Valley Roots

01/15/2026

11/08/2025

This week of self care, in review. I ate some things I love but that don’t love me back, so this weekend means healing and rest. Doubling down on the parts of humanity that still make sense- and keeping my servant heart.

11/05/2025

SUPPRESSING YOUR EMOTIONS MAKES YOU SICK.

11/01/2025

Some days we have it all together.

Some days we know we need all the good vibes & help we can get.

And on some days we hold ourselves accountable and do art for fun- like my students today.

But man, did I struggle. I had a headache and felt off all day. But I didn’t let the rain stop my streak.

I found some color left in the leaves, touched some bark, skipped some rocks, talked to my classroom plants 🤣, cooked lunch (enchilada soup) for my students, we cleaned, and created nice things.

I wanted to stay in bed, I wanted to hide from myself. I wanted to let the pain keep me stuck. I got frustrated with myself. I got frustrated with others. I got frustrated with my brain. I got frustrated with my body. I couldn’t write words that made sense or that portrayed my thoughts. But I showed up anyway and wrote anyway.

Mental health matters, sure, but what does that look like? It looks like our self care, our love, our joy, and our connections with nature, each other, and our creator god- however we see them.

Today was a day for excuses- but none were made. And that, friends, is how we break patterns and cycles of self harm and disordered thought processes. We show up for ourselves always. Even if it’s just a 10 minute adventure in the rain and a coloring book.

10/31/2025

such truth, Mr. Emerson; transcendentalist thought is much needed right now.

10/29/2025

Sunshine is the real MVP with chronic illness. If you can get 15 mins a day soaking up the rays (even on a cloudy day!), you’re healing your immune system. No pills or shots required ;)

10/23/2025

Hey friends, let’s not forget: all we have to do is what we can with the energy we have. Don’t get weighed down by all the hurt, grief, and suffering around you. Look away from the barrage of negativity. Feel your feelings, give them space. We are meant to be human, not machines. As hard as it is right now, don’t get disheartened. Humans need to collectively dig deep down inside and find all the goodness we have to give and give it when we can if we can. And if all we have to give is to keep ourselves alive, please, let’s just do that. Turn off the news, put down the phones, love yourself. Relentless self care. Cry when you need to. Eat good food. Drink healing things. Hug your loved ones. Pet your dog. Go for a walk. Write. Call a friend. Call me if you need to. But please, just stay. That’s it. 🙏🫶🏼🕊️☮️

10/22/2025

Thats it.

That’s the post.

10/16/2025

An excerpt from my book- an expose about how we've treated out neurodivergent children in our education system. It discusses addiction & the importance of meeting children where they are at to develop their gifts & strengths.