Another Rainy Day? No Problem! Show Up With Your Own Sunshine!

It’s been weeks—actually, months—of rainy weekends. The kind where you wake up to gray skies and puddles instead of golden light and open windows. And while I’ve always been someone who loves a good cozy day now and then, I’m also someone who runs on sunshine. Truly. I jokingly refer to myself as solar-powered, because nothing lifts my energy quite like being outside with the sun on my skin and the breeze in my hair.  After all, I am your #itravelforsunsets girl!  🌞

These past weekends reminded me of a time in my life when I didn’t know how to bring the light with me. When a string of gloomy days could easily throw me off balance—emotionally, mentally, energetically. I remember how quickly a few gray days could make everything feel a bit heavier, even if nothing else had changed. It’s something many people experience in the form of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a very real condition where lack of sunlight impacts mood, sleep, and overall well-being.

But over time, I learned to create my own sunshine—no matter what the sky looked like. I stopped waiting for perfect weather and started practicing habits that made me feel warm and lit up from the inside out.

So if you're someone who craves the sun, and this season has been testing your spirit, here are a few ways to brighten your world—rain or shine.

---

1. Create Sunshine in Your Space

Sunlight isn’t the only thing that can shift your mood—light, color, scent, and energy all play a role. I fill my space with warmth: soft golden lighting, citrus and sandalwood oils, music that lifts my mood, and little details like crystals, cozy textures, or vibrant art.

Try This: Add a small “light altar” in your home—a place with a candle, a happy photo, and maybe a note to yourself that says “Shine anyway.”

---

2. Get Outside Anyway

Even on the dreariest of days, I step outside for a few deep breaths. Nature has a way of meeting us where we are, even if the sun stays tucked behind the clouds. There’s something grounding about the rhythm of the earth that helps reset my energy.

And here’s why it matters: our bodies run on an internal clock known as the circadian rhythm—a natural 24-hour cycle that influences everything from our mood and energy to sleep and hormone levels. One of the most powerful ways to support that rhythm is exposure to natural light, especially in the morning. Even when the sky is gray, daylight still helps your body understand that it’s time to wake up, focus, and feel alive.

Try This: Commit to 5–10 minutes outside each day, especially in the morning. Let the natural light—yes, even through the clouds—signal your body and mind to wake up and engage with the world around you.

---

3. Watch the Story You Tell Yourself

I used to say, “Ugh, another gray day,” before my feet even hit the floor. Now, I catch that thought and ask: What can I create today? That shift in perspective has helped me reclaim days that used to feel heavy.

Try This: Start your morning with an intention or an affirmation like “I bring light wherever I go.” Let it guide your choices and mood throughout the day.

---

4. Make Joy Intentional

I don’t wait for good weather to do the things I love. I build sunshine into my days—whether it’s cooking with bright flavors, moving my body with music, connecting with uplifting people, or creating something beautiful just because.

Try This: Keep a “Joy List”—quick, doable things that light you up. When the skies turn gray, pull from that list and give yourself one bright moment.

---

5. Nurture Your Inner Light

There are days when the weather doesn’t just affect the outside—it tries to get inside, too. That’s when I turn inward. Meditation, energy work, journaling, and simple moments of stillness help me reconnect with the light within me.

Try This: Close your eyes and visualize sunlight filling your chest and radiating outward. Breathe into that feeling for a few minutes. Let your own energy be your source of warmth.

---

We don’t get to control the weather—but we do get to choose how we meet it. If you’ve been feeling off lately, know that you’re not alone. It’s okay to miss the sun. And it’s also okay to be the one who brings it.

You are light.
You are warmth.
You are the sunshine someone else may need today.

Let your light shine brightly—bright enough to warm your world, and generous enough to light the way for others.

Be well,
Mary-Anne

Creating a Sacred Journaling Ritual

Make It Your Daily Sanctuary

There’s something profoundly sacred about carving out space for yourself—a moment of quiet in the midst of a busy day, a breath of stillness before the noise begins again. That’s what a journaling ritual can become: not another task on your to-do list, but a grounding sanctuary where your thoughts, emotions, and soul can exhale.

If you read my last post, you know how deeply personal journaling is to me. It’s held me during heartbreak, loss, and transformation. But it didn’t become truly powerful until I made it a ritual—something intentional, something sacred, something mine.

Here’s how you can begin creating your own journaling ritual, one that supports your healing, clarity, and inner calm.

---

1. Create a Sacred Space

Your environment shapes your energy. Find or create a quiet nook where you feel safe, supported, and undistracted. It doesn’t have to be fancy—just intentional. A cozy chair, soft lighting, a blanket, maybe a candle or a crystal nearby. Let it feel like a place where you can breathe.

2. Choose a Time That Aligns with Your Energy

Some people find clarity in the stillness of morning. Others feel most reflective before bed. Choose a time when your energy feels most aligned with introspection—and try to honor that window each day.

3. Begin with a Centering Ritual

Light a candle. Hold a crystal. Play calming music. Take a few deep breaths. Say a quiet intention: "I’m here. I’m ready to listen." Whatever grounds you—make it part of your ritual. This small act signals to your body and spirit that you’re entering a sacred space.

4. Let Go of the 'Right' Way

There is no perfect format or prompt you have to follow. Some days, you’ll write pages. Other days, a few sentences. Let it be messy. Let it be real. Use one of my guided journals if you’d like structured support—or simply free-write from the heart.

5. Close with Gratitude or an Affirmation

When you’re finished, pause and acknowledge what came through. Write down a word or phrase that captured the moment. Affirm yourself. Give thanks. Let the ritual end as gently as it began.

---

A Ritual for Your Spirit

Journaling can be more than a coping tool—it can become a devotion. A practice that keeps you anchored when life feels uncertain. A quiet witness to your growth, healing, and becoming.

If you’re ready to deepen your practice, my guided journals are here to support you. And if you want a more personalized path, I’d love to walk alongside you in a Holistic Consulting Session. Together, we’ll create a sacred space—one page at a time.

You bring the pen. I’ll bring the guidance.

With love and intention,
Mary-Anne

Journal Your Way to Inner Calm

A Note from Me to You

This post is a little different than my usual reflections. I don’t often write about the services I offer—but today, I felt guided to share something personal. Journaling has been one of the most healing tools in my own life. When I felt lost or overwhelmed, the simple act of putting pen to paper helped me process, release, and begin again.

Journaling became most sacred to me during two of the hardest chapters of my life—first, while navigating my divorce, and again when I lost my mom. In both seasons, it gave me a place to fall apart, to be honest, to ask big questions, and to begin putting the pieces of myself back together.

That’s why I began creating my own journals. I took what I loved from the ones that supported me, let go of what didn’t serve, and added the prompts, guidance, and spaciousness I always wished for. These journals were born from that intention—to help others navigate their path with greater clarity, compassion, and calm.

If you’ve ever felt like you needed a soft place to land, or a quiet guide to walk beside you, these journals might be just what you’ve been seeking.

---

There was a time in my life when everything felt loud. My thoughts were spinning, my energy felt scattered, and even the smallest decisions felt overwhelming. I didn’t know exactly what I needed—I just knew I couldn’t keep carrying it all in my head.

So I picked up a pen and started writing.

At first, it felt awkward. Disjointed. Raw. But slowly, something shifted. The page became a place where I could let go of perfection, release the pressure, and reconnect with what mattered. My journal became more than a notebook—it became my quiet refuge, a place where healing began.

What if your journal could become your healing space?

Journaling isn’t just about putting thoughts on paper—it’s a powerful healing practice. It helps you slow down, check in, and realign with your true self.

---

Why Journal?

Journaling is one of the simplest and most effective ways to care for your emotional well-being. It can help you:
• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Process emotions in a healthy, supportive way
• Gain clarity and direction
• Cultivate deeper self-awareness
• Feel grounded, calm, and empowered

Whether you’re navigating change, feeling stuck, or simply craving more balance—your journal can become your mirror, your mentor, and your safe space.

---

Self-Help Journals Designed for You

I’ve created a collection of guided journals filled with gentle prompts and intentional reflections—each one designed to support you in exploring your inner world with compassion. Whether you’re seeking balance, clarity, healing, or a deeper connection to yourself, you’ll find one that resonates with your journey.

These aren’t just journals—they’re soul-support tools. A sacred space to help you breathe, reflect, and grow.

---

Want Support Along the Way?

You don’t have to go it alone.  During a Holistic Consulting Session, I’ll personally guide you through one of my self-help journals—customized to where you are and where you want to go. We’ll walk through your reflections together, talk through the hard parts, and celebrate your insights.

You’ll receive:
    - Compassionate support
    - Intuitive guidance
    - Practical tools for living with intention

---

You bring the pen. I’ll bring the guidance.
Let’s uncover the calm, confident, and centered version of you that’s been waiting beneath the surface.

It’s time to turn the page—grounded, clear, and deeply empowered.

Come journal with me...

Mary-Anne