Let’s talk about the complications of loving someone who’s abusive. My therapist called it trauma bonding, “when a person forms a deep emotional attachment with someone that causes them harm.” The cycle begins with abuse and is followed by positive reinforcement. I’m certain this cycle played out in my relationship, but there’s no denying that I built a bond with this person before the abuse started. What is it called…
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Let It Go
Read more“Let him go. I have so much more in store for you.” It took me a while to realize I was holding on. That beneath the anger and hatred, even the indifference I had felt towards my ex over the years, I was still holding on. After years of therapy, I felt ready to answer my ex’s repeated outreach: I wanted to talk. When God spoke those words over me,…
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The Best 14 Hiking Trails in Northern Washington!
Read moreNorthern Washington has some of the most beautiful and diverse trails in the country. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a beginner, there is a trail for everyone in this area. With its rugged mountains, lush forests, and stunning coastline, this region is a hiker’s paradise. To help you plan your next outdoor adventure, here are some of the best hikes in northern Washington, featuring Mount Baker, North Cascades National…
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A Lesson in Trust, Integrity, and Disappointment
Read moreThe other day I was scrolling through the documents in my “Writing” folder, when I stumbled upon this piece I wrote back in 2020. Sometimes God uses words I’ve previously written to speak to my current situation, and I just have to laugh at how spot on he is. This was one of those moments for me. It filled me with peace, and eased the ache in my heart so…
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Do This the Next Time You’re Depressed
Read moreDisclaimer: I am not a certified health professional. I have never formally been diagnosed with depression or anxiety. This post contains information based on my own experiences and what has helped me. If you are suicidal or need to speak with someone, the following list contains professional resources on how to get help. Hotlines National Hopeline Network: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433) National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) Substance Abuse and Mental Health…
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God Answers Prayers
Read moreI’ve come to learn when God answers prayers, they tend to look different than what I was picturing. As I rattle off my prayers to God like I’m going over a shopping list (do not recommend this method btw), I project my hopes and dreams in a glitter-tinted glow, imagining the desired outcome down to the minute details that have nothing to do with anything at all, like my hair,…
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Wildflowers
Read moreThis summer I went on a hike with my mom up at Shrine Pass. My mom wanted to see the high-alpine wildflowers that show off their beautiful colors this time each year. This hike held significance for several reasons. It was the first time doing a hike with any real elevation gain in almost two years. An injury – and chronic pain – has prevented me from hiking, which is…
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Faith the Size of a Popcorn Kernel
Read moreOne thing I really love about Jesus is that he requires us to have very little faith in order for him to work in our lives. Okay, some might say that’s heresy, but it’s true. Having faith can be really hard. It’s always easier to follow the world’s standards, to take matters into our own hands, to just do what everyone else is doing. As humans, we are messy and…
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The Ultimate Guide to Ambergris Caye, Belize
Read moreIt’s another hot summer for the books in Colorado, sweltering days that have us shaking our heads and wondering if we’ve somehow been transplanted to Arizona. That’s how I feel anyway, and in June I got to escape to the tropical paradise of Ambergris Caye (pronounced ‘key”.) I didn’t expect to completely fall in love with Belize’s largest island located 35 miles off the mainland, but I did. We spent…
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Living Proof: How My Dating Disasters Taught Me About God’s Love
Read moreThere’s an expression coined by my pastor that I love: the faith journey is about progression, not perfection. This is a mantra I repeat to myself on a daily basis. I used to compare myself a lot to other Christians because I didn’t feel like I was doing it right. I didn’t feel like I was good enough. But over the past couple of years since deep-diving into my faith,…
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How to Embrace “The Mary Season”
Read moreIn the last couple of years, I’ve realized that life has its seasons – not just climatically but personally. Some seasons I’ve been a goal-setter, a hustler, a manifestor; going for my dreams and bringing them to life. Other seasons – like the one that I’m currently in – it’s less about getting to the destination as it is about the journey. It’s about doing less and being more present.…
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Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Travel Solo
Read moreI’ll admit, I’m kind of addicted to going on solo adventures. The more I travel solo, the more empowered and confident I become – it’s like a game, where I level-up within myself. Overcoming loneliness, experiencing self-discovery, and making new friends are just a few reasons why I love to travel on my own. As I discussed in my blog post on safety, most people are afraid to travel by…
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It’s Hard Being a Christian Sometimes
Read moreYou know what most Christians won’t tell you? Sometimes it’s really fucking hard to follow Jesus. In the spirit of honesty, I’m going to tell you that I’m seriously feeling fed up. Fed up with myself and fed up with God. Before I was really active in my faith, I thought that being a Christian meant following a bunch of dumb rules. And if you know me, you know that…
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A Simply Honest Post
Read moreAlright, guys. I have taken some time off from the blog, and during that time I’ve done a lot of work internally. And what I feel I need to share with you the most, is just an honest update. The truth is… I have been struggling. Like I said in my last post, grief hit me hard over the holidays and it was like the grief was a gateway for…
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The Stars Were Made for You
Read moreOn Christmas day, I woke up grieving my cousin. This wasn’t strange given the two-year anniversary of her death was on the 26th, but it still surprised me at how awful I felt. Grief is a weird thing. It can hit you out of nowhere at the most random times and be minuscule during the times you think it would be a bigger deal. It’s also not linear at all.…