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I was driving to my doctor’s appointment this morning, whispering prayers in between songs on the radio. This week feels different. Thank God. I’ve been searching for the word that fully captures this era of my life, and then it finally hit me.

Courage.

This year specifically, I’ve shown up for myself in ways I never have before. Not always perfectly, but consistently. Boldly. Bravely. I’ve made decisions that required more faith than resources, and somehow, I keep finding a way. And for that…I’m proud af.

This is an era where I’m choosing to thank myself out loud.

Not just for the way I show up for others, but for how I keep showing up for me.

From scouting commercial spaces this morning, to managing my half day work schedule and squeezing in park time for my favorite girl (if the rain doesn’t stop us), I’m doing it. All of it.

And I’m going to be honest, Thursdays are my sleepiest days of the week. My cousin works for Metro and Thursdays are his hangout days, meanwhile I be dragging, lol. But even in that, I still showed up today. I got things done, made moves, and kept pushing toward the life I’m building for us.

So before the dinner rush hits and toddler energy takes over my evening, I just wanted to pause and honor myself in this moment.

Grateful for my grind. Grateful for my softness. Grateful for my strength.

This season may not look like luxury from the outside, or maybe it does! But this kind of peace, this kind of perseverance? It’s priceless.

Xoxo, Drea