The Habits That Keep Me Focused (Most Days!) Staying aligned with recovery goals can feel a bit like trying to walk in a straight line while carrying a wobbly stack of grocery bags. It is possible, but not always graceful. Over the years, I have learned that the secret is not perfection, it is having... Continue Reading →
Finding Strength and Wisdom Through Life’s Hardest Lessons When I look back at some of the hardest chapters in my life, I realize they have been some of my greatest teachers. At the time, all I could see was the pain, confusion, and frustration. I wondered why I had to go through so much and... Continue Reading →
Reflecting on the person I was versus who I am now There was a time when I couldn’t even imagine being where I am today. Back then, I was buried in self-doubt, tangled up in codependency, and constantly trying to measure my worth through the eyes of others. I said yes when I wanted to... Continue Reading →
How I Respond to Guilt Trips (Without Losing Myself) There was a time when a sigh, a disappointed glance, or a few carefully chosen words could send me into a spiral of guilt. I’d drop everything to smooth things over, even if I wasn’t the one who caused the problem. That’s the grip guilt had... Continue Reading →
Today I’m Celebrating 20 Years of Recovery from Codependency and People-Pleasing!And yes—I’m throwing confetti (and maybe even dancing a little). Two decades. That’s 240 months, 1,040 weeks, and a whole lot of no’s I had to learn how to say. Today, I’m not just celebrating a milestone—I’m honoring every small, quiet, courageous step it took... Continue Reading →
When Boundaries Are Tested: Holding the Line When It’s Hard Because sometimes, “No” is a full sentence… even when it’s whispered through clenched teeth. Let’s talk about that moment when you’ve clearly drawn the line—and someone tries to tap dance all over it. You know the one: You’ve told a friend, “I’m not available to... Continue Reading →
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 →
The Power of Saying Yes to Myself: Prioritizing Myself Without the Guilt There was a time when saying “yes” to myself felt like a betrayal to everyone else. If someone needed help, I was there. If someone needed something last-minute, I’d drop everything. If plans didn’t work for me, I’d still say yes—because saying “no”... Continue Reading →
Learning to Take Up Space: One Awkward Step at a Time There was a time when my idea of "taking up space" meant making myself as small, quiet, and unnoticeable as possible. If I could have tucked myself into a pocket or blended into a wallpaper pattern, believe me, I would have. Speaking up? Asking... Continue Reading →
How I Celebrate Myself (Without Feeling Guilty About It) There was a time when celebrating myself felt...wrong. Like, who did I think I was to throw an internal party just because I said no to something that drained me? Or because I finally kept a boundary without apologizing six times after? That, my friends, is... Continue Reading →
How I’ve Repaired Relationships Impacted by Codependency (And a Few I Had to Peacefully Let Go) If codependency were an Olympic sport, I would’ve medaled in the early 2000s. Back then, I thought being the “fixer” of every emotional emergency was just what strong, loving people do. Turns out, it was just me subconsciously clinging... Continue Reading →
A couple of weeks ago, I shared a post about how I stay grounded during stressful situations. I didn’t think much of it at the time—it was just me being honest, hoping maybe it would resonate with someone else. But not long after, a comment came through on one of the platforms I post on... Continue Reading →
Journey On Strong 