The Twelfth Month .2025.

and that’s a wrap!

Funny story… I was very intentional about bringing my new journal with me because I wanted to journal on our trip to Costa Rica. I made sure to finish out my thoughts on the year as a whole in my old one because I had planned to write this post while I’m down here. For the sake of trying to downsize my amazing ability to overpack, I decided to leave the journal. Fail. BUT, because I don’t want to accept failure, I found another way. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and I take a lot of photos, so I’m using them to reflect.

Last year, December, was probably one of the most heart breaking months of my life. For over 18 years, my life identity circled around being a wife and mother. Being out on my own with none of that was hard. Granted, I was still a mother, but having an empty nest in the midst of getting divorced felt life shattering. Yet, from the ashes I rose. Looking back at where I was then and where I am now, I feel more myself than I have felt since before I graduated high school. That’s over 20 years ago, oof. Getting back into creativity, and striving to find growth on all levels, has really helped me to find my light again. I am so grateful to my family for stepping up and supporting me through the darkness, and even just being there to hold me when I cried. I like to think I’m an introvert but I definitely thrive with human connection. If I hadn’t made the effort to continue working with a therapist, and stayed intentional about learning new healthy habits, who knows where I’d be. Sometimes we have to lean on others, and be open minded to really be able to break out of our shells.

This month was very beautiful. I started with the intention of continuing to find creative time, being intentional about reading every day, and also trying to be intentional about building a village in my new home.

Creativity

I got to find creative time with photograph, baby blankets, paint nights, sewing projects, Christmas activities with my love, doodling and even practicing writing down my thoughts in creative ways. While the month felt short, due to travel days and being out of my comfort zone, I am very content with how much I did. I honestly can’t wait to get back home to my sewing machine. The sewing projects brought me the most joy, learning, and even built my confidence. If you put your mind to it, and practice, you can learn to do almost anything! Did you know that learning new things helps give you dopamine hits, that help you want to seek out more learning, or even help chase new goals?

Reading

Poetry has always been a love of mine. I reread 3 of my Atticus poetry books, read one by a newer artist, and even found a random poetry book at the thrift store to read. Reading about love through other peoples expression of theirs, or even their heartbreak, helps me to process my own love and heal too.

I also continued to read the Good Vibes book. As of today (01.05.2026), I only have probably 20 pages left, and I will likely read it all over again while I’m away from home. I want to really absorb it, and think I might try to reflect on each section. Don’t hold me to that one though, the beach is a very distracting place. 😅

I even started picking daily affirmation cards again. I really enjoy reading positive things to help spark positive thinking early in the day. And also reading my little horoscope has been an interesting perspective to take me out of my brain hole.

Below are some of the thoughts that really spoke to me this month.

Connection

My daughter was the inspiration for this one. Being a long ways from home makes it easy to feel disconnected, or maybe it just inspires FOMO. Either way, she suggested on Mondays we send each other three pictures from our week. I have missed my little grand babies, and my own babies of course, and this has been a great way to help me be intentional about staying in communication with her. Side note, if anyone else in my family wants to do this with me, shoot me a message, I love you too.

It also helped me to remember it’s good to build connections where I’m at. I love that bartending allows me to meet new people, I can’t say that they are all positive experiences, but I enjoy being a shiny spot with people I meet. I have met some really fun people this last month, remembering peoples names is so important for building relationships with customers, and helping to ensure they come back. Being new to the area, makes communicating a great way to get in the know of happenings in the area too. While I’m loving the sun, I will be excited to continue fostering connections, and maybe even find people who inspire my continued growth in this life. Part of that is going to be learning to be consistent and building actual friendships that I can lean on there too. It’s really easy to just spend time with my love because we genuinely enjoy our time together, but it’s good to get out of your bubble and understand the perspectives of others outside of our digital screens.

Did I mention I became a Grandma for the third time this month?!? Goodness, they’re all soooo cute, even if they cry and runaway. Lol!

My Resolution?

I’m in goal mode, not chasing the unattainable. Also continuing to build on my healthy mind and health as a whole. Kind of funny how life seems to go full circle and balance out the things we find passion in. What is my biggest goal you ask? I’m sharing it like it’s happened because I plan to #manifestthatshit and believing is the first step!

I’ve replaced my bartending income with my photography, and other creative adventure income.

I plan to keep journaling of course, because that has been a huge blessing for me. So far it has been my gratitude practice, pulling an affirmation card, pulling a Woodland Wardens card, along with my thoughts on those things. I’m trying to find new ways to break through old mind barriers. Finding my more confident self, and learning constantly. I’m sure I’ll find new things to incorporate, why not right?

My daughter, again inspiring me, is doing a BINGO card with things to do and check off this year. It sounds like a fun way to challenge myself to try some new things, and even commit to some better habits. I’ve really had a pull to start meditating again, I think that will be top of the card. You can see her TIKTOK about it HERE, I might be a little proud, and also hope you are inspired too.

Anyone else feeling like 2026 is going to be the best year yet???