During the covid-19 lockdown, I was furloughed and living alone, with a hefty stipend from the government. I did as any young twenty-something would do and spent my time feeding into targeted marketing. I bought new makeup, skincare, clothes, home decor - anything to fill the void of experiencing the real world. Corporations managed to profit more than ever, yet convinced us that it was our duty to ‘recover the economy’ once things opened up again. Which, yes - recover the economy by supporting local businesses, using public transportation, and participating in arts and culture. Not continuing to buy useless plastic from billion dollar corporations. Consumerism makes you think that you need to constantly have more. It has resulted in mental health and environmental problems just to scratch the surface. It has become increasingly hard to drown out the noise, but consuming less is possible and even more fulfilling than buying the hot new product in your feed.

When I got out of prison after a year and a half, I had nothing. I lost my home, my career, and my professional license. I was released on an ankle monitor and didn’t even have a place to go. I had to start completely over with no safety net, no roadmap, and no idea what was next. It was terrifying. I went from having stability to sleeping wherever I could and trying to figure out how to make something of myself again. But I didn’t give up. I found my way step by step. I discovered a new career path. I rebuilt my life from scratch. And now, over 12 years later, I’ve created something solid and I want to help others do the same.

For a long time, I’d set huge goals and then beat myself up when I didn’t reach them. I thought motivation alone would carry me, but when life hit hard, I lost steam, got discouraged, and stopped trying. I didn’t realize I was setting myself up to fail by not having a real plan. When I learned about SMART goals: setting goals that were Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, it changed everything. I started small. I tracked progress. I let go of the idea that everything had to happen overnight. And slowly, I started seeing real change. I built confidence, momentum, and most importantly, self-trust. If you’ve struggled with staying on track, feeling overwhelmed, or not knowing where to start, let’s talk. Setting goals isn’t just about success. It’s about healing and believing in yourself again. What We Can Talk About Together:

The aches started off small—just a bit of stiffness—but they’ve become a steady part of life. Still, I get up, I move, and I keep going. Mornings take a little more time, and I’ve learned to be more mindful with how I start the day. I still walk, I still garden, and I still do the things I love—maybe a bit slower, maybe with more intention, but I do them. My body feels different these days, thanks to menopause, but I’m learning to work with it rather than against it. I stay active, I stay positive, and I do my best to take care of myself while adjusting to this new chapter.