Why a blog though?

What’s your favorite daydream version of your life? Where do you live? Where do you work? What’s stopping you?

That last question can be harder to answer truthfully than the rest, at least, for me.

I’ve spent years of my life knowing that I love writing . . & still ignoring that part of myself. Doubtful that I could do anything worthwhile with it. Scared of the process that I’d be going through to actually do anything with it.

One day I just had to let it out! I wanted to do something for myself. The past decade I’ve spent a lot of time doing the same thing... & that’s a hard enough lesson to learn. Because even though I wasn’t all that focused I still made some movements in the general direction I wanted to go. In my blog post Growing Pains I shared a journal entry I wrote where I was proud of myself. I wrote about the different phases I went through that got me to the point I’m at now & really the excitement I felt that I could achieve my goals. After spending months in 2020 pandemic America I had plenty of mornings doing nothing but daydreaming about who I want to be next. I think it sounds silly to say that “who I want to be next” but it’s a real thought provoking idea for me.

Being someone who was born into a chaotic place and growing up around chaotic people I have always struggled with the lack of peace and positivity. I craved a space where people were encouraging and excited about growth.

When I couldn’t find that place with my family I decided to create it.

Shedding all those years of chaos has really been a struggle. Getting to a point where you know you can’t bring those people with you isn’t an easy decision to make.

Yet, here I am. Moving forward.

That favorite daydream life of mine includes my (not yet written) published book.

So, my choice to start a blog is a step towards writing legitimacy. Will people enjoy my content? That’s still to be determined. But Lessons In Grace is my journey from an uncomfortable place to my comfort zone. I’m writing about things that weigh on my heart and things that lift me up when life gets hard.

I love reading empowering stories and motivating books. I rave about Rachel Hollis on social media because it’s true! You can’t just wait for life to be better. You have to do it on purpose! Sometimes it’s just you and your path. I know how much it sucks to do it without another set of hands to help carry the weight.

I spent time upset with my family members that weren’t as helpful as I thought they should have been. I know in those days I needed a better environment. I know I should have been better. But even though it feels unfair I needed those ugly times to really be proud today. You can’t stay angry at yourself because you fell on hard times and grow at the same time.

Lesson in Grace : forgive yourself

My journey from being a teen mom to being a mom boss. My journey from being an overweight alcoholic to a healthy-living self-love enthusiast. My journey from uncertainty to self reliance. They all built the person I am today.

I hope my blog can carry us through these moments. Moments of happiness and pride. Moments of growth and accomplishments.

Focusing on my accomplishments & growth feels so much better than looking at the anxious what ifs. Looking at the things I can do is much better for me and my kids than dwelling on the things I failed to do. Sometimes people’s confidence isn’t effortless & I’m here to build confidence with intention.

Join me.

XO Taryn