While my fiancé was off in Vail celebrating his bachelor party, I found myself in West Palm Beach doing something a little less glamorous — cleaning, organizing, and recharging in my apartment. Honestly, it was exactly what I needed. I’ve been making a conscious effort this year to step back, disconnect, and give myself space to refuel. It’s amazing how much clarity you can gain when you allow yourself to pause.
That said, slowing down often leads me into reflection — and sometimes, into the less helpful habit of scrolling. (You know the kind. Endless Instagram loops that leave you wondering why your life isn’t moving faster, shinier, or smoother.) One moment, I feel like I have everything under control. The next, I’m convinced I’m sliding backwards. Building a brand out of your own experiences can be incredibly rewarding, but it also demands patience, persistence, and a whole lot of self-belief. And if I’m honest, this past weekend doubt slipped in more than once.
I’ve always clung to that familiar saying: what’s meant to be will be. Corny? Maybe. But I find comfort in the thought that even the worst days serve a purpose. A bad job might be the nudge you need to pursue your passion. A relationship that doesn’t work out can lead you to the one that does. And sometimes the best opportunities only arrive after you’ve learned the lessons that prepare you to receive them.
The hard part, though? Trusting the timing. I like feeling in control — of my work, my plans, my path. Letting go, stepping back, and believing that the universe has its own rhythm is not easy. Especially when patience isn’t exactly my strong suit (thank you, Amazon Prime, for setting impossible standards).
But then my perspective shifted.
One evening, my best friend stopped by, carrying the weight of her own worries. Her wedding is approaching, and she confessed she’s terrified it won’t turn out the way she imagined. I understood. Weddings, after all, are months — sometimes years — of meticulous planning. Every detail feels like it has to be perfect. But the truth is, something always goes wrong. My parents’ videographer — my uncle — fell into a fountain mid-ceremony. Their wedding cake melted. Another friend forgot her traditional mantilla veil at the hotel. And I’ve witnessed those last-minute panic spirals where the bride whispers, “Am I marrying the right person?”
Here’s the thing, though: none of those mishaps defined the marriage. The veil left behind, the soggy cake, the nerves — they all became part of the story. A marriage isn’t built on one flawless day. It’s built on the thousand imperfect ones that follow, the small rituals and shared laughter that turn into the foundation of a life together.
So, I told my friend the same thing I’ve been reminding myself: trust. Trust that the love she’s found is what matters. Trust that the timing of her life is unfolding as it should. Trust that even when the day doesn’t go according to plan, the years ahead will hold countless new reasons to celebrate. Maybe that looks like buying a home together, welcoming a child, or simply staying up until 4 a.m. laughing over everything that went wrong while eating leftover cake. Sometimes, it’s a late-night dance-off in the living room, or the quiet joy of listening to rain during a thunderstorm. Life’s magic doesn’t live in the flawless—it lives in the messy, the unexpected, the beautifully ordinary.
That conversation reminded me to extend the same grace to myself. Yes, my brand is still evolving. Yes, progress feels slow at times. But life is textured and layered, full of twists that keep it interesting. When I step back, I’m grateful—for quiet weekends, for a best friend who makes me laugh and loves sushi as much as I do, for the small but meaningful moments that stitch together a life.
So, I’m saying “yes” to the mantra I’ve repeated for years: what’s meant to be will be. I’m choosing gratitude, because I truly believe it’s the foundation of happiness. And when you live from a place of happiness, the doors you’ve been waiting on tend to open. Opportunities appear. Serendipity strikes.
And even if your wedding cake melts along the way? Well, that just makes for a better story later.
