More Than Family: Why Staying Connected Matters

According to my 11-year-old cousin, I am a second mom to her and she told her own mother this. She never really goes into detail about why, but honestly, I already know. I accept her for who she is and never belittle her. I’ve made it clear that she is always welcome in my home and that she is never a burden. If she ever needs a place to stay, my door is always open.

I show her love and treat her like my own child. I make sure she knows what it feels like to be loved and supported, and I always try to show her compassion. I do my best to make sure she is okay and has everything she needs.

I pay for her phone every month so she always has a way to communicate if she needs to. She’s also on our family Spotify plan. Her family lives in a gulley, or wooded area, which is very remote—surrounded by trees and far from neighbors. Before she had her own phone, she would use her mom’s phone to talk to friends, but that caused problems. Her mom often couldn’t be reached, and her parents wouldn’t always know where she was when she was out or spending the night at friends.

Her mother wanted to give her a phone for Christmas but I had an extra phone laying around and due to her family situation and the fact that she’s in middle school, I decided to get her a phone. Honestly, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Anytime she needs me—day or night—she messages me. If she needs someone to talk to, she reaches out. Knowing she has that support and safety means everything.

With that being said, if you need an extra phone line for a family member, consider Verizon. They offer free phones with the purchase of a plan, which can be a huge help—especially for seniors or other family members who need to stay connected..  Join now!

$25/4 lines and Iphones 17! Click here to get this! 

I'm going back into photography

 Nature photography is an art that many people enjoy and appreciate. It's a great way to connect with nature, capture the beauty of the world around us, and share our passions with others. However, as with any art form, it can be challenging to acquire the necessary tools and equipment to bring our visions to life. One such tool is the lens - a vital component in the world of photography that can help us capture breathtaking landscapes and majestic wildlife. But with so many options available, it can be difficult to know which lens to choose. And with the rising costs of equipment and supplies, it can be a real challenge to afford the high-quality lenses we need to enhance our photography. That's why I'm asking for your support in helping me purchase a lens that will take my nature photography to the next level. Whether you're a fellow nature lover or simply appreciate the beauty of the world around us, I believe this lens will make an incredible difference in the quality and creativity of my photography. With your generous donation, I'll be able to share my passion and showcase the stunning beauty of nature with others. Thank you for your help in making my dream of nature photography a reality.

Tip my ko-fi

Feeling lost in life (Not sure what suppose to do)

 It's common to feel unsure about what you want to do with your life, and it's okay to take some time to figure it out. Here are some steps you can take to gain clarity:

Self-reflection: Spend some time thinking about your interests, strengths, values, and passions. What activities do you enjoy? What do you excel at? What is important to you? What motivates you?

Explore: Look into different career paths, hobbies, and volunteer opportunities that align with your interests and values. This can help you discover new passions and give you a better sense of what you enjoy doing.

Experiment: Try out different things to gain practical experience and test your interests. You could take courses, internships, shadowing or even take a gap year to travel and explore.

Talk to others: Seek advice and guidance from people you respect and trust, such as family, friends, mentors or career counselors. They may have insights or perspectives that can help you better understand yourself and your options.

Remember that finding your path is a journey, not a destination. It's okay to make mistakes or change directions along the way. What's important is that you stay curious, open-minded, and willing to take action towards your goals.

The feeling of never being good enough

 Feeling like you're not good enough is a common experience that many people go through at some point in their lives. Here are some things that may help you cope with this feeling:

Recognize that it's normal: Remember that feeling like you're not good enough is a common human experience. You're not alone in this.

Challenge negative self-talk: Notice when you're engaging in negative self-talk and try to challenge those thoughts with more positive and realistic ones. For example, instead of thinking "I'm not good enough," try thinking "I'm doing the best I can."

Set realistic expectations: Set goals that are challenging but achievable. Break them down into smaller, manageable steps so that you can see progress over time.

Focus on your strengths: Identify your strengths and focus on them. This can help you build confidence and feel more positive about yourself.

Seek support: Talk to someone you trust, such as a friend, family member, or mental health professional. Sometimes, just talking about your feelings can help you feel better.

Remember, feeling like you're not good enough doesn't mean that you're not capable or deserving of success. With patience, persistence, and self-compassion, you can overcome these feelings and achieve your goals.

If I had the money...

 If I had 500,000, I would buy my first house. I would also pay my parents dues, give my mother in law a home of her own and give back whatever I had left to those in need.

 I would also give my little brother a little bit so he would not have to worry. I would make sure my family is taken care of before doing anything else with the money that is left.

 After all that I would get my friends gift cards or something that they need. I may save some or start a business but honestly I'm not worried about the money after all I got what I needed and wanted with it, while I had the money.

Life after baby; Postpartum.

There is a lot of things that women go through after having a baby that some people do not understand.
We have a lot to go through from pain to depression to everything under they sun.

There is a lot of things that we try to cope with and hide like the fact that in postpartum depression the baby can feel like it's not yours, you may gain suicidal thoughts, everything feels like its going wrong that you are horrible and start blaming yourself for everything. There are also hidden feelings and emotions you have that you did not know you have. You can also say things you don't mean.

I just want to say, it's all going to be okay, you have came along way. You got this! you have a little one who needs you. You have a reason to keep going even if it all feels like its going to end, like the whole world is falling on your shoulders you have to push through and keep strong for your little one! It's hard trying to wake up each day and you want to give up I know. I have a newborn and a 1 year old. It's a struggle but you just have to keep moving. A support system is the best thing to have no matter who it is. Someone to talk to is really important and helps. Exercising or doing something you love helps to. I have had and still having battles and wanted to give up but I can not because I have two babies depending on me and not letting me give up. You can also go to your doctor and tell them about it and they will give you antidepressants. You can also go to a therapist, Don't worry many women go through this and some just don't feel comfortable talking about it.

There are others out there that are just like us, you are not alone please feel free to reach out to someone and talk about everything, it helps!