Ugh. I’m in a mood tonight.
And let’s be real—that’s probably not a great sign considering this is the second time in 11 days that I’ve started a post with that exact word.
Anyway, the day started off strong. I woke up grateful, thankful, and genuinely happy. I carried those good vibes with me through the first half of the day… until my darling kindergartners managed to chip away at my light like tiny, adorable jackhammers.
I love them. Truly, I do. But man, sometimes they drain me to the point of near depletion.
Midday, I tried to ground myself with some mantras I’ve been leaning into:
✨ I am the calm in the chaos.
✨ I lead with light.
✨ I stay grounded, even when energy runs high.
✨ My joy is protected.
✨ I am a powerful creator—even here, even now.
And honestly? I’m still clinging to those words.
By the time I got home, I had eaten well all day—so proud of my healthy choices. Then, the dinner hour hit. And next thing I knew, I was scarfing down the crust of my daughter’s grilled cheese and polishing off my other daughter’s leftover enchilada like it wouldn’t count if I ate it quickly between bites of my low-carb, peri-menopause-fighting stir-fry.
Ugh. (Again.)
Here’s the thing—I’ve been petite my whole life. My body would fluctuate five pounds over a weekend and I’d bounce right back by Tuesday. But lately? I’ve gained five pounds in three weeks despite walking three miles a day and eating like someone training for a half marathon in reverse.
I feel discouraged. My clothes are tight. My belly feels unfamiliar. I don’t recognize myself in the mirror some days. Is this just what happens now?
But despite the downward spiral I feel tugging at me, I made a promise to myself: 365 days of gratitude and manifestation. So tonight, I’m showing up. Even when I feel off. Especially when I feel off.
✨ Gratitude Practice:
My family. My job. Our home. My parents. My in-laws. Our neighborhood. My dog. My childhood. Books. Laughing. Restaurants. Curbside pickup. The outdoors. My health. The health of my loved ones. The kids I teach. Electricity. Internet. Running water. Memories. A sound mind. Writing. Reading. Freedom. Mexican food. Wine. Flip-flops. Beautiful beaches. The perfect sunset. The perfect pair of jeans. Friday afternoons. Saturday mornings. Movies. Cozy blankets. Fireplaces. Swimming pools. My college education.
🌟 Manifestation Practice:
I am so happy and grateful now that we live in our dream lakefront home—expansive, beautifully designed, and filled with love and laughter. There’s space for everything and everyone: a game room, pool, movie room, bar, and a serene outdoor living area that feels like a retreat.
Each of our five children has their own room and private bath, and we have gorgeous guest suites and dual home offices. Our dream cars sit in the garage. We have the support of a maid, chef, personal trainer, assistant—you name it—and it allows us to enjoy every moment.
I’m a best-selling author, writing full time and making an incredible living doing what I love. My husband is thriving in his dream career. Our children are kind, grounded, joyful, and thriving.
We travel the world—this year alone we’ve explored St. John, the BVI, Costa Rica, Italy, Canada, and South America. We fly first class or private and stay in the most luxurious accommodations—but remain grateful, generous, and centered.
I am so happy and grateful now that we have millions in the bank. We can do, be, have, and give anything we want. We live in joy. We create joyfully. We are living our dream life now.
You know what? Just writing this out lifted my vibe.
I’ve read before that one of the most powerful things you can do is mentally replay your day each night—and reimagine any tough moments through a more positive lens. I’m going to try that tonight. Nothing catastrophic happened today, but I am disappointed in the way I let small frustrations unravel me.
Tomorrow is a new day. A fresh opportunity to show up as a slightly better version of myself.
And that’s the journey. One tiny step forward, every single day.
💫 Want more daily gratitude, manifestation inspiration, and real-life reflections?
Come hang out with me on Facebook! I’d love to connect, share, and grow with you.
👉 Follow along here 💕
The Manifest Study 