Do you remember being younger and having to eat lunch alone because your friends that you normally eat with weren’t there? Maybe you were new to the school or didn’t have many friends. Did you ever see a group of kids and it looked like they would be fun to be around and you never approached them for one reason or another? I’m now experiencing this in my adult life.

We go through multiple phases in our lives. When we are children, we have neighbor friends, friends we meet through sports or theater (yes, I was the latter of the two), school friends and family friends. As we start to get older, those friendships change. Those junior high and high school years are tough ones…and I truly cannot image how much tougher it is now with the world of social media – reminder to check in on your kiddos…that is SO hard to navigate WITHOUT social media. You are at an awkward phase in life period and then wham – your body changes, your emotions, school gets tougher…I mean, no thanks on going back to teenage years in this day (take me back to the 80’s all day long, but you can keep your modern day things).

Then you get into your 20’s, friends start careers and families and distance can also cause strain on a friendship. For me, that was one of my toughest stages of friendship (until now). All of my good high school friends (who I’m blessed to still have in my life) were in college and I wasn’t. I started my career and was the first one to start having children. It was a rough transition and can get very lonely. It’s HARD to meet and keep good people in your life.

When my kids got into school and sports, their friend circle became their teammates, neighbors and school friends. My friends became friends from work, their teammates parents (thank goodness I liked them) and neighbors. I also worked outside of the home for most of their childhood, so it was a tad easier to meet more people.

As my kids got older and my career changed, so did some friendships. I met some people later in life, that I don’t know how I would have gotten through the later stages in my life without. If you sit and look back on your life, do you ever think that a higher power placed certain people in your life at the perfect time?

For those of you that follow me on social media, you know that on Monday mornings, I give you a little bravery reminder, as BRAVE is one of my words of the year. This week, I reminded you (and myself) to be brave enough to introduce yourself to someone. I’m serious. Perhaps it isn’t YOU that needs the introduction, maybe they need to smile today and you saying Hi or introducing yourself is what they needed too? Perspective. Who knows – maybe it turns into a friendship that you BOTH need and want in your life.

I’ve recently moved to a new city and although I’m truly blessed in the friend department – I don’t take that for granted – I still would like to meet some great local girlfriends. Last week, our internet was out so I was in and out of coffee shops and the library. I boldly introduced myself to the librarian (so kind) and we chatted a bit. I told her I was writing a book and she responded and said ‘that is great, when you are done, bring in a copy and we can put a ‘local author’ sticker and put it on display’. What?! If I never would have gotten out of my comfort zone and said something, I never would have known that – how cool.

I also found myself in that situation of witnessing two women sitting next to me at a coffee shop and I so badly wanted to ask where they practice Yoga and I couldn’t build up the courage (I kick myself now – they seemed like cool people to be around). I met a neighbor and walked away with a ‘let’s connect sometime’. Well, we all know how that goes. I was a little more brave this time (thanks to my boyfriend for the nudge), I got on my bike and went back over there after we got home, knowing that she’s either going to think I’m a crazy person or just want to connect. Turns out, she didn’t seem to think I was crazy (if you are reading this, for the record…I’m not crazy…well, mostly not crazy – Ha!), we went to rivaling high schools and I feel like we could have chatted for hours. Such a sweet woman.

So…hello, it is nice to meet all of you. Let’s get our phones out of our faces and introduce ourselves to people. Like I said, perhaps you are loaded up with friends and don’t need anymore…but maybe that person you choose to say Hi to was that small child sitting all alone on the playground and no one ever approached them. Be a friend, make someone smile. Go buy yourself some flowers (or remind your loved ones how happy they make you) and as always, thank you for being on this journey with me – together we can make a difference in our own lives and in the lives of others. Cheers!

Wow – what a ride! On April 30th, after giving a 90-day notice, I left my career of 16 years and am starting an entirely new chapter in my life. I’d like to refer to this as my Part Two…Leveling Up, Tiffany 2.0 – you want me to continue? Ha!

I loved my job and the people I worked with and I was equally as good to them as they were to me – it was just time. I will always be cheering for those awesome humans and that company on from the sidelines. I’m proud of what I’ve left behind, I gave 16 years of complete dedication and incredible hard work. I was allowed the opportunity to grow, expand my roll, learn new things and leave on a major high.

I’ve learned so much in 16 years AND in these final weeks at my employer. They had a going away happy hour for me – above are just a few of the incredible people I’ve had the pleasure of working with (wish I would have snapped a group photo too). I was also reminded that you should tell people how you feel. I felt compelled to write each co-worker a card and leave them with a little something. I truly feel some sort of a connection to each one of them – I was blessed in the boss and co-worker department.

I made two lifelong friendships in my 16 years…not that I won’t keep in touch with others, but these two humans taught me how to simply show up for others. These two woman always showed up for me, and I will always do the same for them. I will miss them madly…at least we got in one last lunch date.

When you go through a life changing moment in your life, the wave of emotions is real. In evaluating this huge decision (after all, I gave a 90-day notice), you have some time to do some real reflecting. I had a huge realization that this beaufiul place of employment held space for me when I needed it the most in my life. In the last 16 years, I have truly had the biggest struggles in my life. I had multiple surgeries, the roughest parts of my marriage, death of loved ones, dredging through my much-needed divorce…I mean, isn’t that enough? In hindsight, Wow – just Wow! I had some amazingly beautiful moments here too – my children had SO many highlights in those 16 years, as well. My work and the people around me supported me through it ALL! I am profoundly grateful. I was showered with some very thoughtful gifts on my way out and still can’t get through the big card they all signed – still get a tad emotional. Yes, that is homemade brownies and frozen cookie dough – the brownies have already been gobbled up and were delicious…of course, I asked for the recipe!

Is it the end of an era – you betcha…a crazy beautiful one. I had some major professional wins. I had ‘become a Vice President’ on my vision board…and when I became a VP, the following year was ‘become a Senior Vice President’…mission accomplished! I contributed in a big way to a fantastic organization and wish them nothing but success! I have some amazing projects on the horizon that I can’t wait to share.

Am I crazy for leaving such a fantastic company and the magical people I work with – nope. I’m starting my new era – one filled with peace, unlimited opportunity, an extreme amount of bravery…and with an exceptional man that I’m excited to continue to grow with. Life is unexpected and never promised. As I’ve recently stated on Monday mornings (Monday Morning Coffee Talk on social media) – I would like to encourage you to do brave things. It’s my turn…my turn to continue to live unapologetically and spread love, kindness and healing to all that I come into contact with. Not only is is the end of an era…but the beginning of something magical!

I took last week off to disconnect and have a little vacation. I’m back and ready to truly live every minute and do epic things! Go buy yourself some flowers and as always, thank you for being on this journey with me – together we can make a difference in our own lives and in the lives of others. Cheers!

Have I got some nuggets of perspective for you today!

About a month ago, my son and I had to abruptly move from our place to another that was around the corner. Not far enough to drive, but far enough to clock 17,000 steps in one day of moving…not to mention that moving isn’t an easy feat. We definitely needed some help.

Why oh why is it so difficult to ask for help? And in the same breathe, why do we assume that people should just know that we need help. Again…multiple nuggets of perspective. I’m telling you, if you are open to receive the perspective, get ready, because it will come at you in waves.

It is extremely humbling for me to ask for help (plus I’m a tad stubborn – what a combo). I was reminded once again during this moving process to simply ASK FOR HELP. I did, and my friends and family were there for me. Although, I was handed a little more deeper perspective, hence the title of this blog. Are you a joy stealer? I mean, does someone offer help and you deny them? Does someone offer to buy you dinner and you fight over the bill? Does someone offer you a ride and you say, that’s OK, I’ll take an Uber. Please stop doing this. Here are two recent examples of joy stealing…

I was selling something on Facebook Marketplace and the woman and her family came to pick it up. I ended up offering to give her a few more items and she asked if she could give me an extra $5, she expressed that she didn’t have much but wanted to give me something. I declined the $5. When re-telling the story to a friend, she asked how I would have felt if the shoe was on the other foot. How do you think that made her FEEL? She was trying to give a form of gratitude with what she could offer, knowing that the value was far greater, and I denied her of that. Whoa!

Secondly, don’t make up other people’s minds for them. If someone offers a helping hand, accept it. I turned down help because I felt they were too tired and had too much on their plate. Who am I to make that decision? I robbed them of their joy. I was reminded to treat others how I want to be treated and I don’t like it when someone else tries to manage my time or to do list. If I offer help, I genuinely want to help that person – it brings me joy. I don’t like being told ‘no you can’t help me’, that hurts my feelings…I did exactly that. I stole joy.

When writing my blogs I search for images and quotes that speak to me. I typed in ‘joy stealer quotes’ and this quote from Theodore Roosevelt popped up (below). Then I went down a complete rabbit hole. When you deny help, are you comparing yourself to someone else…perhaps thinking they will judge you and think you are weak because you are asking and/or accepting help? Hmmmm….something to think about for sure. Please don’t compare yourself to anyone and rob YOURSELF of your very own joy of just being you! You are a gift to this world – treat yourself like one.

Take away number one – ASK for and ACCEPT help…the answer is simply please and thank you. Take away number two – don’t compare yourself to ANYONE…PERIOD. Comparison is truly the thief of joy.

Let’s make a pact to stop stealing joy from others (and our own selves), we certainly don’t do it intentionally, but it probably happens more than we care to admit. Go buy yourself some flowers and as always, thank you for being on this journey with me – together we can make a difference in our own lives and in the lives of others. Cheers to an epic 2026!

You know, it’s OK to celebrate yourself…and I am doing exactly that! I have a friend that introduced me to ‘birthday month’ years ago. I mean, the mere fact that you were born is a miracle. Why do you think they call it ‘the Miracle of Life’? You deserve to be celebrated, don’t be shy.

Last night, I celebrated my last night of 51 years by reading everything from my 2025 vision board. It was a tad emotional. I’m so proud of myself and what I’ve accomplished this last year. I have a laundry list of things I want to do this year. I have some BIG dreams to chase…and last night, reading all of those quotes made what I want to accomplish in 2026 feel possible. It was a beautiful and simple process that I highly recommend!

And here we are with a new year ahead of us. After much thoughtful consideration, I have landed on my words of the year… BRAVE and PERMISSION. These words hold so much power when I say them or see them, that I know these are definitely the perfect fit for me this year.

Last year, my words were listen and perspective and I will 1000% carry those words forward with me this year. I cannot tell you how impactful those words were for me. Here’s the thing, when you claim a word or phrase of the year and continually remind yourself that those are your words that you are diving into, it is absolutely amazing what is laid out in front of you. Here’s the huge caveat, you do have to be open to receive the messages that are coming to you. This could be through God or your higher power or the universe or whatever you believe in, but let me tell you there is so much power in claiming a word.

I gave notice last week to my job of 16 years. This job is not just a job for me, it feels like family. I went through some of the toughest phases in my life over the last 16 years and my job/family was there to support me in so many ways. It was my beautiful escape from some really rough situations. They held space for me when I had back surgery, they’ve allowed me to pave a beautiful career path through the years. I will be forever grateful to this phase of my life. And here is where the word BRAVE comes in…to draft a letter of resignation and have the conversations that I had with my various bosses took an incredible amount of bravery for me. Let me digress and insert my other word and explain to you what this means for me, as well. I think often times we need to allow ourselves PERMISSION to feel certain things and do certain things. It’s almost like allowing us to have a bad day when we need to or allowing us to take any enormous leap when we don’t know what’s on the other side. I finally gave myself permission to take that leap and to do brave things. There is so much beauty in bravery.

Kind of like my words last year, LISTEN and PERSPECTIVE, and how they go hand-in-hand. That is how I feel about PERMISSION and BRAVE. I’m giving myself permission to be brave – physically and mentally. It is both frightening and exhilerating! I’m excited as hell about this next phase of my life.

My boyfriend and I followed the sunset the other night and when he pointed to the very snowy mountain that we were going to climb, I got a pit in my stomach. The snow was very deep, although we have done things like this before. It didn’t take us long to get to the top. We sunk just a little bit a few times, but I felt brave with every step I was taking. When I got to the bottom when we were done, I shared with him how that scared me a little and I felt proud of myself. I think that the feeling of pride in yourself is on the other side of bravery…and it is a feeling that is very difficult to put into words. You just need to go for it and do something that scares you a little…and feel all the feelings that go along with that.

So, my assignment to you… Pick a word or a phrase for the year – something that speaks to you and allows you to reach a little. What do you want out of your life this year? These are things that I ask myself when I’m choosing a word. It may sound trivial or silly, but words have power. And you have power over your life. Go buy yourself some flowers and as always, thank you for being on this journey with me – together we can make a difference in our own lives and in the lives of others. Cheers to an epic 2026!

New year, new me? Nope…same old me but with a new drive and outlook. Let’s chat about a few things…first of all, I don’t do resolutions, I’m a Word of the Year kind of girl. I’m still working on my words for this year, but last year’s words were SO powerful, they are worth repeating – LISTEN & PERSPECTIVE.

I do an enormous amount of listening to myself, my gut…and listening to others. Really tuning in and listening to what others are saying. Are you an active listener or do you listen to respond? This was a BIG one. I’m still a work in progress on this. I want to be a good active listener, as I DO care what people have to say. Sometimes you get caught up in what they say, that you are thinking of how to respond. Stop that – just listen and if you forget what you were going to say, perhaps it wasn’t as important to what you were listening to. Just sayin…

When you truly listen to others, you gain a beautiful perspective. Sometimes a bit of a mirror held up in your face. Perspective was a HUGE word for me this year. I want to have more of an understanding of my friends, partner and family and how they tick. It’s really tough to put the shoe on the other foot when you haven’t been there, done that. However, if you really sink into trying to gain perspective, there is so much you can learn about the other person…and yourself!

How do YOU start off the new year? Do you make resolutions? Do you run to the gym…literally? Do you manifest? Do you make yourself a bunch of promises? Do you just keep doing what you are doing?

I love the feeling of a fresh start. I’ve been writing a book for YEARS off/on and really put my foot on the gas over the last handful of months with a deadline to finish on 12/31. I fell short a few days, but got it done. I’m not sure I have ever felt more proud of myself. It was a wildly amazing feeling. I don’t always finish what I start – so many ideas and no follow through. This venture is a labor of love and I’m very passionate about the message in my book…so perhaps that is why I felt so incredibly proud of myself, as a tear went down my cheek as I typed the final words.

My message to you – do something that makes you proud of YOU. This is a whole different feeling then the feeling of pride for your children, family members, friends, etc. This is ALL YOU – permission to be proud of yourself! Keep that in mind when thinking of the year ahead…what could you do this year to make yourself proud of YOU?

Looking forward to diving back into weekly blog entries. I took many breaks on blog entries this last year, due to focusing on my book. This outlet is important to me, as well, and has been very well received. The messages you send me are the fuel to my fire. We aren’t alone on this journey of life and it’s beautiful to share the good, bad and the ugly too. That is life!

Go buy yourself some flowers and as always, thank you for being on this journey with me – together we can make a difference in our own lives and in the lives of others. Cheers to an epic 2026!

The days of me taking ALL weekend or ALL day to organize or clean the house or garage are over. I’m still productive and do those things, but I have learned balance…learned to LIVE and savor every minute of every day.

The Labor Day holiday weekend was long, in such a good way! It’s college soccer season and I was able to get down to Santa Cruz on Friday just in time for an evening game and watch my boy play.

Take it from a sports Mom that has a college graduate and one still in college – go to EVERY game you can!

I really wanted to put my toes in the sand, but the traffic had other plans for me. I managed to drive down to the ocean after the game and listen to the waves for a bit and just breathe. There is just something about the ocean that is so magical.

I woke up early on Saturday morning and was very productive around the house. The evening was quite a treat… my boyfriend, brother, his girlfriend and I got to sit front row at the A’s game. They didn’t win, but the food, company and night was a really good time. We did a little exploring on Sunday. There are some cool tunnels at Donner Pass, with a beautiful view at the end. I’m a sucker for a good view. I’m 3 months post ACL surgery and it was nice to climb around on a few rocks…better every day! If you haven’t checked these tunnels out, they are cool, and there is a nice lodge with delicious pies too (bonus). We didn’t even do the whole hike and it was still nice. This is your sign to Go Explore!

Monday was the perfect blend of productivity and fun. A very productive morning followed by fun at the Reno Rib Cook-off in the afternoon. We had never been and will definitely be back next year. The ribs were delicious! Something about maximizing a 3-day weekend. What a fulfilling, productive and amazing long weekend!

This weekend was the opening weekend of football – Go Browns! Yes, I’m a Cleveland Browns fan. My son happened to be home, so we enjoyed the day together…eating yummy food and watching Red Zone (we even got a little nap in). Red Zone is such a fun way to watch all the games. I was very productive on Saturday and fit in some relaxing time by the pool too, so I was prepared and ready for a nice football Sunday.

Self care looks different for all of us…and comes in all forms. Some days I want to explore all day and never come inside and some days I want to curl up on the couch and watch cooking shows. Find what fills YOUR cup and DO THAT! Take pictures, savor the moments and don’t forget to recharge and BREATHE! When I was at Trader Joe’s this weekend, they had my favorite flowers – Dahlia’s. I absolutely had to treat myself…because I’m worth it. And so are you – buy the flowers! As always, thank you for being on this journey with me – together we can make a difference in our own lives and in the lives of others. Cheers!