About Stephanie Hayes

Stephanie Hayes

Stephanie Hayes

Stephanie Hayes is a columnist with the Tampa Bay Times. She has been at the Times since 2003, when she became an editorial assistant and just kind of hung around until her bosses gave her more jobs. Before taking on her current role writing humor, she was an editor, leading arts and lifestyle coverage. In that capacity, she oversaw a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and James Beard Award, as well as winners of the National Headliner Awards, Society for Features Journalism and more. Prior to editing, she was a reporter covering local governments, higher education, nightlife, feature obituaries, fashion and performing arts. She won first place for criticism in the Green Eyeshade Awards and a first place National Headliner Award for lifestyle blogging. She’s the author of the novel "Obitchuary," inspired by her time on the death beat. She is a graduate of the University of South Florida and lives in Dunedin, Florida, with her husband, stepdaughter, giant cat and tiny dog. Read her column here.

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Deploying to the War on Protein Jan 17, 2026

Mother, why do you gaze out the window so forlornly? Because your father has gone to fight in the war, and I don't know when he might return. Which war, Mother? The war in Ukraine? The war in the Middle East? No, child. Is it the immigr... Read More

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Instead of Resolutions, Try the Reset Method Jan 03, 2026

Allow me, a moderately cluttered person whose Christmas tree may still be up by next Festivus, to espouse the benefits of a reset. A reset is not a deep clean, not an all-day parade of squeegees. It simply means taking an hour-ish for basic tidying, ... Read More

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Affirmations From a T.J. Maxx Price Sticker Dec 27, 2025

Dear journal, I, a T.J. Maxx price sticker, will know my own value, not just the value of name-brand designer merchandise at discounted prices. I will stick boldly and blatantly in the middle of all products, especially the ones people intended to gi... Read More

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Merry Christmas, Except for the Hungry, Poor and Sick Dec 20, 2025

The holidays always bear a certain layer of heaviness. That's why so many people try to tap into their best selves this time of year, donating gifts, opening their homes to wayward friends. But no small acts of kindness can reverse the acutely cynica... Read More