This is an ad-free premiere of a vlog that will be posted tomorrow on YouTube. If you prefer, you can watch it on my YouTube channel (with ad interruptions) here.
This week was a beautiful blend of rhythm and surrender—a dance between what we plan and what life offers instead.
Mondays are my storm of productivity. It’s the day I dive into editing my vlog, prep my protein bars, start dinner in the crockpot, and attempt to restore order from the weekend’s delightful chaos. But this Monday, I gave myself permission to change the sequence. Instead of racing to shower after my gym session, I took my laptop out to the balcony. The morning sun was gentle and warm, and I didn’t want to miss it. I chose presence over routine—and it made all the difference.
The week brought signs of spring blooming into early summer. Our little garden on the balcony—just days ago sprouting green hints—is now full of tiny lettuce leaves and whispers of thyme. The miracle of growth continues to humble me. There’s something deeply satisfying about tending to something and watching it thrive, even if it’s just a cluster of herbs in a pot.
Tuesday, I ran 18 kilometers—my longest training run this year. And I felt strong. Capable. Present. That quiet kind of confidence is a reward on its own. It’s not just about training for a marathon; it’s about meeting the woman I’m becoming, one step at a time.
There were also Costco runs and rainy stadium nights. I didn’t love the weather, but I love the ritual. Sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with my husband under damp skies, cheering for Toronto FC, feeling part of something—even when the game ends in defeat—reminds me that connection matters more than outcomes.
And oh, the kitchen rituals. The homemade yogurt that becomes protein popsicles. The roasted chicken turned into broth, then into comfort. The lentil pasta lunches and the tiny victories of having dinner prepped before noon. These moments are not glamorous, but they are the scaffolding of a meaningful life.
Even our adventures—like ordering crawfish for the first time (spoiler: we prefer shrimp)—felt like little love notes to the life we’re building. Messy, hilarious, real.
And then came the balcony project. Dollar Tree flowers, solar lights, and hanging buckets transformed a simple outdoor space into a personal haven. There’s such power in creating beauty where you are, with what you have. Sometimes joy isn’t found—it’s built.
So here’s what I learned this week: Your life doesn’t have to be perfect to be precious. It doesn’t have to be all sunshine to feel radiant. It just has to be yours—lived deeply, with attention and care.
What’s one small change you made this week that brought you unexpected joy?
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