Happy holidays . . .

In a year that has had unprecedented challenges, I’m grateful for this community.

A week from tomorrow is the one year anniversary of this blog. When I started lemonLOVES I wasn’t sure I could run a blog. I wasn’t writing consistently, I had daily migraines, and I was at a turning point in my career after a prolonged recovery from traumatic brain injury.

I was over a year out from my accident and hadn’t returned to work full time. I was facing the probability that I would never be able to work my fast-paced, high-functioning, movement-based business. I wasn’t sure if I could return to teaching fellow professionals, lecturing at fitness conferences, or anything that I had invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in my education and professional development.

I wasn’t sure what was next in my career so I decided to just give something new a try

Today, nearly one year and 165 posts later, this work has become my favorite part of the week. Indeed, it has helped me keep track of time!

Early into the pandemic, I shared how recovering from my traumatic brain injury and resulting issues reminded me of COVID; eight months later I continue to relate my recovery journey to COVID. I remember the holidays missed, vacations cancelled, the isolation, frustration, anxiety, and fear. Along with constant pain and other disorienting symptoms, I struggled with isolation and lack of understanding/empathy from others who couldn’t see my injuries.

I remember having to stay home from my own birthday dinner with my in laws. Brian brought me leftovers and a slice of ice cream cake while I struggled with shame over not being able to pull myself together for a celebration. I spent countless holidays home with a migraine or alone in the front room at my in-laws home trying to recover from the nausea of the drive. On other holidays, my jaw tremor, noise sensitivity, motion sickness, head pain, delayed cognitive processing, and extreme cognitive fatigue would relegate me to the quietest part of the house so I could close my eyes and attempt to recharge.

This is relevant because many are alone today. Many can’t be with their loved ones today, and I emphasize because I’ve experienced the isolation too.

that’s why I’m so grateful for this online community.

The 24 Days of Giveaways I hosted this month are one way I say “thank you” to all of you for being here.

Another way I aim to thank you and support your well-being is through my mindful messaging text service. Have you signed up yet?

Finally, I’m excited to announce one more way I plan to give back to you (with more info coming MONDAY!).

In January, I’m hosting a thirty day wellness challenge. Think of an anti-typical January challenge in that we are focused on building habits rather than results.

Oh, and did I mention we are doing a weekly drawing for participants?? And I will pick three winners at the end of the month who will score some AMAZING lululemon gear.

I’m excited to share more on Monday, but if you’d like to be the first to hear allll the details text WELLBEING to 480-531-9810 !!!

speaking of Lululemon, the annual Boxing Day sale launched online today!

Huge discounts on all of my favorite things. Please click the link below to shop and save! Disclosure: I will receive a commission through purchases made through my link. Thank you for your support!

Wishing you a happy and safe holiday.