How to Stay Motivated When Life Gets Hard You don’t have to tell me that life is hard. With the current state of the world—rising costs, job insecurity, political unrest—not to mention the constant juggle of family, work, and maybe even caregiving, things can get overwhelming fast. Now layer that with unresolved trauma, childhood wounds, and internal battles we rarely speak of, and it’s no wonder so many of us feel like we’re operating under an emotional avalanche. And yet—somehow—we make it through. I know what you’re thinking: “I barely get through. And when the day’s over, I’m either depressed, worried sick, sleepless, and… well, you know the rest” Believe…
-
-
Simple Ways to Build Self-Confidence I’m no expert on self-confidence—I’m just someone who figured out that the only person who could truly build it was me. There was a time I depended on others—the validation from parents, a partner, friends, even coworkers—to feel worthy. But that formula? It doesn’t work. Everyone you lean on has their own baggage and shortcomings, which means they’re not in the best position to make you feel accepted. Self-confidence is a personal journey that demands you take ownership of your life and carefully choose who and what you invite into it. Own Yourself The first step in building self-confidence is realizing that it all starts…
-
Turning Setbacks into Strength: The Mindset Shift That Changes the Game Setbacks. They’re as much a part of life as taxes and bad hair days. But let’s be real for a second—when life throws you a curveball, it doesn’t feel like a setback. It feels like the universe is holding you down and saying, “Stay there, and think about what you’ve done.” Maybe it’s a job you didn’t get, a relationship that fell apart, or a dream that fizzled before it even got off the ground. You feel frustrated, disappointed, maybe even a little embarrassed. You wonder why you keep getting knocked down, and if you’ll ever catch a break.…
-
The Power of Perspective: How Small Mindset Shifts Change Everything I used to think life was happening to me. That circumstances, other people, and sheer dumb luck were in control, and I was just along for the ride. Now, I see things differently. I’ve learned that perspective—the way we choose to see the world—changes everything. Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying a positive mindset magically fixes life’s messes. If that were true, my laundry would fold itself, my job would be a dream and I could eat to my heart’s content . But I do believe this: when you shift the way you look at something, the thing itself starts to…
-
10 Daily Habits for Mental Clarity: Simple Shifts to Clear Your Mind and Boost Your Focus Let’s be real—most of my weekdays feel like I’m living on repeat. Monday through Friday, it’s the same routine: wake up at 6:30, eat breakfast, drink my tea, and pack my daughter’s lunch (sometimes she preps her sandwich, but let’s be honest—I usually do it because, hey, I’m a good mama… ha!). Then it’s a quick shower, get dressed, and out the door. Sound familiar? You probably have your own version of this loop. But I’ve noticed something: the days when I take just a few quiet minutes for myself—and drink a glass of…
-
How to Stop Negative Self-Talk Let me start with this: we all do it. That little voice in your head that says you’re not good enough, you’re behind, or you’re messing everything up—yeah, I know her well. And if you’re anything like me, that voice has followed you through different seasons of your life, sometimes whispering, other times yelling. But here’s the truth: negative self-talk isn’t just annoying. It’s destructive. It holds you back from showing up as your best self, steals your joy, and creates false narratives that become your internal truth if you let them. What Is Negative Self-Talk? Negative self-talk is that inner chatter where you criticize,…
-
Everything comes with a cost: 1923-Teonna I just finished watching the final episode of 1923, and it left me with a heavy heart. There’s so much chaos and emotion tangled up in that season, but one scene hit me particularly hard—a moment that captured the profound defeat and heartbreak of Teonna. In that scene, the Indian sheriff gently places the reins on her horse and sends her toward California. As she’s about to ride off, he calls out, “You were right to fight back.” Teonna, carrying the weight of everything she’s endured and everything she’s done, responds, “Maybe, but it cost me everything.” The sheriff replies quietly, “Always does,” before…
-
Reflections After Watching Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer I just finished the Netflix series on Rex Heuermann (Gone Girls), and I’m still sitting with a pit in my stomach. It was haunting in a way that true crime usually isn’t—because this one hit terrifyingly close to home. I live on Long Island now, and growing up, my family used to take me to the same beaches where these poor women were found. As a kid, those beaches were just sandcastles and sea gulls—pure summer joy. To now learn that those same shores were a burial ground is beyond chilling. It’s like a childhood memory has been retroactively darkened.…
-
How to Handle Unfair Situations Without Losing Your Cool Life isn’t fair. I know—what a groundbreaking revelation, right? If I had a dollar for every time I’ve encountered an unfair situation, I’d be sipping ice tea in a beach house instead of figuring out how to stay calm when someone cuts me off on the expressway. But here’s the real kicker: unfair things will happen. People will lie. Promotions will go to the wrong people. Someone will take credit for your work. The line-jumper at the grocery store will still pretend they didn’t see you standing there. And while I’d love to say that karma will handle everything immediately, the reality is that…
-
Let It Go: The Art of Releasing What No Longer Serves You I used to think letting go meant giving up. That walking away from something—or someone—was a sign of failure. Letting go isn’t about losing. It’s about freeing yourself. A Personal Reflection: The Elsa Years When Let It Go was released in 2013, I was just two months away from becoming a mom. Little did I know, that song would become the soundtrack of my daughter’s early years. By the time she turned three, our living room had morphed into Elsa’s ice castle. She twirled, sang, and flung her little arms into the air, tossing her blonde wig (when she…
