The Intro, XOXO M.A.P.S

Hey dudes, 

It’s M.A.P.S here! No no, not to be confused with Google Maps. If you’re looking for directions to your nearest Starbies . . . this is not the maps you’re looking for.

If you are looking for a nice change of pace, positive reminders, your own personal wellness advocate, some harsh truths, an empowering community for this crazy journey of life, and constant reminders to be your YOUnique self - then I’m your girl and this is your blog!

Ya see, I am still trying to find MY way on this journey (ergo M.A.P.S Adventures). But for the first time in my life, I am not stressed on how I’m going to get there.  There are many ways to reach your destination, but not every path is right for your YOUnique self.

I turned 26 this year. Officially in my late 20's and it hasn’t been until the past 5 years that I’ve started to unapologetically be myself and be confident in what MY way looks like. Up until this point I’ve been a Fezzik listening to all the Vezzini’s in the world! When I realized I can choose what MY way is, it was a GAME! CHANGER! (https://youtu.be/P-EyfRqKGP4?si=NBhYVrSk8WJWRjon).

Disney // Giphy.com

Now that I’m dedicated to working through it with a little more grace and a little more swag - taking on any and all emotions that I'm faced with head on - I want to M.A.P.S out MY way (hehe, see what I did there) and share it with you because. . .

LIFE IS ONE BIG ADVENTURE!

(*FAIR WARNING* I live and breathe for a good metaphor, cliches, inspirational quotes, movie references, and profanity for EMPHASIS. I will unapologetically overuse them throughout my posts 😊. Futhermore, not all of my posts will be this long. Many will be short and digestible. But I digress, let me get back on track. . .)

Life may offer you the fast-track highway-like route to where you're going. But often times it doesn't always go that smoothly or we either aren't ready to get on the highway. That route is really enticing to me and it works REALLY well for some people! It is indeed efficient. For others - cough cough like me - I say F**K efficiency! For half my life I didn't do things efficiently because of depression for lack of understanding where I belonged in the world. But the second half I've just really found joy in the scenic route. I've met so many people, including myself, who get so discouraged when the journey doesn't go as smoothly as planned. BUT C'EST LA VIE!! Take the highway and miss out on the wholesome adventure, or take the scenic route and enjoy the ride? Odds are that you'll have to stop for gas, a flat tire, or to help someone on the way. Long story short, either way, enjoy the route you take. That's my point.

Long story longer, I’d rather (sometimes to my own detriment) travel through the ups and downs, switchbacks, pack copious amounts of road snacks, and run out of gas here and there in the middle of nowhere. . . than take the highway. To really run this metaphor into the ground . . . The winding backroads usually make for the most beautiful adventures anyways.

But, you see, 5+ years ago the realization that life isn't a straight path and doesn't always go as planned would have, and did, send me into perpetual states of anxiety and depression. At that time I didn't have good habits or practice a healthy mindset to express genuine gratitude for the ups and downs.

Now I'm not so caught up on HOW I’m going to get ‘there’ and HOW LONG it will take. Instead I focus on WHERE ‘there’ is for ME and CONSISTENTLY remind myself to be grateful for where I am and enjoy the ride. When I switched my focus this way I redeveloped my self-esteem. I leveled up from this anxiety ridden shell of a woman to one who lives in this oh so sweet candy land of a mindset that acknowledges, . . .

LIFE IS ONE BIG ADVENTURE!

I believe everyone has a unique adventure story worth sharing and worth listening to. It pains me that we’re too pensive to share them because we miss out on so much growth when we do! We are so worried that others will judge us; or we have too much pride to share how we have epically failed; or we are too humble to share our successes. In any case, we forget that we're all humans navigating this crazy existence.

That being said, there are some people who won't value your story. So when you're first starting out being a story teller, use discretion so it doesn't discourage you and send you right back into your cozy (but isolated) turtle shell of safety. . . HA! Me? Speaking from experience? Pish posh! No! . . .Actually yes, yes I am. . .I know the turtle shell of safety all too well.

When we share our truths we WILL face judgements. If we aren't mindful of what we truly want in life (in a way that we steadfastly believe, I might add), we prioritize others' opinions over our own reason and intuition. This means that we can be easily persuaded. Even if something feels right for us, we allow ourselves to be convinced otherwise. Obviously we need constructive and open communication to grow. Sometimes we do need to really listen to others' advice and opinions - within reason . I repeat when reasonable and especially not in opposition of your own intuition. 

PeacockTV // Giphy.com

If you ask me, a lil judgment is a price worth paying if the result means you get to be your happiest most authentic self. You'll face judgement whether you compromise who you are or authentically be YOU. So you might as well choose to live life YOUR way Fezzini - and when you have the opportunity to share who you are with the world around you, DO! Let your light shine and just be you my dudes! You have no idea the impact you'll have and who needs to hear your story; or witness your talents; or just relate to something so they can break out of their rut and radiate!

Yes, it' sucks to be bullied, mocked, judged or what have you. . .

BUT check this out. . .

LIFE IS ONE BIG ADVENTURE

and when we are unapologetically ourselves, we

1. Create and build our tribe. We assemble together like some bad*$$ Avengers squad that is indestructible even when that turd Thanos (A.K.A life and the inevitable chaos it brings) tries to screw us over! And we....

2. Empower each other and create more space for creativity, innovation, love, and more bad*assery. WHO DOESN'T LOVE A GOOD WHOLESOME EMPOWERING COMMUNITY WHERE WE STRIVE TO HELP EACH OTHER ACHIEVE OUR HAPPIEST SELVES AND PERSONAL GOALS!

So just BE YOU and don't be too hard on yourself when you don't. It's a natural part of the process - and reminderrrrr, you're not the only one. . .well . . . processing it!

It's a conscious choice everyday to choose to live on purpose and be yourself. Somedays it is a big challenge. Other days it feels like a breeze! But hi! Hello! That's why I'm here! To remind you that it's ALL part of the journey and to feel grateful for the ups and downs.

! LIFE IS ONE BIG ADVENTURE !

Oops, sorry. That one didn't flow as well, I just blurted that one out. . . But sometimes we need reminders to obnoxiously hit us out of nowhere!

THIS IS WHY I MADE M.A.P.S Adventures! I'm not here to tell you how to live your life boo boo. I'm here to provide

1. An obnoxious amount of kind reminders;

2. Gratitude practices, and

3. Tips, and tricks for mind and body wellness so you can focus on getting the most enjoyment out of life!

I will share my personal journey and authentic self to encourage you to take positive and impactful steps on your YOUnique adventure. I will share resources, stories, and tools I’ve acquired for you to use to make your journey epic! I will also probably make a fool of myself here and there but who cares because,

LIFE IS ONE BIG ADVENTURE!

When you are confident in your choices and actions, you feel empowered. When you feel empowered you aren’t nervous to share with others. When you share with others, you create an overall positive experience with yourself and community.

M.A.P.S Adventures is a space where we can build each other up. Be a little goofy. Be a little serious. As my favorite character of all times says "Be curious not judgemental". Most of all, M.A.P.S Adventures is a space where we can acknowledge our differences and use them to help each other grow - not judge and tear each other apart or drown in comparisons.

Apple TV+ // Giphy.com

I want you to be curious about what YOUR way is; I want you to find YOUR way; To feel EMPOWERED in your way; To LOVE your way! And when you do you will begin to effortlessly radiate :)

I guess you can consider me as your own personal maps of sorts. A resource to help you get where you want to go. I can’t get you where you want to go. For Pete's sake, I don’t even know where you're going. You have to drive and navigate. . . But I won't be a complete passenger princess. I sure as H-E-double-hockey-sticks can bring the road snackies and exceptional playlist to hype you up, keep you focused on the journey, and help you happily enjoy the adventure. At the end of the day, SAY IT WITH ME?. . .

LIFE IS ONE BIG ADVENTURE, 

and at the end of our time it's about the journey not the destination! (Is anybody counting how many clichés I have used? Like COME ONNNN. A cliché is a cliché because humans have short term memory and need reminders. . . If it ain't broke, don't fix it),

I’m hoping, if you’ve come across this blog, that our paths are uniquely different. I hope we can share, learn, create, and build an epic community (The adventure ideas a brewin' in the ole noggin are quite exciting, so stay tuned). I hope your path is uniquely and unquestionably YOURS. I hope it reeks of all your hopes and dreams and when someone else sees your journey . . .I hope they do tell you it stinks! BUT, I hope you let it roll off your shoulder because IT IS YOURS AND YOU’RE PROUD OF IT AND YOU EMBRACE IT IN THE FACE OF PRAISE AND CRITICISM! (Not super happy about sticking with the stinky metaphor but you get my point . . .)

Apple TV+ // Giphy.com

If you’re anything like me, you’ve struggled with this. You've struggled to love who you are, how you live, and what you do - mistakes and all. The triumphs and tragedies make us, US! It is part of being human! You've given more acceptance to your limiting beliefs despite all the limitless ones that you are capable of having but haven't made routine - YET! How incredibly silly is that? To not love our mistakes as well?! Bob Ross would be ashamed of us! ASHAMED I TELL YOU!

wifflegif.com

CUT THAT SH*T OUT! We ain’t got time for that anymore my dude! CUT IT OUT! If not for your own sake, for the sake of this saint of a man who only wanted everyone to be happy! Life is unpredictable and we should be spending whatever time we have relentlessly pursuing gratitude, our dreams and goals, good mood foods, healthy relationships with ourselves and others, and daily little habits that strengthen our mind, body, and spirit.

You’re too unique and special to be doing anything in opposition to this honey child!

Holy crap!!! Here we go!!!

What an incredible adventure this is!! I’ve gotta be honest with you guys, I’m really excited for this one! 

I’m finally doing the d**n thing! Blog post el número uno! 

With Love,

M.A.P.S