There comes a point when understanding yourself stops being a tool for growth and starts being used as a shield. It’s easy to say, “I’m struggling” or “I’m learning about myself” and expect that to excuse behavior that hurts others. Awareness is not a license to harm.

I know what it’s like to wrestle with thoughts and emotions that feel bigger than you. I know the patience it takes to work through your own mind without letting it spill over and hurt the people around you. That struggle doesn’t give anyone permission to frighten, control, or diminish others. Choosing

Hey friends

Here we are, hello 2026. Can you believe it? 2025 came and went in a blur. Some of it was messy, some of it was magical, and all of it taught me lessons I didn’t know I needed.

If 2025 was about surviving, 2026 is about thriving. I’m talking more me. More intention, more laughter, more messy moments embraced instead of hidden. More saying yes to opportunities that light me up, and a few hard no’s to things that drain me. Not every yes is worth it, and I’m learning that now more than ever.

The little things matter. A text from

There comes a point when staying quiet stops being survival and starts being surrender. The moments you shrink, bend, or apologize for existing are the moments someone else gains control. That ends now.

Sometimes staying quiet is mistaken for keeping the peace. Sometimes bending to someone else’s expectations is mistaken for love. But love that controls, diminishes, or thrives on chaos is not love at all. It is something else entirely, and no one deserves it.

Strength is not loud. It doesn’t roar. It is steady and quiet. It is walking in confidence when the world tries to rewrite your worth. It is holding your ground even when

People always think a woman reaches her breaking point because of something huge. A big fight. A major betrayal. Something dramatic and loud. The funny thing is, it is almost never the big things. Most of the time, it is the tiny moments she kept brushing off while telling herself it was not that deep.

It is the tone that felt a little sharper than she deserved.

It is the look that made her feel small when she was just trying to talk.

It is the way her feelings got

Dear Readers,

Running a business while juggling life is HARD. But if you’re feeling stuck, behind, or like everyone else is doing better than you, I want to remind you: you’re not alone.

I know because I’ve been there. Some days, I feel like I’m running on fumes, trying to balance being a single mom, rebuilding my businesses, and still making time for myself. And then I scroll through social media and see others in my industry thriving, while I feel like I’m barely holding it together.

But here’s the truth no one talks about

Dear readers,

Toxic love often begins quietly, with small moments that seem harmless at first. A sharp word here, a subtle dismissal there, or unpredictable moods that leave a partner unsure of where they stand. Over time, these patterns can slowly erode confidence, create anxiety, and drain emotional energy.

For anyone caught in such a relationship, it is important to remember that constant fear, doubt, or walking on eggshells is never a measure of love. When efforts to care, support, or communicate are dismissed or twisted into blame, that is a signal to step back and

Dear readers,

In the nonprofit world, success is often measured by the number of donations, volunteers, or events we can count. But when it comes to creating a truly lasting impact, the numbers alone don’t tell the whole story. True success goes beyond financials, it’s about the change we create in the communities we serve.

As someone who’s been involved in nonprofit work for many years, I’ve learned that

Do you ever feel like people keep breaking your heart, that promises keep shattering, and that the weight of disappointment is all on your shoulders? I know I do, and I’m reminding myself as much as I’m sharing this with you.

I don’t even know where to start tonight. But I’m exhausted. Not just physically, but deep in my chest, in the part of me that feels everything too hard, I am drained from believing people when they promise things will be different. I keep giving chance after chance to the same people who prove over and over they will never change. This weight presses on me every day. It’s heavy. It’s suffocating. It makes it hard

I used to think love was supposed to be difficult. Not just sometimes. I mean all the time. I thought it was normal to feel tired and overwhelmed and still call it love. I thought love meant trying harder, proving myself, staying even when I felt like I was disappearing a little at a time.

What I didn’t realize back then is that I had confused love with survival.

There is a type of relationship that is full of highs that feel like the most beautiful thing in the world. The kind of high that makes you believe everything is worth it. The apologies are sweet. The promises sound sincere. You start imagining a future because the good moments are that strong. They feel real.

But the lows feel like your soul is being

It’s crazy how many people still believe they can buy happiness. They think if they get the house, the car, or the ring, everything will suddenly fall into place. But peace can’t be purchased. Respect can’t be bought.

Happiness doesn’t live in square footage or price tags. It lives in how you’re treated, how you’re loved, and how you feel when the noise quiets down. You can’t buy peace of mind. You can’t fake peace in your heart.

Some people think that one more gift, one more grand gesture, one more thing will fix everything. It won’t. What they’re really trying to do is cover up the emptiness they refuse to

Dear Readers,

At our Tuesday night ladies Bible study, my daughter said something that completely stopped me in my tracks.

“Courage is proof you are afraid.”

And wow, that one sentence really hit me. It reminded me of something my preacher once said: being brave doesn’t mean you aren’t afraid. It means you do the thing anyway. You step forward, you speak up, you act, even when fear is still there. And that, my friends, is what real courage looks like.

We were studying Rahab that night. Her life and the safety of her family were on the line, yet she made the choice to hide God’s spies. She chose faith over fear when everything around her was dangerous and uncertain. Can we just pause for a second and

Have you ever been that person who holds everything and everyone together? The one who gets things done, keeps life moving, and never really lets herself fall apart because, honestly, if you did, who would fix it? That’s me. I’m the planner, the helper, the steady one. But this week… yeah, I hit a wall.

I didn’t even explode. I just cracked a little. I got frustrated. I expressed my feelings. I didn’t sugarcoat it. And for a moment, that was enough to shock some people around me. You know that feeling when you’re like, “Wait… I’m allowed to feel this?” Yeah, that.

And that’s when it hit me. People love your strength until they have to see your weakness. They’ll clap for

Dear readers,

As someone who's worked with nonprofits, I've learned a thing or two about volunteer management – but I'm still learning! This blog post is really just a note to myself, a reminder to prioritize clear communication, recognition, and opportunities for growth when working with volunteers.

When volunteers know what's expected of them and how they can contribute, they're more likely to feel invested and empowered. I've found that

Dear readers,

For so long, many of us have been taught to put others first. Family, friends, coworkers, even strangers—we try to carry everyone’s burdens, meet every expectation, and give our all. While generosity of heart is beautiful, sometimes we forget that our own hearts need care too.

Taking Care of Yourself Isn’t Selfish

Putting yourself first doesn’t mean you stop loving or caring for others. It means recognizing your worth, setting healthy boundaries, and honoring your own needs in ways that allow you to thrive—so you can show up fully and effectively for those who depend on

People are complicated. We grow up with certain habits, personalities, and ways of thinking, and sometimes it feels like those traits are set in stone. But the truth is, people can change. Real change. Not just surface-level “I’ll try to do better,” but deep, meaningful growth that surprises everyone—including themselves.

It makes me pause sometimes: is there an age, a stage, or a point in life when someone can no longer change? I don’t have the answer. Honestly, I’ve seen people get so

Just when you think you’ve found peace, safety, and comfort—it happens again. Another disappointment. Another letdown. Another moment that makes you question, “Will this cycle ever end?”

That kind of heartbreak is heavy, because peace isn’t just about calm surroundings. It’s about trust. It’s about believing you’re finally safe to rest, finally free to exhale. And when that trust is broken, it can feel like the ground has been pulled out from under you.

I won’t sugarcoat it

Hot one moment, cold the next: navigating unpredictable behavior is exhausting, but with reflection, boundaries, and faith, there is a way to restore peace.

Sometimes people don’t even see the impact their mood swings have on those around them. One moment calm and pleasant; the next sharp and unpredictable. This creates tension and stress for others, and it is neither healthy nor sustainable. The Lord calls us to peace, patience, and self-reflection. Proverbs 16:32 reminds us, “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.”

It’s natural to have difficult days, but allowing moodiness to dictate the atmosphere for others is problematic. Words and actions carry

Have you ever looked at someone and thought, “They seem fine, so they must be okay?” That’s how most of us approach depression, we assume it has a face, a look, a certain “energy” that signals pain.

But here’s the truth: it doesn’t. Mental health struggles are often invisible. You can’t always see anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts just by looking at someone. People can laugh, smile, and shine outwardly, while inside they’re carrying a weight no one else sees.

I’ve lived this reality myself, and I know many of you reading this can relate. Happiness doesn’t always mean the struggle is gone, and a smile doesn’t mean everything is okay.

The Illusion of Looking “Fine”

When we think of depression, most of us picture

If you’re like me, your mind doesn’t always stop. It replays conversations, worries about what could go wrong, and questions every decision you make. Overthinking can steal your sleep, make small decisions feel huge, and even strain relationships. I know — I’ve been there, and I’m still learning how to live with it.

For me, overthinking can show up in different ways: racing thoughts, a tight chest, sweating, insomnia, or even snapping at people I love. Sometimes it feels like my mind is holding me hostage, and no matter how much I try, it won’t quit.

Overthinking isn’t just an annoying habit — it can take a toll on

Sometimes life throws so much at us that our minds start spinning out of control. I'm sharing this blog because I know what it feels like to overthink, to feel anxiety spike, or to wake up at 2 a.m. replaying the same conversation over and over. I'm not perfect, and I'm still learning — but I want to share what's helping me, in the hopes it might help you too.

Hi, I'm Catrina, and I'll be honest - I'm an overthinker. My mind loves to replay conversations, imagine every possible "what if," and stress about things I can't control. Sometimes it even leaks out as frustration or lashing out at people I love. Other times it shows up as anxiety, insomnia, panic attacks, or physical symptoms like a racing heart, sweating, or tight shoulders. I'll