I used to isolate myself. These days, I try to stay busy with productive things. I repainted much of the interior of the house. I am working on the outside of the house on days when it is not raining. I hack away at overgrown ivy and blackberries when I feel the anger and cortisol closing in on me. And I do a lot of writing. I sit down with a pen and a notebook and write everything from Harry Potter fanfic to short stories about the ironies of life or the little horrors within.

But on really overwhelming days... like yesterday and today, I isolate. I crawl into the corner and turn the music up loud... put on a video for the kids...

Today, I am baking bread... it is a pleasant and rewarding distraction. I learned how to grow a sourdough culture and I make sourdough bread. Sometimes I give away some loaves to friends.