In 2023, I spent my birthday alone for the first time. At the time, I was going through a divorce… but more than that, I was still learning something I had never truly practiced before… how to choose myself. For years, I considered other people, because I didn’t believe my own needs were valid enough to prioritize. I had been in a space where my voice was quieted, my opinions didn’t carry weight, and I second-guessed almost everything I thought, felt, or wanted. So when my bi

There’s something powerful about intentionally choosing rest. My cousin and I decided to spend her birthday at I Spa in Irvine, and what started as a simple outing turned into one of the most rejuvenating experiences I’ve had in a long time. Although this wasn’t my first time visiting I Spa, it was my first time receiving a full service, and I can confidently say it won’t be my last. I had been counting down the days like a freshman starting high school, and the experience

Today was full. I went to the gym. I got a pedicure. I paid my rent. I grabbed lunch at Shoots (so good). I took my dad and my son to get haircuts. I made doctor and dentist appointments. I took my kids to the park. On paper, that sounds like a lot. But here’s what made it different: I wasn’t rushing. The Gym At the gym, an older gentleman came over when I was struggling with the treadmill and set it for an hour. An hour. In my mind, I immediately thought, “There’s no way I’m

There’s a misconception that joy only comes when we’re with other people, a partner, friends, or family. Some of the most transformative moments happen when you date yourself with joy . And I don’t mean just doing things you like, that’s the easy part. True joy comes from planning, anticipation, self-discovery, and surrendering to the unexpected . Dating yourself with joy starts long before you step out the door. It begins in the preparation, in the way you plan the experien

The room was dim, but the candles were everywhere. Soft light flickered across the stage where the violinists would soon play. Couples leaned toward each other. Friends whispered and laughed. The air felt warm, almost sacred. And then there was me. Black and champagne. A long skirt that moved when I walked. A red lip. Hair pulled back. My black trench coat resting on my shoulders, not even fully worn, just draped. Polished. Intentional. CEO energy. Before I even made it insi