A reflection on self doubt, anxiety disguised as productivity, and why I created a gentle mindfulness guide for when clarity feels out of reach.

A quiet thank you to the educators, librarians, and caregivers who shape a child’s confidence in unseen ways—and the moments that stay long after childhood.

You ever doubt yourself so much you start apologizing to your own body? When you’ve been told for years that what you feel isn’t real, the doubt starts to take up space. And you may find yourself questioning your own pain. Every time someone questions your pain, it plants a seed of maybe they’re right. Those maybes are bricks that build into walls. And before you know it, you’re living inside them: isolated, content in sorrow, stuck asking permission to feel your own pain. But self-trust can be restored again. Read the post to learn more about my journey and discover tools to help you rebuild self-trust.

Every time someone asks me how I’m balancing everything, I want to look behind me like, “Who? Me?? Balanced??? Like a stack of perfectly leveled books on your head? Absolutely not.” But I’m still here, still trying, still learning how to carry college, work, bills, chronic illness, relationships, and bi ol’ dreams without dropping myself in the process. That’s what I want this post to feel like: you and I sitting on a porch stoop, sipping something out of a jar, talking about the real stuff that never makes it to Instagram. Let’s dive into this post and discussion together.

When I was a little girl, I loved books. I read them, collected them, even slept with them. But no matter how many I pulled from the library shelves or bought at school book fairs, I rarely found a character who looked like me. Kids deserve mirrors, not just windows, to help them learn to appreciate their uniqueness. Children (and our inner children) are sponges. They absorb messages long before they understand the language. And they also notice when they’re missing. Representation is foundational—not an option. Let’s discuss this important topic in this post. 

Activity books slow us down just enough to understand each other. And in a world where everything and everyone is in a rush: school schedules here, work deadlines there, screens almost everywhere, these little books create pockets of calm and creativity that our families didn’t always have growing up. Every time a parent sits down with their child for even 10 minutes, they’re rewiring patterns their family has lived for generations. No yelling, no forcing, no demanding: Just showing up intentionally. Let’s talk about why this matters more than we think. 

For me, rocking chairs represent stability, comfort, dependability and rest. A rocking chair is never “just a chair.” A rocking chair carries the sound of late night stories, the comfort of homemade meals, and the weight of tired arms holding a baby who refuses to sleep. It is stillness in motion, a rhythm that says, “I am here for you.” And sometimes, we need to be reminded of the things that are always there, even when we forget their value. Learn more about my children’s debut book where we celebrate the rocking chair and its meaning to our lives.

I share my history with medical trauma in this post and how that first encounter with medical malpractice started a rollercoaster of chronic illness. But I believe that you deserve to be heard not because your pain has to be proven or validated, but because you are a person. And you matter. Read more for practical tips that I personally use for every doctor’s visit to help navigate conversations and, most importantly, speak up for myself unapologetically. I hope you can find comfort in the words I share here.

Fuel the creation of our debut children’s book, Always There, Rocking Chair.

Your gift supports the illustration, production, and distribution of a story that celebrates comfort, resilience, and the rituals that help us heal, reaching children and families for years to come.

Help us honor teachers, librarians, and other pillars who keep children’s stories alive.

Your contribution helps us host events that recognize their work, share books with classrooms, and create moments of joy and gratitude for those shaping young readers.

Stand with those impacted by medical malpractice. This initiative provides education, practical tools, and emotional support for individuals and families navigating the aftermath of medical malpractice; from what steps to take immediately, to coping strategies that help you keep going.