Living Well... On My Own Terms

Card of the Day: “My life is meant to be good. Why else are we here on Earth if not to live well?”

And honestly? Yeah. I’m claiming that. But with a big ol’ asterisk:

• Living well doesn’t mean living flashy.

• Living well doesn’t mean debt, hustle culture, or showing off.

• Living well means living meaningfully... on my terms.

I’ll admit it: I post a lot. From what my husband and I are eating to where we’re going or what we’re doing. And I know some people might think it’s performative or like I’m trying to show off the life we have. But in truth? My social media is basically a digital photobook... for me. I love going back and seeing our trips, the little restaurants we tried, the random Tuesday we had way too much fun doing nothing. It’s a highlight reel, sure... but it’s our highlight reel. Unfiltered, unedited, and completely real.

I don’t filter my photos. I don’t stage moments. What you see is what I saw and I share it because I want to remember it.

We get comments all the time like: “You’re always traveling.” “You’re always doing something.” “You’re always busy.”

And the answer is… yeah, kind of! Because that’s what we value.

We’ve never been big on material things. Couldn’t tell you the last time I bought a new outfit from an actual store. Our home? Minimal decor, nothing fancy. We’d rather spend our time and money on experiences: travel, food, live music, new places, and memories that stick.

Are we fortunate? Absolutely. We’re debt-free (minus the mortgage), we don’t carry credit card debt (thanks to some solid parenting and watching what not to do), and we make intentional financial choices. The hubby is a master at managing our money... seriously, the man used to be known as cheap, but I call it strategic. It’s that focus and planning that allows us to enjoy what we have. We save all year to be able to live the way we do.

We also stopped buying each other stuff for holidays and birthdays. We give each other experiences instead; moments we’ll remember, not things we’ll forget. Our anniversary this year? A trip to Denver to see a band at Red Rocks Amphitheater. That’s our love language.

So yes, my life is meant to be good. And I’m working to make it so - not by keeping up with the Joneses, but by staying true to what makes us feel alive.

It’s not always glamorous. Sometimes we’re exhausted. Sometimes we’re overbooked. Sometimes I forget to breathe. But it’s real. It’s us. And it’s enough.

Catch ya somewhere between a concert, a carry-on bag, and a craving for fries. 💛

— CC