THE OFF THE RECORD BLOG

Three years ago, I made a decision that became part of my story whether I wanted it there or not. I can’t rewrite what happened, and I’m not interested in pretending it didn’t. This isn’t a redemption speech or an excuse. It’s about what it feels like to look back at the person you were, take responsibility for what she did, and figure out how much of her you’re supposed to carry with you.

“Do it for the plot” started as something I said before making questionable decisions that Future Kaitlyn would inevitably have to deal with. Somewhere along the way, though, it became something bigger—a reminder that the messy chapters, wrong turns, embarrassing moments, heartbreaks, and absolute WTF-was-I-thinking decisions are often the exact things that shape us. This isn’t about destroying your life for a good story. It’s about refusing to let other people hold the pen t

I’ve spent years saying that if I tell my own story first, nobody gets to weaponize it later. So naturally, I bought a domain and gave myself unlimited characters. This should go well...