Freedom is the moment you finally stopped filling in holes carelessly dug by someone else’s shovel. As a former people-pleaser, chronic problem-fixer, current empath, and occasional codependent, I have so many seasons in my life that could be effectively labeled: Have Shovel, Will Travel. For far too long, I wore my ability to fill…
Freedom is knowing that there’s no such thing as one-size-fits-all forgiveness — the very moment you realize forgiveness comes in a million different shapes, sizes, forms and distances. There are two things about forgiveness that I know to be true. First, there is nothing simple about forgiveness. It’s complicated and layered, nuanced and complex in…
Turning the page on pretty much anything in life can be challenging under even the best of circumstances — but starting fresh (or simply starting over) gets especially difficult when it feels like external factors like seasons, and weather, and life relationships don’t want to cooperate. Technically, it’s been Spring for weeks, but New England…
Here’s a secret that took me way too long to learn: It’s okay to prioritize your needs over someone else’s expectations. You read that right. Your needs. Someone else’s expectations. Can you even imagine? At first blush, it feels so deeply selfish and inherently weak. So uncomfortable, so distasteful, so impolite —something I truly thought…
The biggest lesson I’m learning this holiday season — build your traditions in the sand. I had a recent conversation with someone close to me who said she feels that when it comes to the holidays, most of us are just doing what’s expected of us out of an unwavering sense of obligation. And that…
No matter who you are, where you may roam, or how big and beautiful your life becomes, chances are you know a killjoy. A stick in the mud. A wet blanket. A doomsdayer. These people are the friends, families, or coworkers who have become so comfortable with their glass being half empty that they convince…
Today is International Day of Failure— isn’t that the absolute best thing you’ve ever heard? An entire day dedicated to reveling in all the things that didn’t go according to plan. A day, according to NationalToday.com that “encourages people to try new and daring things; motivates and inspires others to succeed through sharing stories of…
I’m not sure who needs to hear this. But, as a lifelong, relentless, deeply-resentful people pleaser, there’s one thing I wish someone had told me a long time ago: You are NOT plain yogurt. I can explain (I think). I spent years reading the room, taking in the social cues, trying to make myself as…
“Freedom is the moment we grant ourselves permission to take the long way.” I’ve never been a fan of taking the long way — at least on purpose. I tend to be a shortest route, fastest time, quickest span between two points kind of person. But in July 2021, we sold our home. My husband, kids, dogs,…
“I’m giving myself permission to sit this round out.” It took me way too long to learn that it’s okay to write your own permission slip when it comes to relationships — for a lot of reasons. To start, I’m a first-born, recovering overachiever. I’m also a raging empath, which makes me especially prone to…