recovery journey

Choosing Between Character And Comfort

We’ve all heard it before: nothing grows in the comfort zone. And yet, how often do we stay there—stuck, cozy, and convinced that if we just wait long enough, life might change for us? Spoiler alert: it doesn’t. Growth, healing, and real transformation require us to choose character over comfort. Every single time.

When Comfort Becomes a Cage

Before I began this journey, I was driven in my career but paralyzed in my personal, mental, and spiritual life. I stuck with what I knew—old patterns, destructive habits, relationships that didn’t serve me—because it felt familiar. Comfortable, even.

But comfort can be deceiving. What I thought was a safe place was actually a cage I had built with my own hands. And the longer I stayed there, the darker it became. Things didn’t magically get better—they got worse. I wasn’t growing, I was withering. And still, I stayed, because discomfort felt scarier than decline.

Until it didn’t. Until staying stuck became scarier than change. That’s when I reached out from the darkness. That’s when I chose the light.

The Shift Toward Character

When I finally said yes to healing, I had to make peace with being uncomfortable. Growth didn’t feel good at first. It felt hard. But I kept showing up. I dug my heels in and used that stubbornness—the same stubbornness that once held me back—to push me forward.

Little by little, I shifted my focus from staying comfortable to building character. And you know what happened? That new discomfort became my new normal. And over time, it started to feel like home.

I began to recognize something important: when I feel uncomfortable now, it usually means I’m growing. Stretching. Evolving. That discomfort is a signal I’m doing something right, not wrong.

And when life feels too comfortable again? That’s when I check in with myself. Have I stopped stretching? Settled for less? Avoided the next step out of fear? If so, it’s time to move.

Growth Doesn’t Come From Playing Small

It’s easy to stay where we are—especially when we know it, even if it doesn’t serve us. But we are not meant to play small. We are meant to rise, expand, and become the fullest version of ourselves.

The discomfort you feel? That might be the edge of your breakthrough.

Choose character. Choose growth. Choose to step forward, even when it’s scary. Your potential is waiting for you outside the lines you’ve drawn.

SLAY on.

SLAY Reflection: Step Into the Uncomfortable

  • Are you stuck in your comfort zone? What signs are showing up for you?
  • How might staying comfortable be holding you back from the life you want?
  • What would it look like to choose growth, even if it feels hard?
  • What past experience taught you that discomfort leads to breakthrough?
  • What small, brave step can you take today to choose character over comfort?

Call to Action: Join the Conversation

I’d love to hear from you.
What’s one way you’re choosing growth over comfort right now?
Share your story in the comments. Let’s cheer each other on.

And if you know someone who’s stuck in a comfort zone, send this to them.
Sometimes, all we need is a nudge toward the edge of possibility.

Accepting Kindness

We’re often quick to share kindness—offering help, lending an ear, giving generously. But receiving it? That’s where many of us stumble. We second-guess it. We deflect. We tell ourselves we haven’t earned it, that we’re not worthy. But here’s the truth: kindness isn’t something we have to earn. It’s something we all deserve—and learning to receive it is just as powerful as learning to give it.

The Tug-of-War of Worth

Before I found the path I’m on now, I wasn’t big on giving kindness freely—and when I did, it was usually with strings attached. I wanted something in return, even if it was just validation. But I also believed I didn’t deserve kindness in return. There was a constant tug-of-war in my head: I wanted more kindness in my life, but I didn’t think I was worthy of it.

As I began healing, I was encouraged to start small. Ask someone how their day was and really listen. Hold space. Offer support. Those were simple acts I could give. But when it came to receiving kindness—from compliments to genuine help—I didn’t know what to do with it. A friend told me something that changed my thinking: “If you don’t accept someone’s kindness, you’re rejecting their intention. You’re telling them they’re wrong for thinking you deserve it.”

That hit me. Hard.

Receiving Is Also Giving

So I started saying thank you. Even when it made me uncomfortable. Even when my inner critic screamed I hadn’t earned it. And you know what happened? I started to believe it. I started to see myself through the eyes of those offering kindness. And I realized: by receiving their gift, I was giving something back. I was honoring their choice to give. I was sharing a moment of connection.

Today, I practice both giving and receiving kindness. And I understand that kindness is a circle—it flows. When we shut it down, we stop the flow for everyone. But when we receive it, we keep it moving.

Let it in. Say thank you. Accept the gift. You deserve it.

SLAY on.

SLAY Reflection: Let the Kindness In

  • Do you believe you deserve kindness? Why or why not?
  • How do you show kindness to others? How do you feel when you do?
  • How do you react when someone offers you kindness?
  • What stories or beliefs might be blocking you from receiving?
  • What would it look like to accept kindness today—without guilt, without deflection?

Call to Action: Join the Conversation

I’d love to hear from you.
What’s one way you can practice receiving kindness today?
Share your story in the comments. Let’s cheer each other on.

And if you know someone who struggles to accept support, send this to them.
Sometimes, all we need is a gentle reminder that we’re worthy.

A Pickle Can’t Go Back To Being A Cucumber

There were so many times—when I was living in my darkness—that I wished I could turn back time. Every day felt heavier. My shame grew deeper, my self-hatred stronger, and my life more out of control. I remember wondering how I ended up in such a place, feeling trapped and defeated. And instead of taking action, I relied on wishful thinking, hoping things would magically return to the way they once were.

But as they say: a pickle can’t go back to being a cucumber.

You Can’t Go Back

Life moves forward, whether we do or not. Time doesn’t stop just because we’re stuck. We can’t undo the past, and we can’t relive the glory days we once knew. No amount of hoping, wishing, or romanticizing will turn back the clock.

What we can do is choose to grow from where we are now. We can become the best version of who we are today. We might not be able to go back to who we were before, but we can become someone even stronger—someone wiser, more resilient, and more alive because of what we’ve walked through.

When I stopped trying to return to the past and started showing up for the present, everything changed. I started building the life I wanted—not by undoing what was, but by creating what could be.

From Regret to Renewal

In the beginning, I had to learn how to be okay with discomfort. Letting go of the past and embracing the present wasn’t easy. I had to shift my mindset, stop reliving old memories, and set new goals for myself. I had to trust that I could heal, evolve, and become someone I hadn’t even imagined yet.

And you know what? I did.

Today, I live in forward motion. I know I can’t be who I was before, but I can be someone better. I’ve learned to love the journey—even when it’s messy. Because forward is the direction of growth. It’s where joy, healing, and new beginnings live.

We don’t need to be cucumbers again. We just need to be the best damn pickles we can be.

SLAY on.

SLAY Reflection: Embrace the Now

  • Do you spend time wishing for the past? Why?
  • What are you holding onto that’s keeping you stuck?
  • What parts of your past could you reframe as lessons?
  • What can you do today to move forward—just one step?
  • How might your life change if you focused on who you’re becoming, not who you used to be?

Call to Action: Join the Conversation

I’d love to hear from you.
What’s one way you can let go of the past and move forward today?
Share your story in the comments. Let’s cheer each other on.

And if you know someone who keeps looking back, send this to them.
Sometimes, all we need is a reminder that the best is yet to come.

Words Can Hurt And Words Can Heal

Words can build bridges.
Words can burn them down.

They can make someone feel seen, valued, loved—or they can tear open wounds that never fully heal. The truth is, words are some of the most powerful tools we have. And yet, many of us throw them around carelessly, forgetting that once spoken, they can’t be taken back.

We’re living in a world that feels more divided and reactive than ever. Which is why this matters so much: the way we speak—to others and to ourselves—matters. It always has. And it always will.

The Language of My Past

Before I began walking this path, I used words as weapons.
I used them to hurt, to manipulate, to control the narrative.

Even more painfully, I used them on myself. Quietly. Cruelly. I would tell myself I wasn’t good enough, that I didn’t deserve love, that I was destined to fail. And those words? They stuck. They festered. They kept me small.

I remember being told early in my recovery that I had a barbed tongue. At the time, I almost wore it like a badge of honor—proof I could defend myself in any verbal battle. But really, I was just scared. I was always in fear. And fear made me lash out. It made me forget that love—real love—starts with what we say when no one else is listening.

The Way You Speak to Yourself Shapes Everything

If you wouldn’t say it to someone you love, why say it to yourself?

That was the question that changed everything for me. Because the truth is, we’re always listening to our own inner dialogue. And when we speak harshly to ourselves, our body, heart, and mind all take that in.

So I started small.
I started with one kind sentence a day.
Sometimes I didn’t believe it. Sometimes it felt fake.
But I kept going.

And eventually, those gentle words turned into something bigger: compassion. Forgiveness. Even love.

Speak Like It Matters—Because It Does

When I shifted the way I spoke to myself, something else changed: the way I spoke to others. And sometimes that was easier—giving kind words to others, even when I couldn’t give them to myself. But what I found is that the more kindness I gave away, the more I saw myself as someone capable of kindness. The cycle slowly started to shift.

Today, I try to ask myself before I speak:
Will these words hurt or heal?

That one question has the power to change a conversation. A relationship. A life. Let your words be the ones that bring light—not pain.

SLAY on.

SLAY OF THE DAY: Reflect & Rise

  • Do you pause before you speak, or do your words just pour out?

  • Have your words ever hurt someone you love? What happened?

  • How do you speak to yourself—especially when you’re struggling?

  • Can you remember a time when your words helped someone heal?

  • What would change if you made kindness your default language?

Call to Action: Join the Conversation
I’d love to hear from you.
What’s one small way you can use your words today to heal instead of hurt—either for yourself or someone else?
Share your story in the comments. Let’s cheer each other on.

And if you know someone who’s been hard on themselves lately, send this to them.
Sometimes, the right words come at the right time—and change everything.

What Can You Do To Contribute To Life?

This is a question I ask myself every single day.

It’s the question that grounds me, guides me, and pushes me forward—especially on the days when I feel stuck. It’s what led me to start this blog years ago, and what continues to lead me through my recovery and beyond:

What can I contribute to life—today?

From Survival to Service

When I began my journey in recovery, I was surrounded by support—more than I expected, and more than I felt I deserved. I was told early on how important it was to give back. And I did. But it wasn’t until I survived a night I shouldn’t have that I truly understood what that meant.

That night changed everything.

Working through the survivor’s guilt was heavy. But eventually, I asked myself a new question—not why I survived, but how I was going to use that survival to make a difference. That shift pulled me out of guilt and into action.

Today, it’s still what gets me out of my own head. When I ask, “How can I be of service?”, I’m no longer obsessing over what I lack, who hurt me, or what I wish was different. I’m shifting my energy outward—into purpose, into connection, into change.

The Ego Step-Aside

When we approach our day with a heart of service, we get a powerful gift in return: perspective.

Instead of reacting out of ego or trying to control a situation that isn’t ours to fix, we can pause and ask, Is there a way I can contribute here? And sometimes, the answer is to step back. Not every contribution is loud. Sometimes it’s simply holding space, offering silence, or choosing not to escalate a moment that’s not about us.

That humility keeps us grounded. It keeps us teachable. And it reminds us that our greatest impact isn’t in being right—it’s in being present.

Why We’re Here

I believe we’re here to help each other.

To lift each other.
To challenge each other.
To remind each other what love and support feel like.

When we stay self-centered, we cut ourselves off from that connection. We lose the gift of being part of something bigger. But when we stay open to giving—whether it’s our time, our wisdom, or simply our kindness—we stay rooted in community, perspective, and purpose.

When you ask how you can contribute to life, life responds.

Even on our hardest days, we have something to offer. Something to give. A kindness to share. A light to pass along. And when we choose to shine that light outward, it often finds its way back to us—brighter than before.

SLAY on.

SLAY OF THE DAY: Reflect & Rise

Do you ask yourself what you can give, rather than what you need?

  • What do you do each day to contribute to the world around you?

  • If you don’t yet, what’s one small way you could start?

  • Have you noticed a shift in your mindset when you act in service?

  • How has giving back changed your life, your relationships, or your attitude?

  • What part of your story could help someone else feel seen or supported?

We’re not here to do life alone. Contribution connects us. Let’s start showing up—for each other.

Call to Action: Join the Conversation

I’d love to hear from you.
What’s one way you can contribute to life today—no matter how big or small?
Share your story in the comments. Let’s cheer each other on.

And if you know someone who’s feeling stuck or unmotivated, send this to them.
Sometimes, the shift we need is in simply asking a better question.

Is It True, Is It Right, Is It Selfish, Is It Loving?

I was speaking with someone recently in recovery about something that was weighing heavily on my heart. I was stuck in my head, unsure what to do, and she gently asked me if I had run it through The Four Absolutes.

That gave me pause.

It had been a while since I’d thought about those—honesty, unselfishness, purity, and love.
She reminded me that those four questions are meant to help guide us in times of emotional confusion:

  • Is it true or false?

  • Is it right or wrong?

  • Is it selfish or unselfish?

  • Is it loving or unloving?

So, I did just that. I ran my situation through this filter. And what had felt so emotionally tangled began to make sense. The noise fell away, and I could finally see what mattered—and what didn’t.

When Feelings Take the Wheel

Before walking this path, I never questioned my feelings.
If I felt it, I believed it.
If I believed it, I acted on it—no pause, no reflection.

The problem? Feelings aren’t facts.

And when you let feelings run the show, especially feelings fueled by fear, pain, or ego, you can spiral down a path that leads to more chaos, not clarity.

That’s why these Four Absolutes matter. They strip away the fluff—
the defensiveness, the assumptions, the justifications—and leave only truth.

They allow us to pause before reacting.
They offer perspective.
And sometimes, they stop us in our tracks—before we say or do something we can’t take back.

Why the Pause Matters

These days, I try to run my emotions through this lens before I act.

  • Is it true?

  • Is it right?

  • Is it selfish?

  • Is it loving?

If I can’t answer those honestly, I pause.
If I can’t say yes to “Is it loving?”—I definitely pause.

That moment of stillness, of reflection, can be the difference between peace and regret.

And it’s not just about being kind to others.
It’s about being kind to ourselves.

Because we’re the ones who have to live with the aftermath of our actions. And when we move through life with intention, we create space for clarity, connection, and growth.

Pause. Reflect. Then Proceed.

In a world that often rushes us toward reaction, pausing is powerful.

Especially during stressful times—when everything feels heightened and emotions are raw—it’s even more important to approach life with intention and grace.

Lead with compassion.
Be passionate, yes.
But don’t let your passion cloud your perspective.

Let your response come from a place of truth, righteousness, selflessness, and love.

Ask yourself:
Is it true? Is it right? Is it selfish? Is it loving?
Then act—with clarity and care.

SLAY on.

SLAY OF THE DAY: Reflect & Rise

Do you pause before reacting—or do you tend to jump in headfirst?

  • What’s your typical emotional response when you’re triggered?

  • Have you ever reacted quickly and later realized your feelings were misdirected?

  • How could using the Four Absolutes have changed that outcome?

  • What tools or “safety nets” can you put in place to help you pause before reacting?

  • How can examining your feelings—rather than acting on them—help you grow?

When we respond from a grounded place, we create a ripple of calm in a chaotic world.
Let your next action reflect the best version of yourself.

Call to Action: Join the Conversation

I’d love to hear from you.
Have you ever used the Four Absolutes to guide a difficult decision?
Share your story in the comments. Let’s cheer each other on.

And if you know someone who could use a moment to pause and reflect—send this their way.
Sometimes, all it takes is a question to shift our perspective.

Find Your OK Without Giving Away Your Power

We all want people, places, and things to go our way.
We imagine how life should look, how others should act—and when things don’t line up with that vision, we get unsettled.
Sometimes we unravel.

But here’s the truth:
If you need someone else to act a certain way so you can be OK… you’ve given away your power.

We cannot control the world around us.
We can only control how we show up in it.

Control, Acceptance, and That False Sense of Safety

Back when I was living in the dark—emotionally, mentally, spiritually—my life felt completely unmanageable. I was spiraling, yet I still expected everything around me to bend in my favor. If things didn’t go how I wanted, I panicked. If people didn’t say or do what I thought they should, I spun out.

So I tried to control what I couldn’t:
People.
Places.
Situations.
Emotions.
Outcomes.

Spoiler: It never worked.
And it only made me feel worse.

When we tether our mental wellness to the actions of others, we’re setting ourselves up for disappointment, resentment, and chaos. True stability doesn’t come from control—it comes from acceptance.

Pause. Then Take Right Action.

Today, when I feel disturbed, I pause.

I ask myself:

  • What’s actually going on?

  • What do I need to do for me?

  • Is there any action to take?

  • Or is this something I need to let go?

That pause is everything.

Because if I haven’t checked in with myself—if I haven’t done the inner work first—any action I take outwardly might come from fear, ego, or unmet expectations.

Feelings aren’t facts.
And reactions aren’t always truth.

I’ve learned that when I find my center—when I root myself in clarity and self-love—I no longer need everyone else to behave a certain way for me to be OK.
I become OK because I’ve chosen to be.

You Are Not the Center of the Universe (And That’s a Good Thing)

Sometimes we resist change because it feels personal.
Unfair.
Uncomfortable.

But growth rarely happens in comfort.
And what doesn’t feel good in the moment might be the very shift that leads to a better outcome—not just for us, but for the collective.

That’s humbling.

We’re not the center of the universe—but we are a part of something bigger. And when we stop trying to bend life to our will, we open ourselves up to learning, connection, and peace.

Your Peace Is Your Responsibility

Here’s what I know:
No one else is responsible for your OK.

Not your partner.
Not your friends.
Not your boss.
Not your timeline.
Not your past.

You are.

When we find peace within ourselves, the chaos around us loses its power. We stop being reactive. We become responsive. We make room for grace. For learning. For love.

So don’t hand over your peace to anyone else.
Take it back.
Hold it close.
Let that be your anchor.

SLAY on.

SLAY OF THE DAY: Reflect & Rise

Do you need others to act a certain way for you to feel OK?

  • How does that show up in your life?

  • Where do you think that need comes from?

  • How has that pursuit held you back or caused pain?

  • What could shift if you found your OK within yourself?

  • What practices help you find peace regardless of what’s happening around you?

Let go of the grip. Let in the grace. Find your center—then carry it with you, wherever you go.

Call to Action: Join the Conversation

I’d love to hear from you.
How have you learned to find peace within yourself—especially when life around you is messy?
Share your story in the comments. Let’s cheer each other on.

And if you know someone who’s struggling to feel OK in a world they can’t control, send this their way.
Sometimes, we all need the reminder that we already have what we need inside us.

Rest and Digest: The Power of the Pause

There was a time in my life when I reacted to everything.

Fast. Defensive. Ready to pounce.

I lived in constant fight or flight mode—responding not from thought, but from fear. It felt like life was a game show, and I had to buzz in before the question was even finished. But spoiler alert: there was no prize behind door number two. Just more stress, more chaos, and more regret.

I wasn’t resting.
I wasn’t digesting.
I was just surviving.

Living on the Edge (and Not in a Good Way)

Before I started walking this path of healing, I had no self-care. No grounding. No pause. I was always “on.” And that always-on state pushed me into situations where I wasn’t proud of how I showed up. I wanted to be right. I wanted to win. And I never stopped to ask myself if being right was worth the cost of peace—or relationships.

I’ve written before about the power of the pause, and I’ll say it again here:
That pause saved me.
It taught me to breathe.
To reflect.
To choose differently.

Response Over Reaction

In recovery, I had to retrain my brain. I made a commitment to myself:

  • Don’t act right away.

  • Don’t respond just to fill the silence.

  • Don’t feel pressured to have the answer right now.

I started saying things like,

“Let me think about that.”
“I need to check in with myself.”
“Can I get back to you?”

Those phrases were a revelation.
Because life is not a game show—there’s no buzzer, no penalty for taking your time.
In fact, slowing down is often how we win.

Self-Care Creates Space

Making rest and nourishment a priority changed everything for me.

When I’m rested, fed, and grounded, I don’t jump into the fire—I assess the flames. I choose how I want to show up. I give myself the chance to respond instead of react.

And when I pause, I listen better. I learn more. I catch myself before I repeat an old pattern.

Reacting is living in the past.
Responding is choosing from the present.

When the World Feels Like Too Much

We’re living in challenging times. The news is overwhelming. Emotions are high. People are hurting.
But when everything feels loud and urgent, that’s exactly when we need to rest and digest.

We may not be able to control what’s happening around us—but we can absolutely control how we move through it. We can hit pause. We can take care of ourselves. And we can choose to respond from a place of calm, compassion, and clarity.

That’s how we move forward. Together.

SLAY on.

SLAY OF THE DAY: Reflect & Rise

Do you find yourself reacting before fully thinking things through?

  • Why do you think you do that?

  • How has it affected your relationships or peace of mind?

  • Have you ever regretted jumping in too quickly? Did you make amends—or avoid it?

  • How do you feel when you think back on those moments?

  • What would pausing look like for you?

  • How can you begin to practice rest and reflection before action?

Take a breath, SLAYER.
Let your calm lead the way.

Call to Action: Join the Conversation

I’d love to hear from you.
What helps you pause when life feels overwhelming?
Share your story in the comments. Let’s cheer each other on.

And if you know someone who tends to react fast and regret later, send this to them.
Sometimes, we all need a gentle reminder that the pause is where the peace lives.

See With Your Eyes, Hear With Your Ears

I used to live with blinders on.
Not the kind you wear—but the kind you believe.

I only saw what I wanted to see. I filtered everything through my pain, my fear, and the false narratives I told myself over and over again. If I thought I was a bad person, I looked for proof. If I believed I was unlovable, I focused on every moment that could validate that. If I thought life was unfair, I zeroed in on all the ways I’d been wronged.

I wasn’t seeing the truth—I was seeing my trauma.
And I was listening through it too.

A Filtered Life Isn’t a Full Life

When we don’t see with our eyes and hear with our ears—when we see and hear through the noise of our past or our pain—we miss what’s right in front of us. We convince ourselves of stories that may not be true. We act on distorted feelings. And slowly, we begin to disconnect from reality, from the people around us, and from ourselves.

That’s where I was before I began this path.

My perspective was warped. My sense of truth was tangled in denial and self-destruction. But I couldn’t live that way anymore. And when I started my recovery journey, the very first thing I had to do was get honest—with myself, and with the world around me.

The Moment I Took the Blinders Off

Truth didn’t come all at once—it came in pieces.
Each time I stripped away a lie I had believed, the world became clearer. Each time I sat in the discomfort of a moment instead of running from it, I reclaimed a little more power. I learned how to be present, how to focus on what was right in front of me, and how to listen with compassion.

That’s when I stopped reacting and started responding.

Because here’s what I know now:
We can’t live fully if we’re not looking and listening fully.

The Danger of Disengaging

It’s easy to get lost in our distractions—our phones, our playlists, our screens. But when we do that, we cut ourselves off from the life happening around us.
We ignore truth.
We disconnect from others.
We retreat into the stories we already believe.

But life isn’t meant to be background noise.
It’s meant to be lived, seen, heard, and felt.
And the only way we can do that is by taking off the blinders.

Choose to Show Up

When we truly see and hear what’s happening around us, something shifts. We become part of the world again. We stop reacting through old patterns and start participating in real connection. We begin to move with clarity and intention.

Let go of the need to be right.
Let go of the comfort of the old narrative.
And open yourself to what is actually real, here, now.

Because your truth lives in the present.
All you have to do is look. And listen.

SLAY on.

SLAY OF THE DAY: Reflect & Rise

Are you seeing and hearing the truth—or just what you’ve trained yourself to expect?

  • Do you move through life fully engaged, or are you walking with emotional blinders on?

  • What truths might you be avoiding? What stories do you replay that might not be real?

  • How does this affect your relationships? Your inner peace?

  • When’s the last time you truly paused, took in your surroundings, and responded instead of reacting?

Challenge yourself to listen differently.
Look deeper.
And live fully.

Call to Action: Join the Conversation

I’d love to hear from you.
What’s something you’ve learned to see clearly—once you stopped seeing it through the lens of your past?
Share your story in the comments. Let’s cheer each other on.

And if you know someone who might be stuck in an old story, send this to them.
Sometimes, truth is what sets us free—but only when we choose to see it.

You Can Choose Peace

I didn’t know I could choose peace.

When I was living in the dark, peace wasn’t even a concept I believed in. My mind was in constant chaos—racing with thoughts, shame, regret, and fear. I felt like a prisoner in my own head. The noise never stopped. And because I believed I was broken, I thought I deserved the torment.

I wore the label of “victim” like it was a fact, not realizing that the most painful parts of my story were being written by the choices I was making every day. But here’s the truth I wish I’d known sooner:
Peace isn’t something that just shows up one day. Peace is something we choose.

Peace Starts with a Choice

When I finally admitted I needed help, it was like the door cracked open just enough to let in a sliver of light. That sliver? It was peace. Just a little. Just enough. But it was mine. And it showed me what was possible.

I began to see others who had found peace after chaos. People who had lived in the dark and come out the other side. People who had chosen peace—and in doing so, had chosen themselves. That became my inspiration. And from that moment on, I made a commitment to do the work to find my own.

Rebuilding a Life Around Peace

It wasn’t instant. Peace takes practice. It took a lot of honesty. A lot of humility. I had to stop pretending I was fine and get real about how I felt and what I needed. I had to clear out the chaos—the people, patterns, and beliefs that kept me in turmoil—and make room for something better.

I said yes to new things. I kept my heart open. I focused on love, support, and self-care. And as I leaned more into peace, I started to want it. Crave it. Protect it. That’s the thing about peace—once you taste it, you start building your life around it.

Today, I find peace in many ways—through nature, through connection, through honesty, through stillness. I don’t wait for peace to find me anymore. I go and get it. Every single day.

You Are Worth the Work

Peace is possible. But peace requires effort. It asks us to let go of the lies, face the truth, and show up for ourselves—even when it’s uncomfortable. That’s how we earn it. That’s how we grow into it. And that’s how we become it.

Peace is not perfection. Peace is knowing you’re doing your best. Peace is forgiving yourself.
Peace is choosing love over shame—and presence over panic.

You may not feel it right now. But I promise you, it’s within reach.
You have more power than you think. And you are allowed to use that power to choose peace today.

SLAY on.

SLAY OF THE DAY: Reflect & Rise

Do you believe you’re allowed to have peace—or are you still punishing yourself?

  • Where do you currently find peace, even in small ways?

  • What’s blocking you from feeling peace more often?

  • Are you still surrounding yourself with things (or people) that fuel your chaos?

  • What is one thing you can remove from your life today that is stealing your peace?

  • And what’s one thing you can add to cultivate more of it?

You are not your past.
You are your progress.
And you are worthy of peace.

Call to Action: Join the Conversation

I’d love to hear from you.
What’s one way you’ve created peace in your life—even when it felt impossible?
Share your story in the comments. Let’s cheer each other on.

And if you know someone who feels stuck in the chaos, send this to them.
Sometimes, we all need a reminder that peace is possible—and that we’re allowed to choose it.