When your parents are gone, your sibling becomes the only one left who remembers the whole story. After losing my mom, I found something I never expected — a new, deeper connection with my sister. In the rubble of grief, we began to rebuild not just our relationship, but our family.

Once, “healthy” meant chasing thinness and pushing through exhaustion. Now, in midlife, health means honoring my energy, listening to my body, and caring for the woman I’ve become. Vitality has layers — and it looks different than it used to.

For years, I thought saying yes made me a good person. But in midlife, I’ve learned that saying no isn’t selfish — it’s sacred. No protects my energy, honors my peace, and leaves room for the yeses that truly matter.

In a chaotic world, sometimes happiness looks like something small, sturdy, and waiting just outside your front door. Here’s why that mat (and a little Matchbox Twenty inspiration) says more about midlife joy than you’d think.

One small compliment had me shook and reminded me how much women need to build each other up instead of tearing each other down.

Midlife is a season of becoming — but for me, it’s also a season of missing. As I navigate change and rediscovery, I grieve the two women who shaped me most: my mama and my grandmother. This is what it’s like to grow into the matriarch without the women who once guided me.

In a world that feels increasingly loud and divided, kindness is not weakness—it’s strength. From a four-year-old’s hug to the wisdom of midlife, kindness is how we reclaim our humanity, build connection, and create a legacy that outlasts chaos.

A trip to the DMV is never high on anyone’s list of fun ways to spend the day, but I didn’t expect mine to turn into a full-blown identity crisis. All it took was one unexpected question: “Black or grey?”

Today, I’m officially submitting my application to the East Texas Branch of the WDNC Club — founded by the one and only @justbeingmelani. Because we’re not done growing, glowing, or giving a damn — we’ve just refined what we give a damn about.