Posts

The Courage to Begin Again: Why New Beginnings Are Sometimes Exactly What We Need

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  The Fear of Starting Over Let’s just say it plainly:  starting over is terrifying . Whether you're walking away from a long-time job, ending a once-deep friendship, or leaving the comfort of a familiar home — the fear is real. Why? Because the unknown holds no guarantees. And for many of us, especially as we grow older, there’s a silent pressure to “have it all figured out.” We’re told we should be settled, secure, and past the point of starting fresh. But the truth is:  life doesn’t work on a timeline . Growth doesn’t have an expiration date. And sometimes,  beginning again is exactly what your soul is asking for. Work Shouldn’t Just Pay You — It Should Feed You Recently, I had to make a difficult decision. I resigned from a position that had begun to feel more like survival than fulfillment. The job once gave me purpose — or so I thought. But over time, I found myself shrinking. The care, recognition, and basic human value I craved were nowhere to be found. So I ...

Seeing Yourself: How to Hear You When the World Won’t Shut Up

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Happy Sunday, internet friends. Today’s blog isn’t about the latest diet trend, productivity hack, or how to optimize your sleep cycle by eating sea moss at 9:02 PM. No, today we’re talking about something deeper— seeing yourself  for who you really are,  without the noise  of the outside world constantly screaming in your face like an unpaid intern in a startup pitch meeting. Let’s be honest: the world is LOUD. Social media tells you what to wear, what aesthetic your breakfast should have, how your “healing journey” should look, and what personality traits are acceptable this week. And don't get me started on the sea of “experts” (some of whom got their degrees from the University of Google Search) writing articles about how to “optimize your existence” like you're some broken machine in need of a firmware update. So let’s slow down. Let’s take a moment to talk about  you —the real you. Not the version curated for the 'Gram or built out of Reddit threads and Pintere...

4 Uncommon Morning Habits to Start Your Day With Peace, Positivity & Wellness

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  Why Morning Habits for Wellness Really Matter Most of us start the day reacting—snoozing alarms, scrolling emails, or rushing through a chaotic routine. But science shows that the  first 30–60 minutes of your morning  play a crucial role in how you feel, think, and handle stress throughout the day. That’s why  how you start your day  matters more than ever. We are going to explore 4  uncommon yet powerful morning wellness tips —each rooted in research—to help you create a more peaceful, energized, and resilient morning routine. These ideas go beyond your typical advice and may unlock better mental health, focus, and energy before 9 AM. 1. Practice  Mindful Mouthfuls  (for Positivity) Practicing  mindfulness in the morning —even just for the first few bites of breakfast—can reduce stress and promote positive emotions. Studies show that mindful eating can help lower cortisol, calm the nervous system, and boost mood. ✔️ How to try it: Take 3 s...

The Power of Saying “I Love You”: A Simple Phrase That Changes Everything

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I’ve been processing the heartbreaking news of Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s passing. Like many of you, I grew up with “Theo” on  The Cosby Show . He wasn’t just a TV character; he was part of our childhood—someone familiar, consistent, relatable. Hearing that he was gone hit me harder than I expected. It reminded me how fragile life is and, more importantly, how vital it is to express love while we still can. That moment left me wondering:  Do the people around me know I love them?  Not just think or assume it, but really  know —because I told them? Why “I Love You” Matters So Much There aren’t many people in our lives who get to experience the depth of our love. And for those few? They  deserve  to hear it. “I love you.” Three short words. Easy to say. But often left unsaid. We avoid it for a million reasons. It feels vulnerable. It feels emotional. Maybe we think it’s already understood. But love isn’t just about understanding—it’s about expression. Saying "I l...

The Hidden Power of Phatic Communication: The Art of Saying Nothing—and Meaning Everything

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Let’s be real: most of us think of small talk as background noise. But what if I told you that those casual  “Hey, how are you?”  moments are actually  culturally significant , emotionally powerful, and deeply human? Phatic communication  is the fancy name for those quick, surface-level interactions we often brush off: “Good morning.” “How was your day?” “You doing okay?” We use these phrases all the time—at the gas station, in the hallway, with our partner at the end of a long day. But their value?  Deeply underrated. What Is Phatic Communication, Really? Phatic communication isn’t about exchanging facts. It’s about maintaining  social harmony  and  emotional connection . It’s the glue that keeps relationships going during the in-between moments. You know when your grandmother calls just to say,  “I was thinking of you,”  and then talks about the weather? That’s phatic. And it means more than you think. It’s not the words—it’s the ...

Parenting the Modern Pre-Teen Girl: From Screens to Connection

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Some days, I feel like I’m losing the parenting fight. My 11-year-old daughter is happy, loved, and well cared for—but when I try to connect, it’s like I’m competing with a screen. And let’s be honest: if you’re parenting a pre-teen girl, you’ve probably felt this too. It’s not just you. It’s not just her. It’s  this stage . And I truly believe it’s harder than the teenage years. But here’s the hope: I’ve  done this before . I have a 23 (almost 24!) year old who made it through the same strange phase of life—awkward transitions, bold opinions, makeup battles and all. So this week, I want to offer some creative and  real  tips that are helping me now, and that worked back then. And I want to hear from  you . Because parenting the modern child—especially in a tech-saturated world—isn’t a solo mission. Let’s help each other win this parenting war. 💪💬 7 Creative Ways to Connect With Your Pre-Teen Girl 1.  Talk  During , Not Just After If she’s into TikTo...

Scanxiety: Life After Cancer Treatment and the Lingering Fear of What Comes Next

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The world goes quiet when treatment ends. No more appointments. No more countdowns to the next infusion. No more late-night Google searches, medication alarms, or labs to monitor every cell in your body. But for Josh, the silence was not peace—it was uncertainty. My brother, Joshua, was diagnosed in  November 2024 with Stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) . A punch to the gut, but even in the chaos, there was a thread of hope. The cancer had not spread to any major organs—only the  pleura cavity . Even more promising, Josh had a  genetic mutation—EGFR+ , which meant he could be treated with  Tagrisso , a targeted therapy with a strong success rate in shrinking tumors. He took the pill every day. No missed doses. He also braved  four rounds of chemotherapy . Although the original plan was six, his oncologist was stunned at his progress—the tumor shrank from  nearly 7cm to under 2cm . Two rounds were canceled. Everyone called it a miracle. Then came the...