Strength Doesn't Come From Easy Things

Three Heel Clicks -Strength Doesn't Come From Easy Things

I’ve been sharing so much lately about strength on my social media. The thing I’ve found about strength is that is just doesn’t feel like you are strong when you are building it. In fact, what it actually feels like is that you’re not strong enough. With one foot in front of the other you can make it through. Building strength comes from the toughest things you endure. For each person that looks different because we are made of different life circumstances. We come from different degrees of tough and every person has a different version of struggle. As I continue to move through life I realize that pain is pain no matter what degree and no one moves through their lifetime without enduring something or the other they may almost break them.

I believe that in our darkest hours we have the ability to choose light. Maybe you are overcoming addiction and it’s a minute by minute play to say no to the destruction. Maybe you are in a toxic relationship and trapped because you financially depend on the person who is tearing you apart each day. Maybe you’ve been trying to get pregnant and it’s just not happening. Maybe you are on your sixth failed relationship with no marriage and no kids. Pain is pain and darkness can make us do things that are out of character… You can choose differently. You can find a way to make your life a legacy even when it feels like a hell. You can change your entire life. I promise you have the power.

It’s not going to be easy and you don’t want easy. Easy doesn’t come with the level of joy and peace that hard does. Easy doesn’t build endurance or character. Easy isn’t the answer. The circumstance in your life are here for you to choose. You choose the path you are going to go on next. You choose if you are going to say no to a substance. You choose if you are going to do the inner work it’s going to take to be in a marriage. You choose asking for help if you are in a terrible relationship. And when you choose it’s going to be the hardest things you’ve ever faced.

It’s going to take every single bit of strength left inside of you and believe me it’s going to feel like it will break you. But it’s in that hardness you’ll find your peace. It’s enduring those trials and coming out of them that you’ll be able to help others. It’s in those moments of utter destruction and it feels like your life is in a thousand pieces that you figure out how to put just two pieces back together. Then, you’ll put two more together and two after that… You’ll look back and suddenly your life is a beautiful mosaic that shows others how to put their life back together. Will it ever look like it used to? No. It will be better. It will be stronger. It will be unbreakable, unshakable and your broken heart will be bound by love which cannot be destroyed.

So what is holding you back? What can you do today to move towards a better life? What’s one baby step you can take? You have the power!

You can do this!

Blog
10 Things I Learned This Year
10 Things I Learned This Year

This past year has amounted to an extreme amount of growth. Almost a year ago, I made the decision to go back to one-on-one counseling to sort out some stuff that was surfacing emotionally in my life. It was so hard, but I finally feel like I’m on the upswing and things are more manageable. It’s easy to make excuses in our lives for behaviors we did when we were not at our best. It’s also really easy to blame others for the things that went wrong. Ultimately, accepting full responsibility for my life has given me freedom and inner power I did not know a few years ago. I’m going to share with you today 10 Things I Learned this Year in hopes of inspiring you to rise above your current state of being into a higher version of yourself.

Goodbye 2023... Hello 2024
Goodbye 2023... Hello 2024

Happy New Year! I know we are already over a week into 2024, but I took some time over the first week to set intentions for the year. I hope each of you had an amazing time over the holidays and found ways to celebrate with your loved ones. Before fully moving into the new year I wanted to take a few minutes and highlight last year and share a little about my journey during 2023.

How to Overcome Insecurities
How to Overcome Insecurities

Insecurities are something we all have. Many of them were formed in childhood and then reinforced throughout our teenage and adult lives. For some of us the insecurity lies in our physical looks (here is a great post for how to have a better body image) but for others, our insecurities lie in feeling loved in our relationships. I’ve been going through intense therapy this year and we’ve been digging deep into my childhood, doing shadow work, and healing my inner child. I’ll share a few ways that therapy has helped me over this past year and what I’m currently working on.

Bump Edition: What I Experienced My First Trimester
Bump Edition: What I Experienced My First Trimester

First and foremost, I wanted to begin by thanking all of you for your sweet comments and encouragement. Each DM and comment you leave has truly filled my heart and I’m so thankful for you. The past couple of months have been beautiful and have also been a little bit of a roller coaster. We found out very early on in July that we were pregnant and it was a true shock for both Marshall and I. We are in our late thirties (I am 38 years old) and I did not see this coming. You can read more about our pregnancy announcement in this post but I wanted to share more insights for what I’ve actually been going through. It wasn’t easy. This is now my second pregnancy (I have a beautiful 14-year-old daughter) and it has been drastically different than the first time around.

How to Improve Your Body Image
How to Improve Your Body Image

Years ago I struggled with having an unhealthy viewpoint of my body. I grew up in an environment where I was oftentimes criticized about my body shape by one of my major role models and was told things like… “you have full thighs,” “if you keep eating cheese you’ll be fat…”, and “your derrière is big.”

Looking back at my pictures I was NOT ever at any point overweight as a child but I did have a different body shape than my younger sister. Of course, I would be different, I’m adopted. However, the critical words I heard regularly throughout my childhood burned into my mind and shaped an unhealthy thinking pattern.

Things Changed When I Changed
Things Changed When I Changed

Nothing in my life has been a product of chance. God gives us free will to walk the Earth and if we make a decision it has consequences one way or another. On March 22, 2019 I kissed alcohol goodbye for forever. I was at a place in my life where I was lost, miserable and completely heartbroken. It was at least a year of turmoil or more and I was in deep depression. Some of my friends will tell you I was a wreck. Others will tell you that they just couldn’t figure out what was going on. All I knew is that no matter what, the alcohol had to go. At that exact same time, I was in a relationship with someone who regularly drank and partied. I knew that I was on a path to sobriety but I had no idea the things I would be giving up when I made that rock bottom choice. Including that relationship and many more as the years would pass by.

The New SOBER IS SEXY Cropped Tee Drops Today
The New SOBER IS SEXY Cropped Tee Drops Today

A shirt designed to remind you that the best kind of party is a party you can remember. Slip this baby on for your next event or girl's night out and feel immediately empowered. This top is tight-fitting but still incredibly comfortable, and it hits just above the navel. Fits true to size.

Girl's Day in Salado While We Talk About Body Positivity
Girl's Day in Salado While We Talk About Body Positivity

Last weekend we met in Salado, Texas at Greenfield Coffee to catch up and shoot these incredible dresses from friends at Wneedu on Amazon. They sent us each a dress to share with you! We both picked out our colors to fit our own personalities. I chose a bold leopard colorway and Tiffany went with a beautiful shade of deep mauve. Great style is available for everyone. No matter what your age or body type you have when you walk with confidence in your own skin a new sense of style seems to follow. That’s one of the things I love about our conversations!

My Diary: 48 Hour Social Media Detox
My Diary: 48 Hour Social Media Detox

After a grueling weekend last week, I made a decision Saturday afternoon to do a 48-hour social media detox. Being a blogger and influencer comes with the price of constantly being on social media through posting content on multiple platforms, engaging with followers, and then responding in direct messages. It’s such an incredible way to create a space in the world but sometimes we all need a break. I desperately did. I started feeling a little out of touch with myself. I felt like I had a million things tugging at me and I was struggling with mindfulness. I put a quick plan together and then alerted my boyfriend and kiddo that I would be offline and intermittently checking my phone for the weekend. Here’s what I did in hopes to inspire you to take that much-needed downtime.

Being at Ease With Your Body
Being at Ease With Your Body

You deserve happiness. You deserve joy. You deserve to have a life filled with positivity. That’s the entire reason for my GLOW UP course which gives you a 60-day plan and a community of accountability partners to chat with as you continue to affirm yourself into your dream life!

The New "You Can Do Hard Things" Cropped Sweatshirt is Now Available
The New "You Can Do Hard Things" Cropped Sweatshirt is Now Available

Today I wanted to share the new cropped sweatshirt! It comes in mauve, dusty blue, and black. It’s designed to be lightweight enough for Spring and Summer months but also is the perfect amount of soft and cozy to slip on after a workout or when you are feeling like you need a little lift for your mood. I love the perfect shade of this one and how the cut shows off your hips and waist.

Sparkle From Within
Sparkle From Within

Sometimes we don’t need a long blog post, we just need a quick reminder and that’s just what I’m here to do for you. Remind you that you were created for something purposeful. You were created to shine a light on this world. You were created to shine. So go now…shine bright like a diamond.

What You Really Should Be Doing With 5 Minutes
What You Really Should Be Doing With 5 Minutes

Yes, you heard me. This boss babe right here is intentionally going slower in life. For the first time, ever. I’ve put extra time in between tasks. I’ve taken things off my to-do list. I’ve spent the last few months asking myself what is really important. I’ve gone inward to figure out my priorities. I’ve taken tons of time to journal, reflect and pray. The thing I’ve learned is that we can become addicted to anything including activity. Next time you are wondering what you should be doing with an extra five minutes? Breathe. Yep. Sit down and take 5 minutes to just breathe. I promise your entire life will change from implementing this one tactic. Your heart rate will be calmer. Your thoughts will be clearer. You will feel less rushed. You will be recharged.

Word of the Year: VITALITY
Word of the Year: VITALITY

It may be February and I’m a minute late to the game but better late than never. As I realize the Earth’s energy is going to keep speeding up I’ve given myself so much more grace for emotions to roll in and out. For the first time in most of my life I am allowing every emotion to surface, be categorized and processed and then released. It hasn’t been an easy process but it is leading me to more vitality.

Three Heel Clicks - Tips to Combat Depression
Tips to Combat Depression

The thing is… sometimes we have to have emotional lows to get back to the highs. It’s a contrast. When we have to let go of something really big in life oftentimes we are left with an emptiness. That emptiness takes time to refill. So what can you do?

Slowing Down
Slowing Down

I’ve been told my whole life I needed to slow down. A life of 12 cities in my first 17 years as a military brat conditioned me to feel like I always had to keep moving. I kept up that pattern in my 20’s and 30’s.

It didn’t matter where I lived, the maximum I could stay anywhere was 2 years before feeling like I needed to switch… switched companies I worked for, switch positions, switch challenges, switch homes…

Some of you experienced a life of constant movement and chaos. You know the feeling I’m describing. It was a need to constantly take on something more because I felt empty. And I longed to feel at home… but nothing was home. It felt like each job, location, and each overcome challenge felt like I was putting clothes on that weren’t me.

Do What You Love Every Single Day
Do What You Love Every Single Day

The past few months have been by the far the most transformative months in my life. I wrote a little about the past three years in my last post, but the past few months have grown in a new light. I reached a point where the universe gave me the opportunity to pair up with someone and grow with them. In the course of this healing process, I broke free from generational ties, and limiting beliefs and began doing exactly what I loved every single day. I believe that what we attract, we get. I believe that you can have the life of your dreams. I believe that the universe supports you when you give love. I believe that the greatest of all the gifts we receive is the power to go within. I also believe that you can have, be and do anything given enough time and resources.

Glow Up Course Launching on 10/10
Glow Up Course Launching on 10/10

It will include how to get your glow back through a variety of methods - nourishing, rest, affirmation, and more. You will walk away with a better outlook and tools to help you roll into the holidays with your inner glow! Cannot wait to see you there

How to Get Your Glow Back
How to Get Your Glow Back

Are you feeling stuck? I understand. I’ve been there several times throughout my life. Sometimes I was facing a blockage that needed to be cleared and other times I had resistance. I’ve found one thing to be true in both situations. If you feel stuck, time to work on yourself. Look to your daily habits, what you are feeding yourself and how much joy you are experiencing. The thing is, we all get off track sometimes. We all have dips and valleys in life. It’s what makes the high points so pleasurable. If you are lacking glow right now, here are five ways to get it back. PS - I recently shared these on Facebook in a quick video!

Hope Will Change Your Life
Hope Will Change Your Life

Three and a half years ago I decided I was willing to give up anything I had to to make my life better. I was no longer willing to let a single excuse get in the way of being the best version of myself. It was like I just couldn’t go on another day being chained to the things I had been chained to. So, I quit drinking alcohol and dove to the depths of my soul to figure things out. I completely surrendered. It was the hardest thing I ever did.

Don't Forget to Shine
Don't Forget to Shine

I’ve been on a conquest to get to the root of my being. For the past few months, I took time throughout each day for inward reflection… Constantly asking myself if what I am currently doing is what will lead me to the highest version of myself. I examined forward and backward each small habit, every conversation I would partake in, and each movement I would choose to make. We are a sum of all the little choices we make throughout the day. Our character is a combination of actions we choose. After years of feeling obligated to do certain things, have certain jobs, and run what you would consider the rat race I decided I couldn’t do it anymore. My soul just needed more.

Sunflower Fields
Sunflower Fields

I believe the world is a giant playground filled with magical corners. I believe heaven lies in running through a sunflower field at sunset, floating on the river with people you love, and being able to take long sunset drives with someone special.

Three Heel Clicks - How to Start Journaling
How to Start Journaling

Do you journal? I do! I use it to help process emotions, list ideas for the future and things I’m grateful for. I’ve been journaling for years and it has completely changed my life and mindset. If you are struggling to journal, that’s okay! Try this to get started…

Three Heel Clicks - When you feel anxious wrap the thought in a vision of light
Wrap Anxiety in Visions of Light

It doesn’t have to run your life. You have options! Look towards the light. Remember that anxiety is a dive into lower vibrations.

We have to have lower feelings to understand how positive we can feel.

Three Heel Clicks - Three Techniques to Get Out of a Mental Rut
Three Techniques to Get Out of a Mental Rut

The mind can be a battlefield. If you’ve ever experienced a panic attack you know firsthand what mental hell is like. In my late twenties and early thirties, I had panic attacks all the time. I mean on the daily and oftentimes multiple times a day. I would freeze and feel like I couldn’t drive my car. I didn’t want to go very many places for fear of getting overstimulated. Being extroverted this felt really difficult. I was torn between what my soul and body wanted to do every day. I needed to bring my body out of fight or flight but being stuck at home to do so in a calm environment was torture in itself because then I was alone with my thoughts. Over time I would get therapy and begin working on training my brain to focus on new things. I would learn different coping techniques that were not full proof but would oftentimes get the job done. It took work. Each day I’d start going down the same worry wormholes and I’d spend time and energy pulling myself out. I figured some of you might be dealing with this, too. Here are three coping tools you can use when you go down a negative mental path:

Three Heel Clicks - The Drink that Keeps Me Going on Long Hikes
The Drink That Keeps Me Going on Long Hikes

Wow! I cannot believe it’s been almost two weeks since I wrote the last post on here. It’s been kind of a blur. Something really life-changing took place last week and created a positive shift in my life. I’ll be sharing more about the experience in the coming weeks, but one thing I’ve learned is to take some time to the first process. That’s exactly what I did yesterday. I took a few hours and went a few miles to clear my head and combat the stress I was feeling. Stress is stress even if it’s positive. When big things in life hit, give yourself a little breathing room. It’s okay. You don’t have to have all the answers. You’ll be able to work things out, but for now just process. I loaded up my backpack with water and snacks, grabbed my boots, and set off with my Mojo coffee in hand for an afternoon of getting lost in nature. It was so healing! Every time I do this, I come back as a better human being.

Three Heel Clicks - Making Magical Moments
Making Magical Moments

When this blog was initially created, I set out to share the magic that happened in my life on a daily basis. I had no idea at the blog would become my life story a decade later. I seek every single day to find magical moments. Life is busy. There’s so much happening. Slowing down in the mornings and evenings has given me the ability to discover more magic. Sometimes it’s how the sky lights up at sunset on a walk with the cool breeze blowing across the grass. Sometimes it’s the light wind rustling in trees and the way they look like pieces of lace overlapping one another against a blue background. Sometimes it’s the giggles of my daughter or the jokes we make on our drives together. Seeking magic every day is what makes life sweeter. Here are a few ways to make each day special…

Three Heel Clicks - Build Your Dreams Daily
Build Your Dreams Daily

Time is precious. It’s the one form of currency we cannot get back. Over the past few years, I’ve grown to be more and more intentional with how I spend my time. Taking out and saying no to activities that are energy draining. Spending time doing the things that bring me joy. Intentionally carving out special moments with people I love and care about. As I’ve done this day after day I realize most days I am living a dream I had years ago. Back in 2017, I went through a period of life that was incredibly trying. During that time I remember having a vision where I spent my time as much as possible in nature and traveling to see things I love. It was a peaceful vision. I’m happy to report that five years later much of my free time is spent doing just that. If you want your life to change, start taking small daily steps towards that life. Here are ways to build your dream life every day.

Three Heel Clicks - Three Key Communication Strategies for Relationships
Three Key Communication Strategies for Relationships

A few weeks ago, I announced on my Facebook page that I would be opening a dialogue about insights into effective relationships. As I currently write this I want you to know this is meant to be a dialogue between us. A place where you can feel free to comment openly about your own insights into relationships. Things you’ve learned from failures and successes. Please reach out below or by commenting on any of my social media platforms - my handle is @threeheelclicks. Let’s dive into today’s topic on communication strategies. The root of so many disagreements, alienation, tension, and isolation begins with a misfiring of communication. As I continue to grow and develop in my interactions with people, how I communicate is a priority and responsibility if I am seeking healthy connections. Here are three strategies you can immediately implement for better communication.

502C153E-7D58-4B79-89B7-18FCD9A381FA.jpeg
Thoughts on Rest and Play (and Why You Need It)

I spent the weekend resting, relaxing, and playing. The past month of my life was a whirlwind. My role at my job changed, a trip mid-month for a work conference in Vegas took place, and then when I returned it was a non-stop follow up from the trip. I worked twelve days straight without taking even an evening to myself. It was absolutely necessary, but at the beginning of last week, I started to feel really heavy. I dreaded Monday morning and felt like I had zero time to decompress. That was it for me. I knew it was time to take a break. It was suggested I take a full day off and just do what makes me happy, so I did just that. It can be a HUGE challenge to work full-time and run a blog and a business on social media. Although I’ve been doing all three for years, this month was particularly tough. I struggled to bounce back with energy. One thing I have learned about life is that I am the only one responsible for my life. If I want to live a life with clarity and calm I have to create that environment. I also know that I am prone to maxing myself out. Here are a few things I’ve learned about the necessity of rest and play.

Anxiety and Mental Health, Self Care, Style, Life PurposeCrystal LowyStrength, Mental Health, Anxiety, Spring Style, Dresses, Life Purpose, Depression, Self care, Self LoveComment