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. 

5 Things You Should Never Do When Buying a New Car

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Buying a new car can be an expensive business, whether you are buying new or used, so it is really important that you take your time and get it right. You want to feel excited, and maybe a bit smug about your new purchase, not dejected and ripped off, after all, right? So, before you sign that contract and drive that new car away, make sure you are aware of these five car buying mistakes, so that you do not make them!

1. Never Skip the Research

Would you walk into a tattoo shop and point randomly at the wall? No? Then why would you buy a car without knowing what you are getting into? Make sure you research prices, reviews, trims, and real-life reliability stories. And not just from the car manufacturer’s site. Try forums, review sites, and the occasional deep-dive YouTube rant. It is not paranoia, it is preparation.

2. Do Not Fall for the “It Is the Last One” Line

Ah, the classic pressure move. If a dealer tells you “this is the last one in stock,” do not immediately whip out your wallet like you are bidding on a lost treasure. This line is usually code for “please panic so I do not have to negotiate.” Stay cool. If it really is the last one, there will be more elsewhere. The world is not running out of cars.

3. Never Buy on the First Visit

Buying a car should not feel like a fast-food order. Take your time. Compare different models, test drive a few, and visit more than one dealership. Your perfect car might be just down the road, and you will never know if you already signed your life away because they had decent coffee. Check out Skoda dealers as well if you are looking for reliability and value. A few extra stops now can save you a long-term commitment to something you barely like.

4. Do Not Forget the Extra Costs

Sure, the car itself might fit your budget. But what about insurance? Maintenance? Fuel? Monthly payments on that extended warranty you agreed to while daydreaming about lunch? Remember, the sticker price is just the start. Budget like a grown-up, even if you plan to drive like a teenager who just got their license.

5. Never Skip the Test Drive (And Make It a Real One)

Spending five minutes circling a dealership lot is not a proper test drive. You would not buy a mattress after sitting on it for twelve seconds. Take the car on real roads. See how it handles traffic, turns, parking, and potholes. This is your chance to figure out if the car fits your life, not just your Instagram feed.

Learn from Other People’s Regrets

When you’re buying a new car, it’s sensible to learn from the mistakes others like you have made in the past, because, although it is not rocket science, there are pitfalls that it is easy to fall for, and you don’t want to regret your decision, right?

How to Buy a Car Without Spending Too Much

 

Image Credit: I’M ZION from Unsplash.

You’ll have plenty of reasons to buy a car. It could be essential for your daily life and getting to and from everywhere you need to be. But, that doesn’t mean you should just buy one of the first ones you should come across.

You’re much better off making sure you take the right approach. This is especially true when it comes to making sure you can actually afford it.

While this can be a relatively tricky balancing act, it doesn’t need to be. Focusing on the right areas should be more than enough to help with this. The right steps should have a significant impact on the process going forward.

Do Your Homework

Before going to a dealership, it’s always worth doing your research to figure out what you want. Look into different types of cars to see which ones you want. It’s also worth looking into the different dealerships you go to. You wouldn’t want to end up at one that has quite a few BMW car finance claims against it or that gives you a terrible deal.

Decide Between New & Used

It’s always worth considering both new and used cars when you’re considering buying. Used cars will naturally be much more affordable, but you’ll have to shell out more for repairs and maintenance. Weigh the pros and cons of both before making a decision. That way, there’ll be less to worry about.

Set a Budget

One of the largest areas you’ll need to put some time and effort into is setting a budget for your new car. This could be the most important step to take. It helps you narrow down your options to what you can afford without putting too much financial stress on yourself. Make sure this is a priority going forward.

Consider the Total Cost of Ownership

Speaking of a budget, don’t just focus on the asking price when you’re putting this together. Instead, you’re much better off focusing on the total cost of owning the car. This includes insurance, gas, the monthly repayments, and more. Make sure you can actually afford these long-term before committing to anything.

Negotiate

When you’re on a relatively tight budget for a car, it’s always worth trying to negotiate as much as you can. Most dealerships have a little bit of wiggle room with their prices, and it’s always worth trying to take advantage of this. At a minimum, you could get a little off the asking price or a few free extras.

Trying to buy a car can often seem relatively complicated. You’ll have to deal with sales tactics, different terms and conditions, and more. Then there’s making sure you can actually afford the one you want, which can be a chore in itself.

Thankfully, there are ways to make it much easier for yourself. Focusing on the right steps should be more than enough to help with this going forward. By sticking to them as much as you can, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to afford your new car.