sat on my couch today and read a memoir written by Christina Applegate. When I originally picked up this book, I wanted to know more about Christina’s experience living with M.S. I soon realized that Christina’s life did not start with M.S. and that there was much more depth to her life story preceding that diagnosis. I did feel sad reading this book, but I also felt a touch of forgiveness, growth, strength, pride, resilience, hard work, love, and humor. Christina, like many others in this life (including me) did not get to pick the environment she grew up in. Not everyone is blessed to live under the roof of parents who model what it is to have a loving safe relationship. Though I did not grow up with father abandonment, I did grow up in a home where verbal abuse directed at my mother was a frequent occurrence due to her being overweight. Though the verbal abuse was never directed at me, it did have a profound impact on my self-image, inner critic, and comfortability in relationships. Christina prompted awareness of relationship abuse, addiction, loss, breast cancer, and multiple sclerosis. She did not sugar coat human struggles; rather, she shined a light on them with an honest- some days suck! Christina performed well and achieved success. Despite achieving success, Christina called to question being truly known, happy, and secure. I resonated with her sense of lostness. In Southern California, I have been widely known by name alone and fully unknown- performing the California dream (should be happiness, relentless work) while questioning where I belong. Christina made me realize that lostness can happen at any age and for any duration. I have felt lost for a long time. I live a life without any semblance of a plan, without any tangible guidance, and without any close relationships in proximity. After unintentionally stepping into a prolonged season of healing, I dropped all of the future questioning. Like Chrsitina, I have journaled. Sometimes, the journal holds the battles unseen… the untold stories… the honest truths… the darkness and the light. ❤ If I could say one thing to Christina, I think it would be, I am proud of you. 

Liked Quote(s):
“Life is messy no matter who is living it.” 
“We are so used to believing that our life story is a narrative penned by a comic screen writer who has storyboarded out an entire set of episodes, seven perfect seasons culminating in an incredible finale, when in fact our lives are often just a scatter of scenes that barely hold together.” 

Written By: Simply Op