Tag: self love journey

  • ✨ Not Perfect—Just Practicing: A Tuesday of Realignment ✨

    Hey, hi, hello! Happy Tuesday!

    I’ve been struggling a bit to figure out what I want to say today. Once again, I’m trying to find my balance after a busy, social weekend — and trying my best to do it with grace.

    I’ve fallen into a pattern lately: I thrive during the week because I’m sticking to my routines, and then the weekend comes… and everything goes out the window. I did a better job giving myself rest between events this time, but I still struggled to maintain my movement routines. And over the last few weeks, I’ve learned something important:

    My daily walks and yoga are not optional. They are non-negotiable if I want to stay centered.

    I can be doing everything else — my morning pages, my nutrition, my hydration — but if I let my intentional movement slip, I find myself struggling sooner rather than later.


    🌞 Getting Back on Track

    Today I’m focusing on getting myself back on track, and honestly? It feels pretty good. I’m definitely still tired and dragging a bit, but the work is invaluable, so I’m pushing through.

    I started by getting out of bed within minutes of my alarm going off, even though every cell in my body was begging me to stay asleep. But consistency means waking up on time even when nothing on my schedule forces me to — so I did it.

    Next, I stepped outside for five quiet, distraction-free minutes of direct sunlight to reset my circadian rhythm. Just me, the dogs, deep breaths, gentle stretching, and early morning light.

    Then I sat down and did my morning pages and affirmations. After that, I made my breakfast shake and tried to start this blog post.


    🧘‍♀️ When the Words Won’t Come

    Writing felt weird this morning — like I was saying too much and not enough at the same time. Nothing felt aligned. My voice felt muddy. And then, out of nowhere, I got intense tension on the left side of my neck.

    It was like my body grabbed my attention and said, “Hey… the words aren’t blocked — you are.”

    So I listened.

    I closed my laptop, finished my shake, changed clothes, and rolled out my yoga mat. I did two Yoga With Adriene videos for the neck and upper body, and with each stretch I could feel myself dropping back into my body. My breath deepened. My shoulders softened. My mind quieted.

    When I tried to write again… nope. Still blocked.

    So I closed my laptop again, put on my sneakers, turned on the newest episode of The Mel Robbins Podcast, and hopped on the walk pad for my usual 45 minutes. With every step, I could feel myself coming home to myself again.

    Afterward, I showered and got dressed for the day.


    🌀 Therapy Round Two

    Today I also have my second appointment with my new therapist, and I’m really looking forward to it. Last week was mostly introductions — the real work starts today.

    Last week she asked what my 3-month goals were, what “success” would look like. I wasn’t sure at the time, so I gave myself space to think about it. Here’s what I came up with:

    • ✨ Find purpose — motivation for each day
    • ✨ Build more independence
    • ✨ Worry less about what others think
    • ✨ Fall asleep easier and faster
    • ✨ Feel more confident overall

    💜 Gentle, Not Lenient

    Today doesn’t feel glamorous — but it does feel important.

    I’m honoring my routines. I’m honoring my progress. I’m honoring the promises I’ve made to myself.

    I’m also learning what “being gentle with myself” actually means.

    In the moment, it’s easy to say, “I’m tired, skipping my walk is self-care.” It feels gentle. It sounds gentle. But it often pulls me further away from balance.

    Real gentleness means care, attention, and affection — even when I’m tired, even when I’ve lost my footing, even when I’ve made a mistake.

    I’m reparenting myself — and it’s messy, but meaningful. I’m showing up on the good days, the bad days, and the blah days because I know I’m worth the effort.

    This isn’t about perfection. I’m not trying to wake up someday and never stumble again. The goal is to love and nurture myself through the stumbles, not in spite of them.

    The more I keep going, the easier it becomes to find my center after a misstep. And with every stumble, I learn something valuable.

    I’m not failing — I’m learning. And that is the most important part.


    💬 Your Turn

    What helps you find your balance again after you’ve lost it? I’d truly love to hear.


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    Love always,
    Bailz 💜

  • 🌅 Morning Pages, Affirmations, and the Art of Showing Up (Even When You Don’t Want To)

    🌅 Morning Pages, Affirmations, and the Art of Showing Up (Even When You Don’t Want To)

    I’m currently on week two of working through The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, and I’m really enjoying the process so far. The biggest change I’ve incorporated is what Cameron calls morning pages — and let me tell you, they’ve been transformative.

    Every morning, as soon as I wake up, I sit at the kitchen table and write three full pages, longhand, in pure stream-of-consciousness style. I put the date and time at the top of the first page and just let it flow.

    Some mornings start with:

    • “I’m pissed off today because I’m so tired and annoyed with my night sweats.”
    • “I just feel angry today.”
    • “I don’t know what to write, I don’t know what to write,” — repeated for half a page until something new bubbles up, and off I go.

    Not always, but usually, by the time I reach the end of my third page, I feel lighter. Still tired, yes — but no longer radiating rage. After those three pages, I fill one more page (front and back) with affirmations inspired by a Mel Robbins podcast I recently watched:

    🎧 8 Things to Say to Yourself Every Morning to Change Your Life

    💬 The Affirmations I Write Each Day:

    • Today is going to be a great day.
    • Something cool is going to happen to me today.
    • No matter what happens today, I can handle it.
    • An exciting new chapter is beginning.
    • I need to give myself more credit for how hard I’m trying.
    • I am allowed to be a work in progress.
    • If I keep showing up, life will reward me.
    • I have something important to contribute to the world.

    Once I finish my three pages, I repeat those eight affirmations four times, which fills a front and back page perfectly. And when I’m done? I usually feel capable — sometimes even motivated enough to hop on the walk pad or roll out the yoga mat almost immediately without really having to talk myself into it. Considering how I often start these pages with “I’m so freaking angry right now,” that feels pretty miraculous.


    🌞 The Power of Showing Up

    There have been several mornings where I’ve wanted to skip the pages — to tell myself, “I’ll do them later.” But they’re not called whenever-you-want pages. They’re called morning pages. So I’ve stuck with them, and I’m honestly proud of that.

    This morning, though, was a real test.

    I was asleep by midnight with my alarm set for 8:00 AM so I could be up in time for my chiropractor appointment. But around 4:45, I woke up drenched in sweat — again. I changed clothes, moved to the guest room, and lay there for an hour before I fell back asleep. When I finally did, I had nightmares until Winston barked just before my alarm went off.

    I was furious when I got up. Bone-tired and frustrated. But I still sat down and wrote. The pages were messy, cranky, and full of complaints — but that’s the point. The act of writing helps me let go. I’d rather vent to the page than carry it in my chest all day.


    💫 Affirmations, Adjustments, and Exhaustion

    When I finished my pages, I tried to bargain with myself about skipping affirmations. “I’m tired. I have my appointment soon. I’ll do them later.” But I caught myself — that’s exactly when I need them most. So I did them anyway. I wrote fast, a little sloppy, but I still did them. And that counts.

    After that, I went to my chiropractic appointment. Dr. Lauren said she got everything adjusted that she wanted to today, which is great news. I’m a little sore, especially in my hips and neck, but that’s expected — my muscles are adjusting to the bones being where they’re supposed to be again.

    I wish I could say that put me in a great mood, but honestly, my sleep deprivation is catching up with me. I am so tired. I can’t remember the last time I woke up dry, or rested, or without dread in my chest. When that’s your normal, it wears you down.

    Heath and I have been doing a ton of research to figure out what’s causing it. I’ve adjusted my diet, started supplements, drastically reduced alcohol, added protein before bed, hydrated more, and focused on nervous system regulation. I’m doing everything right — and nothing’s working yet. It’s defeating. But I’m still hopeful that as my body continues to rebalance through chiropractic care and all the other work I’m doing, relief will come.

    When I got home from my appointment, I crawled back into bed for a nap. I woke up sweaty and cranky again, but I’m trying to stay patient. I know things will get better eventually. I have to believe that. Otherwise, I’ll lose my mind.

    For now, I’m just taking it one page, one stretch, one affirmation at a time.

    💜
    Love always,
    Bailz


    ✨ If you’re on your own healing or creative journey, I hope this reminds you that showing up for yourself doesn’t have to be perfect — it just has to be consistent. Every word, every stretch, every act of care counts. You’re doing better than you think. 💜

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