Hi friend,

I've been sitting here reflecting on May, and honestly, this month will always hold a special place in my heart.

Sixteen years ago, I reconnected with my husband — my forever person. 🤍

Eleven years ago, my health completely crashed.

What followed was a long journey through survival, healing, rebuilding, and learning how to care for a body that requires a little more gentleness.

Looking back, it's wild to see how much has changed.

Not all at once.
Not perfectly.
Just one small step at a time.

There have been seasons filled with uncertainty, grief, setbacks, and questions I couldn't answer.

There have also been moments of unexpected joy, deep growth, beautiful connections, and reminders that even in the hardest seasons, there is still goodness to be found.

Over the years, I've learned how to rest without guilt, support my nervous system, embrace slower rhythms, and find joy in simple everyday moments.

A quiet cup of coffee. Time in the garden. A walk with the dogs. Fresh flowers drying on the counter. Sunshine through the window.

Small things that once felt ordinary now feel like gifts.

I've also learned that healing doesn't always look the way we expect it to.

Sometimes healing is learning to work with your body instead of against it.

Sometimes it's choosing grace over perfection.

Sometimes it's simply showing up for another day and finding something to be grateful for.

And this little corner of the internet has grown right alongside me.

What started as sharing my health journey has slowly become a space for wellness, home, healing, comfort, routines, cozy finds, intentional living, and creating a life that feels a little brighter, even on the hard days.

Honestly, that's still what I want it to be.

A reminder that life doesn't have to be perfect to be meaningful.

A place where we can celebrate progress over perfection, find beauty in everyday moments, and encourage one another to create lives that feel nourishing, peaceful, and true to who we are.

As we move into June, I'm feeling grateful.

Grateful to still be here.

Grateful for how far I've come.

Grateful for the lessons this journey has taught me.

Grateful for this community.

And grateful that you're part of it.

Thank you for following along, for reading my emails, and for sharing this journey with me. Whether you've been here for years or just recently joined, I'm so glad you're here. 🤍

Wishing you a gentle start to June and a weekend filled with small moments that make life feel a little brighter.

With gratitude,

Josie 🤍

Brighter Rising | Brighter Living

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A few things you might enjoy:​
🤍 Read the latest on the blog​
🤍 Explore my favorite wellness, home, and lifestyle finds​

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P.S. I'd love to hear what you're looking forward to this summer!

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