Growing up, creativity and imagination ran in my veins. I loved all things magical and unique so much that I wanted to hold on to the feeling that words can't even begin to describe. For me, growth and time helped me realize that my soul was a bigger part of who I was and who I am becoming.

For years I thought that being so different was the worst thing that could ever happen. I worked so hard on trying to be what was defined normal at my school. Until a few years ago I never realized how exhausting and draining it was. Without realizing it, for years I was bringing in toxic and negative energy that was a big contributor to some of my health problems.

Not until my senior year of high school did I realize that my soul had more to do with who I was becoming than books could ever teach me. Of course don't get me wrong, I love reading and all things literature but those were only pieces of my soul. The music I listened to, the places I grew up in, the stories I heard about life before I was born, it all impacted my life in the most positive ways. I don't think I would want to change any of it now that I really think about it. I love my vinyls more than the music on my phone. I love the way my record player creates a different sound that makes the music seem entirely different. I love how warm weather impacts my happiness to such an extent that the only way to describe it is magic flowing from the curls in my hair to the bounce in my step.

I've always also had a very close relationship to my astrological sign which not many people like to say out loud but I really did. Every morning I would wake up and start my day off with a cup of tea and then make my way over to read my daily horoscope. I loved reading them out of curiosity as well as a way to mentally prepare myself for the day. Something else I would do is look at various scripture verses. Some from the Bible others were Japanese or Chinese proverbs. Mental clarity is so important to me and I honestly started to see such a difference on the days I made the time to prepare for the day versus when I rushed through my mornings.

My favorite things like music, art, and literature have balanced my soul. They gave me opportunities to grow and thrive in my own lifestyle. It was beginning to have an identity all of my own. It was wonderful and the minute I started to embrace and realize it, I knew that I only wanted to find more ways to grow and be happy.

Now I spend my days listening to music that makes me smile, surround myself with people who do nothing but love and support me, and started to do things that benefit myself instead of constantly worrying about what everyone else needed before myself. Connecting with my soul has taught me to always be balanced between what is good and what is well.