Life by Design

By the time I arrived at Day 10 of my November 21-day purification plan, my habits were putting up more of a fight than anything I’m actually eating.

It turns out old patterns don’t like being disrupted.
They get loud.
They get dramatic.
They suddenly become VERY committed to staying. 😂

But here’s the truth I keep bumping into:
Resistance doesn’t mean we’re failing — it means we’re changing.

Every time we try to break an old habit, a part of us is learning how to:
✨ choose differently
✨ think differently
✨ lead ourselves differently

It’s uncomfortable but it’s also evidence that growth is happening under the surface.

So if you’re wrestling with a habit right now — whether it’s a mindset, a response, a pattern, or a decision that keeps looping — please hear this:

You’re not doing it wrong.
You’re just in the middle of becoming someone stronger. 💛

I crave cookies, chocolate, and salty snacks. You know what I don’t crave? Accountability.

And yet… last week, I was assigned an accountability partner Greater Arlington Chamber Women's Alliance.

Why?

Because apparently, I said out loud that I had goals. 😬

And someone took me seriously.

Now every time I want to procrastinate, my phone buzzes with a friendly, “Sooo… how’s that thing coming along?”

(And suddenly I miss the days when I was only haunted by stale to-do lists and unopened gym memberships.)

But here's the truth:

Accountability doesn’t always feel good, but it often leads to something better than cookies—progress.

To the brave souls out there holding your people (and yourselves) accountable this week: You’re the unsung heroes of follow-through.

As for me… I guess I’ll keep showing up. (With snacks).

Here's a recap of the Women's Alliance Power Hour. https://lnkd.in/gkFDHzYi

Drop a selfie with your accountability partner.

As we enter the season of gratitude, we’re often encouraged to pause and count our blessings. And while reflecting on the good things is undoubtedly valuable, there's a layer to gratitude that goes beyond simply being thankful for what’s good in our lives. What if, instead of just naming the things we’re grateful for, we explored the concept of gratitude for what we never planned, the moments that turned out unexpectedly well—or even, at first, unpleasant?

Life has a way of giving us experiences that feel uncomfortable, challenging, or even like missteps. And yet, these “unplanned gifts” are often the ones that lead us to growth, self-awareness, and resilience. This year, consider adding an extra layer to your gratitude practice by reflecting on the moments that threw you off course but ultimately brought you something valuable.

Gratitude isn’t just about what’s shiny and positive; it’s about finding purpose and meaning in the messiness too. So this season, I invite you to challenge yourself to embrace gratitude for the entire picture, for the planned and the unplanned alike. When we welcome the unexpected with gratitude, we shift our perspective and open ourselves up to the beautiful complexity of life.

Happy Thanksgiving—may it be filled with both expected joys and surprising gifts!

Stress is more than something we just cope with—it’s a tool we can use to build resilience!

Let’s flip the script on stress and see it as a chance to grow, connect, and align with what really matters. This article I wrote for Plaid For Womenshares some unconventional truths about stress resistance that you won’t hear every day. It’s time to stop fighting stress and start thriving with it! Who’s with me? 🙋‍♀️

Read more here: https://www.plaidforwomen.com/building-stress-resistance-the-unconventional-truths/

Building Stress Resistance: The Unconventional Truths - Plaid for Women There’s more to true stress resistance than simply minimizing stressors or scheduling self-care. What really helps?