Blog – Nicki Bratton

Welcome to the Inner Circle

This is where the veil lifts.
Here you’ll find personal reflections, behind-the-scenes chaos, and deep dives into the writing life—grief, growth, creativity, and all the messy magic in between. Some posts are heavy, some are silly, and some are just me figuring things out in real time.

Blog categories

Roots & Remnants

🎲 Mountains of Madness: The Year I Lost Everything

A phoenix’s grief. A witch’s reckoning. ⚠️ Trigger Warning: This blog discusses miscarriage, mental health crises, suicidal ideation, hypomania, and emotional abuse. Please take care while reading, and know you’re not alone. If you are in the United States and struggling with thoughts of self-harm or suicide, you… Read More
Hex The System, The Matriarch’s Grimoire

The Invisible Thread That Holds It All 🧵

Lists Upon Lists I’m a stay-at-home mom — though I rarely stay still. My body moves constantly, but my brain? It never rests. Every minute is accounted for. Every bag packed. Every meltdown prepped for. Every meal pre-thought, even if it ends in nuggets anyway. There’s no silence… Read More
Roots & Remnants

Twenty Years Later 🖤

A Time Capsule Arrives Today I’m celebrating my 32nd birthday, and fate delivered me a little time capsule—my 7th grade “Me Folder.”Inside was a piece about where I saw myself in twenty years which, by cosmic coincidence, happens to be this year. What Didn’t Happen Well… I am… Read More
Love In Retrograde, Roots & Remnants

🎂 Why I’m a Snob About My Birthday (And Honestly, You Would Be Too)

Let’s Get This Out of the Way Yes, I expect to feel special on my birthday.No, it doesn’t take much.And yes, I’m fully aware I sound like a birthday snob. But here’s the truth behind the spell: I Shared Everything Growing Up—Including My Damn Birthday I share a… Read More
Creative Musings, Hex The System

Movie Monday: Barbie (2023) 🎬✨

Milestone: Evie’s very first trip to the movie theater. She rated it a perfect 5/5 Z’s by sleeping through the entire thing, while I sat there realizing Greta Gerwig had somehow turned Barbie into a conversation about womanhood that actually mattered. The vibe On the surface, it’s all… Read More
Roots & Remnants, The Matriarch’s Grimoire, Wicked Wanderlust

How the Red Wings Became a Family Tradition (Thanks to my Step-Dad, Tim)

It Started with Tim We didn’t set out to become regulars at Red Wings games — that credit goes to Tim. 🏒 He’s the real fan. A lifelong believer who went to games with his grandpa back when the Joe was still home ice and Detroit’s glory days… Read More