It’s amazing where the mind wanders when you finally have space to decompress.

Especially after an incessant period of life — when you’ve had to hold emotions in for the good of children, loved ones, or simply to keep the peace. Finances, illness, moving, breakups, breakdowns… the ups and downs of just living.

Like you, I’m not immune to any of this.

For the most part, 2025 has been okay and good. There have been wins — and I always make a point of noticing them. Watching my family evolve (two growing teenagers now), my crystal business, which I’m endlessly excited about, and honestly, you. Thank you for reading this blog, visiting the website, and connecting with Blissful Things. I’m deeply grateful to my customers and content supporters — you genuinely keep me going.

Most importantly, I’m incredibly grateful for a stable marriage. That steadiness matters more than words can say.

The Quiet Weight We Carry

Alongside dreams, hopes, and aspirations, there are always background forces we can’t control.

Other people’s thoughts.
Unsaid feelings.
Body language you notice but nothing is spoken.

The investment in someone or something that lets you down.
The moment someone — or something — takes the wind from your sails.
The “critical thinker” who suddenly flips into outright bitchiness so fast your brain barely catches up.

If you’re a service soul like me, your mind never really switches off. There are a thousand thoughts rolling around at once — dreams and directions mixed with care, empathy, and responsibility for others.

My grandma had a huge influence on my life. She rarely said a bad word about anyone. Truly. I can count on two fingers the times she was even slightly judgmental, which was a WWII reference and something else I will not mention.

She never got angry either. The last time I heard but never saw, as I wasn't yet born, was back in the 1950s, when she told off a relief teacher for forcing one of her children to write with their right hand when they were naturally left-handed.

I try every day to embody the humility, kindness, and goodness she taught me. I’m not perfect, its hard at times— but I try.

Don’t Let Your Brain Lie to You

On Boxing Day, a very wise woman said something to me that landed deeply:

“Don’t let your brain lie to itself.”

Those negative thoughts? They’re blocks.

How often are we our own harshest critic?

A Symbol in the Sand

So there I was, walking along the beach, letting 2025 slowly decompress out of my system. Quiet morning. Sand between my toes. Sun shining. Waves gently lapping in the background.

And without really knowing why, I felt compelled to draw a symbol in the sand.

Don’t ask me where it came from. Perhaps my inner hippie woo-woo self. But I drew it — slowly, intentionally — and once I was done, I took photos. Four of them.

It wasn’t until the last photo that I noticed something unexpected.

My shadow was pointing directly toward the symbol.

A symbol that, quite obviously, represents direction.

The Message That Came Through

And suddenly it made sense.

Don’t let others stand in your sun.
Don’t let them shadow your direction — including yourself.

It doesn’t matter what direction you choose.
It’s yours.
Not anyone else’s.

We all deserve to walk forward without shrinking, second-guessing, or dimming ourselves for others’ comfort.

If this message resonates with you, take it as a gentle reminder from the universe — or the sand beneath your feet — that your path is valid, your direction matters, and your light deserves to be seen.

Thank you for being here. 🤍