Asking ‘What do I want?’ is one of the best ways to check in with yourself. On a recent podcast episode, Mel Robbins explored Sakichi Toyoda's Five Whys method. This method is not just another self-help tool; it's a powerful call to action for discovering what you truly want in life.

Recently, I've been toying with the idea of trading my smartphone for a flip phone and getting a landline for the house. I doubt I'm alone in this desire to disconnect and return to a simpler life.

But for now, without doing anything drastic, I'll turn off my phone or keep it out of sight. The summer offers an opportunity to unplug and reset, and there’s no time like the present.

When it comes to milestones, we often let society determine which ones are worth celebrating. Whether it's a "0" year birthday or not, your first home purchase or your last, a new baby or a new dog (or cat), shouldn't we be the ones to decide which events mark the most meaning in our lives?

Writing a memoir can be incredibly cathartic and even eye-opening. Of course, when and how you decide to share your story with them is up to you.

I am thankful for every reminder that we don't live forever, even when it brings sadness and grief. You've probably heard the saying, "Live each day as if it were your last." It's been quoted by many and challenged by many more. Paulo Coelho countered this idea with, "Don’t live every day as if it were your last. Live every day as if it were your first.". Yet, most of us do neither…

While these suggestions are meant to help you recall forgotten memories, they will only work if you make an effort to write them down if and when they come back to you. They say that memory is fleeting…and that's even more true with a memory you've already lost once.

One thing I've learned from the countless hours I've spent interviewing memoir clients is that our lives are made up of our choices. Our power is in how we choose to respond and, ultimately, in the decisions we make, but beyond that, it's up to us to let go and trust.

If you’re often told that you need to write a book about your life but are unsure where to start, then a memoir is an excellent option. Taking time to reflect and review will offer clarity and allow you to redefine your values and priorities as you move into your next life phase.

The language we use is habitual, from the stories we tell ourselves to the words we choose. Language forms our identity—it shapes how others receive us and how we see ourselves. By choosing to say when instead of if and will instead of would, you have the power to change how you perceive yourself and how your message is received.

Whatever you decide to do with your next year, remember that when we create goals and habits that align with our values, they will be easier to stick to and return to whenever we fall off track. 

So much is lost in war. War is about much more than a country's politics; it's about the complete annihilation of a peoples' culture and heritage.

I’ll be honest with you, these past three years, and even now, as I type this (amid so much uncertainty in the world), my husband and I have spent a lot of time grasping for stability and some sense of control over our lives. But (and no surprise here) that hasn’t gotten us very far.

This is something that I say to myself a lot. I don't have enough time to grow my business. I don't have enough time for my family. And most of all, I don't have enough time to take any "free time" for myself.

Every year I start with a list of goals and aspirations. This year, instead of a list of goals (ok, I have some of those too), I've decided to focus on a single word, on an intention, and a feeling: that of connection. 

This weekend, we drove into the foothills of the Rocky Mountains with my Father in Law to cut down our Christmas tree. This annual tradition is something that I remember well from my childhood, which is why I wanted to share it with our daughter this year.

We all operate on autopilot at times, whether at work, at home, or in our relationships with our spouses and kids. Being together 24/7 for months has triggered survival mode in many of us, and autopilot is an easy default. I don’t know if absence really makes the heart grow fonder, but independence is essential for growth, and growth allows us to thrive.

Lately, I've been doing a lot of thinking about values and what we value most in our family. Values are the foundation for what makes us who we are. Every family has them, whether you put emphasis on them or not.

In case you needed one, this is a reminder that we all have the ability to create a legacy, whether through greatness or with kindness, through years of service, or with one profound gesture or idea.

The holiday season was very different this past year. Many of us weren't able to visit with our families, attend church services, or even volunteer our time as we have in the past. This got me thinking about holiday traditions, what they mean to our families, and which ones are worth continuing or just forgetting about.