Do you have a favorite place you have visited? Where is it?
My first thought when I read this was Aruba. Just over five years ago my husband and I went on a cruise where Aruba was one of the stops, and we were absolutely in love. The clear blue water, the beach, the weather… we kept saying we would get married in Aruba and couldn’t wait to go back.
Shortly after that cruise, Covid happened. We had let our passports expire in 2021 since we figured we probably still wouldn’t leave the country for a while still with just the state of the world and what not, and low and behold we got married in Pensacola Beach Florida, so now we can renew them and I can get my new passport with my new last name!
Speaking of Pensacola Beach, that was the very next thought that popped into my head after thinking that Aruba was my favorite place I visited. Of course Pensacola now has a special place in my heart considering we got married there, but honestly I look forward more to returning there than to Aruba. Pensacola has the gorgeous white sandy beaches, the calm energy, and the hotel we stayed at had ocean views on both sides- it truly just felt so peaceful.
Overall, I’d go back to Pensacola Beach before I’d go to Aruba- so that is my favorite place I’ve visited.
Aruba, November 2019 Pensacola Beach, October 2024
What is one thing you would change about yourself?
If I could change one thing about myself, I’d change my sweet tooth. I often find myself struggling when it comes to healthy eating because I always crave something sweet. When I did the ketogenic diet years ago, that’s when I really felt like I got rid of the sweet tooth, but of course once I fell out of that, the sugar addiction returned. I know there is some control I have here, but I also know how unhealthy I can get when counting macros and calories. I know I’ll be able to handle this better with time.
Your angels are supporting you-trust in those gut feelings. Be present to the signs around you and focus on your intentions for this month and for the upcoming year. Luck and abundance is all around you- get still and be present to it all.
I eat meat, and I don’t think I’ll ever stop. I understand why people don’t, but I enjoy a lot of meats and I have definitely detached from the fact that they were once living. I know there are films I could watch that would make me cry and maybe even vomit as I do love animals and could never kill one myself. I guess if I had to do it on my own I’d likely be a vegetarian.
When it comes to new moons and full moons, I have been trying to make it a habit to do journal prompts from the Sisters Village instagram page. I find that her prompts are helpful and with her studying astrology, the prompts are on theme with what is going on in the celestial realm.
She writes down a to-do list which also often contains some sort of writing task, and her one she posted for today’s new moon said to write a gratitude list. I know I do that a lot here on my blog, but starting off the new month I think it’s a great time to sit and focus on what blessings surround us.
This December, I am grateful for:
My health/mental health. I can walk, talk, eat, and live life all on my own without assistance. I have access to doctors and my therapist who has especially helped me with my mental health over the past few years. I am no longer stuck in panic attacks or deep depression every day of my life, and I have learned so much about myself. This journey has only made me more curious and empathetic towards my mind and body, therefore allowing me to love myself.
My husband. I knew when I was 16 years old that I was going to marry my husband, and we finally tied the knot this year! Our wedding day was everything I ever dreamed of, and although the wedding was a huge highlight of our relationship, I am so thankful for the years of roots and foundation we built together. My husband was with me during some of the hardest parts of my life, and he never thought to leave or run away- instead he was my rock. He loved me for me and has always encouraged me to be my favorite version of myself- and I am that when I’m with him. I am so grateful for this love, and I pray everyone finds a healthy, strong love like this.
Our home. We bought our townhome over eight years ago, and I am still so happy with where we are. We have plenty of space, all of our appliances work, and we are blessed to be able to afford our mortgage and utilities. I always grew up in an apartment, and I am the only child, so I am the first person in my immediate family to purchase a home! I always wanted a home with a garage and I am lucky to say we have a two-car garage attached to our home. I am so thankful to have a warm place to sleep every night.
I am grateful to have such good friends, who truly love me and wish the best for me and my husband. I love friends who I can just talk to for hours, laughing a lot with no judgement. I love friends who are excited for my wins, just as much as I am excited for theirs, and overall I just enjoy the genuine love and support.
I could go on and on, but instead I’m gonna post a couple of the slides from that Sisters Village page, that way if anyone else wants to join along in some journaling/reflecting, you can!
As part of my new moon ritual, I’ll journal these other prompts in my actual writing diary today with some incense and calming music. Sending everyone so much love this holiday season, and I hope December is filled with love, miracles and joy! ✨
I don’t really have a favorite dress or pair of jeans, but I can say that I absolutely love wearing some yogas or leggings with a crop crewneck sweatshirt. I’m such a comfy type of girl, I’m not one to wear heels or dress up unless absolutely necessary.
It’s the second to last day of November, which means the end of the year is upon us. It also means it’s now officially Christmas, so don’t mind me obsessing over lights and other cute decorations for the rest of the winter season LOL. As we come to a close on 2024, I can’t help but feel so grateful and emotional looking back at this incredible year!
This year was all about our wedding, which makes sense considering my husband proposed a year and four days ago. In March, I went dress shopping with my mom and close friends and I was lucky enough to find my wedding dress! Not only was it the first dress I tried on, but it was also on clearance for $90! I remember I had a night out with a couple of my high school besties that night too, and it was just such a great time!
In July, me and those same two friends went to Minneapolis to see Qveen Herby live in concert! This was one of my dream concerts and I got to see her with my best friends on the day before my birthday!!! Then on my birthday we all went shopping at the Mall of America and just had so much fun! That experience also offered opportunities for me to reflect and grow, and I am so thankful to have these memories.
At the end of September, my now husband and I flew down to Florida to start our wedding trip!! We were able to spend a few days in Pensacola Beach just chilling with my family and then we had his family and our friends trickle in before the actual wedding day. I’m honestly so glad we had a pre-vacation prior to our wedding- highly recommend this! Then at sunset on 10/2/2024, we said our “I do’s” and celebrated our marriage with all of our closest loved ones. We celebrated with a nice dinner afterwards and enjoyed a fun night!
After the wedding we went over to Orlando and enjoyed Harry Potter World before we left in a hurry due to hurricane Milton, and honestly we were so happy to come home and just be with our fur babies in our own bed. We had our Til Death Do Us Party a couple weeks after we got back, and since then we’ve just been enjoying the quiet after all the busyness.
We were invited to our friends’ home yesterday for Thanksgiving, and we enjoyed a delicious meal with them and their kids- this was honestly my favorite Thanksgiving so far! I never enjoyed the holiday as a kid because I don’t like any of the classic Thanksgiving food, but honestly this year I tried the ham my friend made and it was good! She did a great job and I was happy to see other side options rather than the stuffing and green bean casserole I usually avoid.
I know I only listed a few core events of this year, but these few events have made 2024 one of, if not the best year of my life. I also knew it would be, mainly because we were getting married, but it’s still so great that I had so much time with great friends and family this year. My heart and soul are just feeling so full, and I’m excited to see what the rest of the year brings.
There’s still a whole month left of memories to make, and now that it’s Christmastime, it’s the most wonderful time of the year!!🎄♥️✨
said yes to the dress!qveen @ the fillmorehello 29!the night before the weddingbest day ever ♡rainy hogwartsthe dragondrunk in lovedisposable cameras ftwmy friend’s fire ass thanksgiving dinneryummy mini cheesecake
I’d say one of the hardest decisions I had to make was when I sought out help for my mental health and decided to take medication for my anxiety. I had been completely against medication for most of my life (I was 20 at the time, so this is about nine years ago), so starting it felt like I was going against my entire belief system. However, I definitely needed the assistance, as my panic attacks were so frequent that there was no way I ever would have calmed down enough to be able to rationally work on healing. I am blessed to say that after years of trying different medications and seeing different health care providers, and continuously going to therapy to this day, I have been off of medication for a couple years now.
I am glad that I was able to step out of my comfort zone and get help for myself, and I am grateful that my (now) husband was there for me through the entire journey. I am also happy that I was able to see a new perspective on these medications, because if I ever need them again in my life, I won’t be so hesitant or afraid, as I know myself and I know I have great support around me.
finding light in the dark 