Welcome to the Journey | Why I Wrote Big Boned and What I Hope This Blog Becomes
I gotta be honest. Launching a blog feels a bit like it did when I began selling print advertising right out of college. The internet was on the rise and yet, there I was, still knocking door-to-door trying to get businesses to renew their print ad campaigns in a phone book that was 500 pages thick. Those puppies (referring to phone books) are nostalgic artifacts now!
You know what I mean?
I feel late to the game.
But, I’m trusting that this adventure—while a new one—is a worthy one.
One where I get to share with you stories, ideas and all the things I’ve gathered through my own journey, both in writing Big Boned and in navigating the twists and turns of life.
A Little Backstory: Why Big Boned Exists
Big Boned is a project that I felt called to write as early as college. In fact, I remember telling the dean of our school (also, my English professor) I was going to write this very book. Y’all. I even had the title way back then.
I kept putting it off.
I thought I needed to be fully free before I could share my story. I needed all the answers.
Why would anyone want to hear my story when I was still in the struggle?
Newsflash (and what I’m just learning at 40!): That's exactly when people need to hear your story!
We’re getting off track, so…
Big Boned is a self-help memoir that dives deep into my personal experience with eating disorders. I know firsthand how isolating and confusing it can feel to wrestle with body image, food, and self-worth. It’s a journey that society rarely makes easy, with pressures from all angles—cultural ideals, family expectations, and even our own internalized judgments.
While part of the reason for writing Big Boned is to understand my own story, the process has made it clear that my experience isn’t mine alone. Millions struggle with eating disorders and the underlying challenges around self-acceptance, body image, and mental health. So Big Boned became my way of reaching out, of saying, You’re not alone. I wanted to create something that could help anyone who’s struggled to find peace with themselves, whether or not they have a history of eating disorders.
Why This Blog?
This blog will be a place where I can go beyond the pages of Big Boned. Writing a book is one thing, but life doesn’t stop once it’s published. There’s so much more I want to explore with you, from topics close to my heart to new ideas I’m constantly discovering. Here’s what you can expect:
Personal Insights and Growth: My life journey has taught me a lot about resilience, growth, and self-compassion. I’ll share stories that go beyond Big Boned, diving into the lessons I’ve learned, the challenges I’m still facing, and the tools that help me stay grounded.
Business Growth: Beyond the personal journey, there’s another part of me that’s deeply passionate about growth in business. I’ve learned a lot about carving my own path as a writer and creator (while working full-time in corporate America), and I know many of you are also building your own journeys. I’ll talk about strategies, insights, and personal reflections on topics that range from creativity to branding, productivity, and resilience.
Food and Nourishment: Food has played many roles in my life, and not all of them have been positive. In this section, we’ll explore how food can nourish—not just physically, but emotionally and mentally. I’m excited to share recipes, mindful eating tips, and discussions on food culture.
Mental Health and Wellness: Topics on mental health will always have a place here. I’ll share resources, discuss common struggles (and uncommon ones), and create a dialogue that can help us all understand these complex topics a little better.
Design and Aesthetics: Lastly, design is a huge part of my life, both in terms of what I create and how I experience the world. Finding something you love and putting energy into it helps heal on levels I’m not even quite sure we understand. Here, I’ll dive into the way our environments affect our moods and how aesthetic choices can reflect and shape our identity. And, if I can figure out how and where it makes sense, I’ll share with you pics of my own home and absolute obsession for all things design.
The Importance of a Multifaceted Life
One thing I’ve learned is that the idea of “self” is vast.
We’re not defined by one role, passion, or experience.
My journey with eating disorders and the story in Big Boned are a huge part of me, but I’m also many other things: a mom, a friend, a writer, an entrepreneur (or maybe just a dreamer), a lover of design, a learner, and so much more. By embracing all these parts, I’m able to live more authentically and more fully.
This blog is my attempt to honor that multifaceted life.
It’s a place where I hope you’ll feel free to explore, whether you’re reading a deeply personal post, getting inspired by a recipe, or learning a new business tip.
Life isn’t one-dimensional, and neither are we.
Embracing that complexity brings so much freedom, and it’s my goal to inspire you to do the same.
Connection Over Perfection
One thing I’ve committed to on this journey is letting go of perfection. In our social media world, it’s easy to feel like we’re always performing, always curating an image. But I want this space to feel genuine. You’ll see real stories, honest reflections, and probably some imperfections along the way. Big Boned taught me that connection is far more important than perfection, and I want that to be the foundation of everything I build here.
Whether you’ve found your way to this blog because of Big Boned, through a friend, or just stumbled upon it by chance, I’m grateful you’re here. My hope is that this can become a space of reflection, support, and maybe even a bit of inspiration for all of us.
What’s Next
In the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing posts that expand on some of the topics in Big Boned and explore new areas like mental wellness tips, nourishing recipes, personal reflections, and practical advice for building resilience in business and life.
Thank you for joining me at the start of this journey. I hope you find something here that speaks to you, whether it’s a single post or an idea that stays with you. Please feel free to reach out—let’s make this a space where we can all feel a little more connected and a little more at home with ourselves.
Here’s to growth, to connection, and to embracing all that we are.