I’ve gone through chapters of my life that felt like survival mode. And even now, on the other side of some of those moments, I still struggle with feeling like I should be further along.

But lately, I’ve been sitting with this truth: just because something is slow, doesn’t mean it’s not happening.

There are parts of my life right now that I once dreamed of — even if they don’t look exactly how I imagined. And that deserves to be acknowledged.

I’m still learning how to be proud of where I am.I’m still learning how to let joy in, even in the middle of the mess.

If you’re in a place like that too, I just want to say: I see you. You’re not alone. Your story matters, even if you’re still in the middle of writing it.

One small practice that’s been making a big difference in my wellness journey is writing down what I’m grateful for.

I don’t always write in my gratitude journal every day, but I’ve been learning to be okay with that. When I do take the time, it helps me step back and notice what went right — even on the days that feel overwhelming or off. Some entries are really simple, like being grateful for a warm cup of tea or a quiet moment alone. Other times, I write about feeling proud of myself for following through on something hard, or just making it to the end of the day.

This practice has helped shift my focus from everything I didn’t get to, to what I did experience — however small or meaningful. It’s become a soft way to reset, and a reminder that there’s still something good to hold onto.

One of the hardest parts of taking care of my mental health has been learning how to appreciate where I’m at — not where I wish I was.

I’ve made real progress. I know that. But it’s still been a struggle not to feel behind, or disappointed that things aren’t moving faster. That kind of pressure builds quietly, and it takes the joy out of the present.

Lately, I’ve been trying to shift the way I see it. Slower doesn’t mean stuck. Healing isn’t linear. And there’s so much value in pausing to recognize that I’m living parts of the life I used to hope for — even if it doesn’t all look the way I imagined.

It’s a daily practice. Letting go of timelines. Choosing to be proud. Letting joy in, here and now.

If you’re working on this too, I see you. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.…

As a kid, I was always drawing, cutting things out, making little “projects” just for fun. Somewhere along the way, I stopped believing that kind of play could be part of my real life. But coming back to design — and making it my work — has felt like giving that younger version of me the space she never thought she’d get.

It’s not always easy. Deadlines and pressure can make it feel like the joy is missing. But when I step back and create just for the sake of creating, it’s like I’m telling my inner child, “You were right. This does matter.”

Still healing, still learning. But it feels good to be here!