The Path Isn't Always Clear (And That's Okay)

I've been asking myself a lot lately: Why am I putting so much into the GRL Initiative?

Why am I showing up day after day on social media, building this brand, sharing my real-life struggles with strangers on the internet? Why am I being so consistently, unapologetically myself when it would be easier to play it safe?

The honest answer? Sometimes I don't know.

But here's what I do know.

Turning Pain into Purpose

First, this work is extremely therapeutic. When I take my real-life struggles: the body image battles, the toxic relationships, the infertility journey, the moments when I felt too big, too loud, too much, and turn them into lessons instead of just internalizing how much it all sucked, something shifts. The pain doesn't disappear, but it transforms into something useful. Something that might help someone else feel less alone in their own struggle.

There's power in refusing to let your worst experiences define you and instead using them to fuel your purpose. Every story I share, every vulnerable moment I put out there, is me saying: "This happened to me, and I survived it, and maybe that gives you permission to survive yours too."

The Tugboat Truth

Second, because there's something out there with all this work. I can feel it, even when I can't see it clearly.

I'm not an overnight sensation, and I never will be. I'm a tugboat, consistent, stable, and proven over time. I show up day after day, week after week, building something real instead of something flashy. I know that slow and steady isn't as exciting as viral moments, but it's authentic to who I am.

I am who I am. I'm not for everyone, and I understand that. A loud, tall, straight shooter isn't necessarily what people want in their feeds. If you need toxic positivity and gentle reassurance that everything happens for a reason, I'm probably not your person. Great, I can't be that person for you, and I won't pretend to be.

But what I can do is be a good listener. I can ask the questions that help you lead yourself to where you want to go. I can help your path feel clearer, not by giving you all the answers, but by creating space for you to find your own.

Building in the Unknown

Right now, I have some goals and ideas of where I want to go with GRL Initiative. But I'll be honest, I can't see the full picture yet. What I know for certain is that I'm not willing to settle. I won't stop pushing myself toward the unknown because I believe that when I get to that grand vista, when the view finally becomes clear, I'll look back at this time of building and consistency and it will all make sense.

What I will not do is give up. Not on myself, and not on you, my GRLs.

I don't know how many of you are out there reading this. It's not a numbers game for me, it's a heart game. Some of you continuously show up because there's something here for you. You see yourself in these stories. You feel less alone in your own journey. You're building the confidence to take up the space you deserve.

The Favor I'm Asking

Here's what I need from you: if this content has helped you, if these stories have made you feel seen or understood or braver in some small way, please share it. Tell a friend. Say, "GRL, I found this content really helpful."

Let's continue to show up and build something together. A safe space where we find a place to belong in a world that maybe wasn't designed for us to be strong, loud leaders.

Because here's the truth: the path isn't always clear, but that doesn't mean we stop walking. Sometimes the most important work happens in the middle, in the building phase, in the consistent showing up when you can't see the destination yet.

Your full-size life is waiting for you, not at some distant finish line, but right here in the beautiful, messy middle of your story.

Keep showing up. Keep taking up space. Keep being gloriously, unapologetically yourself.

The world needs your full-size leadership, exactly as you are.