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To the New Parents: Beware the Beautiful Trap
So, you’ve just had a baby. Or maybe you’re on the brink, expecting your first and filled with dreams of adorable onesies, sweet snuggles, and tiny socks that make your heart melt. It’s beautiful. It’s real.But here’s what nobody warns you about until you’re in the thick of it: That same deep love that bonds…
When the Story Ends: Reflections on Maestra Vida and Elder Abandonment
I recently saw Rubén Blades perform Maestra Vida live at Lincoln Center. At around 75 years old, his voice was still strong and rich, the acoustics were beautiful, and the crowd was right there with him—grateful, emotional, and fully immersed. It was performed concert-style, with the lyrics projected on screen. Even without a full stage production, the…
Fix What You Broke: A Message to Parents from a Wounded Child
This One’s Personal I was triggered writing this—because this is my story. I’ve lived the pain of wanting connection with a parent who didn’t—or couldn’t—show up emotionally when it mattered. I’ve stood there, heart cracked wide open, asking for honesty, softness, repair… and gotten silence in return. I’ve swallowed the ache of being met with…
I Wasn’t Sleeping. I Was Spinning.
How I Learned to Discharge Energy and Reset My Nervous System For years, I struggled with insomnia, brain fog, a racing mind, and an overloaded nervous system. I tried to relax, meditate, journal—even stretched before bed. And while those things helped a little, something was still missing. Then one quiet afternoon, it hit me: I wasn’t discharging my…
The Slippery Slope Back to Square One
Let’s talk about setbacks.Not the kind that catch you off guard—but the kind you know are coming if you’re not careful. I’ve done the work. I’ve made real progress. But then life gets loud, I hyper-focus on a million projects, my brain revs up, and before I know it… I can’t sleep again.Not just one…
Back to Basics: Boosting Dopamine Through Simple, Intentional Routines
It’s back to basics—boosting dopamine with simple, intentional routines, grounding yourself in small daily wins that rewire your brain for joy, focus, and a better mood. Of course, easier said than done. If you jump in at full force, attempting to make sweeping changes in your life, the overwhelm may prevent you from making any…
Reignite Your Joy: The Defiant Pursuit of Happiness at Any Age
Being defiantly happy means choosing joy with intention—immersing yourself in what fuels your spirit, ignites your passion, and brings you peace, even when life tries to pull you down. Let’s face it: we live in a fast world with incredible, unbelievable demands that, unless you are very conscious about them, will take over your life.…
Defiantly Happy: How I Took My Life Back
The Crash and Burn At the start of 2024, I found myself in yet another crash and burn—stuck in the darkness of inactivity and isolation. It was a familiar cycle, one that had plagued me for years. I had a tendency to hyperfocus and overwork myself, pushing through projects at lightning speed but paying the…
In Her Own Way: A Mother’s Love
A Misunderstood Mother On this Mother’s Day, I find myself reflecting on my relationship with my mother and how beautifully it has developed over the years. But it wasn’t always this way. For much of my life, I struggled to understand her. Over the course of more than 30 years, I blamed my mother for…
Personal Liberation: A Reflection on Independence
Happy Independence! The Power of Independence There’s nothing like the word Independence to get me thinking about the things that need to be unloaded and how heavily they can weigh us down. Independence is a powerful word—a declaration of freedom, autonomy, and self-empowerment. It reminds us of the chains we may carry, some visible and others invisible,…
Embracing Personal Change
The Season of Change Ahhh, the ushering in of fall; the season of change. As I watch the leaves turn from green to brilliant oranges and reds, I can’t help but reflect on the wonderful changes that have happened in my life over the last fifteen years. Fall, with its crisp air and vibrant colors,…
Embracing the Shadow: A Journey of Self-Discovery
Our shadows often hide in the recesses of our minds, unseen and unacknowledged. Yet, during my recent retreat, we worked extensively with this part of ourselves. It was a transformative experience, and I want to share its profound lessons with you. What Is the Shadow? The shadow represents the parts of ourselves we prefer not…
My New Mantra: Vivir Mi Vida | Live My Life
Life often feels like a series of hurdles, each testing our resilience and resolve. Over the past week, I found myself at one of those low points—exhausted, overwhelmed, and questioning whether my work with JourneySpace was truly making a difference. But just as life can bring challenges, it also offers moments of clarity and grace.…
Valentine’s Day Isn’t Just for Lovers!
Valentine’s Day often gets pigeonholed as a holiday for romantic partners. Images of roses, candlelit dinners, and heart-shaped chocolates dominate the cultural narrative. But this February 14th, let’s rewrite the script. Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love in all its forms—self-love included. Showing love to yourself isn’t selfish or indulgent; it’s necessary. A healthy…
A Transformed Life: Free Inner Healing
I went through most of my life not asking for help, though everything in my being was screaming for it. I was miserable to the core. If not for my extreme level of physical activity—3-4 hours of ballet, 6 days per week—I believe I would have ended up in the hospital from the impact of…
Disclaimer:
Everything shared on this blog comes from personal experience and a whole lot of trial and error. It’s meant to inform and inspire—not to diagnose, treat, or replace professional medical or mental health advice. Always check in with a licensed healthcare provider before making choices about your health or wellbeing. This content is shared with love from New York, and follows U.S. laws.
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© Defiantly Happy • Maggie Hernandez-Knight 2025 • [email protected]