Latest posts
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A Weekend Alone That Didn’t Feel Lonely
People sometimes ask if I get lonely doing things by myself. It’s a fair question. Some people hear “solo weekend” and imagine empty restaurants, awkward moments, or wishing someone else had come along. Years ago, I probably would have imagined the same thing. But this past weekend reminded me that being alone and feeling lonely
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Being Shy Didn’t Stop Me. It Just Came With Me.
If you’ve read many of my posts, you know that one of the hardest parts of moving to Florida wasn’t unpacking boxes or learning my way around a new town. It was starting over socially. Besides one wonderful friend I met through a Facebook post, I really didn’t know anyone. As someone who is naturally
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A Small Adventure That Meant More Than I Expected: An Airboat Tour on the Withlacoochee River
Yesterday, I did something a little different. I went on an airboat tour of the Withlacoochee River. It’s the kind of thing I’ve seen around since moving to Florida but never actually planned to do. One of those “maybe someday” activities that stays in the background while life goes on as usual. But yesterday, I
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What If We Lived Like Manatees Instead of Machines?
Since moving to Florida and discovering my love of paddle boarding, one of my favorite moments is when I am lucky enough to see manatees in the water. You don’t hear them coming. You just notice a large, quiet shape beneath the surface, moving slowly, almost effortlessly. They don’t rush.They don’t react.They don’t seem to
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Rediscovering Joy in Old Hobbies
Winter here in Florida was colder than expected this year. Between the chillier temperatures and the wind, my favorite hobby, paddle boarding, was suddenly off the table for a while. And with that, something shifted in my routine. The water had become such a regular part of my life that when it disappeared, I felt
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What Winter Taught Me About Rest
Even in sunny Florida, winter brings noticeable shifts. Shorter days. Cooler temperatures. Earlier sunsets that sneak up on you before you feel ready. Winter didn’t just change my schedule. It changed what rest looked like for me. Read on to find out what winter taught me about rest. Missing the Water and Learning to Sit With
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The First Paddle of the Year
The Long Break If you’ve read any of my other posts, you know that paddle boarding has become a big part of my routine. It’s something I look forward to every week, something that helps me slow down and reset. But this winter in Florida has been colder than usual. Between the chilly weather, early
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Making a Friend When You’re Shy, New, and Starting Over
The Facebook Post I Almost Ignored When I moved to Florida, I joined a bunch of local Facebook groups, hoping they might help me feel less alone in a new place.One of them was a group of women who met once or twice a month for events. I watched from a distance. I read the
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When Goodbye Comes Without Warning
The day started like any other. I got up, fed the dogs, had some coffee on the patio while the dogs happily sniffed around the yard. Everything felt ordinary. Normal. Familiar in the way mornings often are. My dogs gulped their food down as usual and explored the yard with joy. There were no signs.
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Why Paddle Boarding Is the Perfect Metaphor for Life
Life Doesn’t Come with a Stable Surface Life rarely feels steady. Much like stepping onto a paddle board for the first time, it often feels like learning as you go, adjusting in real time, and hoping you don’t lose your balance along the way. Even on days when the water looks calm, there is still