The Summer of 35

When Words Feel Scarce This week, I find myself with very little to say. It’s not that there’s nothing happening—there’s actually too much. My hope feels weakened, stretched thin by the expectations I place on myself to "get it together," to make things work, to rise above. The pressure is real, and lately, it’s been sitting heavily on my shoulders, pressing down on every part of my being. The Weight of Self-Expectation I’m aware that most of the weight I carry comes from within—from the dreams I have, the goals I’m chasing, and the high standards I set for myself. I want to be further. I want to feel more in control. And when that doesn’t happen on my timeline, it feels like failure—even when I know it isn’t. But despite that, I am deeply grateful. Grateful that I’m still in the game. Grateful that even when I’m tired, I haven’t stopped. Grateful for the self-awareness that allows me to acknowledge my weariness without drowning in it. Grace for the Process What I’ve c...

Mild and Maturing Reflections This week’s reflections are just okay—not amazing, not terrible, but a soft in-between. And I’ve accepted that. I find myself subtly recalling the years of my life that made the most sense. Moments where I truly felt alive, immersed in the joy and thrill of simply existing. I won’t lie—this journey has been a steep hill, but it’s been one that has molded me. A chisel shaping stone, crafting perseverance in the face of adversity. Resilience in Chaos Life, with all its complexities and curveballs, continues to teach me how to be a persistent soul. It's in the chaos and confusion that I’m discovering the quiet power of resilience. Every twist, every trial, every delay—somehow, they are all creating something purposeful. The Truth of Being Human While the road hasn’t always been smooth, it has certainly been enriching. I’ve learned lessons in life, in self, and in community. I’ve come to appreciate both the scars and the healing, the solitude and the ...

The Mental Weight of This Week This week was hard. The kind of hard that makes you stop in your tracks and reevaluate everything. I've had tough days mentally before, but something about the emotional and psychological exhaustion that hit me this week felt different. I could feel myself nearing burnout — teetering on the edge of letting go of everything I’ve worked so hard for.  When You Feel Like You're Carrying It Alone I’ll be honest — I’ve felt lonelier than usual this week. The weight of the journey, the countless detours I’ve taken, the sacrifices that no one sees… they all sat heavy on my spirit. There’s something sobering about feeling like you’ve taken so many steps forward but still questioning if you’re where you’re meant to be.  Choosing Rest Before Collapse In the midst of all the overwhelm, I made one choice I’m proud of: I chose to pause. To rest. To breathe. I knew if I kept going the way I was, I’d crash completely. And I refuse to let that happen. I’ve p...

  Rest Isn’t Laziness, It’s Wisdom This week, I’m naming it my I Need Rest week. I’m tired—tired of constantly trying so hard, always pushing myself, always aiming for the next goal. I don’t want that to be my entire life. I don’t want this endless hustle to be the only lens through which I view success. If every season of your life feels like a storm, at what point do you admit you’re exhausted?  There’s Never Been Peace While Working I realize that I’ve never had a season where I was both working and at peace. There’s always been pressure, always chaos, always some form of emotional or financial tension. I find myself deeply fatigued—not just in my body, but in my spirit. Even being hopeful is tiring when it feels like it’s not met with results.  Maybe It’s Me I don’t want to make any rash decisions, but I’ve been thinking… what if I’m part of the reason things feel so stagnant? What if my lack of consistent focus is keeping me from moving forward? I’ve spent year...

A Week of Disappointments This week hasn’t been easy. It’s been filled with moments of disappointing news—things I didn’t see coming, things I couldn’t fix, and things I simply had to accept. I’m learning that sometimes, no matter how hard you try, life delivers lessons you didn’t sign up for. Ac cepting What I Can’t Change I’ve had to lean into surrender. I’ve had to  remind myself that not everything is within my control, and that’s okay. The peace I seek isn’t in the outcome—it’s in my ability to stay grounded despite it all. Grateful in the Midst of Chaos Even in the storm, I’m reminded of the good. I’m still here. I’m alive. My body works, my heart still hopes, and by God’s grace, my family is healthy. That alone is a miracle.   Holding on to Faith So I choose gratitude. I choose to believe that even in this storm, something beautiful is unfolding. Peace is mine, even here. Regards  May it be well with you. ❤️❤️❤️