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.
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.
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!
I was scrolling through my social feed recently when a post from a friend stopped me in my tracks. She was being hard on herself—and calling herself out for it. That kind of self-awareness is powerful. But it also reminded me just how common it is for us to beat ourselves up for not being perfect.
For most of my life, I felt like I was less than. I believed everyone else had it easier, did it better, or simply was better than me. I didn’t just chase perfection—I punished myself for not catching it. And I know now, that wasn’t living. That was surviving under pressure I created for myself.
But here’s the truth I’ve learned along the way:
We are not meant to be perfect.
Perfection is a moving target. It’s shaped by the media, our upbringing, our culture—and our own inner critic. What’s “perfect” to one person might feel totally wrong to someone else. And yet, we often use it as a ruler to measure our worth.
I used to think if I could just do everything right—look right, act right, succeed right—then I’d finally feel good about myself. But chasing perfection only left me feeling more broken. I saw my mistakes as failures instead of lessons. I saw my body as wrong because it didn’t match an airbrushed image I was never meant to emulate.
The beauty and fashion industries thrive on this illusion. As someone who has worked in that world, I can tell you firsthand: most of what you see has been digitally altered. The people in the photos don’t even look like that in real life. So why are we holding ourselves to impossible standards?
True growth happens in the mess. We learn through failure. We build strength through struggle. We connect through our flaws—not despite them, but because of them. And when we stop trying to be perfect, we start learning how to be authentic. That’s when the real magic begins.
What if you let go of the map you were handed and created your own version of “perfect”?
What if your quirks, your softness, your scars—what if those were the most beautiful parts of you?
They are.
When you love the things you can’t change—and commit to working on the things you can—you stop being at war with yourself. You start building a life you actually want to live.
We’re all meant to be different. To stand out. To evolve.
So what if instead of chasing the illusion of perfection, you embraced the truth of who you are right now? What if you stopped waiting to feel worthy—and decided you already are?
That’s not weakness. That’s power. And it’s yours to claim.
SLAY on.
Are you chasing an idea of perfection that’s keeping you from loving who you are today?
What does “perfect” mean to you—and where did that definition come from?
Do you speak kindly to yourself when you fall short, or do you criticize?
What parts of yourself do you struggle to accept? Can you reframe them with love?
What makes you uniquely you?
How can you start celebrating your journey instead of comparing it?
I’d love to hear from you.
What’s one way you can let go of perfection and embrace who you are right now?
Share your story in the comments. Let’s cheer each other on.
And if you know someone who’s been beating themselves up for not being perfect, send this to them.
Sometimes, the reminder we need most is that we’re enough—just as we are.
There was a time when I would have called myself a dire warning—not just to others, but to myself. I was the cautionary tale. The one who looked fine on the outside but was falling apart inside. I lived in a cycle of self-sabotage, denial, and fear, making poor choices—or worse, making no choices at all—and then wondering why things didn’t change.
But here’s the truth: we all have a choice. At any moment, we can decide to be a shining example instead of a dire warning. And that choice? It changes everything.
When I was living in the dark, I didn’t believe I had options. I told myself I was strong, that I didn’t need help. But the truth was, I was drowning. I was clinging to patterns that were destroying me, too loyal to my own pain and too stubborn to let go. My relationships suffered, my joy faded, and my hope all but disappeared.
And still, I looked down on those I thought were weak—never realizing that true strength isn’t in pretending you’re fine. It’s in admitting you’re not.
It wasn’t until someone else showed me what it looked like to live differently—to step into the light—that I began to believe it was possible. They didn’t lecture me. They simply lived in a way that made me want what they had. They were a shining example, and I wanted to become one too.
The moment I chose change, a tiny flicker of light appeared. It wasn’t much, but it was enough. I picked up the phone. I asked for help. I started doing the work. And slowly—so slowly at first—that flicker began to grow.
I surrounded myself with people who inspired me. People who had walked through the darkness and come out shining. They didn’t have perfect lives, but they had something real—something I wanted. And being around their light helped me ignite my own.
The more I leaned into that light, the more I began to change. My relationships shifted. My inner dialogue softened. People who used to worry about me now cheered me on. And I began to realize that maybe, just maybe, I could be that beacon for someone else.
We get to decide who we want to be. Every day. With every choice. You don’t have to stay stuck. You’re not bound to your past. If you’ve been a dire warning, you can become a shining example. All it takes is a spark—a moment of hope, a tiny act of courage, a willingness to believe that you’re worthy of the light.
And when you do that, you don’t just transform your own life. You light the way for someone else.
So ask yourself: Which story are you telling with your life?
SLAY on.
SLAY OF THE DAY: Spark Your Truth
Do you feel like a shining example or a dire warning right now?
If you’re not where you want to be, what choice can you make today to move closer to the light?
Have you been both in your life? What shifted?
Who in your life is a shining example? What can you learn from them?
How can you be a spark for someone else?
You don’t need to be perfect to shine. You just need to be real—and ready.
Call to Action: Join the Conversation
I’d love to hear from you.
What’s one shift you can make today to step out of the shadows and into the light?
Share your story in the comments. Let’s cheer each other on.
And if you know someone who’s stuck in their dark chapter, send this to them.
Sometimes, all we need is someone to show us the way.
Coming from a life of hiding my truth, living in fear of being found out, and wanting to appear to be more than I was, I understand dishonesty. I lived a dishonest life, even from myself, so how could I be honest with others? I lied even when I didn’t need to, unaware of the weight of those lies. My life became a tangled web until I couldn’t keep track of it all, and the only truth left was that everything was unmanageable, and I had fallen so far into darkness I wasn’t sure I could find my way out.
Thankfully, someone came into my life and shared his honesty with me. That act gave me hope.
When I began walking the path of recovery, I had to learn to be honest, starting with myself. I had to stop believing the lies that kept me sick and face the truth. I had to get rigorously honest if I wanted to build a new life from the foundation up. That foundation had to be honesty. So, I rolled up my sleeves and got to work.
Facing the truth wasn’t always easy. It meant looking at my past actions, what I’d said, the harm I’d done to myself and others. My lies always pointed fingers outward, but the truth—the honest truth—was that I played a role in my pain and chaos. Letting go of my fear of judgment, I began to speak my truth. Even though my head told me not to, I charged ahead anyway. And on the other end of that honesty, I found support. People didn’t reject me or push me away—they offered their hand, their understanding, and their ear. As I shared my truth, my guilt, anger, and fear started to melt away.
I was taught, and continue to learn, to be honest about my intentions, my time, and what I am truly willing and able to contribute. It was scary at first, but as I practiced it, the results were always better. That doesn’t mean there weren’t disappointments or frustrations, but they were far fewer than when I was saying what I thought others wanted to hear.
The truth is, most people want the truth—not some made-up story to save face. Being honest shows not only respect for yourself but also for others. It shows vulnerability and opens the door for collaboration, understanding, and solutions we might not have found on our own. When we are honest, we have nothing to hide. And when we’re not spending our energy hiding, we are free.
Sometimes, we enter situations with the best intentions and realize the reality doesn’t match. Instead of pretending or keeping up appearances, try being honest. You may find that instead of working against you, others will work with you toward a solution. Even if things don’t go the way you hoped, the act of being honest itself is a win because you are speaking your truth, instead of pretending to be something—or someone—you’re not.
Be honest about who you are, what you can offer, and what you can truly give. As they say, the truth will set you free. And that freedom? It’s all in your hands.
SLAY on.
SLAY OF THE DAY: Reflect & Rise
Do you tend to be honest with others? If not, why?
Are you honest with yourself? If not, why not?
Has dishonesty caused you trouble in the past? How might things have changed if you’d been honest?
What can you do today to be more honest, with yourself and others?
Are you afraid of honesty? Why?
How can you begin letting go of fear and speak your truth?
Call to Action: Join the Conversation
I’d love to hear from you.
What’s one truth you’re ready to speak today—about yourself or to someone else?
Share your story in the comments. Let’s cheer each other on.
And if you know someone struggling to be honest with themselves, send this to them.
Sometimes, all we need is permission to tell the truth.
We all want peace, fulfillment, and connection—but we can’t get there by putting ourselves first at the expense of others. I learned this the hard way.
Selfishness, by definition, is lacking consideration for others—being concerned chiefly with one’s own personal profit or pleasure. When I was living in my illness, I often operated from a selfish place, though I wouldn’t have admitted it. In fact, I convinced myself I was doing others a favor. But my motives were always self-serving, even if I masked them in acts of kindness. And when we act with impure intentions, even if we get what we wanted, it rarely feels good for long.
The truth? That kind of gratification is short-lived. It may look shiny on the outside, but the emptiness we feel afterward speaks volumes. Selfishness, no matter how cleverly disguised, leads to suffering. For me, it did—over and over again.
The moment I decided to get help was the moment I was told I had to get honest—with others and with myself. That sent me into a full-blown anxiety spiral. Honesty meant confronting the wreckage I had left behind, facing the truth that much of my pain was self-inflicted.
But as I began doing the work, I realized something: by identifying where I had been selfish, I could finally stop carrying the weight of guilt and shame. I could make amends—sometimes directly, and sometimes through my actions moving forward. The idea of a “living amends” helped me break free from the belief that I was doomed to repeat my mistakes.
We’re only doomed to repeat what we refuse to acknowledge.
One of the most valuable tools I’ve gained over the last 14 years is asking myself, What’s your motivation? Before I act, I pause. If I’m doing something with even a sliver of expectation, I check myself.
Real kindness, real service, comes with no strings attached. When our actions are rooted in the desire to simply do what’s right—or to make someone’s day a little brighter—we find peace. But when we act from a place of ego, validation-seeking, or self-interest, suffering follows.
That doesn’t mean every decision must be self-sacrificing. It means our actions should come from truth. When you’re honest about your intentions, you create room for growth, peace, and real connection.
Even now, I sometimes catch myself slipping into old patterns. That’s okay. Awareness is everything. The difference today is that I know how to pause, reassess, and choose a different path. I don’t pretend I have it all figured out. I just stay willing to learn—and that willingness keeps me free.
We all have the capacity to reflect, correct, and grow. The work isn’t about perfection. It’s about integrity. When your heart is in the right place, it shows.
And when we each commit to doing what’s right—not just for ourselves, but for those around us—we rise. Together.
SLAY on.
SLAY Reflection
S-L-A-Y:
Call to Action: Join the Conversation
I’d love to hear from you.
What helps you check your motives before taking action?
Share your story in the comments. Let’s cheer each other on.
And if you know someone who’s working on self-awareness and growth, send this to them.
Sometimes, all we need is a nudge.
Good morning SLAYER! Needing approval is like saying that someone else’s opinion of you is more important than your own opinion of yourself.
New blog goes up Friday, until then… SLAY on!
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how we see life through our own lens. How easy it is to adjust the tint to suit the story we want to tell—or the one we’re trying to avoid.
Because the truth is, when we keep those glasses on, we keep ourselves from seeing what’s real.
When I was living in the dark, I wore every shade of tinted glasses you can imagine. I’d change the lens to match my mood, my fears, or the lies I was telling myself.
Reality? I didn’t want to face it. It was too painful. Too overwhelming. Too raw.
So I hid. I convinced myself that my version of the story—my distorted, safer version—was enough. I ignored the cracks in my life, the hurt I was causing myself and others, and I justified it all with the filters I chose to wear.
But eventually, the truth caught up with me. And when it did, I realized how small and dark my world had become.
It wasn’t easy. Seeing life without those filters meant facing the choices I’d made, the damage I’d done, and the lies I’d told. It meant admitting that I was the one holding myself back.
But in that hard truth, I found something I hadn’t expected: hope.
I discovered that even when the view was painful, it was honest. It was real. And it gave me a path forward.
As I began my journey of recovery, I learned to live in reality. To lean on others who were also learning to live in their truth. To reach out for help when my reality felt overwhelming.
And over time, I realized that reality—messy, uncomfortable, imperfect—is where life really happens.
These days, I still feel the temptation to slip those tinted glasses back on when life gets hard. But I remind myself that hiding doesn’t solve anything. It just keeps me stuck.
Reality can be painful. But it’s also where growth lives. It’s where connections deepen, where healing begins, and where we finally get to see ourselves—truly see ourselves.
And the more I practice living in the clear, the more I realize how much beauty there is in truth.
SLAY on.
Do you tend to hide behind tinted glasses to avoid facing your truth?
What fears or stories are you using those lenses to cover up?
What might your life look like if you took them off today?
How can you begin practicing honesty with yourself and those around you?
What’s one small step you can take today to start living in the clear?
I’d love to hear from you.
What’s one truth you’re ready to face today?
Share your story in the comments. Let’s cheer each other on.
And if you know someone who’s struggling to see reality, send this to them.
Sometimes, a small nudge is all it takes to lift the veil.
