How I Went from Autopilot to All the Things (and How You Can Too)

Have you ever felt like you were floating? Like the days were just passing by turning into weeks?  That life was leading you but you weren't truly living each day?  I've been there....I wish I could tell you there was one magical moment when everything clicked — like some movie montage where I woke up at 5 AM, went for a run, meditated, and suddenly became the best version of myself while sipping a green juice (although I’ve learned to love green juice). But let's be real — I woke up at 5 AM because someone wet the bed, and the closest I got to meditation was hiding in the pantry eating stale Halloween candy.

 For years, I lived on autopilot — coffee-fueled mornings, goldfish for breakfast (sometimes my kids' leftovers, sometimes straight from the bag like a savage), and a whole lot of wine to wash it all down. I was running on empty, pouring everything into my family, my job, and everyone around me… except myself.

 It finally hit me — no one was coming to save me. I wasn’t going to magically wake up one day and feel like myself again unless I did something about it. The first step? Getting sick of my own shit and deciding that I wanted more. 

 So, I made a decision — not a drastic overhaul, but one small promise to myself: I was going to start showing up for me and taking action every day to live the life I wanted to live, one that truly fills me with joy, energy and grattitude.

The very first thing I worked on wasn’t my workouts, my eating habits, or my skincare routine — it was my mindset. I started intentionally flooding my brain with positivity. I shared motivational memes on Facebook (because what you consume matters, even on social media). I listened to podcasts in the carpool line instead of mindlessly scrolling. I downloaded Audible and swapped Netflix binges for books that reminded me of who I wanted to be.

I started focusing on visualization and taking clarity breaks to see the life I wanted to live.  What did it look like, feel like and what did I need to do to get there? To be happy, healthy and truly making a difference? 

 I joined a gym. I started setting boundaries at work (hello, Do Not Disturb mode!). And maybe the hardest part — I learned how to be a little selfish. Because here's the secret nobody tells you: Selfish isn’t a bad word when you're choosing yourself.  You can't be the best mom, wife, friend, partner, YOU NAME IT, if you aren't taking care of yourself.....READ IT AGAIN!

 Let me be clear — I still drink coffee like it's a personality trait. I still love my leggings. And there are still plenty of nights where I end the day with a glass of wine (or two). But now I also celebrate the tiny victories — the five minutes I carved out to journal, the salad I chose over drive-thru fries, or the fact that I remembered to drink a whole glass of water that day.  

If you're reading this and feeling like you've lost yourself somewhere between being mommy uber and work deadlines — you're not alone. The first step is deciding you're ready for a change. The second step? Celebrate the tiniest victory, no matter how small — because those little wins? They add up to something pretty freaking magical.  My story is still be written and so is yours.  Whats the next chapter going to look like?

What's one tiny victory you can celebrate today? Drop it in the comments — let's start stacking those wins together. Because you, my friend, are worth it.