August 10, 2003, 3 a.m., Amsterdam. Today, 22 years ago. A bar sticky with last songs and almost-mornings.That’s where I met a Finnish guy named Mikael—Micke, Micky—and had no idea I’d just stepped into the adventure of my life. Since then: three kids, one angel watching over us, an awesome bonus daughter, years off-grid on

The world has opinions about your life—how you should think, feel, choose.The next step isn’t the hard part.The hard part is muting the noise long enough to hear your own voice—and trusting it. For me, it came down to three words. Not concepts. Compass points.They brought me back to myself. Maybe they’ll bring you back

What if celebration, achievement, and that knot-in-your-stomach travel together?Spoiler: they do. They did all summer. Portugal put on her best: hot but kind, evenings like velvet, even Sintra behaving—no moody wind, just light that lingered. What made it gold All my kids under one roof.Long dinners that got honest somewhere between the olives and the

We’d just moved from Dubai to Portugal.Boat to house.Homeschool to bells and schedules.Full-time mom and teacher to… I’m not sure who yet. Nothing was wrong, exactly. It was just different—300% different. The old chapter had closed with a gentle click, and the next one stared back, blank and a little loud. I remember standing in

(And I’m Just Getting Started) At the start of 2025, I made a quiet but powerful decision:To say YES to life again. Life was already pretty good… but the lingering effects of Covid, the rollercoaster of menopause, and a house full of teenagers — quickly followed by two of them leaving the nest — made

(And I’m Learning to Paint My Next Chapter) I thought I was ready.I wasn’t. But here’s the truth: I’m learning how to fly too. Before I became a mom, I was sure of two things: Well… I failed pretty spectacularly at the first.Turns out “we’ll see” is just a slow, passive-aggressive no. But the second?

(And Gave Me Back a Deeper Connection to Life) Growing up, no one ever taught me how to breathe.Even as an athlete, breath was just… automatic. Functional. Background noise.I knew how to push. How to endure.But not how to exhale. It wasn’t until yoga — years later — that I started noticing my breath at

(Sometimes, It’s Just a Quiet “Yes” That Changes Everything) When was the last time you had the courage to leap? Not the kind of decision made to check a box.Not the one everyone expects from you. I mean the one that stirs something deep.The one where your knowing finally outshouts your fear.The kind of decision

Why It’s Outdated — But Still Messing With Our Minds in 2025 You know that invisible stopwatch that starts ticking the moment you’re born? The one whispering deadlines like:“You should have it figured out by now…”“You’re behind…”“It’s too late…” Here we are in 2025:AI is reshaping industries.Women are freezing their eggs between Zoom calls.People go

How keeping small promises helped me rebuild trust in myself — one step, one breath, one day at a time. “I’ve never tried that before, so I’m sure I’ll be great at it.”— Pippi Longstocking This line always makes me smile. It’s playful, outrageous, and bold — the kind of thing most of us wouldn’t

A story about stepping back, feeling lost, and coming home on your own terms This one’s for the women who left —and are now choosing to return with a different kind of strength. Four years ago, I left social media. I told myself it was about boundaries. Peace.Less noise. More presence. And in part, that

Looking at myself in the mirror…Fresh from a morning working in the garden.Quick shower.Hair dried by the breeze — which is always around here in our old mill.No makeup. No filter. No pretending. And for once, I didn’t scan for flaws.Didn’t critique.Didn’t rush past the reflection. I paused.I saw myself.And… I liked her. Minutes later,