How I’ve Built a Life That Reflects My True Values: Aligned, Caffeinated, and Content There was a time when my calendar was full, but my heart felt empty. I was busy, yes—but not with the things that truly mattered to me. Somewhere along the way, I had adopted someone else’s idea of success, and my... Continue Reading →
Week 14: Loving Without Losing Myself
Loving Without Losing Myself: A Delicate Dance There was a time when I thought love meant saying yes to everything, being available 24/7, and bending myself into a human pretzel to meet everyone else’s needs. You know what I mean, don't you? Spoiler alert: That didn’t end well. Turns out, that’s not love—it’s self-abandonment, self-neglect,... Continue Reading →
Week 13: How I’ve Redefined My Role in Relationships
Confessions of a Recovering People-Pleaser: My Hilarious Journey to Healthy Relationships Once upon a time, in a land not so far away (okay, my own life), I was the Queen of Codependency. My royal duties included rescuing distressed citizens (a.k.a. significant others, friends, coworkers, and the occasional lost puppy), fixing problems that were never mine... Continue Reading →
I’m Available… Just Not 24/7: A Lesson in Boundaries
I’ll get back to you… when I’m available! Lately, I’ve been pretty stuck on the topic of boundaries. Once again, I find myself facing the challenge of setting them—only this time, I need to work through doing it in a loving and respectful way. I have a situation that needs to be dealt with—and soon.... Continue Reading →
Week 8: Examining Codependent Patterns in New Relationships
Examining Codependent Patterns in New Relationships: Reflect on how these patterns show up and how you manage them. Ah, new relationships—the butterflies, the late-night texts, the overanalyzing of every single emoji (does a heart mean love, or just "hey, you're cool"?!). But for those of us on a codependence recovery journey, new relationships—whether romantic, friendships,... Continue Reading →
Week 6: How I Maintain Healthy Boundaries
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 →
Recovery Isn’t Perfect—And That’s Okay
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 →
Week 3 – The Greatest Lessons I’ve Learned
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 →
The Swoosh of the Backslide
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 →
Inside Out Challenge – Day 11
The most you said with just one word Like most codependent, the hardest thing for me to do is say, "No". However, that tiny little word has given me so much freedom and has brought me to a place of peace and serenity in my life. Saying "No" has taught me how to set boundaries with... Continue Reading →
No Need To Explain Myself
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 →
Hope vs. Expectations vs. Reality
I had to give myself a reality check over the past couple of days and it has taken me some time to process it. It was a wake-up call to "hope vs. expectations" and it was disappointing. Somehow I have managed to bleed expectations into my hope. Years ago, someone called me "pathetically hopeful". I... Continue Reading →