01/07/2026
There was a long stretch of my life where survival mode was the only mode I knew. As a kid, my nervous system was always on edge, constantly scanning the room, staying alert, ready to protect me from things that felt unsafe. At the time, I had no idea that hyper-awareness kept me going. My body and mind did what they had to do to get me through, and honestly, it was working overtime.
Now, I look back with a lot of gratitude. I can appreciate how hard my system fought for me and how much strength it took to survive those moments. And at the same time, I’m learning something new: I don’t have to live like that anymore. I can thank my body and my mind for protecting me, and also let my body and mind know it’s okay to trust now.
I’m practicing being present instead of always bracing for what’s coming next. I’m reminding myself that I’m safe enough to slow down, breathe, and actually live.
This feels like stepping out of survival and into a new beginnings. One where the past doesn’t get to run the show anymore. From here, we get to explore, dream, and take life as it comes. There’s still uncertainty, but there’s also joy, hope, and a lot more freedom than I ever thought possible. Happy Birthday kid!
