11 Months in Heaven

It’s hard to believe it’s been 11 months since my sister left this world and stepped into eternity. Some days it feels like just yesterday, and other days the weight of her absence feels heavier than I can explain.

She wasn’t just my sister—she was my best friend, my biggest cheerleader, the one who knew my heart without me saying a word. Life hasn’t been the same without her laugh, her love, her presence. I still find myself reaching for the phone to call her or thinking, “I can’t wait to tell her this.” Then reality hits.

Grief is a strange, winding road. There are days filled with memories that make me smile, and others that bring tears out of nowhere. But through it all, I carry her in everything I do. Her love, her strength, and her faith still guide me.

Heaven gained such a beautiful soul 11 months ago. And while I miss her more than words can say, I know she’s at peace, watching over us, probably laughing and shaking her head at some of the things we do.

I’ll love you always, sis. Until we meet again. 💔🕊️

How To Make Sure You Take Care of Yourself

It’s strange, a lot of people seem to think that it’s inherently selfish to take care of themselves. However, if you can’t look after yourself, you won’t be able to care for those you love. Whether you’re a parent, a spouse, a child responsible for older parents, or just someone who is feeling burned out by the world around you, you need to take care of yourself.

This is what’s known as “self care”. But how can you take that concept and apply it to your life?

Image Credit.

Get Help When You Need It

One of the best things you can do is to realize that life isn’t a solo challenge. We’re all going through the same things, so there’s nothing wrong with reaching out and asking for a bit of support. Here are a few suggestions for how you can do this.

First, you can hire help. People seem to forget that this is an option, but you can hire a cleaner like the Seattle Green Cleaning Fairy to do a deep cleaning job or just help you to keep on top of the weekly chores. This means you have more time and more energy in the day.

You can also talk to your friends and family about what you need. A listening ear can be so helpful, as well as a night out or a nice walk to just take your mind off life. Otherwise, they might be able to help you more practically, but be sure to reciprocate when they need it.

In some cases, you may need professional healthcare help. This might be physical support or it could mean counselling or therapy to help you deal with emotional problems or mental health disorders.

Find Fulfilling Hobbies

Hobbies seem like an indulgence, but they’re actually very important for maintaining your mental and physical health. Hobbies help you to be more creative, active, or just to have fun and relax. Losing interest in your hobbies is one of the first signs of depression or anxiety.

If you find that your hobbies aren’t fulfilling, don’t be afraid to look for new things to do. You don’t have to be really skilled at a hobby to have fun. You can join different groups and clubs and meet new people, and you never know what you might end up enjoying.

Get Proper Sleep

One of the most common issues that people have is sleep deprivation. Insomnia and other sleep disorders can have a hugely negative effect on your health and happiness. You might struggle to concentrate on tasks or you might just feel grumpier and more irritable. 

If you’re burned out, these problems can compound, as you find it even harder to sleep. Because burnout is basically exhaustion, sleep is so important for recovery.

In this case, you need to try to improve your sleep hygiene. Find things that calm you down before bed so you aren’t kept up by stress and can actually get some shut-eye and recover more quickly.

Happy 4th Birthday to My Precious Grandbaby Saelah 🎉💛

Today, my heart is overflowing as we celebrate four wonderful years of your life, my sweet, beautiful granddaughter Saelah.

From the very moment I laid eyes on you, with your soft blonde curls and those big, sparkling eyes full of wonder, I knew you were something truly special. You took a piece of my heart that day—and you’ve held it ever since.

These past four years have been filled with so much joy because of you. Your laughter is music to my ears. Your smile brightens even the darkest of days. Your hugs wrap around my soul and heal parts of me I didn’t even know needed healing. You are magic, sweet girl. Pure sunshine in human form.

I watch you grow, and I’m in awe of who you are becoming—curious, clever, kind, a little spark of sass, and full of love. You have a light inside of you that is meant to shine bright in this world. Never let anything dim it, my darling.

Every curl on your head, every giggle from your lips, every moment spent with you is a gift I treasure deeply. Being your grandma is one of the greatest honors and greatest joys of my life.

So today, as we sing and blow out candles and celebrate you, I want you to know this: You are deeply loved. You are cherished. And no matter how big you grow, you’ll always be my little Saelah—my precious blonde, curly-haired baby girl.

Happy 4th birthday, sweetheart. 💕🎂🎈
Nana loves you more than you’ll ever know.

Diagnosed with Burnout: What I’m Feeling Right Now

This past Thursday, I was officially diagnosed with burnout.

It was a moment that came with a strange mix of emotions — part disbelief, part relief, and part grief for the version of myself that thought I could keep going at this pace forever. I sat there listening to the words, and deep down I knew it was true. But until someone said it out loud, I didn’t want to believe it.

The Ones Who Saw It Before I Did

The truth is, others saw the signs before I did. Judy gently mentioned a few times that I seemed “off” — more tired than usual, more withdrawn. Aunt Jeannie, in her sweet and direct way, even told me, “You’re running on empty, and I’m worried about you.” I’d always smile, brush it off, tell them I was just busy, or “having a week.”

To be honest, I didn’t believe them. I thought I was just tired. I thought maybe I needed to manage my schedule better, get a bit more sleep, or drink more water. But looking back now, they were right — they saw the unraveling I was trying so hard to hide. And maybe a part of me did know, but I wasn’t ready to admit that I wasn’t okay.

What Burnout Feels Like

Burnout doesn’t announce itself loudly. It builds slowly, like a weight pressing down on your chest, making it harder to breathe, harder to focus, harder to feel. I wasn’t just physically tired. I was emotionally and mentally drained. Everything felt heavy. Even the smallest tasks became overwhelming. I’d lost my motivation, my spark, my ability to bounce back.

Since Thursday, I’ve been sitting with so many emotions:

• Guilt, for not listening sooner — to others, and to myself.

• Shame, for not being able to “handle it all” like I always have.

• Gratitude, for the people who saw me slipping and tried to hold me up.

• Relief, for finally having clarity — for naming what I’ve been feeling.

• Fear, because recovery means slowing down, and I’ve forgotten how to do that.

Admitting It

Admitting I have burnout felt like admitting defeat — but now, I’m starting to see it as an invitation. A chance to stop pretending. A chance to rest. A chance to find my way back to me.

It’s still hard to sit in this space. I don’t know what healing looks like yet. But I know it starts here: with honesty, with boundaries, and with listening to the people who love me — the ones who knew I was hurting even before I could say it out loud.

To Anyone Else Out There

If you’re reading this and something in you resonates — if you’re pushing through each day feeling like a shell of who you once were — please know this: you’re not lazy, and you’re not broken. You’re likely burned out. And it’s okay to pause. It’s okay to fall apart. It’s okay to need help.

Burnout is not the end of the road. It’s a redirection.

So today, I’m choosing to take that detour. To rest, to reset, to receive the love and support I’ve been too busy to acknowledge. I’m learning that even strength has its limits — and that real strength is knowing when to stop.

Thank you, Judy and Aunt Jeannie, for seeing me when I couldn’t see myself. I’m listening now.