Untamed Journey Insights

T he Slow Burn It probably didn’t happen all at once. At first, it was just a little harder to wake up in the morning. Then you started dreading the day ahead. The things that once felt exciting, faded into the dismal gray of daily life. Nothing felt worth looking forward to anymore. And then it progressed. Your days off stopped feeling restorative—either because you spent the entire time anxiously anticipating the week ahead, or because you had to summon what little energy you could scrounge up, just to meet the constant demands of your family Burnout is much more than simply feeling “tired.” It’s a complex, layered experience that often creeps in quietly—but it can also crash into your life during seasons of overwhelming stress, when multiple challenges collide all at once. For many people, especially those who tend to put others’ needs first—whether in caregiving roles, workplaces, or within their families—burnout hides behind the instinct to keep pushing, to keep showing up, no ma...

During one of my usual beach walks, I prompted myself to get out of my head and into the present moment. I do this by gently redirecting my attention away from my thoughts and back to what's right in front of me. It’s wild how I can be walking on a beautiful beach on a perfect summer day and miss most of it by being lost in my own thoughts, to-do lists, memories, or worries. But this time, after a mile of being in my head, I reminded myself to be present. As I tuned into the world around me, I began to notice. The sunlight on the water. The feel of vitamin D absorbing into my cells. The sound of reggae on my earbuds. I made friends with a bird that strolled beside me for a bit, probably checking to see if I had snacks, then continued on his way when he realized I didn’t.   As I leaned into the present moment, I felt gratitude. Everything chilled out. My shoulders relaxed. My chest opened. I felt… good. Connected. Whole. This deep sense of gratitude washed over me—no...

  Positive affirmations often get dismissed as pop psychology or toxic positivity. But the truth is, statements like “I am enough” have a powerful intersection of ancient wisdom and modern science. It’s a practice that can literally rewire your brain and reshape your life. What Are Affirmations, Really? Foundationally, affirmations are intentional, positive statements we repeat to challenge and control negative thoughts or beliefs. You’ve likely heard them in the realm of manifestation—the belief that focusing on desired outcomes can attract them into your life. The concept of manifestation might paint a picture of vision boards and moon cycles but there is actually some science behind the idea as well.   The Neuroscience Behind Affirmations Our brains are wired for efficiency. They form neural pathways based on our repeated thoughts and experiences. This is called neuroplasticity which is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new connections. When we repeat...