Are You Living in Reaction or in Creation? How Self-Love Changes Everything.

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I took last week off for my birthday and the 4th of July—two fun distractions that gave me time to reflect, reset, and be really honest with myself.

Each birthday feels like a new beginning. And this year, it hit me hard.

Because the truth is… the past five years have been the most difficult of my life. Health challenges. Career shifts. Family stress. Financial strain.

It’s been a lot.

To top it off, I was sick for the three weeks leading up to my birthday. I felt depleted, disconnected, and desperate for a reset.

So on July 3rd, I decided to turn the ship around. I was determined to point my life in a new, joyful direction.

Living in Reaction vs. Living in Creation

I asked myself a simple but powerful question:
Am I living in reaction—or in creation?

Because when you’re reacting to life all the time, it feels like you’re just surviving. Floating. Treading water. Waiting for the next wave to knock you down.

But when you live in creation, you reclaim your power. You decide what matters. You choose how you show up. You design your days with purpose.

That’s when I knew:

Self-love had to become my foundation.

Because self-love is the answer to any problem you face. Yes, any.

So I turned to my $20/month personal trainer—ChatGPT—and asked for a simple fitness and nutrition plan tailored to my health needs. (Side note: highly recommend!) But more importantly, I committed to treating myself like someone worth caring for.

And in just a few days, I felt the shift.

The Self-Love Routine That’s Changing Everything

Here’s what my mornings look like now:

I sleep 8 hours.
I hydrate first thing—before I even stand up.
I stretch, breathe deeply, and meditate for at least 10 minutes.
I read something inspiring before checking my phone.
I walk. I move. I nourish my body with good food.
I journal. I reflect. I stay connected to what matters.

And no—it doesn’t feel like “work.” It feels like harmony and peace. It feels like me, stepping back into my power.

If you’re feeling stuck, uninspired, or worn down, this is where you begin:
Not with a big goal. But with one small, loving step.

You don’t need a complicated plan. In fact, the simpler it is, the more likely you are to stick with it.

Start with what feels good. Start with what feels kind. Start with you.

A 91-Year-Old’s Guide to the Good Life

In the book Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach, one of my favorite daily readings included this gem:
A list called “The Good Life,” written in 1990 by 91-year-old Helen Nearings.
It’s timeless—and I think it might be exactly what we all need right now:

The Good Life by Helen Nearings

Do the best you can, whatever arises.
Be at peace with yourself.
Find a job you enjoy.
Live in simple conditions; housing, food, clothing—get rid of clutter.
Contact nature every day; feel the earth under your feet.
Take physical exercise through hard work; through gardening or walking.
Don’t worry; live one day at a time.
Share something every day with someone else.
Take time to wonder at life and the world; see some humor in life where you can.
Observe the one life in all things.
Be kind to creatures.