Between long nights, isolation and crumpled tissues on the floor, there is something about this year that feels like a false reality—a surreal blur, a blip in the radar. When I sit back and reflect, part of me can’t help but ask, “Did that really happen?” It’s odd to think that everything we have gone through in 2020 we have gone through together. We’re fighting in the same war, but each facing our own battles. That’s something extraordinarily rare. We have all seen our own share of heartbreak and struggle, yet we can find solace in the common threads that have bound us to each other.

Series Introduction: Make Room

Do you ever find yourself wishing for longer weekends, more hours in the day, or the ability to stop time? And, if those were possible, maybe you’d be happier, more fulfilled? The truth is none of it is realistic. The saying, “If I only had more time” is a hoax. We will never have more time than we do right now. The 24 hours we have been given in a day is all we will ever get. Period. While we may wish for the clock to stop or rewind, it never will. The world will keep turning and time will go on—with or without us.

Series Introduction: The Art of Living

Lately, my “living” has been anything but artful—and as I walk through one of the darkest seasons of my life, I wonder how on earth do I write about this? About five minutes ago, I thought it wasn’t possible. But, then I read these words by Morgan Harper Nichols again and it’s as if the beauty of life washed over me—reminding me that this darkness is temporary and the sun still shines. When I think about “the art of living” I feel it’s not a one-size-fits-all idea, concept or lifestyle. It’s all the beauties, joys, laughs, adventures, and glimmers of magic that light your soul on fire.

Series Introduction: You Are Worthy

When I was a teenager, with little to no clue about anything, I craved loved. Attention became everything I was after—no matter the consequences. I texted any boy who’d text me back. I acted entitled and pretended I was cool. I followed the crowd. I wore the Hollister shirts and braved short shorts in the winter. I took selfies in the mirror with the flash on, with my tongue out, and posted them to MySpace. That hot pink point-and-shoot camera had witnessed some horrible trends and cringe-worthy “I’m just fitting in” fads. Smh. Looking back, I feel incredibly sorry for the girl I once was. She was desperate and sad, with no sense of self-worth.

Series Introduction: Living Balanced

Once upon a time, there was a girl who lived off spontaneity, road trips, clinking wine glasses, and the taste of freedom. She travelled often and dined well—just ask her bank account. Her friendships were blossoming and her heart was full. Every Monday night, she’d get together with the girls to watch some cheesy romance tv show—btw, anyone else still mad at Pilot Peter? She’d roam wildly on the weekends with the love of her life. Sometimes, they’d wind up on the coast, toes in the sand. Other times, it’d be pine trees and thunderstorms. The location didn’t matter much, just as long as it was an adventure—oh, and don’t forget the fresh air. Let’s be real, we’re all writing stories like this one. Reminiscing on the way things used to be and grieving over the things that will never be.

Series Introduction: Mind Over Matter

I understand we’re all wired differently and this is an absolutely difficult time for all of us—how we handle it or what we’re feeling will vary person to person. But, at the end of the day, we all have the same choice to make; how much of ourselves are we willing to give up, as we give into fear and anxiety? I’m not telling you to avoid emotional breakdowns—they’re going to happen and it’s OK to feel whatever it is you’re feeling right now. However, I am telling you to filter your feelings and guard your heart. Choose which thoughts you breathe life into and which ones you sever.

Series Introduction: Finding Strength

He had just broken my heart and left me to pick up the pieces. I pleaded with him to come back, to talk, to work things out—he wouldn’t. I told myself it wasn’t real, that he was just confused, that he’d come crawling back to me—he never did, and at the time, that killed me. I was a sophomore and still trying to figure out the whole college thing. I hadn’t really had the chance to buckle down and get serious about my education because I was too busy focusing on him, on our relationship, on making sure I was enough. The minute that relationship was pulled out from under me, I had a choice to make—would I grovel in self-pity or would I chase my own success?

Series Introduction: Patience

Time is an odd, yet beautiful concept. At the tick of the clock, we entered into a new year and suddenly, we felt ready to say goodbye. Goodbye to our heartaches, our fears and our worries that haunted and tormented us for the last 365 days. It’s as if the turn of a new decade pushed us to let go of what we held onto—trading the hurt for hope, the bitterness for a fresh start. But, will it be enough? Your answer to that question might be a resounding “yes” at the moment, but that’s because we’re all oozing with optimism. We’re convinced 2020 will be better than the last. That our failures of 2019 no longer weigh us down. That we have permission to start over, to reinvent our lives, to take back control of what happens to us.

Series Introduction: Wonder

When I was a young girl, I wondered about a lot of things. Who I would be when I grew older. What I would do for work. Where I would live. What car I would drive at 16-years-old. My first kiss. My first love. My first heartbreak. In my 8-year-old brain, my future self seemed so out of reach, it didn’t scare me to imagine my life. After all, I still had so much time to figure out who I was meant to be. So, when I’d wonder about my future, it felt like a daydream—like magic. As I have, in fact, grown older, the magic has undoubtedly faded with time.

Series Introduction: Envy

Let’s not kid ourselves. There’ll be moments during this oh, so holy month of thankfulness that we’ll feel quite the opposite. You can write your “50 Things to be Thankful For” list and sing kumbaya around the dinner table—but, you’ll fall short. Heck, I’ll fall short. Hello, we’re human! We can preach gratitude to the masses and challenge ourselves to practice it daily for the next 20-some-odd days, but let’s not forget to acknowledge the truth... we are envious creatures of habit. We want what we don’t have. We want more. More happiness. More exotic vacations. (I’ll nod my head in agreement with that, girl.) More money. More magical moments with our SO. More. More. More.

Series Introduction: Courage

I was roofied in college. By a complete stranger. In an incredibly dark bar in downtown Flagstaff. Typically, I’m never this blunt in writing about my traumatic experiences. But, most of you already read the entire blog I wrote about this experience back in September of last year. Retracing that night on paper was not easy—it was agonizing. The memory of it all, or what I can remember of it anyway, is enough to make me shiver. Since sharing that scary time of my life with you, I’ve felt the power it once held over me diminish. Yes, being that stranger’s victim scarred me, changed me and hurt me… but, what he did no longer has any power over my life.

Series Introduction: Stillness

Life. Will. Not. Slow. Down. Ever since before the start of summer, it feels like I’ve been a passenger on the NYC subway. Quickly getting on, only to hop off even faster so I don’t miss the next train. And, holy moly is this exhausting! I am truly wiped out. Between extended vacations to far away states, weekend trips up north, and bachelorette parties, I find myself craving a Sunday at home doing absolutely nothing in my pajamas—longing for stillness. As I sit down to write this, during one of the busiest work weeks I’ve experienced since first starting my job last fall, stillness is most definitely on mind. Yes, I love the hustle. I appreciate the busy seasons, but it’s beginning to feel like I’ve forgotten the value of being still, finding peace.

Series Introduction: Live Loved

It’s nice to be loved, wouldn’t you agree? There is comfort and belonging found in the company of someone who truly loves you. When surrounded by people who deeply care for you, facing the world feels easier because you’re supported. But, with love, hurt almost always steals the goodness and joy that exists because of love. You see, no matter how deep another’s love burns for you, shortcomings and imperfections of our humanity will always hinder our perception of unconditional, real and pure love. That’s the beauty in knowing this truth—before you could earn love, it was already very much yours. You’ve been tirelessly working to grasp a hold of something that’s been in your possession for your entire life.

Series Introduction: Vulnerability

Therapists have been stereotyped for years. The media often portrays them as inconsiderate, nosey, pretentious moneymakers with stiff couches and even more uncomfortable questions. This illusion convinces us that if we are to even think about seeing a therapist, you should think again. I believe there is this misconception that seeking counseling is taboo, and when the words, “My therapist says…” spill from someone’s mouth, judgment is there, trailing closely behind. I’m here to tell you, seeking help from a therapist is one of the best decisions you could ever make.

Series Introduction: Potential

Potential. That’s a word with a whole lot of weight behind it. Parents, teachers, babysitters, tutors, bosses, spouses, you name it — they have all spoken to your potential. The funny thing about potential is the context can either be positive or negative. First scenario: you’re excelling and doing incredibly well, so you’re encouraged to stretch yourself and look within for untapped potential. Second scenario: you’re all about the bare minimum and you don’t challenge yourself. A.K.A. you’re not living up to your full potential. It doesn’t matter which scenario you find yourself in, as long as you’re aware of your potential. That’s key, girlfriend.

Series Introduction: Identity

How many times have you found yourself lost in a search for who you are? Or, in the middle of a trying season, you look in the mirror and hardly recognize yourself? I think we’ve all been in and out of the “Who am I?” phases of life. This world is constantly trying to knock us down and wreck our spirits. It’s in those moments of barely hanging on, we can feel so far away from our true selves. When we talk about identity, we either feel confident and empowered or uncertain and fearful. Feeling good in our own skin makes us brave, while not knowing who we are scares the heck out of us. Maybe, for some of us, we are lingering in the space between.

Series Introduction: Habits

We are creatures of habit. Routines are unavoidable as we are naturally drawn to repetition and the familiar. It’s comfortable, predictable and safe. Have you ever considered just how odd it truly is for us to find belonging and purpose in the rhythm of routine? What cadence carries you through your day to day? Is it slow and harmonious, or frantic and high-strung? At times, perhaps it’s both. I would hope if you’re in a constant “go, go go” state of mind, you find moments to decompress. If not, that’s a whole different topic we can cover later this month. Since the beginning on this year, no… not even… let’s just say, lately, I’ve been really into the power of a routine and how the ebb and flow of a day can transform our ability to live fully.

Series Introduction: Peace

Experiencing solitude among nature, or creating a space for personal relaxation are my go-to solutions for feeling at rest. In a world where anxiety and immediacy rule, it’s often difficult to find true, long-lasting, genuine peace. Thankfully, I don’t tend to carry much worry or anxiety with me. But, in high-stress situations, I usually let peace fall to the wayside. Here, my circumstances steal my composure and I’m led by an anxious space of my soul known for not seeing things clearly. Stress clouds our judgment and hinders our ability to see a situation for what it truly is. Often times, we dig ourselves into a worry pit that was never initially there. Yet, we continue to grab the shovel and allow the littlest of things to take us deeper into the dirt.

Series Introduction: Self-Love

When I look back at the girl I was in high school — no let’s be real, sixth grade — my heart breaks for her. She had absolutely no love for herself. Eventually, I grew up and found room in my heart for the woman God created in me. Now that I’ve gotten to know her, I’m never letting her go. I admit, I still find imperfections in menial things, but nevertheless, my cup overflows with self-love. As we step into February, a month dedicated to overly romantic acts of love, I feel it’s important to remember to shower ourselves with affirmations — and, while we’re at it, chocolates and flowers too.

Series Introduction: Ambition

We are only a few days into this new year and I don’t know about yours, but my social media feed is consumed by cliché resolutions and novel-length reflections of the year gone. Sure, I’ll appreciate the idea of a fresh start as much as the next girl — but so what? Setting goals to better yourself and pursue your passion is great, but at the end of the day it’s not enough. The bottom line is: you cannot have ambition without action. Period. End of story. So, if you’ve set a resolution for yourself in the new year, then you’ve got ambition, girl! That’s the first step.

Current Blog series: Purpose