I spent the past 16 years, a majority of my adult life, learning about myself, increasing my emotional intelligence and making sure that I know who I am and understand “the why” behind me, always showing up each day to be the best me. Sometimes that’s easier said than done. Sometimes I’m showing up as the best version of myself, and other times I really struggle. Some days it’s a battle to show up how I intend to, in my thoughts, and through my actions, and behaviors. And some days, it’s my physiological responses from childhood and early adulthood that show up. I’m consciously finding ways to overcome those.

I made the choice 10 years ago to choose myself, to show up each day growing and making sure that everything I was doing was true to me, and not disappointing myself. I prioritize my health, fitness, my passions, and my career. Those things may seem selfish, to some, I am here to tell you they are not! They are all part of putting my kids first! Everything I’ve done in the last 10 years has been to live intentionally, to better myself, for me and my kids. To teach my children compassion, emotional intelligence, intent, and awareness, I must always nurture it within myself.

Living intentionally each day means making sure that what I’m living is true to myself, and that what I strive to be, is also working toward my goals, not against them. Intentionally, is about balancing my life—a life of health, wellness, physical strength, intelligence, human connection—being present as a partner, as a wife, as a mother, as a friend, and as a person.

Living intentionally is being conscious of how my actions reflect who I strive to be, who I am at my core, and acknowledging when things don’t align.

Living intentionally is being focused on what I want to achieve—the lifestyle that I ultimately want to work toward.

Intentionally, it’s eating healthy, lifting heavy weights to build muscle mass, and becoming strong so that when I’m 80, 90, or 100, I’m self-sufficient and able to take care of myself. It’s about by pushing myself in my career to always be financially stable, independent, and secure.

Living intentionally is ensuring that I surround myself with people who support and foster the life I want to live.

I’m intentionally teaching my kids awareness so they can have intentional lives, too. I don’t want them to get to their 30s and 40s and regret not being more focused or regret the choices they’ve made.

Living intentionally is growing from my experiences—my life, trauma, and what I was raised and taught. It’s educating myself on integrative health and nutrition, and not just relying on modern medicine. It’s about balancing and taking control of my own health, through what I put in my body and how I treat my body.

Intentionally, this blog will be examples of how I’m showing up and learning each day—examples of how I am living intentionally. It will offer food for thought and show how you may be showing up in the world, what your intentions are, and how we can all be more intentional in our lives, relationships, communication, actions, thoughts, and regulating our emotions and behavior.

I’m excited to continue to share my intentional life and journey with you.

Until next time—show up with intention, purpose, and awareness.

Sarah