Category: LIFE-ING

As she asked about my tattoos she gently placed her hand on my shoulder and said, “Hey Ang, I’m glad you’re still here.” And in that moment I felt loved, seen and understood without having to explain a single thing more.

A semicolon is used in writing when an author could have chosen to end their sentence, but they chose not to. It’s a reminder that my story isn’t over – that despite the darkness I’ve faced, I chose to continue writing my story, one day at a time. It’s a symbol of strength and courage, a testament to the fact that I survived my darkest moments and emerged stronger than ever.

I want to remind anyone who may be struggling that you are not alone. Your story isn’t over, and there are people who care about you and want to help you through the tough times. Together, let’s continue to support each other, spread love and kindness, and remind ourselves that our stories are worth writing.

Today, I want to open up about something SUPER personal. My lifelong mental health struggles have taken its toll on my teeth. It’s been a tough journey – anxiety and depression made it hard to keep up with regular brushing and flossing, and the effects of my eating disorder only exacerbated the situation. To make matters worse, I had some awful experiences with dental providers when I was younger, which resulted in botched jobs and added to my fear and anxiety around dental work.

I’m on the better side of those mental health battles now, and feel EXTREMELY strong in my recovery. I’m more determined than ever to take care of myself in EVERY way possible. That includes fixing my teeth. However, I have to be honest – my anxiety and fear of dental work are VERY VERY real. The second I am in that chair my heart races and the tears start to fall and depending on the treatment my body will just start shaking uncontrollably.

Despite that fear, I’ve spent the better part of a year working on fixing ALL the things that need fixing and getting my smile back to one that I’m proud of. Not one that reminds me of all my past mistakes. I still have a LONG road ahead of me but I keep chipping away little by little and with each fix that’s made I feel a little bit of that fear chipping away too.

I share all of this with you in hopes that it can help anyone who feels the same or has felt similar. I want to remind anyone else who struggles with anxiety that it’s okay to feel scared. I want to remind those who struggle with depression to go brush your teeth even if that’s your only win for the day. It’s okay to cry, to shake, to feel overwhelmed. But it’s also okay to reach out for help and support.

So here’s to taking small steps towards better dental health, even if it means facing our fears head-on. I am EXTREMELY grateful to have a VERY good team of Doctors who take my anxiety and my care very seriously. And I am EXTREMELY thankful to have the courage to work through the REALLY REALLY hard shit.

A moment of honesty here…I almost had to break up with the scale. But we talked things through and I’ve decided to give it another chance. And by “we” I mean you and me by way of this post here so thank you for the talk.

Truth is the number on the scale hasn’t budged for a while and I am pretty frustrated. I was REALLY enjoying my own little game to see how many of my health metrics I could change and how what I would eat could change them. But they have been sitting strong and steady at the best they have been my entire life and it FRUSTRATES me. Say what!?! Yeah, I know it sounds stupid but this is just where my head is at right now. The “game” is over and I am bummed. This is where things can get real bad real fast for me if I’m not careful. I don’t want to get too discouraged by the numbers and start to overthink things.

So instead of spiraling let’s celebrate a non-scale victory by sharing some more side by sides I never thought would see the light of day. I started off this summer wearing swimsuits I have owned for years but had never worn because they were too small. And now with summer coming to an end some of those same swimsuits are now too big! So yeah, the scale hasn’t budged but that doesn’t mean things aren’t happening. That doesn’t mean the work I’m putting in is all for nothing. And that ABSOLUTELY DOES NOT give me an excuse to fly off the rails and self sabotage. There IS a transformation there and it cannot be measured by the scale alone. Period.

From One Worry Wart To Another,

Life is to be lived in the present — in the here and now! So stop wasting your time worrying about tomorrow when you have more than enough going on today that needs all of your attention. Embrace the beauty of the present moment and cherish every experience it brings. Let go of those nagging worries and anxieties that hold you back and instead, focus on the incredible opportunities that surround you RIGHT NOW. Take a deep breath, take that leap of faith, and see where life takes you! Remember, the future will unfold in its own time, and agonizing over it won’t change a thing. So get out there and MAKE EVERY DAY A GREAT DAY no matter what life throws your way! You’ve got this babe!

With Love From,

A Recovering Worry Wart

I’ve always been that woman who wears her heart on her sleeve, unafraid to show the world my emotions and vulnerabilities. Well, guess what? I’ve taken it a step further and now wear my life story on my sleeve.

Each tattoo etched on my skin tells a chapter of my journey—the highs, lows, and everything in between. It’s a collection of memories, lessons, and so much personal growth. These tattoos are not just mere illustrations; they’re my badges of courage, resilience, and self-expression.

I’ve always believed that our stories make us who we are, and now I carry mine with me wherever I go. They serve as a constant reminder of the battles I’ve fought, the love I’ve experienced, and the dreams I’ve pursued fearlessly.

But let’s not forget the most important part—my story is far from complete! Each new day brings fresh experiences, challenges, and opportunities for continued growth. With every step I take, my sleeve will continue to evolve, reflecting the ongoing chapters of my ever-unfolding life. So here’s to being bold, vulnerable, and embracing our journeys with open hearts. Remember, it’s never too late to rewrite the narrative.

I also want to give a HUGE shoutout and sincerest THANK YOU to @abbydanis. I can’t find the words to express how grateful I am for the INCREDIBLE work you’ve done. Your artistic talent, expertise and professionalism have transformed my vision into a breathtaking reality. Now to start planning the next one…

Yes, life can be tough. REAL tough! Unfortunately that is something I know all too well. But it’s important to remember that our struggles don’t define us. It’s how we respond to them that TRULY matters. We can choose to let our challenges consume us, or we can choose to RISE ABOVE them and find the beauty in each and every day.

Believe me, I know that choosing to see the good isn’t always easy. But it IS always worth it. When we focus on the positive, we attract more positivity into our lives. We become happier, more fulfilled, and better equipped to handle whatever challenges come our way.

Remember that. no matter what life throws your way you have the power to make every day a GREAT DAY! No matter how difficult it may seem. Embrace the challenges, find the silver linings, and keep pushing forward.

Are you feeling so overwhelmed you don’t even know where to start??? Don’t worry, I have been there too. Drop a 🫶🏼 in the comments if you would like me to share more on just how to move past that freeze response. You’ve got this babe!

I joke around a LOT about how I can’t wait for the day I get Botox. But the truth is the thought of actually going through with something like that FREAKS ME THE F*€k OUT! I couldn’t even handle the feeling of a moving and growing baby in my belly so the thought of losing muscle control to my VERY EXPRESSIVE face is a no. It’s a hard pass for me.

In search of a more natural alternative I have gotten SUPER into really good, affordable skin care, better sun protection, and a TON of staring at myself in the mirror. But instead of tearing myself down and nitpicking at every little flaw I am speaking to myself with love and learning to embrace what I don’t like.

Take my forehead wrinkles for example. I am hands down most self conscious about my forehead wrinkles. If I can find a way to cut them off or crop them out I will do so. Just watch my stories. I do it almost every day. But today I am embracing my forehead wrinkles. They are a reminder of the beautiful and happy life I have lived. Because when I smile I don’t just smile with my mouth I smile with my whole dang face!

Stop hiding behind filters and let your true self shine through! Embrace your flaws, your imperfections, and your uniqueness. Share your unedited, filter-free photos with the world and show everyone that THE REAL YOU IS BEAUTIFUL, AUTHENTIC, AND WORTHY OF LOVE AND RESPECT. Let’s put the real in reality and inspire others to do the same. Tag me in your favorite filter-free photo! Let’s make this a thing!

We all have things we want to achieve in life, whether it’s hitting a fitness goal, learning a new skill, or simply taking better care of ourselves. And if you’re anything like me then you struggle to stick to your own goals because you’re always putting the needs of others before your own.

That’s where my daily non-negotiables come in. Consistency is the key to achieving anything in life. It’s not about making a huge effort once in a while, it’s about making a small effort every single day. Setting daily non-negotiables is a great way to stay consistent. These are habits that you commit to doing no matter what life throws your way. Maybe it’s waking up early and going for a run, or taking time each day to read and learn something new. Whatever it is, make it a priority and stick to it.

My daily non-negotiables include:

💦 Water first

☀️ Sunlight on my face

📚 Devotion and personal development

🏋🏻‍♀️ Move my body

🍽️ Eat like I love myself

😮‍💨 Breathe

It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day hustle and bustle of life, but remember, your goals and dreams are important. They are worth the consistent effort and work that it takes to achieve them. What’s a habit related to your goals that you’ve been wanting to create? Drop it in the comments and make that commitment to yourself today. You’ve got this! Keep pushing forward and never give up on your goals and dreams.