It’s easy to carry the weight of old stories, the ones that say you can’t, or you’re not enough.
But today, release those stories.
Clear the space for your truth, for the voice that’s been waiting to be heard.
When you let go of what no longer serves you, you make room for what’s real, what’s possible.
This is a reminder to free yourself from the chains of yesterday and step into your truth.
Your truth is waiting.
SLAY ON.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what it really means to manifest the life you want. For me, right now, it means making my own opportunities, not waiting for things to magically align. It means looking for the voids in what’s already there and figuring out how my talents and gifts can best be utilized. It means seeking inspiration from what already exists, then adding my own spin. It’s not about sitting around and dreaming; it’s about rolling up my sleeves, doing the work, and creating the life I want.
Manifestation isn’t about wishing or hoping that things will get better. It’s about becoming an active participant in your own journey. I used to think that if I visualized enough, or just stayed positive, the universe would magically deliver. But what I’ve learned is that the universe meets us where we are—and we need to meet it halfway.
Manifesting means being intentional about what we want, but it also means moving with courage toward those goals. It’s about spotting the gaps and opportunities in your life and stepping into them. It’s about creating solutions, not waiting for them.
So I ask myself:
Inspiration is everywhere. Look at what already exists—the businesses, projects, stories—and ask yourself: What’s missing? What would make this better? How can I bring my unique perspective to this space?
For me, this journey has meant embracing the idea that I’m the architect of my life. I’ve stopped waiting for someone to hand me the blueprint. Instead, I’m sketching it myself. That doesn’t mean it’s easy, and it doesn’t mean the plan is always clear, but it does mean I’m taking action rather than waiting for permission.
The universe loves movement. When we act, even in small ways, we generate momentum. We show that we’re serious about the life we’re building. That’s when opportunities start to show up—sometimes in the most unexpected places.
One thing that held me back for years was the belief that I had to have it all figured out before I could start. That I needed to know exactly what I was doing, where I was going, and how it was going to turn out. But life doesn’t work that way.
Perfectionism is the enemy of progress. When we wait for the perfect moment or perfect plan, we risk never starting at all. I’ve learned to embrace the idea of starting before I feel ready, of learning as I go, and of adjusting the course as needed.
It’s not about getting it right on the first try—it’s about having the courage to try at all.
Manifesting your life doesn’t mean doing it all alone. Some of the most beautiful things I’ve created have come from collaborating with others, from sharing ideas and getting feedback, from leaning on a supportive network.
When I’m feeling stuck, I reach out. I ask for input. I listen to stories of how others have overcome challenges. Community fuels creativity, and connection reminds us that we’re not alone in this journey.
If you’re feeling isolated, reach out. Connect with someone who inspires you. Share your ideas. Be open to where the conversation might lead.
Manifesting isn’t about some future version of your life. It’s about living with intention today. It’s about making the most of this moment, taking the next step, and trusting that each step will lead you closer to where you’re meant to be.
So today, I’m asking myself:
I’m choosing to live my manifestation in real time—not as a wish, but as a practice.
I’d love to hear from you.
What’s one action you’re ready to take to manifest your life?
Share your story in the comments. Let’s inspire each other to take bold steps.
And if you know someone who’s ready to start manifesting their dreams, send this to them.
Sometimes, all we need is a spark to start creating our own magic.
SLAY on.
It’s tempting to look at someone else’s journey and think their path could be ours.
But the truth is, following someone else’s map won’t lead you to your destination.
Your journey is unique, filled with your own experiences, lessons, and growth.
Trust your steps, even when the road is unclear.
Embrace the detours and the unexpected turns—they’re all part of your personal map.
The path to self-discovery isn’t about following others; it’s about forging your own trail.
So, take a deep breath, trust yourself, and keep moving forward.
Your path is unfolding exactly as it should.
SLAY ON.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the things we don’t see. The pain people carry. The stories they don’t share. The struggles that never make it to the surface.
Because the truth is, no one knows what happens quietly.
When I was living in the dark, I wore a mask. Every day, I put on a brave face and told the world I was fine—even though I was anything but.
It became a reflex. A way to survive.
And I know I’m not alone in that.
We live in a world where “I’m fine” is often code for “I’m barely holding it together.” And it’s easy to miss the signs. It’s easy to take people at face value and forget that everyone is carrying something.
So now, when I interact with someone—whether it’s a friend, a stranger, or the person ringing up my groceries—I try to remember that I have no idea what they might be going through. I might be stepping into their quiet moment.
I’m not perfect at this. There are days when someone’s energy or reaction triggers me, too. But I try to pause. To not react out of my own pain or assumptions.
Because the truth is, sometimes someone’s anger, withdrawal, or silence isn’t about me at all. It’s a symptom of something deeper. Something they haven’t said. Something they feel they can’t say.
That’s why compassion matters.
That’s why curiosity matters.
And that’s why I try to lead with both.
One of the most heartbreaking things I’ve learned is this:
When people don’t feel safe enough to speak their truth, they often believe they have no way out.
Not just emotionally—but tragically, sometimes, physically.
When we silence our pain—out of fear, shame, or the belief that no one will understand—it festers. And in that silence, so many people feel hopeless, isolated, and unseen.
They start to believe the lie that their story is too much… that they are too much.
And when there’s no outlet, no connection, no safe space to speak from the darkness,
some believe the only way to end their pain is to end everything.
That’s why sharing your story matters.
Because when you let someone see your truth, you give them permission to share theirs.
You remind them that connection is still possible.
That healing isn’t something they have to do alone.
Your vulnerability can be someone else’s lifeline.
And their story might just help you, too.
The world can be loud. But people’s pain often isn’t.
So as you move through your day, try to remember:
You may be stepping into someone’s quiet.
Their unspoken grief. Their silent struggle. The story they haven’t found words for yet.
Be gentle.
Be kind.
Be the space where it’s safe to take the mask off.
And if you’re the one wearing the mask today—I see you. I’ve been you. And you are not alone.
SLAY on.
SLAY OF THE DAY: Reflect & Rise
Call to Action: Join the Conversation
I’d love to hear from you.
What helps you stay compassionate when you don’t know someone’s full story?
Share your thoughts in the comments. Let’s support each other with softness.
And if you know someone who’s struggling in silence, send this to them.
Sometimes, a small act of kindness says: “I see you.”
Some days the light feels far away. You’re tired, uncertain, questioning whether you have it in you to keep going. But this is when the shift begins—not by chasing the light, but by standing still in the dark and facing what’s there.
Healing doesn’t just happen in the light—it begins the moment you stop running from your shadows and decide to meet yourself in the dark.
You won’t find the light by avoiding the dark. You’ll find it by healing your way through it. The light isn’t the starting point—it’s the result. It’s the reward. The proof that you met yourself, did the work, and rose from what tried to hold you down.
This is your reminder to meet yourself where you are—your healing is the key to the light.
This one hits close to home.
Because for a long time, I didn’t know how to let people be who they are.
I was always trying to manage, to steer, to shape the outcome I wanted.
Even when it was wrapped in good intentions, it was still control.
The truth is, trying to change someone—whether it’s their behavior, their choices, or how they show up—only leaves you drained, resentful, and disappointed.
Why? Because it’s not your job.
It never was.
The moment I truly understood that…
The moment I stopped trying to micromanage other people’s lives, reactions, or growth…
Was the moment I started finding peace.
Let them.
Let them say what they want.
Let them make their choices.
Let them believe what they believe.
Let them walk away—or come back—or stay exactly the same.
Because it’s not your responsibility to make someone become who you want them to be.
And it’s not your failure when they don’t.
The need to control others is often rooted in fear.
Fear of abandonment.
Fear of chaos.
Fear that if someone doesn’t change, you won’t be okay.
But guess what?
You will be okay.
Because your peace, your healing, your worth—none of it depends on someone else getting it right.
Most of us don’t realize how much energy we spend trying to get someone to meet our expectations.
We want them to act differently, to love better, to show up the way we imagined they would.
And when they don’t?
We get frustrated.
We get hurt.
We spiral.
But here’s the uncomfortable truth:
They never agreed to those expectations.
They’re being who they are.
And we’re the ones trying to rewrite their character in our story.
What if instead of trying to change them—we just let them?
“Let them” isn’t passive.
It’s powerful.
It’s not about giving up.
It’s about letting go of what was never yours to hold in the first place.
Let them be who they are—so you can stay rooted in who you are.
It’s a boundary.
A decision to protect your energy by not chasing down someone else’s growth.
When you stop investing in the outcome you wish for and start accepting the truth of what is, you reclaim your power.
You also make space for people who can meet you where you are.
Who choose to show up.
Who don’t need to be changed, convinced, or coerced.
Let them believe the lie.
Let them ghost you.
Let them not understand your heart.
Let them leave the group chat.
Let them love someone else.
Let them misunderstand you.
Let them think they’re right.
Let them talk behind your back.
And while they do?
Let yourself grow.
Let yourself feel.
Let yourself heal.
Let yourself move on.
Let yourself love without attachment.
Let yourself stay soft and strong at the same time.
You are not here to force alignment.
You are here to be aligned—with yourself.
I’d love to hear from you.
What’s one way you’ve learned to let someone be who they are—and how did that shift your peace?
Share your story in the comments. Let’s cheer each other on.
And if you know someone who’s holding on too tightly, send this to them.
Sometimes, all we need is a nudge.
True healing doesn’t come from the people who caused the pain.
It comes when you stop looking for closure, validation, or understanding from those who never had the capacity to give it.
Let this be a reminder to reclaim your power—and choose peace on your own terms.
It’s easy to say yes when you feel prepared, qualified, and ready.
But what about the yes that feels uncertain? The one that makes you pause and think, “Can I even do this?”
I’ve learned over the years that these are often the most important yeses—the ones that lead you somewhere you never expected, but exactly where you’re supposed to be.
For me, some of the best things in my life have happened because I said yes even when I wasn’t sure. Even when I doubted myself. Even when it was something I’d never done before.
Those yeses have taught me that courage often comes before confidence.
If I had waited until I felt fully ready, I would have missed out on so many opportunities that shaped me.
There have been roles I’ve taken, projects I’ve joined, and events I’ve spoken at where my first instinct was, “Why me? I’ve never done this before.”
But then I’d hear this little voice reminding me:
“Just say yes. You’ll figure it out.”
And you know what? I always did. Maybe not perfectly. But growth never is.
Every time I said yes, I walked away with more than I expected—new skills, new friends, new perspectives.
You become ready by doing. Not by waiting.
Some of my favorite experiences started with a hesitant yes.
If I had stayed in my comfort zone, I would have missed out on all of it.
What I’ve learned is that sometimes, that scary yes is simply the universe nudging you toward something bigger.
One thing I’ve come to believe is this:
Not every yes is meant to be the grand finale.
Sometimes, it’s just meant to get you moving.
There have been plenty of times when saying yes didn’t lead me exactly where I thought it would.
But it got me out the door. It opened a new door. It connected me to people and places I wouldn’t have found otherwise.
Your yes doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be intentional.
You’re not committing to a lifetime. You’re committing to the next step.
Let me be real—I’ve said yes to things for the wrong reasons too.
Guilt. People-pleasing. Fear of missing out.
Those yeses? They don’t feel good. They drain you.
But the brave yes?
That’s the one that feels a little scary but also exciting. The one that stretches you in the right way. The one your gut says “this could be good for me” even if your brain is panicking a little.
Now, I pause and ask myself:
That pause makes all the difference.
Every time I’ve stepped into something new, even when it terrified me, I’ve grown.
Not just in skills or experiences, but in how I see myself.
By saying yes, I’ve learned to trust myself more.
To know that I can figure things out.
That even if I stumble, I’ll get back up stronger.
That’s what your best yes does—it helps you grow into the next version of you.
Here’s what I want you to know:
You don’t have to feel fully ready to say yes.
You don’t have to know exactly how it will turn out.
Sometimes, your best yes is the one that simply gets you moving.
The one that introduces you to a new part of yourself.
The one that reminds you—you’re more capable than you think.
So, what’s the yes you’ve been hesitating on?
It might just be the beginning of something amazing.
Now it’s your turn. Take a moment and think about these questions:
I’d love to hear from you.
What’s the yes you’re ready to say, even if it scares you?
Share your story in the comments. Let’s cheer each other on.
And if you know someone who’s standing on the edge of a yes, send this to them.
Sometimes, all we need is a nudge.
Being vulnerable isn’t easy. It means showing up without the filter, letting people see the real you — fears, flaws, feelings and all. But vulnerability is not a weakness. It’s courage in its rawest form.
When we choose honesty over perfection, we create real connection — with ourselves and with others. That’s where true growth happens.
Let this be your reminder: you don’t have to have it all together to be worthy of love, support, or success.
Slayers, I’ve got something super special to share with you today! I had the absolute joy and honor of being a guest on the Girls Talk Healthy Aging podcast, and the episode just dropped!
🎙️ Episode 80: “Discovering Your True Self: With Carrie Genzel”
Hosted by the dynamic duo Alli Kerr and Shawna Kaminski, this conversation dives deep into authenticity, self-discovery, and the journey of aligning with who you truly are.
We talked about embracing our evolving selves, shedding the labels and expectations that no longer serve us, and how I’ve navigated my own path—personally, spiritually, and creatively. It’s raw, real, and full of the kind of honest talk I know you come here for.
Whether you’re in a season of reinvention or simply curious about the ways we grow and show up fully in our truth, this episode is for YOU.
Here’s how you can listen: 👉 Spotify
👇 YouTube version embedded right here so you can watch/listen:
I’m so grateful to Alli and Shawna for holding such a beautiful, open space and allowing me to share my story. Give it a listen, and if it speaks to you, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Slay On!
