My role as a wife, mother and educator has always been about helping others, making a positive difference in the lives of others. I take pride and put my heart and soul into everything I do. My journey around authentic self-care began when I faced health challenges and realized I was burning the candle at both ends and was in survival mode. I realized I was experiencing "burn out." I was exhausted, I experienced brain fog and I was feeling depressed as I no longer had a work/life balance. After months of feeling like this, I finally went to the doctor and after several tests I was diagnosed with a thyroid disease. My doctor suggested I take a medical leave to rest and reset. However, taking a medical leave was difficult for me as I considered myself a strong, independent woman. I felt a leave was a sign of weakness, failure, and inadequacy. Eventually, I began to heal, rest and find my joy once again. I read self-care books, connected with friends and asked for help (which is difficult for me). Over time, I began to realize that putting my health and my needs first was not a selfish act, but rather an act of self-love and a sign of strength. It was authentic self-compassion! During my healing journey, I found a picture of myself when I was little and looked deeply into the eyes of that little girl. It dawned on me that I had not done enough for that little girl. I didn't fulfill all of her dreams, advocate enough for her, or provide her with the love that she deserved (something I fiercely did for others). I reminded myself  to be gentle with myself, to let go of the past, and move forward. During my soul-searching I began to love and accept myself for who I am and I am learning to embrace my authentic self! This is difficult for someone who suffered mistreatment of abuse and manipulation during my younger years. I continue to be on a wellness journey but what has evolved over the years is that I now hold space for myself to demonstrate self-love, self-compassion and boundaries. I decided to create a wellness plan that was authentic, challenging and achievable. I wanted to step out of my comfort zone so that I could "live my best life." I began by writing an ongoing list of all the things I could do that would enrich my life with joy. My list was simple... I wanted to learn to paddle board, do more writing, research something I am passionate about (healing, self-love and self-compassion) and learn to podcast, etc. I started talking with others about my wellness journey and about the small things that bring me joy. People began asking me questions, thanking me for sharing my story with them, and telling me about their own journey. My friend, Deena Kordt, asked me to write a blog post about my self-compassion wellness journey for her website. Her act of kindness and words of encouragement inspired me to create Authentic Self-Compassion web site. What started as a passion project has now become Authentic Self-Compassion Inc. Authentic Self-Compassion is a "wellness development and self-care" opportunity. We want to assist others by creating a safe space for people to connect and collaborate. We all have our own journey but we do not need to walk this path alone. We invite you to join the "Be Authentic" online community and movement. Together, we can create a positive movement that inspires wellness and makes a lasting impact on those around us. By uniting efforts, we can foster a community committed to health and well-being. Let’s champion the "Be Authentic" online community and movement and uplift each other on our journey towards a brighter, healthier future. ​​​​