I did it. 

I’m not sure what clicked. 

But hearing a message from a couple of different areas—in my faith, my loved ones, with my mom friends, my career inspiration crew. 

I embraced that I have a choice. 

I can continue to ignore the things I know make my soul alive and happy or I can make the time.

I made a stand for me. 

For me to start treating myself better. 

So I can then be 100 percent for the ones I love the most, treating them better, loving them with even more of me.  

I’m choosing to spend time seeking out what really makes me feel good. 

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A snooze button for some doozy cuddled up moments with all of our littles who magically appeared in our bed in the wee hours of the night. 

A coffee—hot or cold or even lukewarm—but enjoyed in the sunshine. 

A pen in my hand while spending time with God reading my devotionals and writing down my prayers. 

An episode of New Girl while snuggled up with my husband. 

A dance party with my family when our living room becomes my little ones’ stage and every thing a microphone. 

A quick conversation with family catching up on daily life. 

A hug from my mom and dad. 

A dairy-free diet—even though I love me some cheese, I love me more, and goat cheese works.

A sweat—a hard, athletic, energetic sweat. 

An inside joke exchange with my husband over the hustle and bustle of daily life, that smiling expression when he looks up at me. 

A conversation with a friend even if it happens to be over long-winded voicemails or video messages. 

A loud woohoo! with arms reaching up to the sky in celebration when I hear good news. 

A drive with windows down, blaring a very eclectic playset. 

A good book or podcast. 

A really cold beer. 

These are the things that are becoming non-negotiable for me again. 

Things that bring joy into the little and big moments of life. 

Really, things that for my life feel like both the little and big moments. 

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The mental snapshots I will carry with me moving forward. 

They are what feels like the true me. 

I’m thankful to have rediscovered these pieces of me and to be in a place in my life to stand in them confidently. 

So this is me at 33. 

It may have taken me a while to get here—and although I have felt close before, there were surely some scenic detours—I know there is a long way to go, but my goodness, I am thankful for this now.