Kat’s Musings

Tag: jesus

  • Curating My X Feed: Choosing Positivity, Personal Beliefs, and the Lifestyle I Crave

    In a world overflowing with noise, division, and endless hot takes, I made a deliberate choice to shape my X (formerly Twitter) experience around what truly matters to me. My entire account is now intentionally curated to reflect my personal beliefs and, above all, to center positivity.

    Smartphone held in hands showing time 07:18 and text Calm & Connected against fiery and smoky background
    A smartphone displaying ‘Calm & Connected’ held amid swirling fire and smoke effects

    I want my feed to uplift, inspire, and align with the kind of life I am actively building—one rooted in growth, joy, healing, and possibility. That does not mean I live in a bubble or ignore reality. It simply means I am protective of my mental and emotional space.

    Yes, I do follow a handful of accounts that could be described as strong Trump supporters—people who sometimes come across as riding the “Trump can do no wrong” wave. I am fully aware of the echo-chamber risk there. I approach them with the same healthy skepticism I apply to sports accounts, news outlets, or any single-source content. I do not take everything at face value, and I cross-reference when something feels off.

    I am not on X primarily for political analysis or to debate policy. I am there to be inundated with feel-good positivity and reminders of the lifestyle I crave—wellness, personal development, meaningful connections, beauty, humor, and inspiration. Those accounts, even with their strong biases, often deliver bursts of optimism, patriotism, or motivational energy that resonate with the uplifting vibe I want more of.

    At the end of the day, social media should serve you—not drain you, enrage you, or pull you into endless negativity loops. I have unfollowed, muted, and blocked enough accounts to create a space that feels like a warm, intentional garden rather than a battlefield.

    Smartphone with an assortment of blooming flowers, greenery, and succulents growing on its screen
    A smartphone displaying a vibrant mix of blooming garden plants and succulents

    My feed is not perfect, and it is not meant to be a complete reflection of the world. It is a reflection of the world I am choosing to create for myself. One post, one follow, and one boundary at a time.

    Some of my favorite social media follows are:

    Smartphone screen showing abstract swirling dark and golden light pattern
    A hand holding a smartphone displaying an abstract swirling light pattern
    •  @PeytonElroy : a wellness and spiritual healing-focused account with over 61,000 followers. Setting a consistent tone of optimism, empowerment, and alternative health perspectives, Peyton posts a mix of personal stories (especially her father’s recent stage 4 colon cancer “healing” journey). and practical health tips (e.g., hibiscus tea for inflammation, dates for heart rhythm stabilization via potassium, broccoli sprouts, blueberries, soursop). I particularly love the spiritual/energy concepts (auras, emotional states influencing physical health, colors affecting energy, the idea that everyone is inherently “spiritual”) and relationship/life advice (e.g., how to stand out when approaching beautiful women by complimenting non-physical traits).The tone is warm, encouraging, and emoji-heavy (lots of hearts, flowers, and green tones). Posts often include disclaimers like “I’m not claiming this cures cancer alone” while sharing strong opinions and anecdotes. Recent content has leaned heavily into cancer discussions—viewing it as inflammation, potentially linked to parasites or trauma, with emphasis on mindset, diet, and natural compounds rather than fear-based conventional narratives (my own personal belief). 
    • @mtnhousewife (Mountain Housewife🏠) is a Christian homemaking and traditional marriage account run by a 41-year-old wife, mother, grandmother (“mimi”), and homemaker.  Her posts promote biblical womanhood, wifely submission, contentment, and practical homemaking. Key themes include: Covenant marriage — Long-term harmony through scriptural roles (e.g., she highlights 42 years of marriage with “no conflict” due to submission as taught in scripture), Christian living — Bible study reflections (e.g., Philippians on contentment), faith encouragement, and church life, Homemaking — Simple recipes and tips (e.g., okra dishes, pimiento cheese). The tone is gentle, grateful, and encouraging, aimed at women seeking traditional roles. She emphasizes joy in submission, building a happy home, and living out a wife’s calling according to Christian principles. Content mixes personal testimony, scripture, practical advice, and light community interaction.
    • Maneesha (@ManeeshaSem) is a popular writer, content creator, and self-described “moonbathing apsarā” (celestial nymph) on X, with over 71,000 followers. @maneeshasem has built a significant following through poetic, feminine, and spiritually infused posts that emphasize beauty, serenity, nervous system regulation, self-love, and creating “paradise on Earth.” Her content blends mysticism, aesthetics, wellness, and gentle life philosophy, often evoking softness, harmony, and divine femininity. She frequently shares visions of serene villas, lush nature, silk robes, self-care rituals (e.g., affirmations, chocolate-covered strawberries, vanilla chai), intentional beauty, and protective auras created by harmonious environments. @maneeshasem posts focus on holding calm energy, avoiding urgency/dysregulation, beauty as spiritual protection, and aligning with cosmic/natural rhythms. 
    • @wolffdew (The Cooking Lady) is a Danish 22-year-old homemaker and from-scratch cooking content creator on X.She shares homemade recipes, cooking videos/processes, meal ideas, and everyday kitchen content with a warm, enthusiastic style. Posts often feature scratch cooking, traditional or comforting dishes, and personal touches as a young married woman. She promotes her two digital cookbooks directly in her bio. The account appeals to fans of simple, authentic home cooking, Scandinavian influences, and lifestyle content from a Gen Z homemaker perspective. It’s positive, food-focused, and interactive, with frequent replies to followers.
    • @amandaperera (Cleopatra 🪷 ✞) is a faith-centered self-improvement and relationship advice account on X with a strong emphasis on personal growth, emotional intelligence, and Christian values. The account mixes inspirational quotes, relationship insights, personal reflections, and calls to subscribe to her newsletter or book 1:1 sessions. It appeals to audiences interested in faith-based personal development, neuroscience-informed emotional health, and mature views on love and identity. Content is positive, relational, and growth-oriented rather than purely dating-strategy focused.This account is warm, empowering, and reflective. Posts often explore:
      • Healthy relationships and love dynamics (e.g., references to Yellowstone’s Rip and Beth as an ideal of a strong man supporting a fiery, intelligent woman; the importance of entering relationships as a “whole” person rather than seeking fulfillment from a partner). 
      • Self-acceptance, authenticity, and resilience (e.g., disagreement as a sign of staying true to yourself; embracing your “weird” side).
      • Faith-first mindset (“Jesus first always”), emotional wholeness, and devotional partnership.al advice, and light community interaction.
    •  @TrinaNuance (Trina Nuance || The Fractional Muse 🌿🌞🌊) is slightly different than my other follows. She is thoughtful writer, coach, and strategist with a philosophical, introspective style focused on personal growth, mindset, entrepreneurship, and human behavior. Trina shares long-form reflections, threads, and insights on: Self-awareness & transformation — Dark night of the soul, breaking self-sabotaging cycles, shifting from external to internal locus of control, and authoring new self-fulfilling prophecies., Parasocial relationships, narrative-building, perception biases, and cultural shifts (e.g., craving analog experiences like handwritten letters).  Her tone is wise, empathetic, and nuanced — often weaving personal experience, client stories, and cultural observations. She positions herself as a bridge between worlds (e.g., founders building in the dark, inner work vs. business goals) with a creative, almost poetic voice. Content resonates with introspective entrepreneurs, creators, and those on personal development journeys. It is more reflective/strategic than purely motivational or tactical.
    • And my kooky health beliefs lead me to accounts like @AlpacaAurelius (Carnivore Aurelius ©🥩 ☀️🦙) a highly popular health, wellness, and lifestyle influencer on X known for promoting carnivore/ancestral diets, natural living, and anti-modern-food messaging.He posts short, punchy advice, memes, book recommendations, and visual comparisons that criticize processed/seed-oil-heavy foods while praising meat, sunlight, walking, and traditional lifestyles. Common themes include: Diet & Nutrition — Strong advocacy for carnivore or nose-to-tail eating, local/farm-fresh produce over industrial options (e.g., local farm strawberries vs. Driscolls), and warnings against “the shit” in modern foods, Lifestyle — Sunlight, movement (walking), positive mindset, and simple joys (e.g., Spain’s longevity linked to meat, olive oil, wine, and activity), Mindset & Philosophy — Anti-worry messages, book lists blending spirituality (Tao Te Ching, Untethered Soul) with self-development and ancestral health (e.g., Nutrition and Physical Degeneration).  The tone is motivational, meme-friendly, contrarian, and humorous, often with a Stoic/Aurelius-inspired flair mixed with bro-science and wellness maximalism. He sells or promotes related products like clean collagen and coffee.

  • Embrace the Summer Solstice: A Celebration of the Season

    I love the Summer time— and I really love celebrating. Summer solstice is my ideal. It is finally here — the longest day of the year, the sun’s victory lap, and the official middle finger to cold, dark, depressive days. My favorite goal for me and my man is to be out here treating it like the whimsical rave it was always meant to be.

    In ancient history, midsummer (the celebration of the summer season) was dedicated to Pagan gods, fertility, crops etc. but I do not see why we should not be celebrating the solstice in the religious sense (thanking God’s/the Universe’s creation).

    I am talking quiet little picnics with iced drinks and polite conversation. I also want bonfires that scare the neighbors. I want to stay up until the sky finally gives up and turns dark (which, thanks to the solstice, feels like never). I want to chase the last rays of sunlight. Because this is the one day the universe hands us maximum daylight and says, “Go be reckless, animals.”

    Couple sitting on red checkered blanket having a picnic in a wildflower meadow at sunset
    A couple enjoys a sunset picnic in a vibrant wildflower meadow

    Ancient cultures got it right. They lit massive fires, danced until they dropped, mated in the fields, and basically celebrated the sun. Modern life turned it into “wear white linen and drink rosé on a rooftop.” Cute. But weak. I am here for the chaos edition.

    We start at sunrise like lunatics who respect the assignment. (Iced) coffee, loud music, minimal clothing. We drag ourselves outside because the sun is literally showing off and we are not wasting a single golden hour. Then it is beach, lake, rooftop, forest — anywhere the light hits hardest.

    Bonfire burning in a stone fire pit surrounded by wildflowers and grassy meadow at sunset
    A glowing bonfire lights up a colorful meadow at dusk with people nearby

    We eat: grilled everything, fresh fruit that drips down your arm, cold wine or champagne because yes, we are always on that bottle-a-night agenda.

    At night? Bonfire mandatory. Even if it is a little fire pit in the backyard, I want my Americana s’more snack. Throw in some herbs, some music that makes your ancestors proud, and dance like the veil between worlds is thin (because on solstice it kinda is). Light sparklers. Howl at the sky. Jump over the flames if you are brave enough. Make out like teenagers because the sun blessed the whole day (and season).

    Life is mostly gray office lighting and existential dread. The summer solstice is one of the few times the planet throws us a proper party. The sun is at its strongest, the earth is fertile, and everything feels electric. Do not spend it folding laundry or doing the mundane.

    Get outside. Get loud. Get a little unhinged. Burn something. Fuck someone. Worship the light while it lasts because in six months we will be back in the void, writing about seasonal depression.

    This is our peak. Our longest day. Our reminder that even in this clown timeline, the sun still shows up and cooks the planet just to watch us thrive.

    So celebrate like you mean it.

    Strip down. Heat up. Light it up.

    Happy solstice (I am waiting to properly celebrate with him).

    See you at the bonfire. Bring champagne.

    Radiant sun with flowing flames and glowing flowers against a starry space background
    A radiant sun surrounded by glowing floral motifs in a cosmic background
  • The Ripple Effect: More of What You Love

    The Ripple Effect: More of What You Love

    It is easy to overlook the quiet “miracles” that surround us every single day. Yet one of the most profound truths about human fulfillment—and about creating even more goodness in our lives—is this: It is vital to be thankful for everything that is good in your life.

    Gratitude has become an overused buzzword. Gratitude is not just a polite “thank you” or a fleeting warm feeling. It is a deliberate, heart-centered practice that shifts your entire energy, perspective, and ultimately, your reality. We all know, on some level, that we should not take the basics for granted. Running water that flows clean and hot at the turn of a tap. Reliable heating that keeps your home cozy when winter bites (this is uber important to my constantly freezing body!). A solid roof overhead that shields you from rain, wind, and the elements. Yet for many of us, these “luxuries” become background noise.

    The same goes for the people in our lives. Friends and family. My family—especially—have shown up, even imperfectly. I am beyond grateful that I was not tossed out when I became needy and helpless. Typically, we appreciate them in moments of crisis or celebration, but how often do we pause in ordinary moments to truly feel the gift of our family’s presence?

    Here is where the magic happens. Casual appreciation is nice, but to bring about more in our lives, we need to feel truly grateful for everything and everyone—not just the obvious blessings, but the small, the mundane, and even the challenging things that shape us.

    Think about it. When you wake up and genuinely feel thankful for the bed that held you through the night, the air filling your lungs, the sunlight (or even the rain) outside your window, something inside you softens and expands. Your nervous system calms. Your mind clears. Opportunities that once hid in plain sight suddenly become visible. Psychologists call this the “broaden-and-build” theory: positive emotions like gratitude widen our awareness and help us build resources—relationships, skills, resilience—for the future.

    On a more spiritual or energetic level, many traditions and modern manifestation teachings emphasize that what you appreciate appreciates. Gratitude acts like a magnet. When you radiate sincere thanks for what you already have, you signal to the universe that you are a good steward of blessings. You are ready for more. Contrast this with the scarcity mindset: constant wanting, complaining, or comparing. That energy tends to keep us stuck exactly where we are, focused on lack.

    Purple wildflower growing out of a crevice in a moss-covered stone wall with sunbeam
    A delicate purple wildflower blooms from a crack in a mossy stone wall illuminated by sunlight

    Even in hardship, gratitude works its alchemy. Being grateful for the quiet strength you discover in loss is something that I had to discover. These are not toxic positivity exercises—they are honest acknowledgments that every experience contains seeds of growth.

    Turning gratitude into a life-changing habit does not require hours of your day. Ask, “What is this situation trying to teach me?” Then thank it in advance for the wisdom or strength it will bring.Bookend your day with gratitude. Start with thanks for the day ahead and end with thanks for what unfolded.

    Journal, pen, steaming coffee cup, and vase on a windowsill with sunrise over mountains
    A peaceful morning scene with a journal, coffee, and sunrise view

    When you embody this level of gratitude, life responds. Relationships deepen because people feel genuinely valued. Health improves as stress decreases and joy increases. Abundance flows—at least in steady, meaningful ways: unexpected help, creative ideas, synchronicities, and a profound sense of “enough” that paradoxically opens the door to more.

    So today, pause. Look around. Feel the chair supporting you, the device in your hands bringing these words, the breath moving through you. Say thank you—and really mean it. For the basics. For the people. For the lessons. For everything.

  • Believe Before You See: Unlocking Your Potential

    Believe Before You See: Unlocking Your Potential

    If humans had taglines, what would yours be?

    She Believed She Could, So She Did: This is not just a cute little motto—it is the tagline of my entire life. It is the quiet battle cry that has carried me through every pivot, every failure, and every hard-won triumph.

    I had this exact quote bedazzled across the top of my graduation cap the day I finally walked in 2018 (six years after I was supposed to graduate university). After years of stops, starts, and detours, that single line summed up everything I had learned the hard way: You have to have faith even before there is any proof.

    The hardest part is believing when everything tells you not to.

    Person standing on a hilltop facing sunrise above fog-covered valleys
    .

    The first half of the motto—“believe”—was the one that nearly broke me during my recovery. When you are surrounded by limitations, when every appointment, every test result, every well-meaning person keeps reminding you of what you cannot do, faith starts to feel impossible. But nothing is impossible! When the evidence against you is loud, the proof you are waiting for is nowhere in sight.

    There were days I could not even picture a future version of myself that was not defined by pain or restriction. How do you keep moving when your own body (and sometimes the people around you) seems to be saying “this is as good as it gets”?

    I learned that belief is not the absence of doubt—it is the decision to keep going in spite of it. It is waking up and choosing to do the tiny, unglamorous thing anyway: the extra set of exercises, the scary conversation with a physical therapist, the dream that says “I will walk farther this month” even when yesterday felt like failure.

    Proof comes later. Faith comes first.

    That is the magic no one tells you. The moment you start acting as if the outcome you want is already on its way, doors begin to crack open. Opportunities show up. Your nervous system starts to relax just enough to let healing in. Small wins compound. What once looked impossible slowly becomes your new normal.

    I have seen it in my education (I basically graduated Magna Cum Laude with half of a brain!), in my health, in my relationship, and in every pivot I have made since. The times I waited for perfect proof before I believed, I stayed stuck. The times I chose to believe anyway—messy, scared, imperfect belief—I eventually got the proof I was craving.

    Wooden pedestrian bridge over reflective water towards bright sunset.
    A wooden bridge stretches across calm water towards a vibrant sunset.

    So now I am in that in-between season right now—where the dream feels ridiculous, the recovery feels endless, and the next chapter feels invisible—So I keep reminding myself:

    Believe before you see.

    Bedazzle it on your cap, write it on your mirror, tattoo it on your heart if you have to. Because I am proof that the belief you choose today is quietly building the proof you will celebrate tomorrow.

  • A League of Their Own: Reimagining Feminism

    A League of Their Own: Reimagining Feminism

    In a world drowning in performative activism and corporate girlboss-ness, I find myself returning to one movie that actually gets feminism right: Penny Marshall’s 1992 classic A League of Their Own.

    The film does not lecture you. It does not scream about the patriarchy or demand that you affirm anyone’s feelings. Instead, it shows women rolling up their sleeves, stepping onto the baseball diamond, and proving they belong—not because someone owed them a spot, but because they earned it through talent, grit, and sheer stubbornness.

    Real Empowerment, No Victimhood Required

    Set during World War II, A League of Their Own tells the story of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. With the men off fighting, these women were not waiting for permission or special treatment. They tried out, competed fiercely, and played real baseball in front of skeptical crowds. The movie nails the tension between traditional expectations (“be ladylike!”) and the raw reality of sliding into bases, spitting tobacco, and throwing like you mean it.

    The women face ridicule, ridiculous uniforms, and mandatory charm school, yet they respond by getting better at the game. That is the kind of feminism worth celebrating: one that expands opportunity through excellence rather than lowering standards or rewriting rules.

    Tom Hanks delivers one of his most quotable performances as Jimmy Dugan, the washed-up, foul-mouthed and drunken manager who starts off dismissive of his new team. He dives into his arsenal of acting skills and proves to one of the greatest/ all encompassing talents to watch. His arc from cynical has-been to proud coach is pure gold, and his legendary “There’s no crying in baseball!” rant remains one of the funniest moments. Hanks does not mansplain or apologize for his initial attitude—he grows because the women force him to see their competence. It is organic character development, not a scripted takedown of toxic masculinity (because clearly there is no such thing!).

    The supporting cast is stacked in the most 90s way possible. Madonna as “All the Way” Mae brings swagger and showmanship, and Rosie O’Donnell as Doris provides heart and humor. Watching them now is oddly nostalgic—they were vibrant, funny, and unapologetic without being cringe with the heavy ideological baggage they now adopt. It is a reminder of a time when pop culture could just be fun instead of a constant sermon.

    The whole ensemble feels like a genuine team. These characters have flaws, rivalries, and personal stakes, but they are never reduced to their gender or used as props for a message. The feminism emerges naturally from the story: women being capable, competitive, and resilient when given the chance. Not women who think that they are superior to men.

    A League of Their Own celebrates women’s strength without tearing down men or pretending biology does not matter on the field (obviously women sports are not as competitive/ popular as men’s and that is OK). It shows sisterhood that includes healthy competition. It acknowledges hardship, (as the whole reasoning behind this team is the separation from loved ones during war) without wallowing in it. It is, thus, extremely patriotic—Most importantly, the women win respect by playing well, not by demanding it (*cough, cough * Women’s USA Soccer Team).

    In contrast to today’s discourse, which often frames women as perpetual victims needing protection from “the system,” this movie says: Here is an opportunity—go seize it. And they did. The real AAGPBL players inspired the film, and their legacy still feels refreshing thirty-plus years later.

    If more modern feminism looked like the Rockford Peaches—tough, talented, and focused on achievement rather than outrage—I suspect a lot more people would get on board.

  • A Blended Easter: Chocolate, Kulich, and the Joy of Pascha

    A Blended Easter: Chocolate, Kulich, and the Joy of Pascha

    This morning, I celebrated with my love over one of our weekly coffee dates—savoring the sweet decadence of chocolate bunnies and chocolate eggs. Now, I am celebrating with my other family—my parents—to continue the festivities diving fully into the spiritual heart of Russian Orthodox Easter.

    In Russia and the Orthodox world, spring’s arrival is marked by Pascha (Пасха), a profoundly moving celebration of Christ’s Resurrection. Far less commercial than Western Easter, Orthodox Pascha is a deeply spiritual observance that unfolds over weeks, centered entirely on the triumph of life over death.

    We no longer attend church services as regularly, but the traditions remain vivid. Pascha falls according to the Julian calendar, often several weeks after Catholic and Protestant Easter—sometimes as much as five weeks later. Its date is calculated as the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox.

    The journey to Pascha begins with Great Lent: a rigorous 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and introspection. The fast is stricter—no meat, dairy, or eggs for anyone (unless you are ill)—making the eventual Easter feast all the more glorious.

    The peak of the celebration is the Paschal Midnight Service. On Saturday night, churches fill with worshippers holding unlit candles. Just before midnight, the priest leads a solemn procession around the church three times, carrying the icon of the Resurrection. At the stroke of midnight, the church doors swing open, lights flood the space, and the triumphant cry echoes:

    “Христос Воскресе!” (Khristos Voskrese!) — “Christ is Risen!”

    The joyful reply comes back:
    “Воистину Воскресе!” (Voistinu Voskrese!) — “Truly He is Risen!”

    The service overflows with hymns, the Easter Gospel read in multiple languages, and the blessing of food baskets. Many stay until dawn, basking in the victory of light over darkness.

    After weeks of fasting, the Easter table becomes a feast of abundance: Kulich: a tall, cylindrical sweet yeast bread studded with raisins, candied fruit, and nuts, topped with white icing and the letters “XB” (for “Christ is Risen” in Cyrillic). Think: fruit cake…. Baked in special tall tins, it symbolizes the risen Christ. Plus there is paskha: a rich, molded cheese dessert made from tvorog (farmer’s cheese), butter, eggs, and sugar. Shaped into a pyramid representing the Tomb of Christ and decorated with crosses, “XB,” or lambs. Like here, we also have brightly decorated eggs—often dyed deep red to symbolize the blood of Christ—and exchanged as gifts. While Ukrainian pysanky are famously intricate, Russian eggs tend toward simpler, vibrant designs. We also enjoy smoked meats, sausages, and plenty of vodka or wine for toasts (especially in this house!)

    Families traditionally bring their baskets to church for blessing before the grand Sunday feast begins.

    Even though church attendance has varied since the Soviet years when religion was not allowed (your President is supposed to be the almighty one!), Pascha remains one of Russia’s most beloved holidays. In Moscow and St. Petersburg, cathedrals overflow at midnight. Across the Orthodox observers—from New York to Sydney—Russian Orthodox communities celebrate with deep passion and tradition.

    And here I am, beautifully caught between two worlds: enjoying Western chocolate Easter treats in the morning and savoring kulich, paskha, and champagne toasts with family in the evening. It is the perfect fusion of cultures, love, and faith.

    Pascha truly feels like the Russian soul’s awakening—after the long, dark winter and the discipline of Lent comes light, renewal, warmth, and peace. (Read my Spring post here)!

    Христос Воскресе!
    Воистину Воскресе!

    Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!

  • Stop Romanticizing the Past: Embrace Today

    Stop Romanticizing the Past: Embrace Today

    We have all heard it. We have all said it. “Man, things were better back then.” People are always yearning for the good old days—start appreciating everything today:

    Nostalgia is not a memory—it is a seductive liar.

    It edits out the bad.

    The ugly.

    We airbrush the boredom, the limited choices, the untreated depression, the rotten teeth (yay for healthcare!) and the way information trickled so slowly that ignorance felt like wisdom. I kind of do wish we ladies were still dumb, though… I rely more on my man to know what is going on in the world so that I can just be delulu about things.

    And while we are busy pining for that heavily filtered past, the actual miracles are all around us right now. We are living in the most abundant, connected, opportunistic era in human history, and most of us are too busy doom-scrolling and whining to notice.

    Technology seems to be sprinting. AI that writes better essays than most college students. Instant access to the entire library of human knowledge in your pocket. You can video call your grandmother on another continent while ordering takeout that arrives piping hot. And still, people scroll past miracles to complain that their coffee order took four minutes instead of three.

    This change terrifies people. It always has. That is why every generation thinks the next one is doomed. But here is my hot take: your nostalgia is a coping mechanism for your fear of the unknown. It is easier to idealize 1997 than confront 2026. People are afraid. What is going to happen tomorrow or next month?

    It seems easier to romanticize rotary phones than master and learn the new tools.

    Stop yearning. Start appreciating—aggressively.

    The secret is not in the past. It is in the lens. Shift it—or stay miserable.

    Look at your smartphone not as a distraction device but as a doorway for wonder. With it, you can learn a language in weeks, watch a live surgery in Tokyo, or hear the voice of someone who died decades ago (I know… Creepy.) We treat these luxuries like it is normal. It is not. It is insane.

    We find food in our grocery stores from every corner of the world. Planes and automobiles have actually united us. We consume other cultures and cuisines. This is the true meaning of America.

    Surgery and modern medicine (despite its faults) make it absolutely insane to continue complaining about the small aches and pains. Some of us do not even walk; are you really going to cry about a hangnail?

    The internet has also demolished geographic and social barriers. You can meet your person- someone who actually matches your weird frequency- instead of settling for the least awful option within a 10-mile radius. I personally would despise settling down with someone from around here. The old days had arranged marriages and shotgun weddings. We now have sad dating apps and yes, we rate each other based on our looks. So yes, trade-offs exist, but pretending the past was pure romance is historical fan-fiction.

    In a culture addicted to outrage and comparison, choosing to appreciate the present is rebellious. It is punk rock. It flips off the algorithm that profits from dissatisfaction. People really do love to complain, criticize, and comment.

    Essentially, the world is blossoming with possibility while you are staring at old yearbooks. One thing that has always bothered me is that most of our bodies are a biological marvel capable of running, dancing, orgasming, and healing—and yet people are mad about theirs not looking like a filtered influencer. It is called do something about it—if a disabled girl can lose more than one hundred pounds, you can do anything. The body is truly a marvel.

    The mind is too.
    Your mind can comprehend quantum physics (or silly girly things—like writing a blog!) and write love poems, yet you use it to relive 2008 politics.

    The good old days are a trap. They keep you small, bitter, and blind to the abundance screaming for your attention. Every moment you spend mourning a myth is a moment stolen from building something better.

    The world is changing so fast that if you blink too long in nostalgia, you will miss the best parts of being alive right here, right now. The coffee is hot. The internet works—until the power goes out, because living in the woods is great. Your heart is beating. The future is wide open.

    Appreciate it all—fiercely, obnoxiously, unapologetically.

    Or keep complaining. The past will not care, and the present will keep delivering miracles whether you notice them or not.

    The choice is yours. But only one of them feels like living.

  • Easter Reflections: A Blended Faith Journey

    Easter Reflections: A Blended Faith Journey

    Today is Easter Sunday for much of the Western world. However, in my home growing up, the day feels a little different. My family is Russian Orthodox. This means we follow the Julian calendar rather than the Gregorian one. Yes, our holidays often land on different dates than everyone else’s. Friends and social media are filled with pastel eggs, chocolate bunnies, and sunrise services this weekend. My family’s Easter—Pascha—will not arrive for another week, but I still crave those mainstream Easter goodies. As a child, I coveted my classmates’ holiday treats. It is a rhythm I have known my whole life. It always made me feel a bit out of step with mainstream culture. 

    I was baptized in the Russian Orthodox Church. I attended Orthodox services every Sunday for years. It was during a very tender, searching time in my life. This was especially true when I first got sick. But, my spiritual path has taken some beautiful turns. These days, my boyfriend and I celebrate his Roman Catholic traditions with real enthusiasm and joy. We throw ourselves into it fully. We plan on attending Mass. We will observe the full Holy Week. We will also share in the resurrection joy on his Easter morning.

    It feels natural and right. I attended a Catholic high school, and those years left a lasting imprint on me. The rituals resonated with me. I was touched by the reverence and the rich sense of community. The deep focus on Christ’s sacrifice and triumph all resonated with me. There is something profoundly moving about the the solemnity of Good Friday, and the triumphant Easter Vigil. I learned to love the beauty and structure of Catholic worship, and that appreciation has only grown stronger in adulthood.

    My biological family is preparing for their Paschal celebration next weekend. My chosen family—my boyfriend and I—will be lighting candles in the future. We will sing church songs and soak in every moment of our future Easter Sundays together. It is a lovely reminder that faith is not always one straight path. Sometimes it weaves together different traditions, calendars, and experiences into something uniquely meaningful.

    I feel incredibly blessed. I hold space for both my Orthodox heritage and the Catholic traditions I have come to cherish. They both point to the same risen Lord, after all. This year, my heart is full of gratitude. Love has expanded my spiritual world. It has not shrunk it.

    Happy Easter to all who are celebrating today. And to my fellow Orthodox family and friends—see you next week when our Pascha arrives. ️