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# Yes, I Had an Affair. No, That’s Not the Most Interesting Part
- URL: https://www.ashleykelsch.com/resolve-to-evolve/
- Published: 2024-02-12T04:39:22.000Z
- Updated: 2026-06-28T19:38:26.000Z
- Description: Cyberbullying, midlife tenderness, and the surprising gift of being called a parasite w-h-o-r-e online.
- Author: Ashley Kelsch
- Tags: Newsletter, #Migrated-1782675345348, #Import 2026-06-28 19:36

Good Evening Friend,

This email might get lost in the Super Bowl buzz. Honestly, I have it on too—not because I’m into football, or Taylor Swift—but because the sound of it is comforting.

And apparently, it *is* a good game. Tied in the 4th. Three minutes left.

**Tension.**

Literal nail-biter, if the shots of Taylor in the suite say anything.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/16/78/16787a52-bf79-4cce-9cc3-e9f01a555c73/content/images/2026/06/4d401366-9813-4802-b5fc-c44cee73bfb7_290x174-jpeg.jpg)

Last week, I had my own version of that tension—except it wasn’t fun. Someone, likely with multiple Instagram accounts, started leaving harassing comments on my reels.

They called me cringey, too old, a parasite w-h-o-r-e. Said I left my ex with nothing. Accused me of having an affair (which I’ve talked about openly) and claimed I just love hearing myself talk.

That last one? Fair. I do love hearing myself. Especially now that I finally have something to say.

But when their second comment referenced my former partner by a nickname only a few people use, something shifted. It felt... closer. Too close.

By the third comment, my nervous system hit full alert. I went from regulated, to hyper-activated, to shut down in minutes. Sitting in my writing chair with my laptop on my lap and my phone in hand, I felt myself start to power down.

**Hypo-state.**  
This is the danger zone for me—the part where I check out, where a nap starts sounding like the answer to everything. Too tense to stay in the game.

I closed my laptop, sat still, and began to repeat:

**Thank you.** 
**Thank you.** 
**Thank you.**

Last month, a business mentor asked me how I handle problems. What’s your process?

I surprised myself with the answer—and how nervous I was to say it out loud:

**I hand them over to my Higher Power.**

Because I’ve learned: I can’t trust my brain as CEO.  
And my company motto?

**Don’t take the first think.**

If you’ve followed my work or podcast, you know the drill:  
Observe your reaction.  
Choose your response.

The truth? Their words didn’t hurt me.  
I’ve spoken about my past, my affair, my mistakes. I know my relationship with my co-parent. I know my truth.  
But the comments *did* hit something deeper.

Something tender.  
Something I hadn’t yet faced.  
Something I’m still operating from.

And for that—I’m grateful.  
To the commenter.  
To my Higher Power.  
For showing me what still needs healing.

On this week’s episode of *Wait, What?*  
— Monica Lewinsky & cyberbullying  
— Aging bodies and letting go  
— Clean pain vs. dirty drama  
— And the art of staying present when all you want to do is disappear

Speaking of tense—THAT GAME.  
For a minute, I thought Taylor Swift might throw up.

Honestly? I get it.

Talk to you Tuesday.  
Love,  
ash

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