In January of 2023 I set out to post monthly recaps for social media in an effort to decrease the amount of time I was on social media, while still being a part of it. I also didn’t want to overwhelm myself with the pressure of reviving my blog. I wanted a healthy distance from the hoopla and a gentle commitment to get back into writing after a year of neglect. The goal was to do very little scrolling and eliminate the pressure of needing to post something in a certain time frame. I wanted to focus on being present. I am so proud to say I kept up with this project and it ended up turning into something greater for me. I continued to cultivate my writing and photography skills. It gave me a certain sense of purpose and truly became a beautiful reflection exercise. It gave me unexpected revelation and wisdom, filled my heart with gratitude and love, and helped me remember that there were far more good moments than there were bad. It gave me the strength to not allow tough situations to muddy my perspective on life. It helped me battle my depression by keeping me focused on the good. In the most unique way, reflection helped me stay present. The project gave me exactly what I wanted and then some. So, I encourage you to try this out if you enjoy journaling and see what you can learn from yourself.
2023 started off wonderfully and wildly for us! We brought in the new year with our favorite dog and stole some time in the sun to remind ourselves what we have learned over the last couple years. January was full of great food and we discovered some hidden gems. Bradley and I moved into our own place! We even started planting seeds for our garden. Oh! And I got FREE bacon. I’m also really proud to say I’ve made some huge strides in choosing myself this month and I’m really excited for my personal growth goals. And of course we had to end January with a bang and start my birthday month with an ice storm.
February was low key brutal…it was a very long short month 😅 Brought it in with an ice storm, hit us with a lay off…lost a friend at work, struggled with family sorrows, and been in loads of constant pain. I have had all the emotions & I’ve spent this month grieving many things. I’ve been in denial. I’ve been angry. I’ve been depressed and boy have I been anxious!! I’ve also spent the month surrounding myself with nature & food. I have been prioritizing myself (with my guilt by my side) and even started a new art hobby I haven’t had the courage to start until now. I have kept up with my morning care routine & small daily goals. I feel crazy because I am hopeful. (and idk where it comes from honestly) I’m totally calm & totally freaking out – all at the same time. Why am I like this? I celebrated another trip around the sun! Still figuring out who I am ✌️
February was brutal. Brutally honest…brutally enlightening…brutally cold. It was also beautiful, delicious, & uncharacteristically warm. It was a month full of sorrow & full of sweet love.
Looking forward to the spring 🌼🌱
March seemed to last longer than usual for me. I spent last month expressing gratitude, nurturing myself with nature & art, and of course a little binging of trash TV. Bradley has been cooking & baking everything – feeding my body & my soul. I got to spend time with a lot of my family & closest friends over the weeks. A very sweet blessing in this busy life. Taking down a warehouse was a trip! A new experience for the professional books. Misfits will always hold a special place in my heart 🧡 Spring has been beautiful to experience in the midst of life’s chaos & steady stream of horrific news. A reminder of hope. I have truly enjoyed letting my green thumbs loose! I’m starting off April on a high note. I’ve gotten all my ducks in a row (see what I did there?). I’m proud of myself. I have been so good to myself this month 🙏
I am confident in my power for the first time in too long. I am also excited to share that I start a new professional adventure super close to home this month. I know all this is always leading me closer to where I want to be. Even if I can’t always understand it…I am so grateful.
Looking back on April I am softly reminded that the days are long and the years are short. It was such a great month! It was so FULL. Full of fun, beauty, flowers, friends & family…So. Much. Food. 
May flowers 🏵️🪻🌻 Another month flies by! But our garden reminds me that time can be subjective. Nature is a kind reminder. We adopted Dahlia and we are so in love!! Whatever she does is more precious than the last. She’s already stolen a corner of my heart 🖤 Brad slayed on some new dishes, never ceasing to impress me with his culinary gifts. He is always inspiring me to try new things & has taught me that the long way is sometimes the best way. I had a lot of fun celebrating life & pivotal achievements! It’s hard not to feel hopeful surrounded by all that joy & promise.
We have transformed our garden.
I’ve been transforming my mind.
Still diving into my creative self.
May has had its struggles, but I feel proud. I’m learning tough lessons and while peace is something that always seems to escape me, I have been able to find it. I wasn’t sure I could do that on my own.
Halfway through! Can you believe it? June was full of extremes. Extreme heat, extreme news, emotions, & pain. Good & tough. Much was celebrated! Love, life, beginnings & ends. Bradley & I enjoyed celebrating our 2 year anniversary ❤️❤️ The weather has been unforgiving but our garden is buzzing & so alive. I feel like I’m tapping into mother nature herself when I’m out there. Dahlia is blossoming! Her favorite thing is playing fetch with her paper ball…and parcore lol. This is my 3rd month of daily meditation & it’s totally changing my brain. For the first time in my life being in my own head isn’t complete chaos. I worked super hard & I chilled super hard. I stayed up late. I fell more in love & I fed my soul. Ate my feelings a little bit too! I persevered & expressed gratitude. It’s definitely been an exciting start to summer!
July was awesome for me! I started an incredible job as a technical director for a local broadcast media & production company. It’s a dream job I would’ve never thought I could have. I am in a place where I can be creative & engage with all kinds of people. I am utilizing talents & skills I never thought I’d get paid for! It’s been a trip! I got to see family & friends this month I hadn’t seen in far too long. It makes me wish there were more hours in the day. It got HOT…Our garden has held up but there were a couple of casualties. She (the garden) is always teaching me acceptance & patience. Dahlia continues to fill us with joy. She insists on being a part of everything! She has become more vocal, loves morning yoga, parkour & watching nature documentaries.
Bradley is everything ❤️
I finally started reading again…it has been a while! It’s something I wanted to get back to & I picked a great book to start with! I have been slowly adding good habits into my life after working really hard to rid myself of bad ones. So far I’ve kept my promises to myself & I continue to reach my goals. I pick myself up & forgive myself when I fall. I keep going. I am in a place where I’m dreaming of the possibilities again. This month was full of wonder & surprises. Now all I need is some rain. Lol.
The word August means grandeur or impressive. This month’s heat was definitely that. I spent far less time outside but I’m thankful for my sunroom. This month was full of delicious food (thank you Chef Brad🤤) Dahlia is a joy & watching her purrfect her cat skills is so fun lol! Work has been amazing. We made good memories with beautiful people. I wished upon the blue moon. I snuggled my favorite dog. I GOT TO SEE MY SISTER!! My heart is so full! There was good news & bad news…things to celebrate & things to be anxious about…Bradley keeps me sane ❤️ As I watched some of my plants and flowers wilt & burn in the extreme heat, I watched others flourish. Then all of the sudden, after nearly 40 days, I finally experienced rain. It’s helped me remember that there’s always balance. To never be consumed by the things that challenge you. To take a step back.
Eventually, relief comes.
I haven’t felt the best this month & I’ve slacked on some of my goals. I forgive myself & I push on. I’ll just blame it on the heat! I’m excited for all that September will bring. It’s the beginning of a magical time of year ✨
🎵Hey, hey, hey! Ba-dee-ya, say, do you remember? Ba-dee-ya, dancin’ in September 🎶
Whew! I always enjoy September & this one was a ball!! Full of love, music, dancing, good food & beautiful days! I was blessed to spend time with some of my loved ones & build on new relationships. The garden is buzzing again & so, my heart sings! I CRUSHED a few goals, one in particular I thought I wouldn’t make. I even finished my first book of the year & started on my 2nd (took me long enough lol) I stayed consistent & I overcame challenges. I’ve learned a lot this month, both professionally & intellectually…and sometimes I really feel the burden of “the more I learn the less I know.” Faced my share of fears and setbacks this month, but I push on. I’m most grateful, always, for my sweet Bradley Scott. When I doubt my own power, he is always there reminding me of who I am. Giving me the space I need to ‘become’ that woman. Respecting every bit of my individuality & caring for me in ways no one ever has. Accepting all of me without expectations ❤️
September really was a month to remember. Cherish. Every. Moment. 2023 will be over in the blink of an eye!
So much happened. Lol October was jam packed with the good, the great, & the wtf. I struggled this month. I excelled this month. C’est la vie! The garden flourished one last time & I soaked in every bloom 💚 now the plants are taking over the inside! We completed our first 5k, made our first fire (with s’mores!), & saw an eclipse! My oldest met my youngest, I created things I’m proud of, & I watched all the suspenseful – spooky – thriller things. Hearts bonded over tequila & brisket. I got to eat my fave meal that Bradley makes…TWICE. I received tough news with awful timing & blessings with perfect timing. Life be doing too much! Looking back on this month has helped me see my capability more clearly. It’s so hard to see myself in the moment…reflection has been a gift.
October was wonderfully challenging. Hello November, be good to this grateful woman 🙏🏻
November left quick as it got here, but when I look back, it was abundant. I was brave, I was kind, I was grateful. I felt joy & relief. I loved hard. In tough times there was always love & support waiting nearby. You can’t ask for more 🤍 I celebrated the best person I know & the most delicious holiday. Bradley & I can throw down a t-day meal. Best I ever had. It actually felt like fall! I really enjoyed getting outside this month & watching mother nature change. Work is wonderful & that’s something I never really thought I would say. I couldn’t wait for 2023 to be over, honestly. But now that December is here I find myself thinking “slow down.” So this last month of this year I intend to be present. It is a gift & tis the season! November was good to me, just like I asked & I’m so thankful. I’m already enjoying December!
December was full of twinkling lights, joy, & snuggles – with just a dash of sugar honey iced tea. Iykyk. My best friend surprised me & stole me away on the last beautiful day of the year. I love you woman! Bradley took me out on a magical walk where I could cast spells & drink butter beer. It was incredible! Dahlia discovered that her favorite holiday is in fact, Christmas. I managed to cut up my thumb on a cheap tape dispenser wrapping presents lol. Every day of this month was busy…I really tried to slow it down by staying in the moment. But alas, time waits for no one. My house was FULL of laughter & love. For that I am so very grateful.
December had its curve balls & caused it’s fair share of tears. & wouldn’t you know, right at the moment I lost my hope & couldn’t see ahead of me, the universe answered me with relief & opportunity. I know this is early & December isn’t quite over but, I want to write up a little something for NYE. Until then, I’ll leave you with my favorite:
“Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, when one only remembers to turn on the light.” – Dumbledore