Shades of Sunshine

When people hear “OCD,” most think of being overly neat or liking things a certain way. But for those of us who live with it every day, we know it’s so much deeper—and sometimes so much heavier—than that. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder isn’t just a personality quirk. It’s a mental health condition that affects how we think, how we feel, and how we move through the world. And today, I want to open up a little more about what it really looks like for me—behind the smiles, behind the organization, behind the curated posts. 🌪 The Thought Spirals OCD for me often shows up in the form of intrusive thoughts—those “what if” worries that loop over and over. • What if I didn’t lock the door and someone breaks in? • What if something bad happens and it’s my fault? • What if I forget something important and everything falls apart? These aren’t just passing thoughts. They’re loud, repetitive, and feel like they demand action—compulsions—to make the anxiety go away. ...

When people ask me how my dogs stay so happy, playful, and healthy, I always say the same thing: wellness isn’t just for humans—it’s for our pets too. Gabby and Maci aren’t just dogs. They’re family. And just like I care about what goes into my body and how I support my own well-being, I’m intentional about what goes into theirs too. Over time, we’ve built a daily wellness routine that works beautifully for their needs, and today I want to give you a peek behind the scenes. 🥩 1. A Fresh, Whole-Food Diet (With the Right Balance) Gabby and Maci start and end their day with a homemade meal I lovingly prepare just for them. It’s a nourishing blend of: • Ground beef • Cooked rice • Spinach • Peas & carrots This mix gives them real protein, vitamins, and fiber—without fillers or mystery ingredients. I’ve seen a huge difference in their digestion, coat, and energy since making the switch to real food. 🦴 They also have free access to PawTree’s Chicken ...

Let’s be real—motherhood is beautiful, but it’s also exhausting, overwhelming, and downright hard some days. Between working, parenting, managing a household, and showing up for everyone else, it’s easy to lose sight of our own needs. That’s exactly why I turned to CBD—and why I haven’t looked back. 🌿 Why I Started Using CBD After battling anxiety, burnout, sleep struggles, and mood swings for years (plus the added stress of juggling work and mom life), I knew I needed something that supported my wellness naturally . I wanted something that would help me find my calm without numbing me out. Something I could feel good about putting in my body. Enter: CBD . ✨ What It’s Done for Me CBD has become part of my everyday self-care. I use it for: • Calm in the chaos – Helps quiet the mental noise and reduce my anxiety • Better sleep – I fall asleep easier and wake up more rested • Mood support – I feel more level, more present, more me • Craving con...

If you had told me a year ago that I’d be where I am today—focused on healing, sharing my journey publicly, and building a wellness business from the heart—I wouldn’t have believed you. But healing has a way of showing up in quiet, powerful moments. And for me, it started with one small shift: deciding I didn’t want to just survive anymore. I wanted to thrive —on my own terms. 🌿 What Wellness Looks Like for Me Now Wellness used to feel out of reach. Like something reserved for people with more time, more energy, more…everything. But I’ve learned it doesn’t have to be complicated. Now, wellness for me means: • A daily CBD routine that keeps my anxiety and overwhelm in check • Moving my body with purpose—whether it’s an intense workout or a 10-minute stretch • Nourishing meals that make me feel good inside and out • A morning mindset practice, even if it’s just deep breaths before I open my phone • Choosing grace over guilt when I miss a step ...

  5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting My Wellness Journey Starting a wellness journey sounds empowering—and it   is.   But it can also feel confusing, overwhelming, and filled with unrealistic expectations. I’ve learned a lot since I began prioritizing my mental health, healing my hair, working on my fitness, and embracing natural support like CBD and better nutrition. If I could go back and talk to the "before" version of me, these are the five things I’d tell her first. ✨ 1.   Progress is not linear. There will be amazing days and hard ones. There will be moments you feel unstoppable, and others where you feel like giving up. That doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means you’re human. Keep showing up. ❤️ 2.   Mindset is everything. You can have the perfect routine, the best supplements, and all the healthy recipes, but if your inner dialogue is toxic, it will sabotage you every time. Speak to yourself with compassion. Growth starts in the mind. 🌿 3.   Sta...

  The Power of Routine: How I Built My Morning to Support My Mindset For a long time, my mornings felt chaotic. I’d wake up already anxious, rushing to get ready, skipping breakfast, and feeling scattered before the day even began. But over time—and a whole lot of trial and error—I realized that how I start my day   changes everything   about how I show up in my life. So I made a shift. I created a morning routine that grounds me, calms me, and helps me feel in control before the chaos hits. And now, it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done for my mental health. ☀️ Why Morning Routines Matter When you live with anxiety, OCD, or bipolar disorder like I do, structure can be a life raft. Mornings became my anchor—a place where I could gently take control and set the tone for a more centered, intentional day. A routine doesn’t have to be complicated. Mine isn’t. But it’s consistent. And it’s mine. 🌿 My Morning Routine Here’s what my current morning flow looks like: ✅ ...

  PawTree Favorites for Skin, Tummy, and Calm Pups As a pet mama, I know how hard it is when your fur babies aren’t feeling their best. Whether it’s itchy skin, a sensitive stomach, or anxious behavior during fireworks or thunderstorms—I’ve   been there.   And that’s exactly why I fell in love with PawTree. These clean, effective, pet-safe products have made a real difference in my home, especially with my picky Yorkie, Gabby, and my aging pup, Maci. Today I want to share my tried-and-true   PawTree favorites   that help support skin, tummy, and calm—naturally. 🐾   1. Salmon & Pollock Oil If your pup deals with dry skin, dull coat, or seasonal itching, this is a must-have. It’s rich in omega-3s that support skin and coat health, plus it has anti-inflammatory benefits. I just drizzle a bit over their food, and even Gabby approves (which says a LOT). 🪵   2. Gastro Pro Plus Tummy troubles? This daily probiotic and digestive support formula has been ...

  From Overwhelm to Balance: My Why Behind Fit Life, Fur Life If you had told me a year ago that I’d be running a wellness channel blending fitness, mental health, CBD, and pet care… I probably would’ve laughed and said, “Me? I’m just trying to survive the day.” But here we are. And Fit Life, Fur Life was born not from perfection—but from   overwhelm . From burnout. From hitting a point where I knew something had to change, for both myself and the pets I love so much. 🌿   The Breaking Point I was juggling a lot—mental health challenges, hair loss, emotional eating, mom life, pet care, and a full-time job. I felt like I was pouring from an empty cup, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t find balance. That’s when I realized: wellness isn’t about doing everything right. It’s about creating small daily habits that help you show up better—for yourself and those you love. 🏋️‍♀️   What Fit Life, Fur Life Means to Me This channel is my space to share: My   real-...

  Favorite Clean Products I Use for Myself and My Pets When I started focusing on wellness, it wasn’t just about what I was putting into my body—it became about what I was putting   on   it, too. And not just for me, but for my pets as well. I wanted products that were clean, safe, effective, and aligned with the way I wanted to live: natural, intentional, and supportive from the inside out. So today I’m sharing some of my absolute favorite clean products for both humans and pets—the ones I use every day and trust with my whole heart. 💚   Clean Products I Love for ME 1. Green Compass CBD Nano Jellies My go-to for stress, focus, and daily calm. They’re fast-acting and taste amazing. I love starting my morning with one—it sets the tone for a more grounded day. 2. Green Compass Collagen Peptides This one’s been a total game changer for my hair regrowth journey. It supports hair, skin, nails, joints, and gut health. Bonus: it blends perfectly into my morning drinks! 3. ...

Let’s Talk Mental Health: Living with Bipolar, Anxiety, and OCD This post is close to my heart—and honestly, a little hard to write. Not because I’m ashamed… but because mental health is often misunderstood , especially when you live with multiple diagnoses. I live with Bipolar Disorder , Anxiety , and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) . And while those labels don’t define me, they do shape my daily experience in ways you might not see from the outside. Today, I want to open up about what that really looks like—and what’s helped me manage, heal, and grow. 💬 “You don’t look bipolar.” I’ve heard this more than once. Mental health doesn’t always “look” like anything in particular. It can wear a smile. It can show up to work. It can post on Instagram and cuddle dogs and keep it all together… until it doesn’t. 🌗 Living with Bipolar Disorder Bipolar is more than just “ups and downs.” For me, it looks like: • Manic energy that leads to sleepless nights and impulsive decisions • D...

April 9, 2005 — the day I married the man who would change everything. This year marks 20 years since we said “I do,” and honestly? It still feels surreal that we found each other the way we did… and that it worked so beautifully. 💻 Let’s Rewind: The Beginning Back in 2004, online dating was just starting to gain traction—and I was navigating life, love, and a lot of uncertainty. Enter: LDSSingles.org. That’s where I met Rob —the man who would become my forever. We connected through messages and late-night chats, talking about everything from faith to family to our dreams. The connection was instant, and something in my heart just knew… this was different. 💬 “Will You Marry Me?” … Before We Even Met?! Yup, you read that right. Rob proposed before we had ever met face-to-face . And I said yes. (Okay… technically I left him hanging in the chat for a minute while I prayed about it 😅) But the answer came loud and clear— YES —and I’ve never doubted it s...

It’s never easy to walk away from something you once believed in—especially when you’ve shared it with others. But my story with Monat took a turn I never expected. And I feel a responsibility to speak openly—not from a place of blame, but from a place of truth. Because if my experience helps even one woman avoid the heartbreak I went through, it’s worth sharing. 💇‍♀️ When I Joined Monat, I Had Hope Like so many others, I joined Monat looking for high-performing products to help me care for and grow my hair. At first, things seemed okay. But over time… something changed. I started noticing excessive shedding. Breakage. Thinning at the scalp. Hair coming out in clumps in the shower. And no matter how I tried to brush it off (literally and emotionally), it just kept getting worse. 🚩 The Warning Signs I Couldn’t Ignore I lost nearly 50% of my hair’s density and volume . It wasn’t just a bad hair phase—it was a full-blown crisis. I was devastated. Embarras...

  What My Hair Loss Taught Me About Self-Worth Hair. It’s one of those things you don’t realize is deeply tied to your identity… until it’s gone. When I started losing my hair— and I mean really losing it —clumps in the shower, thinning at the crown, visible scalp where there used to be volume—I felt like I was losing pieces of myself too. It wasn’t “just hair.” It was confidence. Femininity. Feeling like me. And what made it harder? I had trusted the product that triggered it all. 💇‍♀️ When Hair Loss Hits Your Confidence At first, I blamed myself. Was I being vain? Was I overreacting? Should I just “get over it”? But grief over hair loss is real. And it deserves to be acknowledged. What I didn’t expect was the emotional spiral that would follow—feeling unworthy, hiding in photos, avoiding mirrors, questioning my value. All because of something that seemed superficial to everyone else. 🌱 The Healing Didn’t Start with Products While I’ve built an in...

CBD 101: What It Is, What It’s Not, and How I Use It Let’s be real—CBD used to confuse me. So many opinions. So much skepticism. And so many products that made big claims. But once I did my research, tried it for myself, and found a company I could truly trust ( hi, Green Compass! 💚 )—everything changed. If you’re curious but overwhelmed, this post is for you. Let’s break down what CBD really is, what it’s not, and how I personally use it in my daily routine. 🌿 What Is CBD? CBD (short for cannabidiol) is a natural compound found in hemp plants. It’s non-psychoactive , meaning it won’t get you high. Instead, it works with your body’s own endocannabinoid system (ECS) to support balance, calm, and overall wellness. The ECS helps regulate things like: • Mood + stress response • Sleep cycles • Inflammation • Digestion • Immune function When your ECS is out of balance, so are you. CBD helps bring things back into alignment gently and naturally. 🚫 What CBD Is NOT: Le...

Let’s be honest—life can feel overwhelming. Between work, parenting, pet care, and everything in between, it’s easy to feel scattered and stressed. But over the past year, I’ve discovered a few simple wellness habits that help me stay grounded, focused, and in tune with myself. These aren’t complicated or time-consuming. They’re little moments of intention that add up to a big difference. Here are the five daily habits that help me feel my best—physically, mentally, and emotionally. 1. CBD for Calm & Balance My day starts and ends with CBD. It’s helped me feel calmer, sleep better, and handle stress without spiraling. I use Green Compass CBD Nano Jellies and love how quickly they work. Whether it’s easing anxious thoughts before a busy day or helping me wind down at night, CBD has become a trusted part of my wellness routine. It helps me stay grounded and present, no matter what the day throws at me. 2. Movement, Even When It’s Hard Working out isn’t just about fitness for me—it’s ...