Life Lately: The Marathon, the Magic, and the Mess

It’s been a whirlwind few months while I’ve been away from training for and running my first half marathon, to having my parents and grandma visit, to soaking in the joy of hitting a huge personal goal and spending quality time with the people I love.

But the truth is, life isn’t always pretty and pink (as much as I wish it were). And while I’ve had some incredibly beautiful moments recently, there have been some hard ones too.

One of the reasons I’ve been quiet this past month is because I simply couldn’t afford to keep this blog live. Lush & Lore costs money to run, and the last month, I didn’t have it. Thankfully, my mom stepped in (thank you mommy) and took over the bill so I could get back to doing what I love. So no, it wasn’t a dramatic “blog or groceries” moment just real life, real priorities, and the reality of being in a tough season.

The job search, the feeling of not knowing where I belong, and the quiet question of “what now?” I never imagined those things would hit me so hard, or that I’d be the one navigating them. But here I am. And if I’ve learned anything, it’s this: no one is immune to the darker parts of life. We all go through them differently, in waves, at our own pace. I’m someone who doesn’t like to burden people with my struggles (seriously considering getting a therapist at least they’re paid to listen). But maybe… that’s what this blog is for?

So here’s the real update: life is hard. Adulthood is overwhelming. Being unemployed with a master’s degree was not what I pictured for myself. Money is tight. Everything costs something.

And even though from the outside, my life might look picture-perfect traveling, running marathons, eating in nice places, spending time with family it’s important to say out loud: it’s not always what it seems. A lot of people are quietly going through the same thing. We can’t always believe everything is pretty in pink, because behind the posts and the smiles, life can be messy too.

But through it all, I’m so deeply grateful. Grateful for the people who show up for me, my parents, my friends, my family, my Auntie Claudia, my boyfriend, and his incredible family, who I am so lucky to now call my own, and of course those who take the time to be here and read this post. Support, in all its forms, is what makes these hard moments bearable. And that’s what keeps me going.

I’m pushing forward slowly, imperfectly but with a smile on my face I’m doing it. So if you’re in the same place, I hope you know: you’re not alone. And you can do it too. We can do it together.