• Adulting - Career - Leadership - Passion - Thoughts on Life

    When Their Limit Becomes Your Ceiling — Releasing the Guilt of Outgrowing People

    June 22, 2025 - By 

    Success, in any form, changes your relationships. Especially with people who knew you before you dared to dream differently. You may notice it in small ways at first. A friend becomes distant. A relative says you’re “too ambitious.” Someone you respect jokes that you’ve “changed.” And you wonder: Did I do something wrong? Here’s the hard truth: sometimes, what feels like judgment is really someone else’s fear of being left behind. When you start to level up — spiritually, financially, creatively — it forces others to confront what they’ve ignored in their own lives. Not because you’re flaunting it, but…

  • Adulting - Diva Mindset - Healthy Habits - lifestyle - Self-Love - Thoughts on Life

    Hot Girl Walks and the Tyranny of Self-Improvement

    June 15, 2025 - By 

    There’s a new lifestyle trend every month. Cold plunges. Moon journaling. ‘Hot girl walks.’ All promising transcendence through discipline. Translation: if I just walk four miles in matching athleisure while listening to podcasts on boundary-setting, I will become a higher being. Spoiler: I remain very much myself. Don’t get me wrong—walking is good. Boundaries are good. But at some point, every self-care trend starts sounding like a wellness version of homework. “Glow up or shut up” seems to be the subtext. I used to think my resistance was laziness. Now I think it’s grief. Grief over a version of myself…

  • Adulting - Career - Leadership - Legacy - Thoughts on Life

    When Love Sounds Like Doubt — Recognizing Fear in the Voices That Care About You

    June 15, 2025 - By 

    We’re told to watch out for “haters.” The loud critics. The ones who scoff, roll their eyes, or outright insult your ambitions. But the truth is, those voices are easy to ignore. The harder voices to deal with are softer — the ones that come from people who love you. You finally take that bold step — launch your small business, write your book, start teaching online, go full-time on a creative project. And instead of applause, what you hear is: “Are you sure this will work?” “What if it doesn’t go as planned?” “Maybe it’s better to have a…

  • Adulting - Affirmations - budgeting - Frugality - Thoughts on Life

    Spending as Self-Respect: Choosing Time Over Temporary Highs

    May 30, 2025 - By 

    Every time we swipe a card or click “Buy Now,” we’re not just exchanging money—we’re spending life hours. And life hours are sacred. They’re our one-way ticket, slowly being used up, breath by breath. Money can be replenished. That’s its charm. You lose some, you earn more. But the hours you spent earning that money? You don’t get those back. They’re gone. That was your time, your energy, your aging knees, your missed lunch breaks, your slowly fraying nerves. So the next time a sale banner screams 50% off, take a breath. Ask yourself: Do I want to trade a…

  • Adulting - Affirmations - budgeting - Frugality - Thoughts on Life

    I Gave Up Retail Therapy—And Gained Something Better

    May 27, 2025 - By 

    For years, I thought buying things was the same as self-care. A new bag after a hard week. Designer shoes because “I deserved them.” But beneath the glossy shopping bags and momentary highs, there was something else: stress. Credit card guilt. A creeping sense that I was working just to keep up with people whose lives weren’t even mine to live. Then one day, while standing in front of a mirror holding yet another “must-have” handbag, I asked myself: Who am I trying to impress? That single question unraveled a lot. What I learned was simple but not easy: being…

  • Adulting - Passion - Thoughts on Life

    How I’ve Been Handling Life Thus Far

    April 18, 2025 - By 

    If there is one thread that ties together everything I do, it is curiosity. I’ve always been drawn to questions—about people, about places, about how things work, and most especially, about how we grow. I consider myself a multipassionate individual. I have explored many paths—writing, librarianship, teaching, editing, and creating digital content. Each one has taught me something different, and each one continues to shape who I am. I don’t believe we have to choose just one direction in life. I believe we grow in many directions, sometimes all at once. Learning has always been a constant in my life.…

  • Adulting - Diva Mindset - lifestyle - Self-Love - Stress Management

    Envious of Others Living Their Best Life?

    June 16, 2024 - By 

    You might feel uncontrollable envy over someone who seems like they have it all. Here are some straight-up reasons why you feel this way: 1. Comparing Yourself to Others: You keep looking at what others have and forget about what you’ve achieved. It’s a recipe for feeling bad. 2. Lack of Self-Confidence: When you don’t believe in yourself, it’s easy to think others are better. 3. Unfulfilled Dreams: Watching someone else live your dream can sting, especially if you’re not pursuing yours. 4. Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): Seeing others enjoy life while you feel stuck can trigger envy. 5.…

  • Adulting - budgeting - Crafting - Diva Mindset - Frugality - lifestyle

    Joy on a Dime: Finding Happiness in Life’s Simple Pleasures

    March 11, 2024 - By 

    Life’s full of surprises, and finding joy doesn’t always mean reaching deep into your pockets. Sometimes, the best moments come free or with a tiny price tag, hidden in plain sight, waiting for us to notice. Let’s talk about how to spot these gems and make the most of them, keeping things straightforward and easy to relate to. Look Around, It’s Everywhere First off, take a moment to look around. Nature doesn’t charge an entry fee. A walk in the park, a sunset, or the simple act of watching the stars can fill you with a sense of wonder and…

  • Adulting - budgeting - Diva Mindset - Frugality - lifestyle - YOLO

    Finding Balance in the Context of YOLO

    March 3, 2024 - By 

    Let’s dive into the conversation about why, in a world filled with uncertainties, indulging in life’s little pleasures seems like a personal victory over an unpredictable future. With headlines often painting a picture of environmental upheaval and economic fluctuations, it’s understandable why many are choosing to find happiness in the present moment. YOLO, which is an acronym for “you only live once,” means spending for the small pockets of happiness because they might never come again. But YOLO can drag you down, as many who are deep in debt know. Embracing the Now Consider this: against a backdrop of uncertainty,…

  • Adulting - budgeting - lifestyle

    Embrace Budgeting as a Lifestyle Choice

    March 1, 2024 - By 

    Budgeting isn’t about restriction; it’s about making conscious choices. View it as a map that guides your spending towards what truly brings you joy and fulfillment. Tools like budgeting apps can help you visualize where your money is going, making it easier to identify areas where you can save without feeling like you’re missing out. Discover Joy in Simplicity There’s immense joy to be found in simple, cost-effective activities. Whether it’s a nature hike, a DIY spa day at home, or a creative arts and crafts project, these experiences can enrich your life far beyond what material possessions offer. By…