You know that feeling you get when it's almost your birthday? The giddy, childlike anticipation for the moment you will blow out your candles, surrounded by your closest friends and family, and bask in the celebration of you? Yeah, not me. I have hated my birthday for as long as I can remember. Cake and…
Tag: self love
Mindflowers: BP1 with Maddie Vandiver
Hi, I'm Maddie. I am a mother of one who enjoys anything outdoors, fashion, Chiefs football, and all things mental health (ED, BD1, OCD, GAD). As the mother of a little spunky girl, I never thought there would be a day that my body would be able to carry a life. Here’s why: While in…
Mental Health: Depth Over Diagnosis
I don't ever want anyone to view me as weak. Mostly because I know I am the opposite of weak. I have endured what many would consider a hefty load in my life, and I have been forged in the fire more often than not. That being said, I still have many defense mechanisms in…
Surviving Social Media
For a solid month when Instagram first came out, I thought it was just a photo editing app. In fact, it wasn't until I was getting "like" notifications on my pictures that I realized the public could see them. (It was super embarrassing too because there were an obnoxious amount of selfies on my page…
Love Well, Love Often
A few years ago, I wrote a post called "As Yourself." It briefly explored the idea of loving yourself, as we are called to do from Mark 12:31. But what about the other part of that verse? The love your neighbor part? This verse has been examined with a fine-tooth comb, and I don't intend…




