finding clarity halfway through

Time surely flies, whether you’re having fun or not. But especially when you are. I can’t believe it’s already been a month of being in the US. And yet, I can because I’ve been staying present, aware, and grounded with the help of my journals. It’s been great and I’m a little sad that we’ve reached the halfway point of our stay.

I intentionally chose to spend two months here at the start of the year because I wanted space. A new environment to begin again. After an emotionally challenging 2025, I craved peace, quiet, and safety. The kind that a far yet familiar place in the winter could offer. It is quiet and isolated, and having my cousin here makes it a safe place to be myself. I thought it would be the perfect place to focus and quietly build a strong foundation. But it unfolded in a way I didn’t expect.

I envisioned having a solid routine: working on my business most days, not worrying about fixing our home, and tuning out the noise. I imagined daily walks in the park and healthy meals simply because they were accessible. None of this happened the way I imagined it would. Or at least, not with the frequency or intensity I had planned. There were family trips that were hard to say no to, adjustments that took longer than expected, and living circumstances I had to work around. While I know to focus on what I can control, I didn’t anticipate how unideal it would feel at times or how familiar that old feeling would creep in: feeling left out, or like I was falling behind.

And yet, oddly and beautifully, I am still happy.

I’m content. I’m not in a rush. I’m not comparing. I’m not being hard on myself. I work on what I can, when I can. I try to move and eat well. It doesn’t have to be consistent to be valid — something I didn’t used to believe. It’s such a refreshing feeling to be here, and such a reflection of how far I’ve come. This slowness, this softness, this clarity…this is the life I want to build.

The journey to get to this place of contentment hasn’t been easy. But it is possible if you keep working toward it. I’ve learned that it’s a never-ending cycle of letting go, loving, and trusting yourself and life. 

This is now my third year on this journey, which began in 2024, and I’ve learned so much along the way. These are some of the lessons or reminders that carried me through, especially in the last few months:

Trust God’s will instead of your own
I’ve questioned this journey many times, and God knows it. It wasn’t until late last year that I realized this path might be exactly where I’m meant to be. The caregiving, the work, the simplicity, all of it. I wasn’t happy before, and I didn’t truly depend on Him. Now, it’s the opposite. Sometimes the work is simply to trust, embrace, and stop resisting.

Choosing yourself is not selfish
For years, I was a people-pleaser, shaped by culture and the need to feel worthy. I didn’t really know myself. I followed too many voices and ignored my own. Choosing myself felt uncomfortable at first, even wrong. But the more I practiced it, the freer I became. It deepened my relationship with myself and created a sense of safety within.

Move slowly for sustainable growth
There is constant pressure to move fast, do more, and please everyone, especially when building something of your own. I compared myself to others without realizing that speed would only lead to burnout and misalignment. The goal isn’t to get there quickly or be the most liked. It’s to stay true to who I am and let that guide every step. Slow, intentional growth lasts.

A simple life is a fulfilling life
A year without steady income, a permanent home, or certainty taught me how little I actually need. Peace, safety, and a calm environment matter more than accumulation. I became more intentional with my purchases, commitments, and relationships. Letting go both materially and mentally made space for what truly matters.

Let go of the need to prove yourself
For a long time, I tied my worth to doing more and achieving more. I wanted to be the best to feel enough. When I released that need, everything softened. I became more grounded, more compassionate, and more present. It improved my relationships and allowed me to move through life with humility, clarity, and freedom.

These are the truths I return to — the reminders that help me zoom out, gain perspective, and move forward with intention. They all come back to three philosophies of a bare life: release, embrace, and unfold.

And now that life feels a little clearer, it feels like the right time to set my 2026 intentions.