This Isn’t Burnout, It’s a Soul Awakening (And I’m Not Going Back)

Over the course of a year, my life has changed so much. Not really from the outside looking in. I would assume that my life would seem boringly the same as always, and even when people ask me, “What’s new?” I always say, “You know, same old stuff, different day.”

But the change isn’t obvious to others. And it’s also not something easily shared in a casual conversation. I think it’s because most people don’t want to have a deep-level conversation... unfortunately. But also because I might sound a bit crazy.

I’m a little reluctant to share my crazy with most people in my life. So, of course, I’ll be sharing it with you.

If you want to respond by saying or thinking I’m crazy, I do care… a little. But I also know that if I’m listening to my authentic self and I really want to align with what feels right, then I’m on the right path.

That’s something new for me. A trait I wished I always honored, and now have to. And when I say “have to,” I mean HAVE TO. If I try to do something out of alignment now, my skin will crawl. I absolutely can’t stand it. If something isn’t aligned, I just can’t do it. It’s excruciating.

I used to override this easily. Now? If it’s a no, I can’t do it. That’s a good thing, but like I said, it hasn’t always been this way. So, it’s new. And I would say it’s the universe saying to me, “We’re tired of your shit, trying to make everyone happy. It’s your turn, lady!”

I thought I was done with people-pleasing, but apparently, I was still doing it, subtly, subconsciously, not following my hell yeses.

Gradually, over the last year or so, this has transformed my life. But it’s more of an energetic transformation, still in progress.

Today, I want to talk about that transformation, and the self-care I use to support it. Which has been game-changing.

Stepping Away From the Social Norms

One of the biggest shifts I’ve noticed is stepping away from the social norms that we’re all spoon-fed. For example:

• We all need to be in a romantic relationship

• We need to work at least 40 hours a week to earn our place on Earth

• We must do this our whole lives… ???

• We hire other people to raise our kids so we can keep working

• We must sacrifice everything for family, even if the relationship is dysfunctional or abusive

• To be deemed valuable by society, we need to make a certain amount of money or do a specific kind of work

• We must look, act, and be a certain way to be accepted

• Not all living beings deserve peace or to have their needs met (even animals)

• We can't have fun or rest until we’ve “earned it” through productivity

I could go on and on.

But here’s the bottom line: I think the way we’re all living is a complete scam.
And I wish I’d realized it sooner.

The Relationship Thing

When I was a young woman, I used to say, “I don’t ever want to get married.” But what I was taught and groomed into was that in order to be safe and valued in society, I had to marry. And honestly? That was true for women not long ago.

The 1970s, to be exact.
Women couldn’t have a bank account without a man.
So, to survive, we agreed to the arrangement.

That’s no longer true... but many people still buy into it.

There are even studies showing that men thrive in marriage and live longer. But for women? It’s often the opposite.

This is why I always say, “Marriage is a trap.”
I’m kinda joking, but not really.

If it works for you, great.
But for me? I love my freedom. I don’t believe in marriage. I don’t date because most men my age expect traditional roles. They want me to take care of the house and their life.

I don’t even do that for my grown children, so why would I do it for a stranger?

I don’t hate men. Some get it. But not many at my age. And honestly, I’m just tired of looking for it.

If it happens, great.
If it doesn’t, also great.

I love being single. Even if I met someone, I’d never marry. I wouldn’t share a bedroom, or a bathroom. Hard no. So, a relationship with me would be far from the norm.

At 56 years old, I can honestly say I’ve never had a man add to my life without taking so much more away. One. Just one man. My whole life.

They always want me to stray from my core values.
They always take more than they give.
And it's not the small stuff, it’s your soul.

So yeah, I’m done selling out my soul.

The Work Thing

Short and sweet:
We were not put on this earth to spend the majority of our adult lives working outside of our community to make a select few people disgustingly rich.

While we barely have time or energy for joy.

And waiting until your 60s to retire?
That dream is dead.
We’re meant to enjoy our lives now.

They told us, “Work hard and you’ll get the vacation, the car, the house.”
But is that true?

Look at the hardest working people you know.
Do they have everything they want?

Hard no.

So what’s the answer?
Step away from this belief system. Let yourself off the hook.

I see people beating themselves up daily for not having “enough”, money, success, status. These are the most capable, brilliant people I know, yet they feel like they’re failing because society tells them so.

It’s the dangling carrot.
We’re told what we should want.
Told how to get it.
But it’s kept just out of reach for most of us.

We work ourselves into burnout trying to reach it, missing 95% of our lives.

We hire strangers to raise our kids, sometimes just to keep health insurance, which, by the way, is also a scam.

Wake up. Our entire system is a scam.

Except...

Connection Is Real

Connection is real.
Community is real.
Love is real.

That’s why so many of us are longing to live on land, grow our own food, and build intentional community. The number of people I hear saying this? It's a lot!

Because that’s what we’re meant to do. The further we stray from it, the more we will crave it and want it.

What I’ve Learned About Family

Here’s the truth:
Being related to someone by blood doesn’t mean they’re owed your loyalty.

If someone is abusive, toxic, or draining, cut them out.

Focus on the people who support, uplift, and see you. The ones who care for you, tell you the truth, make you laugh.
Not the ones who tear you down.

We’re all connected anyway. If you look at genealogy, we’re all family on some level.

So build your chosen family.
If that includes your relatives? Amazing, you hit the family lottery.
But for many of us, it doesn’t. And that’s okay.

Equality (Still a Thing?)

WHY is equality still up for debate?

I say this all the time:
The straight white man will always try to suppress what he perceives as more powerful than him.

Which is... everyone else.

If you don’t see it, you’re likely enabling it in the name of comfort and safety.

I get why people do this but it's not okay. If we change nothing, nothing changes.

One of my nutrition teachers once said:
“Labels are for cans.”
And I’ve never forgotten it.

Can we stop labeling people and just ask:
Are they kind or not?
Are they someone I want in my life, or not?

Don’t judge by gender, race, language, or sexuality.
Seriously, why is someone’s sexual orientation so important to you?
Stay in your own lane. It’s weird.

Just be a good human. Don’t be an asshole.

At the Core, We All Want the Same Things

We all want:

• To be happy

• To feel safe

• To have food, shelter, and peace

• To see our loved ones safe

• To have fun and enjoy life

Now imagine the world with no borders, no countries, no skin color, no labels.

Just humans.
Wanting the same basic things.

The only ones who benefit from us being divided are the billionaire sociopaths.
And we outnumber them.

So, stop the hate. Drop the labels.
We are more alike than we are different.

A Quick Dog Story (Because of Course)

A friend recently asked me:
“If you saved $10K for a wedding and your dog got sick, what would you do?”

I didn’t even let her finish.
Of course I’d spend it on the dog.

Not because I know I’ll never get married (lol), but because my dog is family.

All animals in my care are.
They love us unconditionally and depend on us.

It’s our responsibility to love them back, fully. If you can’t commit to that, don’t get one. Simple.

And if you can’t afford care? That’s different. Vet care is outrageous lately.

It comes back to this:
All beings deserve respect.
Just do your best.

Slowed Down by the Universe

As I write this, I’m just getting over being very sick, day 7 and finally feeling a little bit human.

Not only was I physically sick, but I was also forced to sit still and do nothing.
Which, by the way, I’ve been warned to do for weeks, through horoscopes, tarot cards, signs.

The message?
REST.

I didn’t listen. So my body made me listen.
And now I’m finally sitting with the big questions:
Where am I going? What needs to shift?

I needed this to go inward and make some decisions and changes.

Enter: Yoga Nidra

One of the biggest shifts for me has been discovering Yoga Nidra.

It’s like guided meditation meets bliss state. You’re asleep, but aware.

I’m now getting certified as a Yoga Nidra Guide because it’s changed my life. It feels like nothingness in the best way. I can’t even describe it.

I now do it after yoga instead of savasana and it’s EVERYTHING.

Add that to my daily walks/runs, breathwork, yoga, and letting go of people-pleasing, and I finally feel like I’m living in my lane.

So yeah.
There it is.

All of my weird energy shifts and self-care strategies that have been happening in the background for years, but over the last year, they’ve sped up to warp speed.

And this? This self-care? It’s not optional.

It’s how I stay sane, grounded, and lit up.

More to come on the changes and shifts that come from this pause.

Until next week, 
Be a good human.

xo,
T