Living life!

Being single is great. I genuinely enjoyed Christmas this year, even with its quieter moments. Two things can be true at once: life can be good, and it can still feel tender. I love my life as it is right now, and if it’s meant to evolve, it will. Until then, I’m embracing the life I’ve created. Everything leading up to Christmas felt good. I put up my tree, watched Christmas movies, wrapped gifts, baked cookies, and celebrated my birthday. I did all of it alone, and I genuinely enjoyed it. I felt content, grounded, and grateful for the traditions I’ve created for myself. It wasn’t until Christmas Day that things felt different. I spent the morning at my parents' house celebrating with my parents, brothers, sister-in-law, and nieces and nephew, and the afternoon at my aunt and uncle's house with my mom's family. It was full of laughter, good food, and familiar comfort. Eventually, people began heading home, with their kids and their spouses. One by one, the house emptied....

Singleness, Faith, and Finding Purpose in the In-Between I recently listened to a sermon at my church, Hosanna, by Pastor Jenn Alexander that really struck me. She spoke about relationships romantic, familial, friendships, and community and said something that stayed with me: “Every relationship in our lives is an opportunity to grow in love.” That line made me pause. Because when I think back on my last relationship, I can honestly say that’s exactly what it was, an opportunity to grow. It was a meaningful, to me,  and joyful season that stretched me in new ways. God used it to refine me, teaching me more about who I am and deepening my understanding of connection and love and I’m still learning every day. Jesus deeply valued and intentionally prioritized relationships. He spent His ministry building community teaching, healing, breaking bread with others, and showing compassion. And I’ve realized that through faith, I’ve started to prioritize relationships in ways I never did b...

Becoming Your Best Self … For Yourself! Becoming the best version of yourself isn’t about being perfect, living without mistakes, or keeping up with someone else’s highlight reel. It’s about choosing you , each day, in small and big ways, so that you can live with purpose, peace, and joy. Fill Your Cup First One of the most important lessons in life is to find the things that fill your cup. For some, that might mean quiet mornings with matcha and journaling. For others, it’s laughter with friends, playing a sport you love, traveling to new places that spark adventure, or spending time with animals, giving them thousands of kisses or burying your face deep in their fur, and just inhaling the comfort and love they offer. Pay attention to what makes you feel alive and refreshed and do more of that. When your cup is full, you have more to give to others. The People Around You Matter The company you keep influences the direction of your life. Surround yourself with people who mak...

For a long time, I believed I was my job. Like many in Student Affairs, I threw myself into the work heart-first late nights at programs, weekend retreats, advising meetings that ran well past office hours, and always being "on" for someone else. I loved the energy, the impact, the purpose. But somewhere along the way, I lost sight of me outside the office. As a single woman in Student Affairs, it’s easy to fall into the rhythm of overwork. There’s an unspoken narrative that if you don’t have a partner or children, you have more time to give. more time for late-night emails, last-minute event fixes, or picking up "just one more" committee. But what often gets missed is that single doesn’t mean unanchored or unoccupied. My time still matters. My joy still matters. And the more experience I gain in this field, and in life, the more protective I’ve become of that time. I’ve learned that work is what I do to support my life, it’s not who I am . That’s a lesson I w...

There’s a quiet kind of courage that comes with solo travel. You pack your bags, board a plane, and step into the unknown without a hand to hold or someone to double-check the map. It’s liberating, exhilarating and sometimes, it’s really hard .   I’ve traveled alone across oceans and through forests, in cities buzzing with life and on quiet trails where it’s just been me, my pack, and the wind. Each trip teaches me something new, not just about the places I go, but about who I am when no one else is around.   I’d Rather Be Alone Than with Someone Who Can’t Keep Up   This isn’t about hiking pace or checking items off an itinerary. It’s about energy, intention, and curiosity. I’ve learned that not everyone travels the same way. Some want to relax when I want to explore. Some get overwhelmed by the unknown when I thrive in it. And that’s okay.   But when I’m out there, soaking up a sunrise hike, asking a local where to find the best street food, or deciding...