welcome to your calm place.

Ali . Ali .

on 23 things I learned in 2023.

2023 was a lot. I think we can all honestly say that. But there was good interwoven that opened the door for a lot of learning, self honesty, and growth ultimately as we move into a new year. Here’s what I learned in 2023.

“My resolution is to stop wondering if I’m good enough for people and start wondering if they’re good enough for me.”

Aesthetic and Minimal Wellness Wallpapers

You should know that this piece started with ‘What Was I Made For? // Billie Eilish’ coming on shuffle and me crying. But what doesn’t start with me crying?

ANYway. Reflections have a tendency to do that to me. I am someone who feels everything very deeply at any given moment. Sadness, anger, empathy, excitement, love. Any and all of it - I’m at 120% when most people are at 50%. It’s something I’m learning to relax on, but also, isn’t that kind of wonderful in some ways? I’m trying to figure that out, but I hope so.

2023 was a lot. I think we can all honestly say that. But there was good interwoven that opened the door for a lot of learning, self honesty, and growth ultimately as we move into a new year.

Here’s what I learned in 2023:

  1. Taking care of your health and wellness is your greatest gift to yourself.

  2. We have a finite time with everyone in our lives. Cherish that in how you move through your relationships. Love your people so loudly.

  3. Every loss is a lesson. Take time to reflect on them and grow from them.

  4. Just because you have someone’s best interests at heart, doesn’t mean that they have the same for you.

  5. Your gut health affects every. other. part. of your body. Check in with it!

  6. If your job (or anything tbh) is making you depressed, anxious or draining you overall - it’s not the job for you. Find what inspires you… money comes and goes either way.

  7. People who truly love you will never try to change you.

  8. In many ways, life is an intricate dance. Watch how those around you move and match accordingly.

  9. Matte nails absorb EVERYTHING. Don’t do it!

  10. If you have an appointment for 9 AM, plan for it as if it’s at 8:30. Getting there early means you’re ready to go AND you have time to scroll TikTok.

  11. Once you start incorporating healthier practices into your life, it becomes as routine as breathing. Please don’t make excuses to block a better you. This includes boundaries and staying firm with them.

  12. Stop wondering if you’re good enough. Start wondering if others deserve you.

  13. You CANNOT do everything yourself. Starting a business is not easy. You’re hustling - don’t let anyone downplay that. Also keep track of everything and hire PROFESSIONALS to help you!

  14. Spending quality time with your loved ones will refuel you in ways that nothing else can.

  15. Learn your love languages. Watch your relationships change.

  16. Nothing in our universe is a coincidence. Read Signs by Laura Lynne Jackson. Also, pay more attention to your life lol.

  17. Have the cookie. Buy the shoes. Take the trip. You can’t with 100% certainty say you’ll be able to do it another time.

  18. Learn to trust natural medicine and movement therapy as much as you trust pharmaceuticals and your GP. They all go hand in hand for painting a better picture of your body.

  19. USE YOUR TIME OFF!!!!!!!

  20. Cold therapy is ssssoooooooo good for you but also SO FUN.

  21. Make time for self-care days. Whatever they might look like, a spa or a single service or a whole event with friends. Do it.

  22. Take a solo trip. You never know what you might learn about yourself.

  23. Be kind. Create a better world. We all need this.

A

Read More
Ali . Ali .

on falling in love with the moon.

I loved the moon from the first time I saw him. Been in awe of him, really, in his beauty and mystery. I felt a connection with him that I could never explain — and I’m rarely at a loss for words. They say the moon's gravitational pull is the main cause of the rise and fall of ocean tides. It causes unease in the sea, causing ocean waters that face the moon to pull at its strongest. Loving the moon is not easy.

“Do not swear by the moon, for she changes constantly. Then your love would also change.”

Oh we’re doing this? Okay. Deep breaths.

I’m sure for those of you who asked and dove deeply into my post on being lost, you’re wondering what happened next.

How does it end? Does it? Does he get the girl? The true plot twist is he has her heart on a silver chain. The chain is tight, but fits. It can choke. It can be painful. It can fit beautifully, too. Duality. Two things can be true at once.

Let your soul wander – get as lost as you damn well please.

But, let me not get ahead of myself. If you’re not caught up, go back and get the full story. The fairy tale, but the original fairy tales where it’s just a cruel lesson on life. For the better?

In respect of the fact that this isn’t only my story, and in some aspects not mine to tell in entirety, I’ll tell this story in metaphors. But if you read closely, my hope is that you’ll understand every word. We love a strong communicator.

I loved the moon from the first time I saw him. Been in awe of him, really, in his beauty and mystery. I felt a connection with him that I could never explain — and I’m rarely at a loss for words. They say the moon's gravitational pull is the main cause of the rise and fall of ocean tides. It causes unease in the sea, causing ocean waters that face the moon to pull at its strongest. Loving the moon is not easy.

The moon is not always bright and full as we dreamily expect it to be. And that’s not really fair, is it? To expect the moon to always be bright and on its best, for us. Sometimes, it’s dark. It hides. It wanes and cannot be what we need it to be, all the time. Sometimes, it goes dark entirely. Sometimes, we lose its pull and can’t find it. We get lost, in the darkness, together.

But just as often, the moon is waxing. It gathers light on its journey of becoming new and full again. I love being a part of every phase.

I often wonder, is the moon meant to be loved from afar? Are we supposed to look, but never touch? And is it because that’s what is safe, versus what is meant to be? I’ve always been one to walk the line in limbo. Between extremes, stumbling. I’ve often been drawn to the longer, darker, tougher routes. But isn’t this all the more satisfying, in the end?

What I find most lovable about the moon is that it follows a cycle that only he knows. In loving the moon, you never know what to expect. You never know when he will be happy or sad, calm or anxious, stable or unstable. You never know when he will shine or fade, rise or set, appear or disappear.

But you love him anyway, at all of his phases. You love him because he is beautiful in his own way. You love him because he has a soul that touches yours. You love him because he is more than his phases. He is more than the moon.

I fell in love with the moon. I entered at his brightest phase. He lit my world up with his words, charisma, and outlook on life. I think the moon fell in love with me too, because I was gentle in how I explored his complexities. I would do anything for him, and he knows.

Loving the moon is not easy, but it is so worth it. The moon teaches you so many beautiful, albeit sometimes tough lessons. He teaches you patience, compassion, empathy, and resilience. He teaches you how to appreciate the good moments and cope — together — with the bad ones. He teaches you how to love unconditionally and wholeheartedly, and how much you deserve that.

Challenging, but rewarding. Painful, but healing. Scary, but exciting. It is a journey that you take together, through the highs and lows, through the light and darkness, through the phases of the moon.

Loving the moon is not easy, but it’s so beautiful. The moon has a magic that no other celestial body can rival for you.

Loving the moon is a bond that you nurture and strengthen, in sync with your sun. Remember though, that it can only be done harmoniously together. There is no moon as we know it best, without the sun.

I have always loved the moon from the first moment, and I always will.

Now you know. I hope this helps you heal from or with your moon, too. I feel lucky to experience such a thing, and I hope you do. More on healing, soon.

With love,

A

Read More