Show Up Happy

09/01/2026

Self-care doesn’t always look like meditation, a massage or an hour at the gym.

Sometimes, it looks like sitting on the ground with a community cat while he plays with an empty water bottle as if it’s the greatest toy in the world. 💛

This is Little Black—one of the community cats I’m helping find a loving home. Spending a few minutes with him this morning brought me completely into the moment and filled my heart with joy.

That matters.

When life is full, we often think self-care has to be something elaborate—or one more thing we need to schedule and accomplish. But even 5–15 minutes of connection, movement, fresh air, laughter or play can help restore some of the capacity life continually asks us to use.

This is what practical wellness looks like: finding small, realistic ways to care for yourself within the life you’re already living.

What is one simple thing that helps you feel more like yourself again?

08/13/2026

A little belated, but Happy International Cat Day. 🐾💙

Here’s one wellness lesson my years of caring for community cats has reinforced:

Wellness isn’t always about adding another thing to your self-care list.

Especially when life is busy, we can start thinking wellness means finding more time to exercise, meditate, meal prep, journal, sleep better…and somehow fit it all in.

But well-being also comes from connection, purpose and contribution.

Sometimes doing something that matters to us — caring for an animal, helping a neighbor, mentoring someone, volunteering, supporting family, creating something meaningful — gives us something surprisingly restorative:

A reason to get outside of our own heads and remember that our presence matters.

Caring for community cats has done that for me again and again.

It’s a reminder that wellness isn’t only about taking care of yourself.

Sometimes it’s also about having something worth showing up for.

For all my busy people: What’s one thing you make time to show up for, no matter how full life gets?

One word is enough. 👇

07/13/2026

Missed Sunday’s Gratitude Journal Call? I created a 6-minute gratitude journaling activity so you can still take part in your own time.

This week’s theme is Listening to Your Gut — noticing the quiet “no,” the meaningful “yes,” and the physical signals your body uses to communicate with you.

Grab a notebook, press play, and give yourself six minutes to pause, reflect, and reconnect with your own inner wisdom.

What is one gut feeling you are grateful you listened to?

07/02/2026

Keeping it real today. 💛

Helping care for community cats during the hours most people are sleeping has taken a bigger chunk out of me than I realized.

I love these cats. I believe in showing up for vulnerable beings who need care, consistency, and advocacy. And at the same time, I’m feeling depleted.

That’s the truth of doing something larger than yourself — sometimes you extend yourself because the need matters, even when your own energy is running low.

So today, I’m asking for a little love while I recharge. Encouragement. Kind words. A reminder that rest is allowed, too.

I’m going to take care of myself so I can keep caring from a place of steadiness, not depletion.

For anyone else carrying something meaningful that also takes a lot out of you: I see you. 💛

06/27/2026

Caregivers who attend Alika’s circle often say they appreciate the compassion, the thoughtful prompts, and the chance to feel less alone. The circle gives them a moment to pause, breathe, and realize they are doing better than they may think — right where they are.

Join via Zoom from anywhere. Use the same Zoom link in this post. Next one is on Wednesday July 8th and July 22nd @ 10 am AZ time.

July Calendar
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Save the date for the next Caregiver Circle of Strength! 🥳

Join Board-Certified health coach Alika Victor for a restorative and heart-centered hour designed just for you! Connect with others, take a moment to debrief, then follow up with relaxing breathing exercises and moments of gratitude.

📆 June 24, 10:00 - 11:00 AM
📍 2175 N Alma School Rd, Chandler, AZ 85224
📱 Questions? Call (480) 410-8787
Tune in online! 👉 https://bit.ly/3OKsWi0

06/26/2026

You did something this week that deserves more credit than you gave it.

Maybe you chose rest before your body forced you to stop.

Maybe you asked for help instead of carrying everything alone.

Maybe you took one brave step toward school, work, parenting, or your business.

Maybe you said no to something good so you could protect something important.

Drop it below. Not the polished win. The real one.

Tiny wins count. Especially for people who are used to noticing what’s still left undone.

I’ll go first in the comments.

If you’re still learning to celebrate yourself, drop a heart below. You’re not alone in that. ❤️

06/21/2026

Happy Father's Day 💙

Shout out to the dads and father figures who have made a difference in our lives!

💙 Dads
💙 Stepdads
💙 Grandfathers
💙 Fathers-to-be
💙 Adoptive fathers
💙 Mentors and father figures
💙 Dads who are remembered and missed
💙 Pet Parent Dads

The people who taught us things, fixed things, encouraged us, made us laugh, believed in us, and sometimes drove us a little crazy. 😊

Who would you like to recognize today?

Drop their name (or a story) in the comments and let's celebrate them together. 💙