personal growth
-
Starting Over – Choosing My Battles Now, What Comes After a Lifetime of Learning to Fight
I’ve spent a lifetime learning what it means to fight, through injustice, loss, and quiet moments that changed everything. Now, as I look toward the future, I’m choosing where that strength goes next and how I will use it with purpose.
Aunty Christine, Baltimore, courtroom experience, family impact, finding purpose, grief and loss, justice system, life after adversity, life lessons, mental health awareness, personal growth, personal reflection, purpose and direction, real life experiences, resilience, retirement transition, second chapter, storytelling, strength and resilience, suicide awareness -
What If Fort Armistead Became a Veterans Justice and Healing Campus?
Fort Armistead sits on Baltimore’s waterfront, but today it reflects neglect, safety concerns, and lost purpose. What if it became something more? This piece invites readers to imagine a Veterans Justice and Healing Campus rising from what currently feels forgotten.
-
I’m Done Accepting Less Than Respect
There comes a point where clarity replaces tolerance. This is about refusing to be dismissed, rejecting disrespect, and finally deciding that anything less than honesty, consistency, and basic human decency is no longer acceptable.
-
Welcome to TheLetFreedomRingAmendment.com — A New Home for Truth, Transparency, and Change
Welcome to TheLetFreedomRingAmendment.com, the new home for truth, transparency, and accountability in VA-backed mortgage servicing. This site explains what the amendment is, why it’s urgently needed, and how COVID relief failures created a second crisis for veterans and families. Learn the facts, follow the movement, and join the push for…
-
So… the Trust Is Broken. Now What?
Let’s not sugarcoat it, when trust breaks in a relationship, it feels like the floor just dropped out from under you. One minute you’re standing strong, the next you’re wondering who you even are to each other anymore. Maybe there was a lie. Maybe there was snooping. Maybe something just…
-
Self-Care Isn’t Selfish—It’s the Secret Sauce to Mental Wellness
Mental Health & Relationships Series Let’s be real for a second. When someone says “self-care,” most of us picture candles, cucumbers on the eyes, or a frothy lavender-scented bubble bath while lo-fi beats play in the background. That’s cute and all… but according to therapist and mental health expert David…
Aunty Christine, boundaries, burnout prevention, counseling, David Yeager, emotional wellness, healing journey, holistic health, mental health awareness, mental wellness tips, mental-health, mindfulness, personal growth, relationships and wellness, self-care, setting boundaries, stress management, therapy, Tortally Therapeutics, trauma-informed care -
When Something Feels Off: Trusting Your Gut in a World That Gaslights You
There’s a certain kind of silence that creeps into your mind when something just doesn’t feel right. It’s not dramatic. It’s not loud. But it’s there…tugging, tapping, whispering, “Pay attention.” And still, you second-guess yourself. Because they say you’re too sensitive. Too emotional. Too intense. Too much. So you soften…
-
When Boundaries Feel Like Suggestions (And You’re Tired of Repeating Yourself)
You ever lay down a boundary just to watch someone treat it like a speed bump? Yeah, me too. Let’s get one thing straight: boundaries are not invitations for negotiation. They are not “cute little requests” or things you throw out just to see if someone will respect them. They…
-
Boundaries, Jealousy, and Insecurity: Know the Difference
Let’s get something straight: setting boundaries does not make you insecure. And feeling jealous doesn’t automatically mean you’re crazy. And having insecurities? Welcome to being human. The thing is, these three often get lumped into the same messy bucket, but they’re not the same, and knowing the difference can save…
-
Her.
Some people just say “Mom,” like it’s a regular word. But for me, it was always her. She was the first face I looked for in a crowd, the last voice I heard before falling asleep. She was the one I wanted to tell when something went wrong, and the…
Aunty Christine blog, forever her, grief and healing, grief on holidays, healing after loss, heartfelt reflections, honoring her memory, losing a mother, love and loss, maternal love, midlife emotions, mother daughter bond, Mother’s Day without mom, navigating loss, personal growth, remembering her, remembering mom, Starting Over at 47, two year anniversary of loss, women over 40 -
Integrity or Bust (Because I’m Too Grown for Anything Less)
Let me just say it plain: I want integrity in my life, and I’m not willing to settle for anything less. At this point in the game, 47 years old, freshly navigating a divorce, starting over in just about every area of my life, I don’t have the energy or…
Aunty Christine blog, authentic relationships, boundaries and standards, character over convenience, choosing real, clarity is power, emotional healing, emotional maturity, Gen X perspective, honesty and values, integrity lifestyle, integrity matters, intentional living, life lessons, living with integrity, midlife mindset, midlife wisdom, moral compass, no more settling, personal growth, personal power, protecting your peace, radical honesty, real talk, self worth, self-respect, Starting Over at 47, truth over trends, unapologetic living, values that guide me -
Tiny Wings, Big Peace: How Birdwatching Became My Therapy
I didn’t expect to fall head over heels for a bird feeder. Honestly, I bought it on a whim, just another late-night scroll-and-click moment on Amazon. But what I thought would just be a simple backyard decoration turned out to be something so much more. It became my daily dose…
Aunty Christine blog, backyard birds, bird feeder blog, bird feeder camera, bird feeder therapy, bird watching joy, birds of Maryland, comfort in routine, daily rituals, emotional healing, feathered friends, finding calm, Gen X wellness, healing after divorce, healing through nature, mental health support, midlife healing, mindfulness in nature, nature as therapy, outdoor joy, peaceful moments, perky-pet bird feeder, personal growth, quirky healing methods, reconnecting with nature, self-care ideas, simple pleasures, solo journey healing, Starting Over at 47, unexpected happiness -
What Mother’s Day Really Means to Me Now
Let’s talk about Mother’s Day, shall we? Every second Sunday in May, the world gets flooded with commercials featuring flowers, brunch menus, and perfect families with matching smiles. And don’t get me wrong, I love a good mimosa and a heartfelt card. But when you’ve lived a few decades, lost…
Anna Jarvis, Aunty Christine blog, bittersweet holidays, complicated holidays, dog mom life, emotional healing, family traditions, generational love, grief and loss, healing after loss, heartfelt reflections, Honoring My Mom, legacy of love, life after loss, matriarch energy, Midlife Reflections, mom memories, mother-daughter love, Mother’s Day, Mother’s Day history, Mother’s Day meaning, motherhood, motherhood journey, personal growth, real talk for women, remembering mom, sentimental moments, Starting Over at 47, stepmom feelings, women over 40 -
Starting Over at 47 – Building Trust Again (When You’ve Been Burned Before)
Let’s talk about trust. Not the kind you read about in romance novels, where two people lock eyes and suddenly the world melts away and they just know they can rely on each other. No. I’m talking about real-world, gut-check, shaky-hands kind of trust. The kind you have to rebuild…
boundaries and healing, emotional healing, healing after betrayal, healing journey, inner strength, learning to trust again, life transitions, mature love, midlife relationships, personal growth, protecting your peace, rebuilding trust, relationship wisdom, Second Chances, self trust, self worth, starting fresh, Starting Over at 47, trust after divorce, trusting yourself -
The Weird Grief of Watching Your Childhood Neighborhood Change
We drove through my old neighborhood recently , and let me tell you, I was not emotionally prepared. There I was, sipping my iced coffee like it was just another Tuesday, when suddenly we turned down the street I grew up on and felt like I’d accidentally went onto a…
baltimore stories, childhood memories, city life changes, federal hill, finding yourself, grief and nostalgia, letting go of the past, midlife reflection, Midlife Transformation, neighborhood changes, personal growth, reclaiming identity, sentimental journey, south baltimore, starting fresh, Starting Over at 47 -
Waiting on Grandma Time (Even Though It’s Not Anytime Soon)
By Aunty Christine – your favorite not-yet-grandma with a whole lot of dreams and not a single diaper to change just yet Let me tell you a little secret… Sometimes, late at night, after the dogs are snoring and Oscar’s finally put his phone down for five whole minutes, I…
-
The Art of Letting Go (When You Were Never Taught How)
Nobody teaches you how to let go. Not really. We learn how to hold on—tight. To grudges. To people. To memories. To jeans that haven’t fit since the Obama administration. Somewhere along the line, especially if you grew up in a family that survived more than it thrived, the message…
-
Who Am I Without the Chaos?
It hit me the other morning. I was sipping my coffee, Oscar had already brought it to me in bed like he always does, and I realized… the house was quiet. Not just quiet quiet, but peaceful. No one arguing downstairs. No one stomping around. No doors slamming or text…
-
Starting Over at 47 – All the Things They Don’t Tell You About Starting Over in Midlife
There’s a lot of talk these days about fresh starts, new chapters, reinvention, living your truth. But starting over in midlife? That’s a whole different kind of journey. It’s not glamorous. It’s not a perfectly filtered before-and-after. It’s raw, quiet, and often happens in moments no one else sees. No…
emotional healing, finding peace, Fresh Start, Grief and Growth, healing journey, letting go, Life After Divorce, midlife loneliness, midlife reinvention, Midlife Transformation, new beginnings, personal growth, rebuilding trust, reclaiming independence, redefining identity, rediscovering yourself, Second Chances, self discovery, starting fresh, Starting Over at 47 -
Starting Over at 47 – The Beach Is Calling
Somewhere out there, there’s a breeze with my name on it. I can feel it calling me lately, soft and salty, full of second chances and new beginnings. I’ve always loved the beach, but now it feels like something more. Not just a place I’d like to visit. A place…
beach house goals, beach life dreams, coastal living, dreaming of the beach, emotional healing, finding peace, freedom after divorce, Fresh Start, healing journey, leaving the past behind, letting go, life transitions, midlife clarity, midlife reinvention, moving on, new beginnings, personal growth, rediscovering happiness, starting a new chapter, Starting Over at 47 -
Starting Over at 47 – Collateral Damage
If you’ve ever found yourself hurting over something that wasn’t your choice… I see you. If you’ve had your peace disrupted by someone else’s unresolved chaos, you’re not alone. Starting over in midlife comes with its own set of growing pains. Some are expected, like figuring out your next career…
-
Starting Over at 47 – Letting Go of the Timeline: There’s No Deadline for Reinvention
If you had asked me five years ago where I’d be today, I wouldn’t have guessed this. Divorced (again), living upstairs in a house I used to share with someone I thought I’d grow old with, rebuilding my life from the ground up… and yet, somehow, I’m more myself now…
breaking societal norms, embracing change, Fresh Start, healing journey, letting go of expectations, Life After Divorce, living on your own terms, Midlife Empowerment, midlife reinvention, personal growth, reclaiming your life, redefining success, self discovery, Starting Over at 47, women starting over -
Starting Over at 47 – Making Peace With My Body
Let’s talk about something real for a minute—our bodies. Or more specifically, my body. It’s been through a lot with me. Three marriages, two kids, surgeries, heartbreak, grief, love, stress, joy, moves, dancing, growing babies, growing gardens—you name it. And for most of that time, I talked to it like…
body positivity, emotional healing, healing after divorce, healthy habits, intuitive eating, lifestyle change, loving your body, making peace with your body, Mediterranean diet, midlife health, Midlife Transformation, midlife wellness, personal growth, relationship with food, self-love, starting fresh, Starting Over at 47, sustainable living, weight loss journey, women over 40 -
Starting Over at 47 – Redefining What Home Means to Me
So here I am—47 years old, going through a divorce, and moving back into the upstairs part of my own house. It’s funny, isn’t it? You think you know what “home” is supposed to feel like… until it doesn’t anymore. And then one day, you wake up, and you’re no…
creating new routines, divorce recovery, Emotional Decluttering, emotional healing, Fresh Start, healing journey, home makeover after divorce, letting go, life after separation, Midlife Transformation, peaceful living, personal growth, rebuilding life, reclaiming your space, redefining home, Second Chances, self discovery, starting fresh, Starting Over at 47, women starting over -
Starting Over at 47 – I Am Not Who I Was—And That’s a Good Thing
One of the hardest parts about starting over is realizing you’ve outgrown the person you used to be. Not because she wasn’t strong. Not because she wasn’t doing her best. But because you’re not her anymore—and honestly? That’s the point. People will try to remind you of who you used…
-
Starting Over at 47 – Redefining Career Success on My Own Terms
If you had asked me ten years ago what success looked like in my career, I probably would have rattled off a checklist: steady paycheck, promotions, job security, respect, and maybe a fancy title that made people nod approvingly when I said it out loud. But now, at 47, the…
-
Starting Over at 47: Learning to Trust Myself Again
Trust isn’t something that magically returns overnight. It’s something you slowly rebuild, moment by moment, especially after years of second-guessing yourself or feeling like your decisions were never fully your own. That’s the season I’m in—relearning how to trust me. Starting over at 47 has meant unpacking a lot of…
-
Starting Over at 47 – When They Can’t Handle Your Healing
Not everyone will cheer for you when you start to rise. That’s been one of the hardest and most heartbreaking lessons in this chapter of my life. As I’ve worked to rebuild, realign, and rediscover myself—some of the people I thought would be in my corner have either fallen silent…
-
Starting over at 47 – The Day I Stopped Driving
Some days, starting over looks like falling in love again. Other days? It looks like putting down the car keys for good. It’s been over a year since I stopped driving, and believe me, I didn’t come to that decision lightly. I’ve always been the kind of person who loves…
-
Starting Over at 47, Releasing Guilt, Shame, and the ‘Should Haves’
Starting over sounds brave on paper. But what they don’t tell you is how often it comes tangled up in guilt, shame, and a never-ending loop of “I should have known better.” I’ve thought it more times than I can count. I should have left sooner. I should have fought…
-
Starting Over at 47 (Almost 48) And Honestly? It Feels Empowering
If someone had told me I’d be starting over at 47, soon to be 48, I would’ve assumed they meant something like a new hairstyle or trying yoga again. Not a full-blown life reset. Yet here I am, in 2025, flipping the script on what this age is supposed to…
-
The Day I Stopped Caring What People Think (and Got Happier Because of It)
I used to worry a lot about what people thought of me. What I said, what I wore, who I dated, how I lived. It was like carrying around a backpack full of other people’s opinions, and let me tell you, it was heavy. Then one day, something shifted. Maybe…
Aunty Christine, bold choices, confidence, dropping expectations, emotional healing, empowerment, finding peace, golden hour mindset, grief and strength, healing journey, inspirational blog, letting go, living for yourself, living unapologetically, mental clarity, personal growth, self-acceptance, self-love, stop caring what others think, unapologetic living -
Boundaries & Manipulators – Because Not Today, Satan
Let’s talk about boundaries. Not the picket-fence kind or the imaginary line that separates your flower bed from your nosy neighbor’s. I’m talking about the personal kind, the ones that help us protect our peace, energy, and sanity. You know, the kind that makes people squint at you like you’ve…
boundaries, confidence, dealing with manipulators, emotional boundaries, emotional wellness, empowerment, guilt-free living, healing, healthy relationships, inner peace, letting go, mental health, mental-health, personal growth, protect your peace, relationships, saying no, self-care, self-respect, setting boundaries, toxic relationships -
Slow and Steady Healing: Real Talk About Mental Health
Let’s take a moment to get real, mental health isn’t always pretty, and it’s definitely not predictable. Life has a sneaky way of throwing curveballs just when you think you’re finally getting your footing. I’ve been through it, multiple losses, heartbreak, betrayal, and just… existing in the aftermath of it…
Aunty Christine, coping with grief, emotional wellness, grief and loss, healing after loss, healing journey, mental health, mental health awareness, mental health support, mental resilience, overcoming loss, personal growth, self-care, self-compassion, self-love, slow healing, therapy, Tortally Therapeutics, wellness reminder