Picture this: January 2025.
I was staring at the bathroom mirror- specifically at my belly, in all its scarred floppy glory. I sometimes have this staring contest with myself – fighting the critical thoughts and knowing that my body isn’t what it used to be. It has changed over the past 6 years.
I gave birth to two healthy babies with this body. I walk and dance to silly songs with this body. I can deadlift with this body. I can eat well with this body. I can paint my visions with this body.
Even so, with my doctor’s recommendation, I gave myself a goal to get my body back into strong fighting shape, with weight lifting, cardio, and better food choices. February 1st was my day one.
The first week went pretty well. But I didn’t really see much in terms of results. Nevertheless, I kept going.
After a few more months of being consistent, I still felt I didn’t look that different. I stared at my rolls and felt my thighs rub together as I walked, thinking my morning squats and careful food intake are all for nothing.
But then, I put on a pair of pants that I used to wear in the pre-mom days. And they fit like a glove! Suddenly, I feel a rush of pure excitement, of validation that my hard work was paying off. I can wear my old clothes again. I can look at myself with pride- knowing I came so far and learned so much over the past 6 years, with gorgeous stretch marks and perpetual thunder thighs to prove it.
The daily 5:30am workouts and calorie counting didn’t seem to move the needle, but over the span of 10 months, I lost 18 pounds, gained definition in my arms and waist, and had more energy to chase my kids throughout the day. That larger picture made me realize how incredibly far I had come.
Isn’t it funny how life seems much different when you look at it through the lens of years and not days?
In a similar way, I discovered this in my painting practice. Even though I feel like I’m painting at a slower pace or not as progressing as I would like, the bigger picture tells me a much different story.
In the year of our lord 2025 :
- I launched my own art website and shop for my artwork and nailed down my mission for helping women come back home to themselves.my bangin’ art website
- I created 41 original paintings, ranging from large stretched canvas to small prayer cards.
- I invented 16 hidden door paintings where I installed real working doors inside my paintings to reveal beautiful affirmations. I’m especially proud of these!
- I rediscovered my love for painting bold expressionist figures – which is probably why I was able to bang out so many paintings this year.
Aaaaaaand best of all, I’ve gotten to connect with so many of you—both as friends and collectors—some of you even have my original paintings hanging in your homes as we speak. I feel so honored that these pieces resonated with you and reminded you to be your authentic, beautiful self—worthy of love and fully aware of her own worth.
After writing all this down, I feel a sense of clarity. What originally felt like a flop to me was actually slow steady success.
Looking at my entire year in 2025, I’m seriously beyond speechless at what I was able to accomplish once I took the blinders off and saw the bigger picture.
So here’s the takeaway: zoom out a little. Look at your life not day by day, but over six months, a year, even five years. Suddenly, the small stuff doesn’t carry quite as much weight, and clarity can step in. I hope my story has shown you that doing so is possible – and that you might even surprise yourself once you try it. I hope you find your clarity unfolding in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead.
