🚸 Your Inner Child Called… It Wants a Refund

 

Spoiler alert: If you read that list and suddenly felt personally attacked... welcome to the club. Membership is free, but unfortunately, healing takes a little work.

Here's the thing...

Most of us weren't handed an instruction manual for emotions. We were handed phrases like:

"Stop crying."
"You're too sensitive."
"Be grateful."
"Figure it out yourself."

Then somehow society expected us to grow into emotionally healthy adults without ever learning what emotional safety actually feels like.

Makes perfect sense... said no therapist ever.

The truth is, those habits you've been beating yourself up over?

• Always saying "I'm fine" when you're clearly auditioning for the role of Human Dumpster Fire?

• Apologizing because someone bumped into you?

• Feeling guilty for taking a break after working yourself into another dimension?

• Thinking love has to be earned through overgiving, overthinking, and overexplaining?

Those aren't personality flaws.

Those are survival skills.

Your younger self wasn't trying to become difficult...
They were trying to become safe.

Your brain learned to protect you with the tools it had available at the time.

The problem?

Those survival strategies often outlive the danger that created them.

It's like wearing a winter coat in the middle of July because one time it snowed. Protective? Sure. Comfortable? Not even a little.

Healing doesn't happen because one inspirational quote magically fixes everything.

(If it did, we'd all be emotionally healed by scrolling Facebook.)

Healing happens in the small moments.

✨ When you stop apologizing for existing.
✨ When you allow yourself to rest without earning it.
✨ When you set a boundary without writing a 14-page explanation.
✨ When you let someone help you instead of insisting, "I've got it."
✨ When you start speaking to yourself with the kindness you freely give everyone else.

Here's the beautiful part...

You don't have to blame your parents, your childhood, or every person who hurt you to acknowledge that something wounded you.

You can recognize the pain without letting it define your future.

Awareness isn't about staying stuck in the past.

It's about finally understanding why you react the way you do so you can choose something different moving forward.

Because the goal isn't to become perfect.

The goal is to become peaceful.

So if this list hit a little too close to home today...

Don't ask,
"What's wrong with me?"

Ask,
"What happened to me?"

That one question replaces shame with curiosity.

And curiosity is often where healing begins.

💜 Remember: You are not "too much."

You were simply carrying too much for far too long.

Now it's time to put some of that weight down.

Your inner child has been waiting a long time for someone to finally choose them.

Maybe today... that someone can be you.

SIGNS YOU HAVE AN INNER CHILD WOUND

 SIGNS YOU HAVE AN INNER CHILD WOUND

1. Hyper-independence

You rely only on yourself not because you truly want to… but because trusting others feels unsafe.

2. Trouble asking for help

Even during difficult moments, you stay silent because somewhere inside you learned your needs might be ignored.

3. Fear of being a burden

You shrink yourself emotionally, hide your struggles, and avoid asking for too much from others.

4. Living in constant survival mode

Your mind stays alert even when nothing is wrong. Rest feels unfamiliar because your nervous system learned protection before peace.

5. Minimizing your own pain

You say “it’s fine” even when it hurts deeply because your emotions were not treated as important growing up.

6. Feeling like you don’t fully belong

Even around people, there can be a quiet feeling of disconnection, loneliness, or being misunderstood.

7. Feeling unlovable deep inside

No matter how much love people offer, part of you struggles to fully believe you deserve it.

8. Rejecting compliments or kindness

Care feels uncomfortable because it conflicts with the negative way you secretly learned to see yourself.

9. Feeling guilty while resting

Your worth became tied to productivity, performance, or usefulness instead of simply existing.

10. Confusing chaos with love

Healthy calmness can feel unfamiliar when emotional instability was normalized during childhood.

11. Feeling like you must earn love

You overgive, overexplain, overwork, and overextend hoping to finally feel chosen or worthy.

12. Difficulty receiving support

When people genuinely care for you, part of you questions their intentions or feels undeserving.

13. Overapologizing constantly

You fear conflict, rejection, or disappointing others, so you explain and apologize more than necessary.

14. Feeling “too much” or “not enough”

You rarely feel emotionally balanced—either shrinking yourself or feeling overwhelmed by your own emotions.

15. Feeling unsafe during peaceful moments

Calmness can feel suspicious because your mind became used to expecting stress, conflict, or disappointment.

16. Feeling responsible for everyone’s emotions

You constantly try to fix, soothe, manage, or carry feelings that were never yours to hold.

17. Constantly comparing yourself to others

Your self-worth depends heavily on external validation instead of inner acceptance.

18. Choosing emotionally unavailable people

The mind often repeats familiar emotional patterns, even painful ones, because familiarity feels safer than the unknown.

19. Being hyperaware of moods and tone changes

You notice every shift in expression, silence, or energy because your nervous system learned to scan for emotional danger.

20. Struggling to fully relax and feel safe

Part of you is always preparing for something to go wrong—even during good moments.

These are not character flaws.

They are survival patterns created by a younger version of you trying to feel safe, loved, accepted, and protected.

And what was learned through pain

can slowly be healed through awareness, patience, boundaries, self-compassion, and peace.

Healing begins the moment you stop asking:

“What’s wrong with me?”

And start asking:

“What happened to me

Zesty Chicken Bites Recipe Idea

4th of July is almost here! The recipe below would be a great addition to a holiday party! Zesty Chicken Bites

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:

1. 35 ounces of boneless chicken breasts 2. 1 egg 3. 1/4 tsp water 4. 1/4 cup almond meal or almond flour 5. 1 tsp Italian Seasoning 6. 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper 7. 1/4 tsp paprika 8. 1/2 tsp garlic powder 9. 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes 10. 1/4 tsp Himalayan sea salt 11. 1/4 tsp chili powder

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with tin foil- spray the foil

In a bowl, combine almond meal and all spices

In a separate bowl crack 1 egg and add 1/4 tsp water- whisk together well

Cut chicken into bite size pieces

Drop the chicken pieces into the egg and mix until fully covered

Transfer chicken pieces to the spice mixture, coat evenly and place on baking sheet; repeat until all are coated

Bake for 12-15 minutes then flip chicken bites over and cook for another 10-12 minutes until golden and crispy

Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce (I like don pepino pizza sauce, 1/4 cup is 1 green serving)

Cauliflower Potato Salad Recipe Idea

 

Healthy Alternative - Great for July 4th picnics!!

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cup cauliflower, cooked and chopped (2 1/2 Greens)

1/4 cup celery, chopped (1/2 Green)

1 hard boiled egg, chopped (1/3 Lean)

1 to 2 tbsp light mayo (1 to 2 Healthy Fats)

1 tsp mustard (1 Condiment)

1/8 tsp salt (1/2 Condiment)

1/8 tsp onion powder (1/4 Condiment)

pinch of pepper

sprinkle of paprika

Directions:

Steam cauliflower until it reaches the same texture as cooked potatoes. Rinse in cold

water to cool; pat with paper towel until dry. Chop the cauliflower into small bites.

Mix into a bowl with celery and eggs, Add mayo, mustard, salt onion power, and

pepper. Mix well. Sprinkle with paprika. Chill for 1 hour.

Cucumber and Avocado Salad 🥒🥑

 

Where are all my avocado lovers??  Here's the perfect salad!!

Cucumber and Avocado Salad 🥒🥑

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups english cucumber, chopped

1 Tbsp capers

2 tbsp chives, chopped 

2 tbsp cilantro, chopped

2 tbsp parsley, chopped 

1 tsp garlic, minced 

½ tsp lime juice

1 ½ oz avocado, chopped 

1 tsp olive oil 

Directions:

Start out with cold ingredients, combine, toss gently to evenly coat and serve immediately. 

Makes 1 servings, per serving you enjoy:

3 Greens | 2 Healthy Fats | 2 ¾ Condiments

Enjoy 😊

Roasted Yellow Squash with Parmesan Recipe Idea

 Roasted Yellow Squash with Parmesan

🧀🌿🍽️

Thick summer squash rounds coated in spicy ranch seasoning and Parmesan then baked until golden brown and crispy. 😋 

🍴Ingredients:

- 2 yellow crookneck squash

- 1 packet Hidden Valley Spicy Ranch seasoning

- 1/2 cup Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese

- 2 tbsp olive oil

👩🏽‍🍳 Instructions:

1) Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2) Wash squash. Cut into thick rounds about 1/2 inch thick.

3) In a bowl, combine spicy ranch seasoning and grated Parmesan.

4) Brush squash rounds with olive oil on both sides.

5) Dip each round into the Parmesan mixture, pressing to coat.

6) Place coated squash on prepared baking sheet in a single layer.

7) Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown and crispy.

😎 Serve hot.

⏱️ Prep Time: 5 minutes

🍳 Cook Time: 20 minutes

⌛ Total Time: 25 minutes

📝 Notes: Use fresh yellow squash for best texture. Do not overlap slices. Serve immediately while crispy.

 

Ever notice how some people leave you feeling like you can conquer the world...

...and others leave you questioning every decision you've made since kindergarten? 😂

It's amazing how much influence the people around us have.

The right people will hear your crazy idea and say, "Go for it! You've got this!"

The wrong people will hand you a list of 47 reasons it won't work before you've even finished your sentence.

Some folks are sunshine.

Others are the human version of a low phone battery. 🔋

Here's the thing: not everyone who speaks into your life deserves a microphone.

Some people project their own fears, failures, and insecurities onto everyone around them. That doesn't make them bad people—it just means they're reading from a script that was never meant to be yours.

So dream anyway.

Start the business.
Apply for the job.
Take the trip.
Learn the skill.
Write the book.
Shoot your shot.

Because the people who are meant for your journey will water your dreams, not weed-whack them.

And if someone constantly makes you feel smaller, less capable, or "not enough," do yourself a favor...

Love them from a distance.

Your future doesn't need a committee of doubters.

It needs one person who refuses to quit.

That person should be you. 💛✨

Protect Your Peace... Not Everyone Deserves a Front-Row Seat to Your Dreams ✨

 Have you ever walked away from a conversation feeling like you could conquer the world?

Suddenly you're thinking,
"Maybe I should start that business."
"Maybe I really can chase that dream."
"Maybe I'm capable of more than I've been giving myself credit for."

Those people are pure gold.

Then there are... the others.

The human rain clouds.

The ones who can turn a million-dollar idea into a garage sale before you've even finished explaining it.

You: "I'm thinking about trying something new."

Them: "Yeah... but that's probably not going to work."

Thank you, Captain Negativity. Your unsolicited pessimism has been noted.

The truth is, energy is contagious.

Spend enough time with people who believe in possibilities, and you'll start believing in yourself a little more.

Spend enough time with chronic complainers, professional critics, and Olympic-level excuse makers, and before you know it, you're questioning dreams you were excited about just five minutes earlier.

Not everyone is rooting against you on purpose. Some people simply project the limits they've placed on their own lives. If they don't think it's possible for them, they assume it can't be possible for you either.

Here's the plot twist:

Their ceiling doesn't have to become yours.

Choose the people who clap when you win instead of asking why you're celebrating.

Choose the friends who brainstorm solutions instead of collecting excuses.

Choose the ones who remind you of your potential when you forget it yourself.

And if someone constantly leaves you feeling smaller, heavier, or doubting everything you want out of life...

You don't need another conversation.

You need better company.

Life is too short to let someone else's fear become your future.

Find the people who light a fire under your dreams—not the ones who show up with a bucket of water.

Your ambition deserves a better audience. 💛

Apparently ASAP Doesn't Mean What We Thought It Did... 🍷😂

 Today's shocking discovery...

ASAP does NOT stand for "Alcohol Solves All Problems."

I know.

Take a moment.

Some of us are still processing this devastating news.

Whoever made up that acronym clearly never had a week where the coffee quit working by 9:00 a.m., the printer jammed, someone hit "Reply All," and adulthood came swinging like it was training for a heavyweight title.

Now, before anyone gets their ice cubes in a twist, let's be clear—it's a joke.

Because if alcohol really solved all problems, we'd all be sipping margaritas while our laundry folded itself, our bills paid themselves, and that one person who lives for drama suddenly discovered the mute button.

Sadly... that's not how life works.

The truth is, the best cures for a rough day usually aren't found at the bottom of a glass.

They're found in laughter that makes your stomach hurt, friends who let you vent without judgment, getting outside for a bit, taking a deep breath, and realizing that some things simply aren't worth sacrificing your peace over.

And let's not forget one of life's greatest survival skills: learning to laugh at the chaos.

Because sometimes all you can do is shake your head, laugh, and say, "Well... that wasn't on today's bingo card."

So here's your reminder:

Laugh often.
Love your people.
Protect your peace.
Don't take life—or yourself—too seriously.

And if anyone asks what ASAP stands for...

Just smile and tell them:

Always Smile And Persist.

(It's probably not official... but it sounds a whole lot better than my original guess.)

Now go have an amazing day... ASAP. 😆🍷

Chest Out. Confidence On. Coffee First. Compliments Welcome. 🦍☀️

 Let's all take a moment to appreciate the confidence of this gorilla. Chest puffed out. Head held high. Looking like he pays taxes, protects the jungle, and still has time to remind everyone to say, "Good morning."

Honestly? We could all use a tiny sprinkle of that energy.

Too many people wake up apologizing for existing. They hide, shrink themselves, and worry about what everyone else thinks before they've even had their first cup of coffee.

Meanwhile, this magnificent fuzzball is over here like:

"I know you see all this sexiness. Don't just stare... say good morning!"

The confidence is absolutely unearned.

The audacity? Olympic level.

And somehow... we respect it.

Now, before anyone starts clutching their pearls, this isn't about being conceited. It's about walking into your day with enough confidence to own who you are without waiting for someone else's approval.

Smile.
Say good morning.
Take the compliment.
Give the compliment.
And if somebody's acting like they're too important to return a simple greeting? That's their problem, not yours.

Life is way too short to mumble at the floor and pretend you don't exist.

So fluff those imaginary gorilla shoulders, straighten that crown, and greet the world like the main character you are.

Just maybe don't beat your chest in the grocery store. Security tends to frown on that.

Now go make someone's morning a little brighter. And if they happen to admire all your fabulousness along the way...

The least they can do is say, "Good morning." 😎☀️