I recently did something I haven’t done in five years: I got on an airplane! That’s right, no flights since before the pandemic. I’ve stuck to local trips, nothing beyond a four-hour drive. But this time? I went to California—by myself—for a long-overdue girls’ trip. We hadn’t all been together like that in 15 years. […]
personal growth
Staying Sane When the World Feels Insane
Phew! Things are pretty wild out there right now. Between the aftermath of Hurricane Helene (I still can’t fully wrap my brain around the destruction and devastation) and the U.S. elections inching closer, emotions are running high. There’s a lot of energy — anger, frustration, fear — and more than a few moments of “What […]
Why I Work Out: A Journey from Marathons to Motherhood
Apparently, today is National Women’s Health and Fitness Day. Who knew? I swear, there’s a day for everything now! But honestly, I love it. Any excuse to reflect on the importance of fitness and inspire others works for me. I’m part of a few online fitness groups, and the other day, my gym community—shoutout to […]
Birthday Musings: Balancing Growth, Toddler Chaos, and a Little Fun
It’s the eve of another full rotation around the sun—my birthday! 🎉 Honestly, after you hit your mid-40s, birthdays become a little blurrier. I still tell people I’m 38 because it just feels right. 😉 Of course, I want the day to feel special, and it usually does with all the texts, phone calls, and […]
You Do You: Surviving the Noise by Focusing on What You Can Control
“Words, words, words, I’m so sick of words…” Can’t you just hear Eliza Doolittle belting that out? And honestly, who can blame her? In a world that feels like one giant, never-ending debate stage, I think we’re all a little sick of words. Everyone has something to say, and it’s all coming at us like […]
Back to School, Back to Change: Embracing a New Season
Soooo, school has started, pumpkin spice lattes have officially arrived, and fall décor (along with a sprinkle of Christmas) is already taking over the stores … and it’s not even Labor Day yet. And this NOVA weather—wow! Last week was all about those gorgeous fall vibes. But now? Summer’s back in full force. Talk about […]
Nailing It: Finding beauty in the imperfect build
So, I thought it would be an amazing idea to get our 3-year-old son an outdoor play set for his birthday. You know, with a two-story playhouse, slide, swings, climbing wall, picnic table—the whole shebang. I have visions of lounging in our backyard on our Adirondack chairs, sipping a glass of wine, and watching him […]
Unlocking the Power of Acceptance: Lessons from a Locked Gym
Sometimes life throws you curveballs, and you have to roll with it. Quite literally. I mean, isn’t that part of what “balls” do? When unexpected things happen, how you respond to them is really what defines the experience. If you get super frustrated or angry, those feelings will dominate your day. Part of that frustration […]
Kindness on wheels: Lessons from a Little Blue Truck
Any parent knows that they are going to read a handful of books 459 times in a given week depending on what their little one is into. It can be incredibly mind-numbing and hilarious when you find yourself reciting the books in your sleep. Our current favorite is “Little Blue Truck.” Thank goodness my kiddo […]
Tapping into new skills: The joy of adult learning
The other day was National Tap Dance Day, and it got me thinking about how much I’ve come to love tap dancing. I’ve always wanted to learn but, truth be told, I was pretty uncoordinated as a kid. Formal dance lessons were never my thing. On the dance floor, I’m more awkward penguin than graceful […]