Author Archives: Jaclynn Loibl

“You’re a feminist.” The text from my cousin landed with a thud—damning, like a shameful Scarlet Letter pinned to my chest. I knew she was. Her posts calling out gender discrepancies on Facebook made that obvious. And like a child with their ear pressed to the door while their parents argue, I’d skim the articlesContinue reading ““Feminist,” As An Accusation”

It’s nearing the year’s end, and my mind is a blizzard of ideas and hopes for the new year. I flirted with the idea of dipping into Dostoevsky or Aspasia tonight—imagining I’d consume one neat, bite-sized philosophical insight and set it down here—but I don’t have the brain space for that kind of tidiness. IContinue reading “A Quiet Tyranny: Meditating on Dostoevsky’s Work”

As I’ve done for the past four days, I googled Søren Kierkegaard’s philosophy. He writes: “Of all ridiculous things, the most ridiculous seems to me to be busy—to be someone who is brisk about food and work. Therefore, whenever I see a fly settling, at the decisive moment, on the nose of such a personContinue reading “Inhabiting Ourselves: Kierkegaard’s Philosophy”

Philosophical questions—and sitting with their meaning—are a priority for me as I look toward 2026. Regardless of a philosopher’s religious or ethical beliefs differing from my own, I plan to engage with their ideas. To consider them, reflect on them, toy with them. Much like schooling or visiting different cultures, opening my mind to otherContinue reading “Sticking with Kierkegaard”

I pick up my phone. It’s already set to take a photo. I half-watch the scene I want to capture come into view and half-watch my muddy descent over embedded rocks, careful not to slip. All around me, oversized water drops fall from the slouching boughs of evergreen trees, wrapped in Grinch-colored moss and lichen.Continue reading “A Walk in the Woods”

Around the corner is 2026, and with it the familiar knock of resolutions—polite at first, then increasingly insistent. They ask what you will fix, improve, or optimize. They arrive with lists and momentum and the subtle demand to become more. But this year, let’s pause before answering. If you’ve been wanting to incorporate a littleContinue reading “Noodling on the New Year”

At times, I don’t recognize myself. Not physically—the face staring back in the mirror is mine—but emotionally. I feel like a bullheaded donkey, pulling back, hooves dug in, refusing to budge. Nothing and no one can make me happy, and I feel pitiful. There’s a heavy swirl of drama all around me, and it feelsContinue reading “Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken”

You don’t know what you want from me. Writing authentically means I don’t care about you. But I care about you. Isn’t that a cluster? I write so as not to step on your toe, but constantly looking down instead of straight into your eye leaves me questioning and insecure. Years ago, when I feltContinue reading “Meeting Your Eye”

Unbelievably fun night with family and friends. Love, Jaclynn