So what is #SelfLove all about? I’ve definitely embraced the bubble baths and candles that smell like warm pancakes trend- and that’s great because creating spaces where we feel sacred and treated as the divine beings we are is an essential part of loving ourselves. But just like there is far more to friendships than just girls nights out and much more to loving a partner than fancy dinners, there has to be a lot more involved in true self-love than simply treating ourselves

Boundaries are great. A quick Google search will result in dozens of inspirational quotes and memes about the importance of setting boundaries- and for good reason. Boundaries serve as basic guidelines that establish how you want to be treated by others. But you can set boundaries all day and still feel like shit at work or in your relationship or with family members. Why? Because you’re forgetting the most important part of boundary setting: yourself. You are setting boundar

I am a control freak. Not in the way we usually think about “control freaks.” I don’t care whether you roll up the tube of toothpaste or squeeze it, my silverware has never gone back in the same area of the drawer twice, and although I definitely prefer that you take your shoes off when entering my apartment, it doesn’t really bother me if you choose to keep them on. But when it comes to trying to control every part of my life so that nothing falls apart, I am a full-blown co

People love to talk about healing, especially in the coaching business. We post beautifully constructed Instagram quotes about the power of healing. We share stories about how we successfully healed parts of our wounded selves. We’ll even use the buzzword “self-care” and do things we don’t really enjoy because we are told that these things are healing, such as hydrating face masks or wine nights. But we rarely share our experiences with the actual healing process. We don’t sh

“I have no energy to give right now,” I snap as my phone rings. A few minutes later my phone dings, notifying me that I have another email. “Can everyone just give me a freaking break! I just need some alone time,” I continue. I quickly stop myself. “I am so grateful for all the people in my life who love me and who I love back,” I say. But the anger continues to sizzle. “Yeah sure, I’m grateful but…” I attempt to finish my thought but I interrupt myself again before I can co

I had such a wonderful time speaking with Aliah, founder of Fervent Wellness, on her podcast Live Fervently! I talk all about why I am passionate about empowerment coaching, why women struggle to connect with the parts of themselves that feel powerful and connected in both mind and body, and how we can reconnect to our inner Warrior Goddesses and embrace our true selves. Listen here for the full episode! #podcast #livefervently #womenscoach #empower #empowermentcoach #survivo

“Why does this keep happening?!” I asked myself this question countless times while angry-crying in my car and cursing the Universe because I was still struggling financially, my boss was still manipulative, my partner was still unsupportive, and I was still putting my dreams on hold. I felt stuck, trapped, sad, disappointed and hopeless. So, why did this keep happening? Because I was creating these circumstances. We can tell ourselves and others about how desperately we want

A few months ago I went to see Lizzo in concert. It was a Tuesday night and I saw that she was playing in Detroit the next day. I decided to book an Air BnB, purchase tickets to the concert, and drive to Detroit in the morning. I attended the concert - AMAZING! But, as I was driving home the next morning, I couldn’t shake a feeling of disappointment. I went on an adventure - I love adventure! I went alone - I love doing things by myself. I drove to a city I’d never been to be

A few years ago, I had just broken up with a partner, moved out of our home and into my own apartment, and signed up for a trial period of yoga classes to try to recenter myself. I always arrived about 15 minutes before class started so I could meditate. On this day I felt especially sad about not having my ex-boyfriend in my life anymore. I couldn’t stop thinking about him and I felt like I just wanted to curl up in a ball and cry. I took a breath and said, “Woah, I underst

We often think of romantic relationships when we hear the word “love.” Although romantic relationships are a beautiful genre of love, the act of love is not exclusive to romance. In fact, love is not even something we simply give or receive with other people. It’s a way of life. Now, hear me out before you roll your eyes and write me off as living in a fantasy world. When I say that love is a way of life, I mean that it’s a choice we make in how we are going to view not only

When I first started working through the abuse I experienced, I looked to books for guidance. But the only books available about sexual abuse were either psychology books that made me feel like a social experiment or terribly titled self-help books that made me feel like a wounded puppy. I wanted to read something that felt like I was simply having a conversation with a trusted friend. I wanted to feel like I was talking with someone who was confident and hilarious with a cap

I have been creative my entire life. When I was a little girl, I dreamed of being an artist. When I was in high school, I was always coming up with the most out-there, colorful ideas during art class. In college, I fearlessly explored different creative outlets. But somewhere between college and a few years ago, I lost that creative freedom. In fact, I was so caught up with jobs, break-ups, bills, student loans, goals, and everyday life, that it wasn't until a few months ago

I have no problem openly talking about my past. I can open up to friends, acquaintances and even large groups of strangers about my story. But when it comes to talking with a potential partner for the first time about the abuse I experienced, an emotional wall starts to go up. Why? Because there is something so vulnerable and intimate about a romantic relationship. It’s that vulnerability and intimacy that makes the relationship so beautiful and special but it’s also what mak

It wasn’t until I was in my mid-twenties that I realized how disconnected my mind and body were. I was working at a gym at the time and really struggling to get a workout in. I started with one exercise but felt so weak. Frustrated, I switched to a different workout but continued to struggle through that one too. “Why do I feel so weak?” I yelled. A thought popped in my mind, “Meditate about it.” I tried to ignore the thought as I began setting up for my next attempt at a wor

I have tried meditating - and it has been wonderful and powerful and life-changing. But there are times that it takes everything that I have to sit in stillness. Sometimes I need to snap back to mindfulness in much more simple and quick ways. So I’ve come up with a few easy - and a little weird - ways to get back to mindfulness. 1.) Eat without technology This one was difficult at first. I can’t tell you how many times I instinctively go to grab my phone and scroll through fa