One-in-three women also share this secret! It's something that fills us with shame, pain, self-blame... and fear! We become experts at keeping this secret, leading those around us to think everything's okay and that we've got this.

I hope you never have to experience this or never have. 

Three years ago one of my friends died in a brutal, violent, senseless way.

Her death in a murder / suicide killing spree in central Alberta shook my world.

I am no stranger to domestic abuse. I lived with it for most of my life. Does that make it any harder (or easier) to process, to deal with, to understand violence & abuse? No. Not really. Why?

Don’t Give Up!

That’s my best advice.

Thank you for stopping by.
xo Deena

p.s. If you’ve already got one foot out the door… with the noise of your Fear & Doubts honking outside…

How are those resolutions going?

It’s only a few days into this shiny brand new year & I am willing to bet you’re already struggling with the resolutions, goals & promises you made to yourself.. amiright?

Stop. Beating. Yourself. Up.

Cuz resolutions suck.

And here’s why…

Ever heard this advice?

When you need a break - TAKE ONE!

Great advice yup.. we are quick to give it, but damn it's hard to take it..

I've been ignoring the many nudges & hints from my mind & body that they need a break, a change of scenery, shut some shit down for a while .. and just breathe.

𝙒𝙝𝙮 𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙩 𝙨𝙤 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣' 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙙?
This might be why..

Those long orange (very versatile) veggies you know & love can teach you a few things about living a better life! And it actually has nothing to do with the nutrients they’re chock full of. Here’s what I’ve noticed..

This may surprise you, but THERE ARE ZERO GUARANTEES that the first, second, or even third thing you try will be a smash hit.

Why would you put your life on hold, then spend the whole time wondering & wishing you could somehow make this ‘impossible’ dream happen… ? 🤷🏼‍♀️

What can you do to get unstuck?

Shock and pain came crashing over me – crushing me.

I was desperately gasping for air, struggling to breathe – doubled over, as if I’d been kicked hard in the chest.

Grief was ripping me open from somewhere deep inside.

There was no breath to release the heart-wrenching sobs that were choking me – my throat tight, my brain terrified, as I stumbled up the stairs to escape what I’d just seen, knowing it couldn’t be left behind.

I’ll never forget that day.
It marked the beginning of my journey to freedom.

What did I see?

I took a leap & did a really scary thing recently, but that’s just the back story!

(If you missed it, check out my social posts for all the details)

Here’s where it all started..

Dammit.. another day, another week has passed .. 😔 & you feel so freakin’ guilty - shaming yourself for not making / taking the time to reach out and CONNECT.

Who are you missing most?
Who is missing you the most?

Could it possibly be your SELF?

You’re losing yourself, losing connection with who you are and what brings you joy.

Do you feel like you are dissolving, becoming transparent – invisible?

Are you burning the candle at both ends and trying to light the middle?
… keep reading…

It’s been 27 years since my brother died.

In that time, I have experienced many other significant losses, including the death of another brother and our mother.

Grief changes over time.

It isn’t logical or linear.

It doesn’t expire.

It will never completely disappear.

It can also bring insight and inspiration if we’ll accept it. Here’s an example from my life:

The Top 2 Things Women Can Do to Build Confidence

Confidence doesn’t come easily for many women. Society in general pushes us back, even as it spouts out female empowerment slogans and campaigns. It’s a “Society: be yourself. Society: no, not like that.” insanity that knocks us around, confusing, and deceptive, as it continues to make false promises about supporting us in our yearning for equilibrium & equality.

So, what can you do to build confidence as a woman in a culture that doesn’t genuinely support your efforts?

My answer comes from a question I was recently asked about tattoos! Keep reading to hear what I believe are the top 2 things to do to have success in your quest to build confidence.

Who lives inside YOUR head?

If it’s a nasty bitch, yattering mean shit about you and anything in your world – there are ways you can change that and become besties.

Here are 3 STEPS to TAKE YOUR INNER BULLY FROM BITCH to BESTIE.

Mother's Day..

Ya..

It can be marvelous or a complete mind-fuck..

During the first couple decades of your life you learned to do everything from how to feed yourself, walk unassisted, and use a toilet, to stay home alone, drive unsupervised, and, eventually, move out on your own - Independent.

Not only is independence a life goal, applauded and admired, but it can also be a repellant - for abundance.

Stay with me. I’ll explain.

…

…

… still here?!

Like REALLY here? in this very moment?

There’s a lot of talk about ‘being present’, but what’s it all about?

Could you be at your worst & don’t even know it?

You may be thinking..

Hey.. I’ve survived so far. It’s not that bad..
I can probably keep pushing through.
I don’t want anyone to know I’m struggling.
People will judge me & think I’m not capable/strong or have my shit together.

BUT WAIT!!!
Stop. Right. There.
This is SO SUPER IMPORTANT.
You may be in survival mode & don’t even know it.

The #1 thing you need to do is find out if you are.

Do this with me. Please. It just takes a few minutes & could CHANGE YOUR LIFE.

When you go through life looking for silver linings and your personal superpower is positivity, not everyone appreciates it. At least that’s what I’ve found. Some people even get downright pissy about it.

Have you ever been accused of being uninformed, unrealistic and naïve? How did that make you feel? Like an idiot? Did you dial back the warm sunshine of your personality and let some shady clouds of doubt cover your light? Here’s some tips

Does January bring you down? Every. Damn. Year?

Everyone is talking about resolutions & goals, but you’re feeling like a colossal failure just thinking of how last year went.
You didn’t accomplish what you wanted to. You gained weight, wasted money & time, drank too much, (insert all the failures you’re beating yourself up about).

You feel pressured to declare your resolutions, but already know you’ll break most of them .. again..

So what does this have to do with vampires?

Listen up! Your future self is reaching back to kick your ass into gear. Get it together woman! Grab those dreams by the tail. You are not going to disappoint her. You are not going to look back with any more regrets. The choices are yours to make.

So, how the hell are you supposed to figure out which is the right path?