That season stretched me in ways I didn’t expect, but it also revealed how much my emotional capacity had grown. I was more resilient than I realized.

Let’s talk about a gentler, grace-filled way to begin the year, one that replaces pressure with peace and invites God into the process.

Regret sneaks in as those little whispers: If only I had… or What if I hadn’t…?

It can leave us sad, anxious, or distracted. 

Not everything we carry is beautiful, and often we aren’t aware that we are choosing to continue to carry certain things with us. 

True emotional resilience isn’t about gritting your teeth or hustling harder, it’s about creating space in your inner life for healing, honesty, and God’s truth.

Blame feels safe in the moment, but it keeps us stuck. One of the biggest growth leaps you can make is realizing: No one else is in charge of my peace, my choices, or my future except me (and Jesus).

You don’t have to prove you’re not someone else.
You just get to become who God made you.

You’re being lovingly invited into a life anchored in grace, not performance.

Lying on a soft forest floor, Bible open, completely still. No noise, no pressure. Just the presence of Jesus and the quiet reminder: This is who you really are.

Like my pups, my soul is still learning. But God is a far better Trainer than I am. He doesn’t shame us into growth—He lovingly shapes us through it. He meets us on the floor, not just the mountaintop. Even when we’re chewing metaphorical shoes.

Ever been so busy with the NEED TO DO that your tenderness takes a back seat? Have you been so preoccupied with meeting the standards of the world that you feel anxious, not satisfied with life, and always wondering if you’re measuring up? I have good news, friend, a grounded soul is already yours.

We live in a culture that prizes the five-year plan, the fast track, the shiny next step. But I’m learning, over and over again, that the slow work of God is never wasted. And you’re not behind when He’s still building something in you.

Picking up a paper journal is like giving your nervous system a warm hug. The glide of a good pen, the slight texture of the page, the quiet sound of ink etching your thoughts into reality—it’s a deeply grounding experience.

If you’re like many of the women I coach, you’re an expert at planning ahead, “just in case.” You pack the extra cardigan, the backup charger, the maybe-I’ll-need-it book… 

But looking back, I love that little diary.

It said something powerful:
My thoughts mattered.

But here’s the thing: emotions are not moral failures. They’re just signals. Think of them like dashboard lights in your car—telling you something’s up, not condemning you for existing.

Maybe you grew up pushing through sadness, ignoring frustration, or slapping a Bible verse on anxiety and calling it a day. But what if emotions aren’t obstacles to fix… but invitations from God to grow?

So often, we try to push past our emotions—distracting ourselves with busyness, ignoring what we feel, or even criticizing ourselves for having certain emotions in the first place. But what if, instead of rushing to move on, we simply allowed ourselves to be present with what we’re feeling?

Life is rarely just one thing; joy and sorrow, struggle and blessing, pain and healing can exist together. 

Pain has a way of leaving its mark, shaping how we see ourselves and the world around us. It’s the thing that can quietly steal our confidence and leave us feeling stuck. But here’s the truth: you don’t have to stay there.

The process of letting go begins with surrender. Give your past to God—your failures, disappointments, and even your successes. Trust that He can redeem every part of your story for His glory and your good.