I shared my first blog post two years ago yesterday. I'd wanted a new website for quite a while, but I never had time. Then COVID came and all of a sudden I did have time.
My work as a therapist took such an intense and sudden turn in March 2020. Just as it began to lessen, my mom was diagnosed with cancer (thankfully today she is well and cancer free). In the last two years, I've lost two grandmothers and Will lost his precious Nanny. This time has been filled with trauma and loss for a lot of reasons and has certainly been the most difficult season of my life.
Recently, the difficulties seem to have lessened and a lot of prayers that we've prayed a long time have been answered in beautiful ways. I'm looking forward to a lighter, less intense season. But I'm grateful to be able to look back at what I've shared here and on my Instagram account, almost like a journal in a way, and see how God was stretching me, growing me, giving me words to say, and still working for my good in a time that seemed full of so much darkness. What started as a way for me to encourage others has really been an encouragement to me.
Often people ask me "Are you an influencer now"? Sometimes they're really excited, sometimes it seems like they think it's a joke, but mostly they're just genuinely curious. I still have no idea how to answer that question. I literally didn't know what an influencer was when I made my Instagram account public, but I've been so pleasantly surprised when brands have wanted to work with me. I always aim to share for them with honesty and integrity, as do the other influencers that I know personally. I'm honored when someone trusts me enough to share the business that is so important to them. I'm coming around to the idea that "yes" certainly isn't a bad answer to that question and that it can look like a lot of different good things.
As it is with most things, by far the best part of this adventure has been the people. I never imagined I'd make genuine friendships on the internet of all places, but I have and they're what makes this fun. I'm so grateful.
I'm constantly praying and seeking guidance about what I share here and I'll stick with it as long as I feel like it's right for me. I'm sure year three will bring more mental health info, more books, more gardening, more adventures with Lily, and more of me learning to trust in God with all my might.
Thank you for being here. The world is full of things fighting for your attention and I appreciate you giving me a tiny bit of your space on the internet. I hope you always leave here encouraged and reminded to lean into the things that matter most and bring real joy into your life:)
