Just Kacie Things

My story isn’t that unique. Wicked: The Musical played a huge part in my life as a musical theatre kid. It came out my freshman year of high school and our theatre department was utterly obsessed! I’ve seen it seven times on stage and I thoroughly enjoyed the first movie for what it was, of course. *ahem* Back to a younger Kacie...  It was the end of Spring in 2007. My senior project was singing Elphaba’s part in “For Good” at our end-of-the-year banquet which almost didn’t happen as my duet partner got sick. Luckily, we had a guest performer there that night who had been in Off-Broadway productions and she graciously stepped in to sing it with me. As they say, “the show must go on,” so we decided to just wing it and I was a nervous wreck! We killed it, though, and the standing ovation still pops up in my memories every now and again as such a thrilling moment.  The seniors had opened the banquet with “Seasons of Love” from RENT and I will never forget hearing my Calculus teac...

After writing about how ready I was for Fall , we decided it was time to really soak it in so Jordan took us over to  Willow River State Park in Wisconsin . The weather was that perfect mix of crisp and sunny, the kind that makes you want to grab a flannel, a warm drink, and just go .  We were a bit early for the colors, unfortunately, but we did have some gorgeous crisp weather that got a bit chilly when we got into the shade. It was even cold enough to see our breath! My favorite kind of morning! Once we hit the trails, could smell that earthy scents, hear leaves crunching, and felt the cool breeze, it was like my heart rate instantly slowed and the peaceful calm you only get from being in nature washed over me. The hike down to Willow Falls was absolutely worth it (even if our legs and lungs disagreed on the way back up 😅). The sound of the waterfall mixed with the rustling trees was precisely what my tumultuous brain needed. I honestly could have spent the entire day...

I’ve been waiting for what feels likes years for this. The air gets that tiny bite of chill, the sunlight goes all golden-hour all the time, and suddenly everything feels a little more cinematic and cozy. Fall doesn’t sneak up on me; I’m counting down for it. I want the crunchy leaves, the cozy sweaters, the candles that smell like “woodland wonder” and “pumpkin treats.” I want to romanticize my daily walk like it’s a pilgrimage through a Hallmark movie. (Ok... maybe not *that* but, you get the idea!) Everything just hits different this time of year. Coffee tastes better. Playlists sound moodier and hit deeper. Even errands feel like side quests in a fantastical land. I wish Fall lasted much longer than it does... but I will take what I can get! So yes, I am absolutely leaning in. I’ve lit candles, I’m breaking out the boots and the sweatshirts. I am planning a trip this weekend to go take pictures of the Fall colors before it gets too cold here in Minnesota and things freeze and di...

All my life, I've been drawn to journals, notebooks, blank paper of any kind! There’s something so invigorating to me about a blank page. Sometimes it feels like the most exciting thing in the world: wide open, full of potential, ready for me to pour every thought and dream into it. Other times, it feels like it’s staring back at me, daring me to be brilliant, to prove that I’m “good enough” to fill it. For a long time, I let that second feeling win. I’d buy pretty journals, open new Google Docs, even start projects with enthusiasm… only to stop when I felt like what I wrote wasn’t “good enough.” That blank page became less of an invitation and more of a test I thought I was failing. But lately, I’ve been trying to see it differently. That's kind of what this blog has become for me, in a way. A blank page is not a test. It’s a reset button. It’s proof that the past doesn’t get the final say and that every time I show up, I get a fresh start. When I remind myself of that, t...

So apparently I’m supposed to be “taking care of myself.” Drink water. Stretch. Meditate. Journal. Put cucumbers on my eyelids like I’m a salad. And don’t get me wrong — I want to be that person. The one who lights a candle, sinks into a bubble bath, and emerges glowing and renewed, like a soft-lit commercial for lavender. But in reality? Self-care feels less like relaxation and more like… homework. Homework that I don’t have the budget for. Because here’s the thing: I’m unemployed. Which means all those “treat yourself” versions of self-care — facials, fancy yoga classes, that $40 face mask that claims it’ll solve both rosacea  and my life problems — are not exactly happening. My current budget for wellness is whatever’s left after bills and minimal groceries. So when Instagram says “book a massage, you deserve it,” I’m like, okay, but can I pay for that massage in leftover rice and veggies? “Have you tried yoga?” Yes. On YouTube. In my living room. With a towel instead of...

I wanted to thank everyone for the love on my last post. I wanted to play around with varying formats for this blog and I had album makeups in my head when I was sitting there staring at the screen. I had such a wonderful reception here and on Bluesky and it made me happy to think others could relate. Thank you so very much. As I was sitting here today thinking about other ways I could write that weren't so "diary-entry," I came across a poem I wrote back in 2016. I have no idea what the premise was nor what mindset I was in. I just know I had left my five-year career with Disney and moved back home to Texas just two months before this was written. I don't remember writing any poetry outside of school, but I guess I did! Anyway, here's a silly little thing I wrote at age 28:  Fairy Stars She prances and glides along the leaves Her dust shimmering in the wake Placed carefully on their edges The leaves sparkle as they shake   Her smile lights up the forest A wonderf...

Illustration from Kevin McNamara Sometimes I think my brain missed its calling as a DJ because it insists on playing the same songs on repeat—except the “songs” are just all the ways I’ve been awkward, embarrassing, or catastrophic in the last 24 hours. Or the last 24 years. (Yes, I’m still haunted by middle and high school.) Anxiety really is the gift that keeps on giving. And giving. And giving. So today, I thought I’d share with you my personal Greatest Hits Album: Overthinking Edition. Maybe you’ll recognize a few of the tracks on your own playlist (because misery loves company, right?). Track 1: What Did They Really Mean By That Text? (Acoustic Version) 🎸 Ah yes, the timeless classic. Someone texts “k” and suddenly my brain is convinced I’ve ruined the friendship, disrespected their family, and possibly started an international incident. (All over one letter! Imagine the power I wield.) Clearly the only reasonable response is to analyze every possible tone behind that singl...

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how messy life can feel sometimes—like your brain is a tangled-up ball of thoughts that no matter how hard you try, never seems to untwist. And while therapy and self-care routines are the best option in my opinion, there’s something almost magical about stepping outside and letting the world do some of the work for you. I recently spent some time wandering through the mountains of Montana and Wyoming, and it hit me just how powerful nature can be for mental health. There’s something about the quiet rustle of leaves, the rhythm of footsteps on a trail, and the smell of fresh air that seems to unstick all the thoughts jammed in your brain. Even if just for a moment, your worries shrink down to the size of a pebble on the shore. Grand Teton Mountain Range and Lake Taggert I think it’s the combination of movement, sunlight, and being completely present in a place that doesn’t demand anything from you. Nature doesn’t ask for your deadlines or your t...

I’ve always believed that some places are best experienced in silence — the kind where the only sound is the wind in the trees or the far-off call of something wild you can’t quite see. Yellowstone and Grand Teton? They’re that kind of place. A view of gently flowing water in Yellowstone National Park The trip started like most of mine do — a mix of excitement, snacks in the car, and the hope that I packed the right clothing. But the moment we crossed into the park and saw the peaks of Grand Teton towering over the glass-like water, I felt it. That quiet shift in your chest when you know you’re somewhere special. Yellowstone is a reminder that the earth is alive in ways you can literally see — geysers hissing, mud pots bubbling, and colors so unreal they look Photoshopped. And then there’s Grand Teton, with peaks that make you feel small in the best way. Mornings there were all cool air and mirror-still lakes, the kind that beg you to slow down and just… be. Lake Taggert in Grand Tet...

So... does anyone remember how to do this blog thing anymore?  Oof, it's been awhile, huh? About 6 months, to be exact! So much has changed since I last blogged and ... well, you're probably here from Bluesky so you already know!  Regardless, here's a quick rundown: I’m back in Minnesota! I could easily write ten blog posts about the move—and probably will at some point. But for now, I’ll just say this: I’m back where I belong, and I’m beyond glad to be out of Texas (for about a thousand reasons)! I gave childcare a solid two-month try and—shockingly—it was not my calling. Since then, I’ve been on a thrillingly unproductive job hunt. I’m sure something will come along… eventually… maybe… who knows! 😭 I met and completely fell for the kindest, sweetest, funniest, most genuinely caring person I’ve ever known. Now I finally get what people mean when they say it’s easy to love your partner. I’ve never clicked with someone the way I do with Jordan—I really feel like I’ve foun...

What did you do for your internship? I was a Wildberry Poptart! Oh, the life of a Walt Disney World College Program girlie... I was lucky enough to be housed at Patterson Court, which was one of the apartment complexes reserved solely for DCP participants and it was the newest of the complexes. It was pretty quiet and I only had one roommate despite our apartment being set up for four, which was fantastic. (She even left the program early so I had a whole bedroom to myself!)  I was able to keep my financial aid at my school - the University of Minnesota - because I took online classes through them and I took two classes that Disney offered. I even got my "Mouseters Degree" at the end of the DCP classes.  The Entertainment Show Production was my absolute favorite because we got to go backstage and see how so many of the shows were run! The Fantasmic day was by far my favorite as it was one of the best shows on property and I wanted to see how they did all of the stunts and the...

The year was 1995. Seven-year-old Kacie can be seen in front of the family's tube TV pointing to this commercial and saying "I'm gonna live there someday!" My parents responded with some version of "Sure, Jan" and then I'm sure I went back to playing with my Polly Pockets or Barbies or something. At least, that's what my parents tell me. They say it's on some old home video, but who knows how we'd watch those old VHS tapes now...  Oh boy! When I meet new people, I'd say the #1 question I get asked is "What was it like to work for Disney?" I spent 2011-2016 working for "the Mouse" in various capacities, with most of my time being at Walt Disney World in Florida. While I am incredibly thankful for my time there, the friends I made, and the things I learned along the way... Walt Disney World was not a great place to work at the time. I can't speak for them now, of course, but having spent 5 years with the company and ...

"As a writer, I see the blank page as a source of inspiration. A moment of reflection to gain more self-awareness and to discover more about what I know. " -  Nifemi Aluko, Medium I mentioned that I recently took out all of my therapy notebooks and was astonished at how many there were... most not even halfway filled in. Why do we get so excited about fresh starts? Blank pages, character creators in video games, a new room to decorate—what’s so inspiring about a blank slate, and why is it so hard for someone like me to actually finish the project?  As someone with a creativity-fueled brain, I feel like I am constantly searching for that next creative outlet. I remember my childhood desk was filled with markers, crayons, colored pencils, etc. Over time, my creative focus shifted toward music—I found myself singing at every opportunity, playing the French Horn, and eventually diving into the world of theatre. When I got into gaming, I always wanted to play something where I cou...

10 points if you got that song from the classic PBS show, Arthur, stuck in your head from the title!  I grew up going to my local library every single weekend. As a 90's kid, I was obsessed with the VHS section and the Nancy Drew series with the glossy yellow covers. I can still remember how it smelled, the pictures painted on the walls, and what seemed like endless rows of magazines, books, cassette tapes, and more.  For the last 6 years, I worked in local government here in Texas where libraries were a huge part of each city. Most notably, when I was a City Manager, our Library Director went all the way to Washington D.C. to speak about the importance of funding for libraries for things like tablets for kids or hotspots for families whose homes didn't have internet. I can't even begin to express how AMAZING this particular little library is. In the Summer, they became a place where any kid from anywhere in the area could come and get meals like they would during the schoo...

I've been in and out of therapy over the years and when I decided to start this blog, I combed through my box of endless notebooks that are barely full with years worth of therapy notes, quotes, etc. Each of them reflects a different point in my life, (and a reminder that I'm really bad about finishing notebooks!) but the overall theme has remained the same: How do I get through these rough patches? Of course, nothing I wrote is particularly groundbreaking, but I like to add some personal examples to each thought of things that have really helped me. For example, a thought from last year was: " With dealing with depression, joy can feel hard to find. On the toughest days, it might seem like happiness is out of reach, but small moments of light are still possible. " Underneath this thought, I wrote " Coffee, sunshine, laughter, community, cheering on friends." Most of these are small things we take for granted, while the community and friendship is something ...

Umm... hi! It's been a heckuva long time since I have blogged. I have recently re-discovered my love for connecting with people via Bluesky  and am so thankful to have found such an amazing community there thanks to HalfMoonJoe /Joseph Birdsong!  Since Bluesky is more suited for short-form chat, and I tend to be as wordy as possible, I thought it’d be nice to have a little spot where I can jot down my thoughts and keep them to look back on. If you’re here, don’t expect perfect grammar or cohesive ideas, as I sometimes feel the need to 'brain dump' when left to my own devices. Honestly, I’m not sure what this will turn into, but I've always felt a drive to document life. I’ve never been great at journaling with paper and pen, so maybe my millennial self will have better luck with this! Stay tuned for whatever randomness I decide to get myself into and share with this little corner of the internet.  Thank you for being here. <3