And making space for possibility. Have you ever noticed how differently we approach life when we’re excited about something versus when we’re scared shitless of it? Somewhere along the way, a lot of us—myself absolutely included—become frickin’ expert-level warriors when it comes to protecting ourselves in any and every situation, and for good cause, let me add. Looking back, it’s hardly an overly suspicious or shocking revelation that so many of us have built parts of our lives around fear. It’s seen as practical and responsible. I know I saw it as telling myself that I was making smart choices and, again to be fair, nine times out of ten,…
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When “Don’t Worry, Be Happy!” Isn’t Remotely Helpful
Turning “Yeah, But…” Into Something Useful And hold it right there, no, I’m not knocking Bobby McFerrin’s fun-loving, ’80s hit… just the overly simplistic sentiment in those four words. You know the ones with the same vibe as those other well-meaning, Pinterest-pretty quotes that show up while you’re doom-scrolling at 12:49am on a workday. Do you sometimes pause, maybe even smile a little… and then immediately dismiss them?Like, yeah, right. Not for me. Too many of them come off as vacant, sounding lofty, and even aggressively positive. Now, I’m generally a positive person, but too many of them feel like they don’t quite fit me or where I am right…
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20 Sayings That Hit Different When You’re Growing Through Life
I hear quotes, sayings, words, and all the things any —and everywhere—in books, online, passing conversations, and some just land like solid 10. Think an Olympic gymnast who stuck the mat to screams and cheers. These sayings aren’t about hyping me up or giving me a big, gloating, bobble head. They’re more like nudges. Right-on-time ah-has, reminders, prompts, and a sprinkling of reality checks that stop me from derailing (too much), overthinking, or worse, shrinking when I shouldn’t. Spring is here. Homegirl finally parked the struggle bus, but she still needs a minute to fully step out from behind the curtain, and take center stage. We’ll give her a few…
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Take Five Minutes for the Best Case Scenario
You know what we’re exceptionally good at as humans? And I am 1000% speaking to myself on this one too: I prepare for the absolute worst. Not always successfully, mind you, but still. And I don’t just mean casually thinking about it either — I mean fully preparing. Like studying for it, taking copious notes, then taking the metaphorical exam over and over until we ace it. Like that crazy-cakes level of preparation. Brace for Impact: Our Default Setting We mentally rehearse every possible outcome where things spectacularly and catastrophically fall apart, roll off a cliff, or land somewhere between going sideways and being hella awkward. At too many points…
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The Trap of Over-Editing: Why “Perfect” Never Wins
In 2025, I tweaked too hard. As in editing and re-editing—because perfection got the better of me. And I know good and well: perfection is the bitchiest bitch in Bitchville. Enter: The Beta-Reader draft It’s 2026 and I’m in the phase called editing the next draft of my book, also known as the beta-reader draft. Insert quiet internal screaming. My 2024 word of the year, COMPLETE, stretched across two years and wrapped damn near at 10:21:09 PM on New Year’s Eve. I was grateful, giddy, and fully aware I could not tweak this print baby any more. It needed new, fresh reader eyes. Beta Readers: Those exciting, terrifying humans A…
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Reflecting on the Year: Being Okay With the Outcome
So maybe not all the things went as planned in 2025. Or maybe they did. Maybe the ‘good’ is just around the corner for you, in 2026. We’re not rewriting the past While we’re in our rest and reflective phase, remember we’re still wintering. We’re thinking back on 2025 not to beat ourselves up or list all the things we said we were going to do but didn’t. Nope. No apologies or shame spirals here. Instead, we’re thinking about the pivots and turns for 2026. The moments that counted Think of a few stand-out moments from 2025. Things that really went well. Maybe it was five things, three, or just…
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Reveal to Claim: My Word of the Year Journey
Earlier this week, roll back to Tuesday, I shared that I’ve been stuck choosing my Word of the Year for 2026.Not because I did, or did not, have a bevvy of ones to choose from—but because the weight of the right word matters to me, because it really, really works. These 5 are the ones I’ve been circling: A friend recently said something that stuck with me: You already know who you are. You don’t need to reveal it, you need to claim it. And once you do, you can actually own what comes with it. KWL Umm… OK, Babe! Lovin’ the thought process! Backstory: A few years ago, this…
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Your Quick, Fun Escape From Thanksgiving Chaos: Bingo Time!
Happy Tuesday! Thanksgiving is creeping up… next week, in fact. And if you’re fortunate enough to be able to fully enjoy Thanksgiving, just know it doesn’t have to be filled with chaos and stressful-arse to-dos. Who says gratitude can’t come with a playful side of fun (and a pause or ten)? Not me! Remember! Take all the pauses you need, sneak in some laughs, and sprinkle a ton of gratitude into your week (and life), starting with this fun Bingo game. Let’s keep it light this holiday season so we all get to rest and recharge. And who knows, we might see how much we love it, and it might…
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How to Stay Steady: My “Good Human” Work-in-Progress List
As promised from my Tuesday post: Why “Good Human” Energy Matters — Now More Than Ever, here’s my list. No sugarcoating. No “perfect human” checklist — just a handful of things I try (and sometimes fumble) to show up a little better each day. Maybe you’ll see yourself in some. Maybe you’ll roll your eyes at a few. Either way, it’s real, and I welcome any ones you have. 1-20… Let’s go! 1. Be Around People Who Push You To Be An Even-Better You You might not have a ton of friends — but you have the right ones. Mentors, peers, and people who call you out (lovingly) when needed.…
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Why “Good Human” Energy Matters — Now More Than Ever
How Are You Showing Up Today? (Before My List Drops Thursday) Okay, no one’s pure angel—or all devil—but being a “good human” still sounds so simple… until life starts life-ing yet again. The love, laughs, and sheer delulu of my friends and family keep me kind, grounded, and helps me stay steady. I’m trying to stay out of foolishness. Work out (as regularly as I can), eat … decent-ish, schedule as much abundance in my life (not assignments) where I can, and essentially, drink water and mind my business. And yet daily (if not hourly), life keeps wanting to yank me back into its stank-filled mess! Yeah. It’s a lot,…
