Reflecting at 38,000 feet

Right now, I’m flying to Los Angeles, a short stop before continuing to San Diego, and like clockwork, the moment I’m up in the air, something inside me shifts. Maybe it’s the stillness. Maybe it’s the distance from everything familiar. Maybe it’s just the quiet hum of cruising above the clouds. But every time I fly, my mind slows down just enough to reflect.

No distractions. No noise. Just me, my thoughts, and a view that puts everything into perspective.

And when I reflect, I always seem to land on the same set of questions:

Am I happy with what I’ve done so far?
Have I used my time well?
Have I lived fully?
If this was it… would I be proud of how I showed up in the world?

They’re big questions and honestly, uncomfortable ones at times. But they matter. Because the answers shape how I move forward.

The truth is, I’ve had a lot go on in my life which includes big wins and losses. I don’t say that for any other reason than to remind myself sometimes. It’s easy to forget the wins, especially in the seasons where things feel harder or slower or uncertain. We all fall into that trap now and then, measuring ourselves only by what’s next, instead of pausing to appreciate how far we’ve come.

One of the most public parts of my journey was my weight loss, a massive shift, not just physically but mentally. It taught me about consistency, self-respect, and choosing to become someone better every single day. But that was just the surface.

What you don’t always see from the outside are the internal battles, the mindset shifts, the moments of doubt I had to push through. The late nights thinking about purpose. The early mornings forcing myself to show up. The lessons that weren’t posted on Instagram. That’s where the real transformation happened.

And maybe that’s true for you too. Maybe the things you’re most proud of aren’t flashy or visible. Maybe they’re quiet wins, surviving something, you thought would break you, showing up when you didn’t feel like it, believing in a vision no one else could see yet.

Let me ask you something:

When was the last time you gave yourself real credit for your growth?
Have you ever taken a step back and looked at your life through the lens of compassion instead of comparison?
What dreams are you carrying that you’ve been too scared, too busy, or too tired to pursue?
And if today was your last day, would you feel like you really lived or just went through the motions?

These are questions I’m asking myself today, up in the air, heading toward cities full of energy, creativity, and possibility. Cities that remind me what’s possible when you dare to believe in your own vision.

One of my own visions, one I’ve held close for years is launching a clothing brand. Not just fashion, but purpose. Luxury pieces that speak to the journey. Items that don’t just look good but mean something. Each piece would carry motivational messages words that pulled me through dark moments, phrases that kept me focused, reminders that I am enough and that it’s okay to keep becoming.

Because we all need that. We all need to be reminded that we’re still evolving. That it’s okay not to have it all figured out yet. That progress isn’t always loud or glamorous. Sometimes, it’s slow. Sometimes it’s messy. But it’s always worth it.

And I want people to wear that energy. To put on something that feels like confidence, like grit, like purpose. Something that says: I’ve been through it and I’m still here, still moving forward, still believing.

The older I get, the more I realise that life isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence. It’s about being able to pause, even for a moment, and recognise your own growth. Your resilience. Your power.

So, as I sit here, 38,000 feet in the air, I’m choosing to be proud. Not just of what I’ve done, but of who I’m becoming. I’m not where I want to be yet but I’m on the way. And maybe that’s the most powerful place to be.

To you, reading this right now:

I hope you take a second to reflect. Not on what’s missing but on what’s already within you. The strength you’ve shown. The dreams you’ve held onto. The progress you’ve made, even if no one saw it.

You’ve made it through 100% of your hardest days. You’ve overcome things that would’ve stopped a less determined version of yourself. You’re still here. Still building. Still becoming. That’s not nothing, that’s everything.

Keep going. The next chapter is yours to write.

Here’s to flying high in planes, in purpose, and in mindset. To dreaming without fear, moving with intention, and never forgetting just how far we’ve come.

L.A., I’ll see you soon.

San Diego — I’m coming with purpose.

Photo by louis magnotti on Unsplash