Stories for anyone who's ever had to start over.
Life doesn’t always fall apart. Sometimes it falls into place.
I'm Lianna Barenholtz (Li) —a writer, storyteller, and creator exploring what happens after the life you planned no longer fits.
Through essays, memoir, and honest conversations, I write about reinvention, late-life coming out, motherhood, neurodivergence, relationships, grief, joy, and the courage it takes to build a life that's actually your own.
My debut memoir is coming in Winter 2026.
About the Author
I spent years building a life that looked beautiful from the outside.
Then one day I realized I'd become exceptionally good at living a life that no longer felt like mine.
Coming out later in life changed far more than who I loved. It transformed how I understood identity, courage, motherhood, friendship, belonging, and what it means to tell the truth—even when it's messy.
Today I write about the complicated, beautiful work of becoming yourself.
My work explores queerness, polyamory, neurodivergence, grief, joy, and the quiet moments that change everything.
I believe curiosity can save relationships.
Comparison steals joy.
Love isn't a finite resource.
And sometimes the bravest thing we can do is admit we've outgrown the life everyone expected us to keep.
When I'm not writing, I'm probably drinking coffee, obsessing over an oddly specific hobby, laughing too loudly with people I love, or trying to convince myself I don't need another project.
Thank you for being here.
It is never to late to start over
It is never to late to start over
CONTACT
I'd love to hear from you.
Whether you're reaching out about speaking, media, collaboration, or simply to say hello...