Soft Strength: Living In Gratitude

Oct 19
3 min read

There are certain seasons in life that make you pause, not out of exhaustion, but out of gratitude. This post is for that girl I used to be...the one who didn’t know how everything would work out but kept going anyway.

I became a mother at 17 years old. By 19 years old, I had two little boys depending on me. At 28 years old, I welcomed my beautiful baby girl into the world. I have always provided for my children alone. There were no breaks, no shortcuts, no safety nets, just me, God, and a deep determination to make sure my children had what they needed.

If you’re a parent, you already know, feeding and clothing your children is sometimes the easiest part. The real weight of parenting comes from knowing that you are responsible for shaping human beings into productive, self-sufficient, emotionally intelligent, functional adults. WHEWWWW… parenting is hard! But it’s also the most rewarding work I’ve ever done.

I’ve lived in Michigan on my own since I was 19 years old. My mom moved back to Indiana, and though she came back for a few years, she eventually returned there. So for nearly three decades, it’s just been me and my children. I have been building, learning, growing, and trusting that God would continue to provide...and He always did!! This month actually marks my 19-year house anniversary!!! 19 years of consistency, prayer, and strength.

There were so many moments when I had to be strong even when I didn’t know how. It became part of my personality. Everyone always expected me to figure things out because I always did. But somewhere along the way, I realized I didn’t want to wear strength as a badge of honor anymore. I wanted to be soft. I wanted to be feminine. I wanted to breathe.

A new me emerged, I became the woman who stopped hoping and started EXPECTING!!

I decided that I needed to get "it" all off of me, so I started therapy. Therapy has been one of the best gifts I’ve ever given myself. For almost five years, I’ve been unlearning survival mode and relearning peace. I’m so proud of the woman I’ve become, I'm making it through. I am truly, living in gratitude.

If you know me personally, you know I put my all into everything I do. My name means everything to me. So when I started SoftLuxxe, I was terrified but determined. I wanted my brand to represent excellence, something truly luxury, thoughtful, and high quality. When you spend your hard-earned money, it should feel worth it. I understand that feeling deeply because I’ve worked hard and made countless sacrifices to create the life I have.

That’s why SoftLuxxe means so much to me. It’s not just hair. It’s confidence. It’s consistency. It’s me taking a chance on myself and choosing to believe that I’m worthy of abundance. The last year and a half, since starting my brand, has been the scariest and the most beautiful time...all in one! I'm so excited for what is next...stay tuned, there is more coming!

This post is a little love note to my younger self: We made it girl. We are safe and I am SO proud of YOU🌹

💖GOD, I THANK YOU💖

💞 Affirmations

Repeat these throughout the week...out loud and with love:

I honor how far I’ve come and how deeply I’ve grown.
I am no longer in survival mode, I am in my peace era.
I trust myself to make wise, loving decisions.
I am proud of my story and the strength that shaped me.
I give myself permission to be soft, to rest, and to receive.
I am becoming everything I once prayed for.

💭 Reflection Question: Living in Gratitude

What would you tell your younger self if she/he were sitting next to you right now?

🙏🏾 Closing Prayer

Dear God, I Thank You for carrying me through every chapter, the heavy ones, the hopeful ones, and the ones where I couldn’t see the way forward. Thank You for the lessons that became my strength and the grace that became my peace. Help me to continue walking in purpose, softness, and faith. Bless every parent reading this who’s doing the best they can with what they have. Remind them that their labor is not in vain, and that love, consistency, and faith are never wasted. In Jesus’ name, Amen💗

Lets chat about what you are most grateful for in the comments...I would love to read your own God-Story💐In the meantime, follow me on my socials to see Softluxxe in motion:

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