February 2025: How I Maintain Healthy Boundaries: Share advanced strategies for setting and keeping boundaries. How I Keep My Sanity and Maintain My PEACE Boundaries are like fences—not walls. They protect my peace without shutting people out. But let’s be real, as a recovering people pleaser, keeping boundaries has been one of my biggest struggles.... Continue Reading →
February 2025: Deepening Self-Awareness: Recognizing Subtle Triggers and Handling Them Life has its ups and downs, and not all surprises are good ones. Sometimes, everything feels fine, and then out of nowhere, something small—like a song, a smell, or a random comment—brings up tough feelings. These moments are called triggers. They remind us of past... Continue Reading →
There are days when the struggle is real. I just want to state, for the record, that for as much as I’ve learned over these many years in recovery and for as far as I’ve come, there are still days I struggle. I would love you to think I have it all together and that... Continue Reading →
January 2025: Reflecting on the Journey - The Greatest Lessons I’ve Learned Life is like an ever-winding trail through the woods—full of surprises, challenges, and those pesky roots that trip you up when you least expect it. As I’ve walked my journey (and stumbled more than once), I’ve gathered some gems of wisdom that have reshaped... Continue Reading →
To, hopefully, get back in the swing of things, I'm kicking off 2025 with a blogging challenge. I'd love you to join me! January 2025: Reflecting on the Journey - My Codependency Recovery Milestones In July I will celebrate 20 years of this remarkable healing journey from codependency. Will I ever be completely free of... Continue Reading →
Did you hear it? It was so quiet one would scarcely notice. The "swoosh" of the backslide. My backslide. Not even I heard it. I was just there. I missed all the warning signs that I'm sure were posted all along the way. Do you know why? I missed them because I was too damn... Continue Reading →
Today I have a special guest post... Let me introduce my little sister, Melissa. There is a 31-year age difference between my little sister and I, and up until a year and a half ago, we had no relationship. She grew up without me in her life, except for the every so often visit. Sadly, I... Continue Reading →
It has been almost four years since I wrote this post and it just amazes me how different my life is these days. Change can be hard and certainly scary but change is hope. Don't give up! How many times have you heard the saying, “Nothing changes if nothing changes”? How about the definition of... Continue Reading →
I recently had a conversation with a friend of mine who, I feel, has lost her joy. I say this because I remember when I lost mine. I remember just how I felt, how I acted and where I ended up. Joy vs. Happiness Joy and happiness are wonderful feelings to experience, but are very... Continue Reading →
Updated... I wrestled with myself a little last week... I received an email from Kindle Direct Publishing for my ex's father's account. At one point, a few years ago, I was helping him edit and self-publish his books. I kept telling him I was not a literary agent nor an editor but he wanted my... Continue Reading →
There are times when I just have to stop and remember how badly I screwed my kids up with my codependent behaviors. You know the old saying, "Monkey see, monkey do". And then I realize that today I am in a place that I can model a healthier and more fulfilling lifestyle. I am blessed... Continue Reading →
This is an absolutely beautiful poem written by my blogging friend JoAnne Macco. Her blog, "Anything Is Possible!" is full of inspiration and encouragement! She is a constant encouragement to me and I know she will be to you, too! Before you found me I had to find me Deep in the forest, Singing to... Continue Reading →
Journey On Strong 