Sometimes you just have to throw it out the window - and that’s OK!

I lock in. One of my biggest pet peeves is a lack of authenticity, so when I commit to something, I can get stubborn about it. Like… this is what I do! But I’m realizing I need to be more fluid.

My journey started with balance—balancing health and living, medication and quality of life, family time and me time, spending and saving… you get it.

So where does balance fit into locking in? I make intentional, calculated choices, but sometimes my strictness leaves me feeling burnt out. Letting go of the rules I created helps reconnect me with my original “why.” That reason was always there, but somewhere along the way, it stopped driving me. My needs changed, but my actions didn’t adjust. I stayed locked in when I really needed to shift.

I’m learning to be less rigid—more fluid, lighter. Re-evaluating and making changes isn’t just necessary; it can be freeing. A fresh perspective on an old focus might just be the thing to highlight what’s been overlooked, neglected, or left simmering on the back burner for too long.

But it’s hard! Change means breaking out of autopilot. It means stepping into the unknown and facing self-inflicted challenges. But it can also mean reawakening or reviving something inside you.

When you take stock of your life and contemplate change, it’s tricky—not because you’re letting go of things that don’t serve you, but because you’re making room for things that might serve you even better. You’re not just swapping bad for good; sometimes, you’re swapping good for better—or simply for something new and refreshing.

If you’re in a rut or stuck in a routine that feels stagnant, I challenge you to switch things up. Try something new. Don’t stay locked into a routine just because it’s familiar. It may not be serving you best anymore.

What did I change?

The last couple of months have been big for me. I’ve always been pretty rigid with nutrition and exercise, but I realized I needed to adapt.

First—exercise. Chronic neck pain and posture issues pushed me to rethink my workout routine. For years, I stuck to the same “great” program with the same “great” people. And it was great—until it wasn’t. My body needed time to heal and adjust. So, for now, I’m focusing on what I need most, rather than pushing my limits. Simple, right? Except it wasn’t. As strange as it sounds, committing to stopping was the hardest part. That routine had become a part of me, and so had the people.

Second—diet. After eight years of following a pescatarian (and sometimes vegan) diet, I decided to make a change. My lifestyle made it tough to maintain properly, and I was often cooking double meals for myself and my family. Working with a nutritionist I came up with a new plan that is still mostly whole-food and plant-based, but also includes more animal proteins.

Upon reflection, I realized my dietary choices weren’t just about health—they were about control. I wanted to believe I was doing everything I could to prevent illness. And if I ever did get sick, at least I’d know I had done all I could. But here’s the thing: I haven’t done everything—because I’m human. And most of this isn’t in my control anyway.

So, this shift isn’t just about food. It’s about letting go—of control, of the belief that I’m solely responsible for every outcome. And honestly? It’s a relief.

It’s Just a Dance!

Photo taken at Grounds for Sculpture.