Awakened Living

Category: Personal Growth & Transformation

  • Unlearning Silence: Healing the Wounds I Didn’t Know I Carried

    Unlearning Silence: Healing the Wounds I Didn’t Know I Carried

    For a long time, I believed I had moved on from my past. I told myself I had grown, evolved, and become someone different from where I came from. But recently, something shifted. Or maybe… something finally surfaced.

    It happened quietly—during a conversation with my partner. We’ve been together for four years, and in those years, he’s been patient, loving, and incredibly present. But he asked me a question that stopped me in my tracks: “Why can’t you open up emotionally? Why don’t you reach out when I’m hurting?”

    And I didn’t have an answer. Not right away.

    But in the silence that followed, I began to uncover a truth that had been buried deep within me. A truth that was shaped long before I ever knew what emotional intimacy was supposed to look like. A truth rooted in childhood trauma I thought I had escaped simply by surviving.

    Growing up, love was not something we expressed—it was something we assumed. We were never told, “I love you.” We weren’t held when we cried. We were often told how to feel, when to feel, or worse—not to feel at all.

    So I learned to shut down. To move through life without the warmth of emotional expression. And I carried that silence into adulthood, into motherhood, into my relationship.

    I never realized how deeply it shaped me until someone I love pointed it out—not to shame me, but to help me see myself.

    And now, at 49 years old, I’m facing something I thought I had already moved beyond: the unhealed wounds of my past.

    The Emotional Legacy We Don’t Talk About

    This isn’t about blame. It’s about acknowledgment. It’s about finally seeing that the patterns we learned as children don’t disappear with age—they adapt, they hide, and they show up in the quiet moments of our relationships, our parenting, and our inner dialogue.

    I never meant to carry emotional distance into my adult life, and I certainly never meant to pass it on to my children. But the truth is, what we don’t heal, we often repeat.

    We don’t say “I love you” often—not because we don’t feel it, but because it was never modeled for us. We don’t talk about our feelings—not because we don’t care, but because we were never taught how.

    And that silence… becomes generational.

    What I’m Learning

    I’m learning that love requires more than just presence—it requires vulnerability.

    I’m learning that healing doesn’t mean pretending the past didn’t hurt—it means gently unlearning the parts of yourself that were formed in pain.

    I’m learning that fear of rejection is not weakness—it’s a wound, and wounds can be tended to. With patience. With care. With the kind of love that stays even when you shut down—like my partner has.

    And I’m learning that it’s not too late. Not too late to say “I love you” more often. Not too late to show up emotionally for the people I care about. Not too late to say to my children, “I wish I had done it differently, and I’m willing to start now.”

    If You’ve Felt This Too…

    If you’ve ever found yourself wondering why it’s hard to express your feelings…

    If you’ve struggled to say “I love you” out loud…

    If you’ve pulled away instead of leaning in…

    You’re not alone.

    We don’t heal by pretending we’re okay. We heal by being honest about what still hurts—and giving ourselves the grace to grow from it.

    A Reflection to End With:

    What emotional patterns from your childhood are still living inside your present?

    And what would it look like to gently begin unlearning them?

    This is my journey—and I’m just getting started. If you’re walking this path too, I hope you’ll keep going. Healing doesn’t happen in one grand breakthrough. It happens in moments like this… when we finally name what we’ve carried for too long.

    With love and reflection,


    Rose Alicia

  • The Art of Being Still: Why Slowing Down is the New Self-Care

    The Art of Being Still: Why Slowing Down is the New Self-Care

    We rush.
    We wake up to the sound of alarms, our minds already skipping ahead to the to-do list waiting for us.
    We multitask, we hustle, we push through exhaustion.
    And at the end of the day, we fall into bed wondering where the time went — and why we still feel so empty.

    But what if stillness was the very thing we were missing?

    Stillness Is Not Laziness — It’s a Sacred Pause

    In a world that glorifies being busy, stillness feels like rebellion. It’s countercultural. It’s misunderstood. But it’s also necessary. Stillness invites us to feel, to heal, to listen — not just to others, but to ourselves.

    When we pause, we begin to see the beauty in things we’ve overlooked — the way light moves across a wall, the quiet comfort of breath, the miracle of just being.

    Stillness isn’t about doing nothing.
    It’s about being fully present in everything.

    How to Embrace Stillness at Different Stages of Life

    In Your 20s: The Season of Becoming
    Your 20s are filled with ambition, exploration, and comparison. It’s easy to tie your worth to achievements.

    Try this:

    • Begin your mornings with 5 minutes of silence before grabbing your phone.
    • Journal without a prompt — just release whatever comes.
    • Practice saying no to things that don’t align with your soul, even if they look “good on paper.”

    In Your 30s: The Season of Balancing
    You may be juggling work, family, or dreams that feel delayed. Stillness feels indulgent — but it’s vital.

    Try this:

    • Set a weekly “pause hour” where you do nothing productive.
    • Use transitional moments (like folding laundry or driving) as breath-check-ins.
    • Create space in your home that invites rest — a reading nook, candle-lit bath, or a chair by the window.

    In Your 50s & Beyond: The Season of Awakening
    This chapter can feel like a return to yourself — if you allow it. Stillness becomes a tool of reflection, not retreat.

    Try this:

    • Revisit your morning routine: slow tea, soft music, a short walk.
    • Practice contemplative prayer or meditation to tune inward.
    • Ask, “What is ready to be released?” and give yourself permission to let go.

    Stillness Is the Soul’s Self-Care

    You don’t have to earn your rest. You don’t have to prove your worth through productivity. You are already enough, even in your quietest moments.

    So today, let yourself stop.
    Breathe.
    Be.

    Because the art of being still is really the art of being you.

    Reflection Prompt:

    Where in your life are you being called to slow down — and what might happen if you listened?

    With presence and peace,


    Rose Alicia

  • Returning to Myself: Writing My Way Back Home

    Returning to Myself: Writing My Way Back Home

    It’s been a while since I’ve written here. Life—beautiful, messy, and at times overwhelming—has kept me in motion, and somewhere along the way, I laid my pen down. Not out of neglect, but necessity. Sometimes, life demands all of you, and creativity takes a quiet step back.

    But today, I return.
    Today, I show up for myself—with grace, with presence, and with a full heart.

    Writing has always been my way back home. A soft landing place. A mirror. A reminder of who I am when the world gets noisy and the days get long. And maybe, just maybe, this post is your reminder too.

    When Life Pulls You Away

    Over the past few months, I’ve been stretched in more ways than I expected. Between work demands, family responsibilities, the physical and emotional healing after my car accident, and the daily pressure of simply keeping things together—I’ve felt disconnected from myself. The version of me who dreams, reflects, creates, and feels deeply… she got quiet.

    And I want to say this for anyone who needs it: if life has pulled you away from something you love, it doesn’t mean you failed. It means you’re human. And that’s okay.

    There Is Wisdom in the Pause

    For a while, I felt guilty for stepping away from writing. But the truth is, some silences are sacred. We grow in the in-between. We heal in the hush.

    That pause gave me space to grieve, to reflect, to rest. And in that stillness, I learned to honor my capacity—not just my goals. I realized that not every chapter has to be productive; some just need to be lived.

    Writing Is My Return

    Each time I write, I feel a little more like myself. Not the “perfect” version. Not the busy, accomplished one. Just me. Present. Honest. Enough.

    Words remind me that I still have a voice. That healing doesn’t mean I have to be whole—it just means I’m willing to keep showing up.

    This space—Awakened Living—has always been about more than inspiration. It’s about connection. Truth. The quiet courage to live fully and openly, even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard.

    Looking Ahead

    I’m stepping back into this space with fresh intention and an open heart. You can expect more stories, reflections, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the next chapters of my life and creative work.

    Here’s what I’m excited to share in the coming weeks:

    • Reflections on starting over and reclaiming yourself
    • Exploring the space where faith, doubt, and healing coexist
    • Creative healing practices, journaling prompts, and inspiration
    • Updates on my journey with AYA Rose Design Co. and Serenity Rose Co.

    💬 Reflection Prompt

    What part of yourself have you been missing lately? What’s one small way you can reconnect this week?

    Pause. Reflect. Write it down. Let this be your invitation to come home to yourself.

    With warmth and gratitude,


    Rose Alicia

  • Starting Over: Embracing the Courage to Begin Again

    Starting Over: Embracing the Courage to Begin Again

    There’s something sacred about a fresh start.
    Something quietly powerful about deciding that your past will not dictate your future.

    Maybe you’re starting over after heartbreak.
    Maybe you’re rebuilding after loss, career change, addiction, divorce, disappointment—or maybe life simply knocked the wind out of you.

    Whatever brought you to this place, just know: you are not alone.
    You are not broken.
    You are becoming.

    Starting over is not weakness. It’s strength.
    It’s having the courage to rise when everything in you says stay down. It’s choosing hope over bitterness. Possibility over regret.
    It’s daring to believe there’s more ahead—even when you don’t know what it looks like yet.

    You Get to Begin Again

    The beauty of life is that we are allowed to begin again.
    As many times as we need.
    We don’t need permission.
    We don’t need a perfect plan.
    We just need the willingness to take one step forward at a time.

    Your new beginning doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s.
    It doesn’t have to be loud or dramatic.
    Sometimes it’s as simple as a quiet decision to try again.

    To love again.
    To believe again.
    To trust yourself again.

    The Power of Starting Over

    Starting over doesn’t erase what you’ve been through—it builds on it.
    It’s not about forgetting the past. It’s about learning from it and moving forward with wisdom.

    Think of all you’ve survived.
    All the things that tried to break you but didn’t.
    That strength? It didn’t disappear. It became you.

    And now, you carry that strength into your new beginning.

    This time, you’re starting over with experience.
    With awareness.
    With a deeper understanding of who you are—and who you’re becoming.

    A Gentle Reminder

    It’s okay if you’re scared.
    It’s okay if you don’t have all the answers.
    It’s okay if healing takes time.

    Just don’t stop moving forward.
    Don’t let fear talk you out of the life you know is possible.

    One day, you’ll look back and realize that starting over wasn’t the end.
    It was the beginning of everything beautiful.

    Reflect On This:

    What would it look like to fully embrace a new beginning in your life right now?
    What would change if you stopped focusing on what you lost—and started focusing on what’s still possible?

    With love and belief in your journey,


    Rose Alicia

  • Motherhood, Memory, and Moving On

    Motherhood, Memory, and Moving On

    As Mother’s Day approaches, many of us feel a quiet stirring inside—a mix of joy, nostalgia, and maybe even sadness. It’s a day that can bring warmth and celebration, but also reflection and grief.

    Whether you’re a mother, missing your mother, healing your relationship with her, or mourning what never was, this time of year touches something deep in the heart. And if you’re a mother missing your child—for whatever reason that separates you—know that your ache is valid, your love is not forgotten, and you are not alone.

    There are moments—quiet, fleeting, sometimes triggered by a scent, a song, or an old photograph—that take us back to the beginning of our journey as mothers. They remind us who we were before we had children. And sometimes, they remind us of all the ways we lost pieces of ourselves along the way.

    Motherhood changes everything. It stretches your heart, your mind, and your capacity for pain and joy. It teaches you to love in a way that defies logic—and to worry in ways that never quite go away. But perhaps one of the most complex parts of being a mother isn’t just raising your children—it’s letting go of the person you once were, and finding her again after the seasons shift.

    As the years pass, the memories begin to blur. I find myself forgetting the details I thought I’d hold forever—the sound of their baby cries, the way their tiny fingers wrapped around mine, the exact words they said that once made me laugh until I cried. I forget where I placed things… and sometimes, where I placed parts of myself.

    There are years where Mother’s Day feels heavier than others. For me, there are moments I wish I could go back—hold my child just a little longer, speak softer, or pause life long enough to truly be there. I did what I could with the tools I had at the time, but some days, guilt still creeps in.

    Missing your child—whether through distance, death, disagreement, or time—is a grief that doesn’t show on the outside. But it’s real. And I see you, because I carry it too.

    It’s not just age. It’s the weight of everything we carry. The unspoken grief. The mental load. The worry. The exhaustion. The years we gave, sometimes without even realizing how much of ourselves we were handing over piece by piece.

    And yet—I wouldn’t trade it. Not for anything.

    But moving on is something we don’t talk about enough. Moving on from the roles we outgrow. From guilt. From old wounds. From the version of motherhood we imagined to the one we actually lived. It takes courage to say: I did my best with what I knew. I made mistakes. I lost time. But I loved with everything I had.

    If you’re reading this and carrying sadness over what you didn’t do, what you forgot, or what didn’t go the way you planned—this is your permission to breathe. To grieve what’s gone, but not to dwell in it. To remember that you’re still becoming. That moving on isn’t abandoning the past—it’s allowing the future to unfold with more grace.

    Ways to Honor Motherhood This Week

    If Mother’s Day feels heavy, here are small ways to honor your journey with tenderness:

    • Write a letter to your younger mom self.
    • Light a candle for a child or mother you miss.
    • Take 10 minutes to rest without guilt.
    • Frame a photo that reminds you of joy.
    • Call someone who mothered you—biological or not.

    Reflection Prompt:

    What part of your motherhood journey have you been afraid to release—and what would it feel like to let it go with love, instead of guilt?

    A Letter to Other Moms


    You are not defined by your mistakes or what you’ve forgotten. You are made of the love you’ve given, the quiet strength you’ve shown, and the tears you’ve cried in private. Whether you’re raising little ones, watching them grow from afar, or grieving the ones you’ve lost—you are still a mother. And you are enough.

    With love and gentleness,


    Rose Alicia

  • The Power of Small Steps: Embracing Change One Moment at a Time

    The Power of Small Steps: Embracing Change One Moment at a Time

    Welcome to the first post of Awakened Living! I’m thrilled you’re here, and I can’t wait to begin this journey of reflection, growth, and transformation with you.

    Change—it’s something we all face, yet often resist. We want to evolve, become better versions of ourselves, but sometimes the thought of starting can feel overwhelming. Whether it’s a new habit you want to develop, a career change you’re considering, or just the desire to live more intentionally, the first step is always the hardest.

    But here’s the thing: the first step doesn’t have to be big. In fact, it’s the small steps that add up to big change.

    The Power of Small Steps

    The beauty of personal growth is that it’s made up of small, deliberate actions. When I started my own journey toward living with more intention and purpose, I realized that nothing huge happened overnight. What changed was my commitment to show up every day, even if it was just for a few minutes of reflection or a tiny action toward a larger goal.

    Change can be intimidating, especially when we think it requires dramatic shifts or major decisions. But what if the key to growth lies in the small, everyday actions we take? These seemingly insignificant steps add up over time and create lasting change.

    How Small Steps Lead to Big Transformation

    1. Start with One Thing:
      If you’re feeling overwhelmed by everything you want to change, try focusing on just one thing. It can be something as simple as waking up 10 minutes earlier, setting a small goal each day, or practicing mindfulness for a few minutes. The point is to focus on one thing you can commit to. Over time, it will feel easier to add more to your routine.
    2. Create a Daily Habit:
      One of the most powerful ways to change your life is by developing daily habits. Consistency is key. The more you do something, the more it becomes part of who you are. Start small and make it a non-negotiable part of your day, even if it’s just for 5 minutes. Whether it’s journaling, meditating, exercising, or simply being present in the moment, these habits will compound and transform your life.
    3. Embrace the Process:
      Personal growth isn’t linear. It’s a process, and sometimes it involves setbacks. But every step forward, no matter how small, is progress. Embrace the journey and be kind to yourself along the way.
    4. Celebrate the Small Wins:
      Every small win counts. Take a moment to appreciate the steps you’ve taken, no matter how small they seem. Celebrate the progress—this helps to build momentum and reminds you that you are capable of change.

    What’s the First Small Step You’ll Take?

    I encourage you to think about something you’ve been wanting to change. What’s one small action you can take today to begin that change? It doesn’t have to be a massive commitment—it could be as simple as setting a timer for 5 minutes of mindfulness or taking a walk during lunch.

    Remember, big changes begin with small steps. This is your journey, and it starts with you. By committing to small, consistent actions, you’ll start to see the shift toward becoming the person you’ve always wanted to be.

    I’m here to support you, and I’m so glad you’re here. Let’s take these first steps together, one moment at a time.

    With gratitude and excitement,


    Rose Alicia

    Next Steps:

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    • Reflect: What’s one small change you’d like to make today?
    • Join the Conversation: Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s support each other on this journey of growth.