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  • Are you rejecting parts of yourself?

    Nobody likes rejection, right? Whether it be from a job, romantic interest, friend, or really anything that we wanted for ourself that didn’t pan out. What happens though when the rejection is coming from yourself?

    Have you ever found yourself downplaying your emotions, telling yourself, “I’m too sensitive” or “I shouldn’t feel this way”? Or maybe you’ve ignored your needs because you don’t want to seem “selfish.” These reactions may seem harmless on the surface, but they can be part of a deeper pattern of self-rejection. Maybe it’s learned behavior, or traits that people deemed as not good or unattractive so you’ve in turn “rejected” those sides to yourself.

    Subconscious self-rejection happens when we push away or deny parts of ourselves without even realizing it. This can include emotions, desires, talents, or personality traits that we, for various reasons, believe don’t align with who we “should” be.

    Often, these rejected parts are rooted in experiences from childhood or beliefs we’ve internalized from society. For example, if you were frequently told as a child to “stop being so emotional,” you might grow up viewing sensitivity as a flaw—leading you to bury feelings and ignore your needs for connection.

    Self-rejection is a coping mechanism. It helps us fit in, gain acceptance, and avoid judgment. When we believe a certain trait or emotion won’t be accepted by others, we often choose to suppress it, thinking that this will make life smoother. However, this “smoothing over” strategy often backfires; instead of freeing us, it limits us. The more we push away parts of ourselves, the more we live with a sense of incompleteness or dissatisfaction.

    For instance, let’s say you have a natural inclination toward creativity. If you’ve been raised in an environment where creativity was deemed impractical, you might unconsciously bury that side of yourself to prioritize more “realistic” pursuits.

    Over time, you might feel a persistent sense of unfulfillment without knowing why. This happens because we can’t fully ignore who we are. The parts we reject are often the very ones that hold our unique value and can lead to greater self-acceptance and happiness.

    This self-rejection doesn’t just disappear; it creates a divide within us, one that can lead to a constant state of inner conflict. We might feel anxious, lost, or even resentful without understanding the cause. This is because the parts of ourselves we deny are still very much present, even if they’re hidden. By denying these parts, we disconnect from our true potential and lose out on fully understanding who we are.

    To stop rejecting parts of ourselves, sometimes we need to get back to the basics of self-acceptance. This means slowing down, tuning into our inner dialogue, and letting go of perfectionism. Start by identifying and accepting your natural emotions, needs, and interests without judgment. Think of it like reconnecting with a friend you’ve neglected; instead of dismissing feelings or shaming yourself for wanting certain things, practice welcoming them with openness and curiosity.

    Journaling, meditation, or simply taking quiet moments to check in with yourself can help you recognize these parts as essential pieces of who you are. By doing so, you cultivate a compassionate relationship with yourself, letting each part feel valued rather than rejected.

    As always be gentle with yourself, nobody has it all figured out and that’s the beauty of life.

    With love and gratitude,

    Sara Ann Marie

  • Living with a stranger (yourself)

    Photo by Alexandro David on Pexels.com

    Have you ever been with a close friend and also someone you don’t know as well, and you feel comfortable until the close friend leaves the room and then there’s that awkward silence with the other person?

    In general, we tend to feel the most comfortable with the people we are close to, and there can be nervousness or even anxiety when interacting and getting to know “new” people.

    What happens when that person you don’t know very well, is yourself?

    Not knowing yourself can feel like living with a stranger, as if you’re sharing space with someone whose habits and motivations you don’t quite understand.

    It’s as if your own emotions, desires, and decisions belong to someone else. Every day you wake up unsure of how you’ll feel, what will trigger your thoughts, or even what will bring you joy. It’s disorienting, like being a guest in your own life.

    You may find yourself making choices that don’t align with your deeper values, but since you haven’t fully grasped those values yet, it’s hard to pinpoint why certain things feel off.

    Conversations with others might leave you feeling hollow because, in a way, you’re disconnected from your true voice. It’s like responding from a script you’ve learned, rather than speaking from the core of who you are.

    There’s an inner conflict too—your mind is often occupied with questioning, trying to define what you want, how you feel, and who you really are.

    Yet, these answers seem elusive, leaving you constantly unsettled. Life can start to feel like an unending search for a sense of self, but the stranger within keeps the key hidden. This disconnect makes you yearn for moments of clarity, those fleeting instances where you truly feel at home within yourself, and you’re no longer a mystery.

    It can be challenging if we grow and take on a lot of limiting beliefs and behaviors that our inner voice gets quieter and quieter.

    Reconnecting with yourself and finding clarity can feel like a deep, personal journey, but it often starts with small, intentional steps. Here’s how to begin:

    1. Spend Time Alone Intentionally

    Silence and solitude can feel uncomfortable, but they create space for you to hear your own thoughts and emotions. Try spending time without distractions—no phone, no TV—and allow your mind to wander. Journaling during these moments can be powerful, as writing helps you externalize your internal world. It’s a way to get to know yourself without judgment.

    2. Listen to Your Emotions

    Instead of suppressing or avoiding your feelings, start observing them. Ask yourself why certain things trigger emotional responses. Feelings often serve as guides to what matters to you. If you feel anxious or disconnected, explore what is at the root. Over time, you’ll start recognizing patterns that reveal your true desires and fears.

    3. Reflect on Your Values

    Consider what truly matters to you. Is it love, connection, success, spirituality? Often, we adopt values imposed by society, family, or peers, and they don’t resonate with who we are at the core. Journaling or reflecting on the moments when you’ve felt the most fulfilled can help you identify your authentic values. For you, God, family, and friends are core values—recognizing them as guiding principles can anchor you in yourself.

    4. Try New Experiences

    It’s hard to know who you are if you stay in the same routine. Step outside your comfort zone and try new activities, hobbies, or experiences. Whether it’s a creative pursuit, volunteering, or joining a group, you might discover hidden passions or strengths that connect you to your true self.

    5. Declutter Your Life

    Sometimes, it’s the noise around us that keeps us disconnected. This could mean decluttering not just physically, but also emotionally and mentally. Remove toxic relationships, negative influences, and even outdated beliefs that no longer serve you. Creating a peaceful, intentional environment—like the cozy home you envision—will allow your authentic self to emerge.

    6. Reconnect with Your Body

    Your body often holds wisdom your mind overlooks. Engage in activities that ground you, like yoga, dancing, or even mindful walking. Tune into how your body feels and moves. Feeling good in your body can help align your mind and spirit. Dressing in a way that reflects your style, such as incorporating an autumn color palette that feels classy and girly, can also reinforce that connection to yourself.

    7. Accept and Embrace All Parts of Yourself

    Finding yourself doesn’t mean discovering a perfect version of you. It means acknowledging both your light and dark sides, your strengths and flaws. Practice self-compassion, knowing that self-acceptance is key to self-discovery. This will help you feel less like a stranger and more like a trusted friend to yourself.

    8. Be Patient

    Reconnecting with yourself is a process. It may take time, and it won’t always be linear. Be gentle with yourself as you uncover layers that have been hidden or ignored. Each step brings you closer to that version of yourself who feels aligned, present, and deeply connected to her own essence.

    I know it can be overwhelming if you resonate with this, but make it a mission to truly know yourself- you are the best companion that you will ever have.

    With love and gratitude,

    Sara Ann Marie

  • Life is a mirror

    Every experience we go through in life is a reflection of our own perspective. Two people can go through the EXACT same experience, at the exact same time, and have two completely different views of what happened.

    We don’t perceive the world in an objective manner, but instead our perception is shaped by our internal state.

    For example; on a day that you’re in a good mood and someone makes a strange comment to you, you may brush it off and not think much of it. However, on an off day where you’re not feeling your best if someone makes the SAME comment it may invoke a completely different reaction from you.

    The way we process information is influenced by our previous experiences, emotions, and expectations. It’s important to note this when we interact with individuals who cope or handle situations way differently than we do. Even if we can’t understand it, they are acting in a way that makes sense to them.

    The more we realize that things aren’t always as they seem, the more we stop thinking that people are out to get us or don’t have our best intentions.

    During hard times our emotional state may be heightened and our perceptions paint a picture often of what we’re FEELING. If you are feeling like you aren’t good enough, your mind may start to tell you stories backing that up- when it isn’t the truth at all.

    Getting to know yourself and your thought patterns can be extremely healthy and beneficial to understanding the perception you have of experiences you go through.

    A positive mindset can lead to noticing and appreciating opportunities and positive interactions. It can be as simple as the barista who gave you a genuine smile.

    This reflects how our internal state can shape and sometimes distort our experience of external events. Thus, life acts as a mirror, reflecting our internal attitudes, beliefs, and emotional states, which in turn influence how we experience and interpret the world around us.

    Make sure you are cleaning your mirror, and seeing things as they are. ❤️

    With love and gratitude,

    Sara Ann Marie

  • You can’t do it ALL

    Okay, the title of this post may be controversial. I’m all about believing that we can do anything we put our minds to- the sky is the limit! Truthfully, depending on what “all” means for you I think you can do it “all”.. but you can’t do it all at once.

    Recently in a conversation with my therapist I was explaining how I get really hard on myself if I am not living up to the expectations I set for myself. I explained all the areas in my life I felt like I was lacking.

    We had a very productive conversation and she explained OF COURSE I am going to feel overwhelmed if there are multiple areas of life that I am focusing on at one time, and expect myself to be “perfect” in all areas.

    Being self disciplined and having a solid routine is amazing, and will definitely help you inch closer towards your goals. However, a routine needs to be very specific to each person and you should try to be honest with yourself what your priorities are. What can wait and what can’t?

    For instance, one of my core values is family time and being present with my loved ones. If I spend a day with my family and didn’t get to check of an item on my to do list because I was being present and spending quality time- that’s OKAY.

    It is okay to have to rearrange your schedule, and push things around. You’re only one person and yes you can do it all, but you can’t do it all at once!

    There is so much societal pressure to be Superman or woman. You can do anything you set your mind to, but you need to do it with grace and be realistic with how much you can take on.

    I know it’s easier said than done; but the more you learn about yourself the more you’ll be able to set up a routine that works for you and allows balance.

    With love and gratitude,

    Sara Ann Marie

  • Healing can be isolating

    I’ve referenced my “healing journey” quite a bit in my blog posts, and there is a big phenomenon centered around healing.

    The “healing journey” refers to the ongoing, often nonlinear process of recovering from physical, emotional, or spiritual wounds. It is called a journey because it is not a one-time event, but rather a series of steps and experiences that lead to greater well-being and self-awareness over time.

    On this journey, individuals confront and work through their pain, whether it stems from past trauma, illness, loss, or life’s challenges.

    The path can be winding, with moments of progress followed by setbacks. It looks different for every person because the things we need to heal from are different, and what works for one person might not work for another- and that’s OKAY.

    As people move through the healing journey, they often experience stages of grief, acceptance, and transformation.

    It requires patience, self-compassion, and the willingness to face difficult emotions. (Easier said than done, BELIEVE ME).

    Over time, the journey can lead to deeper insights, personal growth, and a renewed sense of purpose and connection. Ultimately, the healing journey is about learning to live with and transcend one’s wounds, emerging stronger and more whole on the other side.

    Healing can often be a deeply isolating experience. As you journey through the layers of your pain, it can feel as though you are walking a path that only you can navigate.

    It can often feel like you’re very misunderstood, or maybe you’re outgrowing the people and things that were once a essential part of your day to day life.

    The process demands introspection, time alone to reflect, and the willingness to face uncomfortable truths. While others may offer support, the inner work requires solitude—a retreat into oneself to confront and mend wounds. This isolation, though painful, is also a necessary part of the healing process. It creates the space for growth, allowing you to emerge stronger and more in tune with your true self.

    It doesn’t mean that to heal you need to shut out your love ones, as support can be extremely beneficial and necessary. However, it means getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. With trusting yourself and really looking inward to get to the place where you want/deserve to be.

    Be easy with yourself as it is a journey, not a race.

    With love and gratitude,

    Sara Ann Marie

  • What are your daydreams telling you?

    I don’t know about you, but I’m an avid daydreamer. When I’m in the car driving, or making dinner, cleaning my house, etc my mind often wanders and I begin to daydream.

    There is one thought specifically that has been on my mind since I was a little girl, and that was picturing myself sing on a stage in front of a ton people.

    When I’m driving in my car and listening to one of my favorite songs, naturally I’ll picture myself singing for a group of people. Typically in my daydream it’s a song that I have written, and a song that moves and touches a lot of people.

    Music has always been extremely important to me, and I’ve always been drawn to creative pursuits such as singing, dancing, theatre etc. However, my dream isn’t to be a singer but thinking more in depth of where my mind always wanders to is that I want to inspire people. I want people to feel heard and acknowledged by the words that I share and the work that I do.

    Have you ever heard a song or watched a movie and you’re like WOW!! How did they capture exactly how I feel!?

    It’s such a beautiful thing to be deeply moved by something someone created, and that’s where my passion lies.

    Now think about what you daydream about most often. Where does your mind wander too over and over again, and what is it trying to tell you?

    There’s no coincidence about the dreams that were planted within us, they are there for a reason and need you to act upon it.

    Also, I think a lot of people get stressed out about finding their “calling” and their mission. Trust that if you are listening to your intuition you don’t need to struggle to find it, it will find you. Pay attention to where your mind wanders to the most, and the things that light you up and make you feel giddy.

    With love and gratitude,

    Sara Ann Marie

  • Rumination is a killer of joy

    What is rumination?

    Rumination is the repetitive and often obsessive process of dwelling on negative thoughts and past events.

    It involves a cyclical thought pattern where the mind fixates on distressing experiences, endlessly replaying them and scrutinizing every detail.

    It can be a relentless mental loop which inevitably deepens feelings of sadness or anxiety, as the mind becomes trapped in a cycle of self-reflection without progression.

    Perception is a topic that is so interesting to me as everyone’s perspective is extremely different, leading two people who witness the same event to have completely different thoughts on what occurred. To tie this in with ruminating: let’s say you had an embarrassing moment involving another individual.

    You may ruminate on this, and start to speak negatively to and about yourself and create narratives in your head that push limiting beliefs on yourself. To the other person or people involved in your “embarrassing” moment, they may have seen the situation entirely differently.

    Also, as we are all the main character in our life’s even if they perceived the moment similarly to you, they probably spent less than 5 minutes thinking about it and than moved on with their lives.

    All to say, when we ruminate on things we tend to create narratives and stories that are not built on facts, but actually built around our insecurities and limiting beliefs.

    As an anxious over thinker, I understand how challenging it can be to overcome this thought pattern.

    Here are a few things that have helped me and may help you as well!

    Practice Mindfulness: Focus on the present moment through meditation or deep breathing exercises. This helps shift attention away from repetitive thoughts. Focusing on your five senses can help you get back to the here and now when your mind starts to spiral. For instance take a second and touch something near you, take a deep breath and focus on a smell, take a sip of your drink of choice or have a snack, listen to a noise near by whether it be the wind or a car passing by, and find something to look at. Getting back in the present moment and focusing on what’s real can help get you out of your head.

    Engage in Physical Activity: I know, everyone suggests this but it’s for a valid reason. Exercise can reduce stress and improve mood, making it easier to break the cycle of rumination. When you’re in a dark head space I know it can be challenging to partake in physical activity, but the way it can change your mood is amazing.

    Challenge Negative Thoughts: Question the validity of your thoughts and consider alternative perspectives. I love to journal when I’m ruminating and get to the core of why this particular thought won’t leave my head. It allows me to put my feelings into words and stop letting it take over my mind.

    Life can be very heavy, but try your best to not make it harder by filling your mind with negative thoughts about yourself and your life. You hold the key to your happiness, even when it doesn’t seem that way.

    As always, be gracious with yourself.

    With love and gratitude,

    Sara Ann Marie

  • Changing the narrative

    A concept that is so interesting to me is that our memories are not exact recordings of past events. They are reconstructions created by our MINDS.

    When we recall a memory, our brain pieces together fragments of information stored in various regions. This process involves filling in gaps with assumptions and related experiences, often influenced by our current emotions, beliefs, and external suggestions.

    Also, a memory that someone else described to us can make us think we remember the event but we might only remember what we were told and what we remember may actually be very different than what truly happened.

    Consequently, memories can be distorted or altered over time, reflecting not just the original event but also our subjective interpretations and the passage of time. This reconstructive nature of memory highlights the complex and dynamic interplay between our past experiences and present perceptions.

    All to say- typically what our minds piece together becomes facts to us. Whether we realize it or not we are feeding our mind information every second of the day and our powerful minds work diligently to put a story together.

    If you’re constantly telling your mind that you are bad at saving money what is your mind going to do? Put together a narrative and a slideshow of all the times you didn’t follow through with saving money that this becomes a belief to you.

    It can be extremely challenging to flip the script especially when you have formed an identity with your limiting beliefs, but it is not impossible- nothing is!

    Our minds possess remarkable power, capable of shaping our perceptions, behaviors, and overall reality. Through cognitive processes like thinking, learning, and imagining, our minds can solve complex problems, create innovative ideas, and generate profound emotions.

    The placebo effect illustrates this power, where believing in a treatment’s efficacy can lead to real physiological changes. Furthermore explaining my point that what you tell your mind day in and out becomes your reality.

    Protect your energy and nourish your mind with positive words and affirmations, it’s incredible what it can do! If you are not happy with your current reality you should try to do everything in your power to change the narrative and eliminate what is no longer serving you.

    In the mirror, reflections old

    stories of the past are silently told

    a whispered tale, a shadow cast

    reminiscing on the fleeting past

    but rise, with a courage so bright

    rewrite your story in golden light

    you possess the pen

    and hold all the power

    change your story, shift the view..

    the hero of the story has always been you.

    As always, give yourself grace. Life is a journey not a race and no matter which path you take, if you stay true to your heart you will end up where you’ve always belonged.

    With love and gratitude,

    Sara Ann Marie

  • The journey back to yourself

    A beautiful aspect of life is that it’s always changing. There are many different seasons of life and we as individuals inevitably change and grow as well.

    Everyone develops different aspects of their personalities, and as we go through different experiences we develop different beliefs and mannerisms.

    However, I believe that most of us have core beliefs and a core sense of self that was instilled in us as small children and never truly goes away.

    When I look back at pictures and videos of myself from when I was 2,3, and 4 years old I am shocked with the same facial expressions that I still make, and mannerisms that I still have to this day.

    As we get a little older, especially the teenage years for a lot of people, we may cover up who we really are to be accepted by other people.

    Speaking for myself personally, there was a time period that lasted for far too long, where I cared more about what others thought of me than what I thought of myself. This caused me to cover up so many aspects of myself, that there came a time where I didn’t truly know who I was anymore.

    In recent years I’ve been on the journey of self discovery and remembering the things that make me tick and light up. The biggest thing I’ve learned about being my authentic self is everyone may not like you, but you’re going to attract the people and experiences that are meant for YOU!

    There are more than 7 billion people in this world, it is impossible to make everyone like you- it’s not sustainable and it should never be the main goal.

    While it makes me feel so good to spread love and joy to others, what makes me feel the best recently is being someone that I absolutely love.

    It’s okay if there’s a bump in the road where you lose touch with yourself. For me, I am grateful for my low times because it’s given me an understanding of my resilience, and that you can truly come back from anything.

    At the end of the day, the person who really needs you to show up for them, is YOU. Spend a life time discovering what brings you joy, and the chances are you’ll inspire other people to do the same.

    There are no two souls

    that could be compared

    some shine bright with passions fire

    others glow with a calm desire

    each journey has paths that are unknown

    seeds have been planted and magic was grown

    every soul is a work of art

    never compare your magnificent heart

    With love and gratitude,

    Sara Ann Marie

  • You don’t need to obtain anything to be YOU

    When we are young, most of us believe that we are invincible. If you’ve ever asked a young child what they want to do or be when they grow up you might get answers like “Superhero” or a “Mermaid”.

    While it’s an adorable response, they truly believe with every fiber of their being that they can do or be ANYTHING they want to, nothing is out of reach.

    Then we get a little older, and we’re faced with set backs, criticisms from others, “failures”, etc. We start forming limiting beliefs and our faith that anything is possible dwindles a little more as we grow up and have more experiences.

    However, that magic that was inside of us when we were young is still very real and still in all of us.

    The way that our eyes light up when we talk or think about someone or something that we love. The fire in our stomach when we set out on a goal that just lights us up and makes us feel passionate. The way we feel around our closest loved ones, and the people who encourage us everyday. There is so much magic and goodness if we really look for it.

    It’s challenging as we grow up and learn limiting beliefs, and some people begin to have a hard time believing in themselves. They may start to seek validation from external factors and other people instead of listening to their inner voice and intuition.

    This happened to me for years, and going from seeking external validation to trusting yourself to know what to do can be extremely challenging. However, think about the inner you who truly believed that they could do and be anything. The truth is, they are the ones that were right and our inner voice telling us that we’re not good enough or not capable is very WRONG.

    Here are a few journal prompts if you are struggling with connecting with yourself and your inner magic:

    What fires me up and makes me feel magnetic?

    In what moments of my day to day do I feel the most joy?

    When I do _________ I feel like the best version of myself.

    Figuring out your core values and what makes you feel like the best version of yourself versus the things you’re doing that don’t make you feel as good is a great start to tuning back in with yourself and chasing after the things that are right for YOU.

    Your 4 year old self was right, you can be anything that you put your mind to. ❤️

    With love and gratitude,

    Sara Ann Marie

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