About MandiTalks

Hi, I’m Mandi.

I’m a mom, a writer, a software engineer, and a human who is doing her best to keep going through seasons that don’t come with clear instructions.

MandiTalks is where I show up honestly. Not polished. Not perfected. Just real.

This blog exists because I needed somewhere to put the things I was carrying. The thoughts that don’t fit neatly into conversations. The feelings that don’t disappear just because I keep moving. The moments where gratitude and grief sit side by side, and neither one wins.

If you’re here because life feels heavy, uncertain, overwhelming, or just too much, you’re not alone.

Why This Blog Exists

I started MandiTalks because I was tired of pretending I was fine.

I’m navigating chronic health issues, long-term stress, therapy, parenting at multiple stages, financial uncertainty, and housing instability. Some days I’m hopeful. Some days I’m exhausted. Most days I’m somewhere in between.

This blog is a daily practice in honesty.
Not advice. Not toxic positivity.
Just lived experience, written in real time.

I write about:

• Mental health and therapy
• Motherhood, guilt, and resilience
• Living with chronic illness
• Burnout vs. survival
• Houseing instability and life transitions
• Creativity during exhaustion
• Finding meaning when things aren’t resolved yet

MandiTalks is not about having answers.
It’s about staying present while waiting for them.

What You’ll Find Here

Every post on MandiTalks is written in first person, because this space is personal by design.

You’ll find:

• Daily reflections from real life
• Emotional honesty without oversharing for shock value
• Writing that sits with discomfort instead of rushing past it
• Stories about parenting, health, grief, and hope
• A reminder that it’s okay to be unfinished

If you’re looking for perfectly curated inspiration, this probably isn’t the place.
If you’re looking for something that feels human, you’re in the right spot.

About the Writing

I write the way I think.
Direct. Reflective. Sometimes messy. Always honest.

Some days the posts are quiet.
While some days they’re heavy.
Other days they’re hopeful in a fragile way.

Each post ends with a question, not because I need answers, but because connection matters. This blog isn’t a monologue. It’s an invitation.

A Little More About Me

Outside of MandiTalks, I’m also:

• A writer working on fantasy novels under the pen name Ravyn Vale
• A software engineer who builds things when her health allows
• A mom trying to raise emotionally aware kids in an unpredictable world
• Someone who believes survival is not failure, even when it doesn’t look impressive.

I believe in therapy and in boundaries.
I believe in telling the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable.

And I believe that none of us are meant to do this alone.

If You’re Still Reading

If something here feels familiar, I’m glad you found your way here.

You don’t have to comment.
You don’t have to explain yourself nor do you have to be “better” to belong.

You’re welcome here exactly as you are.