Shades of Sunshine

  I didn’t start working out because I loved it. I started because I needed to feel something different —anything other than anxiety, overwhelm, and the spirals of stress I was caught in. And what began as a way to cope … slowly transformed into a way to heal. 🌿 It Was Never Just About Weight Loss Sure, I had physical goals—like losing weight, regaining my strength, or feeling better in my body again. But the deeper truth? Fitness gave me a way to take my power back. It became the 30–45 minutes a day where I could just be —with no one asking me for anything, no pressure to be perfect, and no expectation to have it all together. Some days I lift weights. Some days I stretch and breathe. Some days I just move so I don’t stay stuck in my own head. And that’s enough. 🧠 Movement as Mental Health Fitness has become my therapy in the most unexpected ways: • It helps me release anxiety when my thoughts are loud • It gives me structure on days w...

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: ✅ ...