Nothing can keep you happy forever. No matter what happens, you'll go back to neutral. The good stuff becomes your new normal.

It's written in your DNA. It's called hedonic adaptation and it used to serve us well. Hell, you can't be happy and positive all the time when you're trying to not get eaten by giant beasts. It's the reason that in a study of lottery winners, they found that those new millionaires were, in a few months, no more happy than the average person.

Hedonic adaptation has no real advantage for us anymore; it just sticks around because we're genetically designed that way.
But you can avoid it. You can be happy more. You can love your life in the NOW.

The secret is gratitude.

Quick, name 3 things you're grateful for. Yes, you. Yes, now.
Do it again tomorrow.
And the next day.
And the day after that.
Forever.

​Choose gratitude and you choose happiness, positivity, and a life you love.

"Success lies in a masterful consistency around the fundamentals." - Robin Sharma

Those successful people you admire? You want to know their secret? Consistency.
Health and wellness? You can't exercise once and suddenly you're an all-star athlete. You can't eat well for a day and expect to lose 30 pounds. These things come with consistency.
Business? You don't make a million dollars by posting a couple of times on social media. You have to show up every single day and put in the work with (you guessed it) consistency.
A loving marriage? You don't get to have an incredible relationship with your spouse by putting in effort occasionally. Love your person consistently.

Those things you want in life? You can totally have them. Be consistent, show up, and make it happen. If you're looking for someone to help you find consistency and crush your goals, I am currently accepting beta testers for my Life Coaching program. Find out more here.

You all know what I'm talking about, moms.

We stay up past midnight to make perfectly decorate cupcakes for our kid's classroom Christmas party... only to scarf one down for breakfast on the way to school because we forgot to feed ourselves.

Our children are immaculately dressed in coordinated, clean, fashionable clothes... and we're living in yoga pants and old maternity clothes with stains.

Doctors visits are regularly scheduled for our little ones... but we haven't had a check-up in 2 years.

Sound familiar? Well, I'm here to tell you: there's a better way. Want to know the secret?

You need to treat yourself just as well as your treat your children. 

I know, it sounds crazy. 

And I'm not saying neglect you should your kids but I would challenge you today to think about YOU for a change. Prioritize your own needs - eating well, getting enough sleep, working out, spending time with your partner or friends, reading a book with a hot cup of coffee that you don't need to reheat 7 times before you get to finish it. Be a little selfish in the name of being a better mom.

Putting yourself first sometimes is actually the best thing you can do for your kids.

Blending means bending.
It is compromise and communication and changing calendars to consider what's best for the kids.
Blending means building on something that already exists.
It is parenting sometimes and sometimes it's being the outsider, the adult friend, the perspective that says, "Maybe you can try this" or sometimes it's being the person who has to step back and just accept the foundation that's been built.
Blending means balance.
It is wondering if you're doing this whole blended family thing right; it is reading every stepparent book you can find in hopes of finding the answers. And, then, it is realizing there are no real answers, because every blended family is a little bit different. There is insight and advice but the only answers you will find are the ones you create for your family, in your home.
Blending means being part of something.
It is scary and complicated; it can be daunting and sometimes it is difficult. But all the best things in life are. It is finding your place; it is worth every demanding moment or doubt. It is your family. These are your people.

The universe is on your side, baby girl. It is looking out for you.
When I found out I was pregnant (6 months into a long-distance relationship), I was incredibly scared about the unknown, about what was to come.
Oh, if I could have known.
If I had know that my future husband would be the first man to love me unceasingly, who would show me, undoubtedly, that my first love wasn't really my first love.
If I had known that becoming a mother would also be the moment I found my passion for business, for entrepreneurship, for being my own boss.
If I had known that my relationship with my body would change and the respect I have for it would grow exponentially.
And, oh, baby girl, if I had known about you, your light, the joy you bring.
There is fear in the unknown, in change, in the unexpected... but the universe has got your back.