Day 14: Taking a Little Break (Grief Season & Finding My Way Back)

Welp…day 14 of January, and I’ve officially proven (again) that I am not built for those “post every single day for 365 days” challenges. I missed a few days…okay, several days…BUT LISTEN. I kinda knew that was coming. Life has been life-ing, and your girl is doing her best.

I wanted to pop in today just to be honest with y’all—because if I go quiet for a bit, I don’t want anyone thinking I fell off the face of the earth or got kidnapped by a rogue flamingo.

I’m heading into what might be the hardest month…maybe two…that I’ve ever had.

Monday is the one-year anniversary of when Nannie got sick. We’re just a little over a month away from the one-year mark of when she left me. And then March 1st…would’ve been JazzLynn’s 7th birthday.

So yeah…if I seem a little more emotional, a little quieter, or like I’m walking around with that “trying not to cry in the grocery store aisle” energy…that’s why.

Grief is weird. It doesn’t just show up and sit politely in the corner. It sneaks in when you’re folding laundry, or driving in silence, or making something you used to make for someone you love. And right now, it’s already starting to hit me hard.

I’m going to try to check in at least once a week, but I’m also giving myself permission to step back if I need to. No guilt. No pretending. No forcing myself to be “fine” just to keep up with a calendar.

If I can find the time (and the motivation), I’m hoping I can get out and take more pictures during this season. Maybe it’ll help keep my mind from spiraling and my heart from sitting in that heavy place too long. Maybe photography can be the thing that holds my hand through it—something quiet and steady when everything else feels loud.

I’m sorry to be such a downer today. I really am. But I also know there’s somebody reading this who understands exactly what I mean…because grief has a way of introducing itself to all of us sooner or later.

God bless y’all. Thank you for being here. And I’ll be back soon. ❤️