Joyful Soul Lifestyle

04/13/2026

Something to think about

04/09/2026

I’ve been reflecting on this lately. Some of you know that I have been taking time off because I was feeling burnt out. When I was speaking with one of my classmates who has ADHD, she told me how she now has a 70% rule when starting a new job. Because our 100% is not sustainable (and often more than what others effort is). This is very hard for me, as I often equate productivity with worth. Thanks SB for giving me this to think about 💗 It has also been a time for me to acknowledge how chronic pain and strength exercises to maintain reasonable function

03/22/2026

I have been reflecting on the age old question of “Who am I?” once again. And I realized that part of why I love carnaval so much is that it reflects me! I am vibrant, colourful, embodied, playful, ALIVE. Music, dance, joy! I am reminding myself of this person on days when I feel like the weight of the world is on my shoulders. Perhaps this is why black is not a common colour in my wardrobe 😆! Who are you? What analogy represents you? Mirror photo credit to Natalia Ćwiek

01/31/2026

As I prepare for my Dark Feminine circle tomorrow, I am revisiting my own experiences with perfectionism. For many years, I have felt the pressure to maintain a perfect image, especially when it came to academics.
And so I want to take a moment to talk about perfectionism — not as a trait, but as a response to pressure.
Perfectionism doesn’t come out of nowhere. Neither does pressure.
Sometimes it comes from others — expectations to be reliable, strong, or “the one who has it handled.”

Sometimes it comes from society — productivity, achievement, worth tied to output.
And often, over time, it comes from inside — the voice that says I should be able to do this, I can’t drop the ball, I have to get this right.
That’s why the song Surface Pressure hits so hard for me. (https://youtu.be/tQwVKr8rCYw?si=Vx7lMoi8I3YqSeWU)
Luisa isn’t just carrying physical weight — she’s carrying:
Fear of letting others down

Fear of losing love or belonging

Fear that rest equals failure

Fear that if she stops, everything falls apart

That’s how pressure becomes perfectionism.
Not because someone wants to be flawless — but because being perfect feels safer than being vulnerable.
Your perfectionism is not a personality flaw. It’s a strategy built around fear and expectation.
You’re allowed to question:
Which expectations are actually mine?

Which fears are driving my need to get it right?

What would happen if I didn’t carry this alone?

If this resonates with you, there is still time to join my Dark Feminine Circle — happening tomorrow, Sunday Feb 1st at 10am MST.
If you’d like to join, you can complete the form and I’ll send you the Zoom link 💛
https://forms.gle/B9AFMrsmHF1rF9xp9

12/29/2025

It’s been frigid outside, so I took the opportunity to tackle this beautiful puzzle! This is an activity that gets me into the flow zone😁. What gets you in the zone?

12/21/2025

Happy Solstice!
Today, here in the Northern Hemisphere, winter is arriving with the solstice —the shortest day / the longest night of the year.
The winter solstice invites us to pause. To soften. To listen. To turn inward as the temperatures drop (it’s minus 16°C outside as I write this) and to let the quiet of the season show us what we’ve been too busy to notice.
This past year has been one of deep reflection and slowing down for me. At first, it wasn’t a choice—injury and subsequent surgery dramatically shifted my mobility and my pace. But as I’ve moved through rehabilitation, I’ve also been offered something unexpected: a fuller acceptance of my (hypermobile) body’s needs and the wisdom of doing things low and slow.
As I step toward 2026, I’m feeling the pull to rebuild my presence here and to deepen my connection with the Dark Feminine—through circles, movement, dance, and breathwork. While I’ve always been a sun-seeker, this season is reminding me to honour the beauty of winter too: the stillness, the snow, the darkness, and the invitation to move through life at a gentler rhythm.
Wherever you are today, may this solstice bring you a moment of warmth, reflection, and renewal.
(The first picture is one I took of the sunrise in Iceland in 2019. It was almost noon! The second is at sunset, after the first major snowfall here in Calgary).

11/09/2025

I think this is a beautiful thought. Especially as I reevaluate what is important to me. Untying my worth and value from my job, and realizing that I am valuable regardless of what I do is one piece that is currently happening. I am worthy and valuable because I am.

09/17/2025

Setting boundaries, especially now when emails can reach you at home is important.

Your impact is endless.
Your energy isn’t—protect it. 🖤

09/15/2025

A jam packed weekend was capped off with my first ever at the Calgary GMC stadium. Some epic air, Classroom Crusher backflip and some mechanical problems for fan favourites Sparkle Smash and Gravedigger. The halftime included the BMX riders who always put on a great show! Ever wonder how new experiences are good for you? They can release dopamine, impacting your mood and happiness and can broaden your perspective!

09/07/2025

Trying new things! I passed my boating license and can now drive the seadoo 😁. We even convinced my dad to go for a ride. ☀️

01/22/2025

A friend shared this on her wall, and I loved it 🥰

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/187vppF9KF/?mibextid=wwXIfr

💞🖤💞