Can I ask you something? Do you ever meet someone and instantly feel their good energy? Even if you barely know them, there’s just something about them that feels… right. You catch yourself thinking, “Yeah, they’re genuinely a good person. I can just tell.”

I’ve only really started noticing it recently, like finally cutting through the noise of all the swirling thoughts in my head and actually trusting that quiet inner knowing. When you open up and lean into that feeling, everything starts to come into focus. I’m not saying I never get caught up in my thoughts - of course I do (come on, I’m a work in progress!) - but overall, I feel so much more present and in tune with myself in a way I honestly can’t remember ever feeling before. Maybe being sober for over two months now has something to do with it too.

I had a session with Jessie yesterday, and she reminded me of how shaken up I was when we last saw each other at the retreat back in September. Yesterday, I was telling her how much more at peace I’ve been feeling lately and just more content in general. Work is hectic, sure, but I’ve been meeting new people, opening up again, learning from others, and just enjoying the small moments more.

Jessie was genuinely moved, and to be fair, it’s pretty amazing how different I feel now compared to just a few months ago. Jessie said that contentment comes from being present. And she’s right. I’ve been way more present recently, whether it’s with people, experiences, or just life, and I feel so much better because of it.

I told her about volunteering in my 20s in Costa Rica. The kids at the school and orphanage were pure joy, laughing while playing football, or when I gave a little girl a piggyback ride around the yard. They didn’t have much, but they were completely present, and genuinely happy in the moment. Jessie even pointed out that you see the same thing in photos of kids playing in war zones - they’re smiling and laughing because they’re present, not worrying about what comes next.

And yeah, it sounds simple, but the best things in life often are. We think life needs to be complicated, that the more complex it is, the better. But I think it’s the opposite. The simpler something is, the better it usually works.

Take money, for example. People often think they need complicated solutions, expensive, convoluted, overthought. But if you break it down to the simple, true principles, everything becomes easier. Complexity usually comes when we’re trying to force something to fit a theory or someone else’s way of doing things.

I fell into that trap when growing my business. I bought into the whole “hustle culture” because it worked for other people. But it didn’t have to be the only way. I know myself better than anyone else. When we’re constantly fed advice, strategies, and opinions, we lose ourselves. We stop trusting ourselves.

The key is to slow down. Make space. Listen to that inner knowing - the “blue dot” inside you. All those swirling thoughts, the red scribbles above your head - they’re noise. Cut it out. Listen. Respect yourself. Jessie said that when people lose confidence or self-esteem, it’s usually because they’ve been caught up in all that noise. But your confidence isn’t gone, it’s there. You just have to tune in and trust it.

Being present. Listening to yourself. Keeping things simple. That’s where real peace, contentment, and energy come from. It might sound cliché, but tuning out the noise and truly listening to your inner knowing is like coming home to yourself. It’s finding that quiet space where you can just be, where the things that used to feel urgent no longer matter, where you’re grateful for the small circle of people who truly support you, where you stay open to life’s possibilities, and where everything suddenly feels lighter, brighter, and more joyful. 🩷