Over 13 Years of Creating Content (here’s what's different this time)
“Sometimes, showing up as you are—messy, tired, figuring it out in real-time—is more than enough. Give yourself permission to move through life without constantly grading your performance. ”
There was a time when I was everywhere.
YouTube. Instagram. Pinterest. Facebook. This blog. Weekly newsletter. Podcast.
Creating content nonstop. Working with brands.
From the outside, I was doing it.
But behind the scenes, I was overwhelmed and exhausted.
I didn’t have systems.
I didn’t have consistent income streams.
And I definitely didn’t have peace.
The Reality Behind “Success”
I relied on sponsorships instead of building my own paid offers.
That meant I was popular but broke more often than not.
I never felt like I could pivot into a real business.
I was on too many platforms, trying to do what the experts said.
Reach as many people as you can!
Build the products, send the newsletter, blog, and post 5 times a week on Instagram.
It never felt like enough.
Not to mention, the struggles with my mental health made everything harder.
I would get a burst of energy, create like crazy, burn out for months, then repeat the cycle.
At one point, I had to take a job cleaning bathrooms at a gas station to make ends meet.
That was my turning point.
What I’m Doing Differently This Time
I’m not rushing.
I’m not chasing.
And I’m not creating to prove I can.
This time, I’m building a business that can breathe.
One that doesn’t require me to be present all the time to generate income.
One that’s rooted in purpose and aligned with how I want to live.
Here’s What I’ve Learned:
If you’re starting or rebuilding your business, here’s my honest advice:
Pick one (max two) social media platforms and go deep. Don’t spread yourself thin trying to be everywhere. You don’t need visibility on five platforms. You need consistency in one place. These days, you will only find me on YouTube or sending a weekly newsletter.
Show up messy. You’ll never feel ready. Post it anyway.
Batch and rest. You can take breaks and be consistent if you plan for both.
Keep your day job forever (lol). If you want a side income, but aren’t desperate, you get to build at your own pace. That’s power. One of my biggest regrets was not seeking out a full-time job fast enough when I saw the writing on the wall.
Thank you for being here. :-)
How to Eat More Plants
A few weeks ago, I shared why I no longer call myself vegan, and I was blown away by how many people connected with that story.
Clearly, this conversation matters.
Let’s talk about how to eat more vegetables overall and why it is worth the effort.
Why Vegetables Matter
Most of us already know vegetables are good for us, but knowing and doing are two very different things. Life gets busy, takeout is convenient, and suddenly the only “green” you had all day was the wilted lettuce on your sandwich.
Here’s why vegetables really deserve more space on your plate:
They are packed with fiber that helps you feel full, supports digestion, and keeps blood sugar steady.
They provide vitamins and minerals you simply cannot get from processed foods.
They protect your long-term health in ways that pills and supplements will never fully replace.
Small Shifts That Add Up
The good news: eating more plants does not have to be complicated. Start with small, doable shifts and you will be surprised at how quickly it makes a difference.
Here are a few of my favorite strategies:
Add one extra vegetable to dinner. Even frozen broccoli or a quick side salad makes an impact.
Blend them in. Smoothies are a low-stress way to work spinach, kale, or even cauliflower into your day. My go-to blend is spinach, frozen berries, a banana, and water. It is quick, affordable, and you won’t taste the spinach.
Keep them visible. When I wash, chop, and put vegetables at eye level in the fridge, I actually eat them. Out of sight really does mean out of mind.
Make it easy. Canned beans, frozen mixed veggies, pre-cut greens — these all count. Convenience does not cancel out the benefits.
Start Where You Are
If you have been struggling to eat more plants, give yourself permission to start small.
One extra serving, one smart swap, or one smoothie can move you forward. You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight to see progress.
Eating more vegetables is not about perfection. It is about consistency, accessibility, and finding ways that fit into your real, everyday life.
Roasted Potatoes Recipe
Sometimes plant-based dishes can seem different, but overall, you’re eating a lot of the same dishes you enjoy right now.
This roasted potatoes recipe is a perfect example…..
Ingredients (Serves 4)
4 large russet potatoes, washed and chopped into cubes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
1. Place chopped potatoes in a large bowl and cover with water.
2. Allow to sit for 20 minutes (to remove the starch.)
3. Preheat the oven at 425º
4. Drain the potatoes and pat dry with a clean kitchen cloth.
5. Rinse and dry the bowl and put the potatoes back into it.
6. Mix in the olive oil, making sure that all of the potatoes are coated.
7. Then mix all the spices together in a small bowl and add to the potatoes until
evenly coated.
8. Spread the potatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet
9. Bake for 20-25, flipping them over after about 15 mins.
This Time Feels Different (Sobriety Update)
“One upon a time, drinking had felt like the eraser for all pain...”
I’ve taken breaks from alcohol before. Thirty days here, a couple of months there.
I even made it to three months once.
But this time feels different.
In the past, when I took a break from drinking, I usually felt energized and a little proud of myself.
I would tell myself, “See? I don’t really have a drinking problem. I can stop whenever I want.” And after a few weeks or months, I would go back to old patterns.
It wasn’t a real change. It was more like a reset to prove a point to myself.
This time, I’m not doing it to prove anything. I’m doing it because I want to heal.
And that shift has made everything feel more intense.
Why I Decided to Stop Drinking
I want to take care of my brain, my heart, and my body.
I’ve read the research and am aware of the risks. I don’t want to live with fear around things like dementia and memory loss when I know there are steps I can take right now to protect my future.I also want to be more present.
For too long, I have either been drinking or recovering from drinking. I would miss little moments or feel disconnected from people I love. I don’t want to keep living like that. I want to feel grounded and clear enough to enjoy my life while it’s happening.I want to grow my business.
There’s no way I can build something sustainable if I’m pouring wine every night just to unwind. I want to build something meaningful, and I can’t do that from a foggy place.
Why This Round Has Been Harder
This time, I am not just skipping drinks. I am facing feelings.
Cravings hit harder. Emotions feel more intense. I have cried in the shower. I have sat with memories I thought I buried. I have faced moments of regret that I would have usually drowned in wine.
Additionally, I have felt bored.
Alcohol was part of my routine. It filled space. Now that I have taken it away, there is this weird silence. I used to get off work, grab wine, run errands, come home, and sip until bedtime. That was just how I operated.
Without it, I had to ask myself what to do with all that time.
And the answer?
I am learning as I go.
What’s Been Helping Me Stay Grounded
These new habits have helped me replace the old ones:
Therapy. Talking it out every week gives me perspective and support.
Adult coloring books and word searches. They help quiet my brain.
Kombucha or hot tea at night. I still sip something in a wine glass, but now it supports me instead of numbing me.
Walks by the river. Especially barefoot. Being near water gives me peace.
Journaling. I have always loved to write, but now I am doing it with more intention.
Gratitude. Every morning I write down three things I am thankful for.
TV breaks. I’ve been rewatching Scandal. And yes, Olivia Pope might need to put down the wine, too.
None of these things is magic.
But together, they help me stay connected to myself, rather than falling back into habits that hurt me.
50 Days In
As I write this, I’m 50 days sober.
The good news is that I do feel better. It didn’t happen overnight. I didn’t hit day 10 and suddenly feel clear and calm.
But slowly, things have shifted. I feel lighter. Less foggy.
I am not doing this perfectly. I don’t have it all figured out.
I am not numbing anymore. I am actually feeling. And that’s the win.
If You’re In This Season Too
If you’re also thinking about taking a break from drinking... or you’re already doing it and wondering why it feels so hard... I want you to know you’re not alone.
Just because something feels hard doesn’t mean it’s wrong.
Sometimes, the mess is part of the healing process.
Sometimes, not numbing yourself with alcohol is the actual work.
If this resonates with you, I would love to hear your story.
Please feel free to leave a comment or message me.
We do not have to walk through this alone.