For years, I was on autopilot, doing all the right things, the things good moms, good wives, and responsible women do. I raised my family with love, devotion, and the kind of energy that makes you forget to pause and ask, “What do I want?” Somewhere between soccer practice, meal planning, and cheerleading for everyone else’s dreams, I left a part of myself behind.

Let’s talk about overwhelm for a minute. You know the feeling, the never-ending mental checklist, the pressure building behind your eyes, the weight of everything you need to do that’s sitting heavy on your chest. Overwhelm doesn’t ask if you’re ready; it just arrives and takes over.

Recently, I was reminded of a powerful lesson that I keep learning over and over again, one that sneaks up on me when I least expect it and cracks my heart open a little wider each time.

June is my birth month and something about it always feels like a gentle invitation to pause, reflect, and realign with what truly matters. Longer days, warmer sun, and blooming gardens are the perfect backdrop for a deeper kind of becoming, the kind that happens within.

Have you ever found yourself second-guessing your every move? Asking others for their opinions before trusting your own gut? Yeah… me too. It’s one of those sneaky habits we often develop without even realizing it. Somewhere along the way between raising families, building careers, caring for others, and trying to “get it right” we forget that we have everything we need within us.

Last week, I officially began a new strength training journey and let’s just say, it started with a little… detour. 

There’s something magical about girlfriends, palm trees, and a lanai under the Florida sun. Add a splash of spontaneity, a couple of cocktails, and a night filled with laughter, and you’ve got yourself a story worth telling. Well, let’s just say we added a little sparkle to our usual rhythm.

There’s something sacred about a women’s circle. It holds you, gently, but firmly reminding you that you are not alone. A few years ago, I experienced this firsthand during a women’s retreat that etched itself on my heart. Recently, I’ve found myself revisiting it, reflecting with new eyes and a deeper appreciation for what it truly meant.

This week, I’m celebrating my dad’s birthday. It’s a celebration that looks different than it once did. There are no cards to buy, no calls to make, no ice cream or cake to share. But in many ways, this new kind of celebration is just as sacred, maybe even more so.

Have you ever looked out the window of an airplane and felt like time stood still for just a moment? Recently, on a flight home, I found myself staring out at a sea of clouds stretched like a fluffy blanket beneath the wings. Above them, the sky was a brilliant, uninterrupted blue, radiant and peaceful. It struck me then: no matter how stormy it might be below, the sun is always shining above the clouds.