Someone once told me a story about a woman they knew whose marriage had ended. She had become bitter because of it. She became negative. She continued to exist — and yet she stopped living.
She went to work every day, came home, went to bed, and repeated the cycle. She never dated again, afraid she would experience the same heartbreak all over. As she aged, she decayed from the inside out. The fear of life’s thorns — and the belief that life happens to you rather than for you — resulted in her becoming this shrivelled, shrunken version of herself.
That story stuck with me. I remember thinking in that moment: That will not be me.
Heartbreak is hard. There’s no denying it.
Unmet expectations, disappointments, failures, unrequited love, grief from loss — these are parts of life that ache.
But perspective is a gift. It allows you to take challenges and turn them into lessons, to recognize and lean into opportunities, and to make magic out of the ordinary.
“Live your life like it’s a love letter to yourself and a thank you note to God.”
I read that quote after my marriage ended. I pasted it on a vision board, and it has stayed with me for years.
It was an invitation.
I could wait for life to happen to me — or I could make life happen.
I chose to write a romance novel.
A passionate tale where I fell in love with myself and my life. Where I created magic — not only in my space, but in my soul.
Romance is about creativity and creation. That’s key. It’s not about consuming — it’s about creating.
Creating an ambience. A feeling. A mood. A vibe.
What makes you feel sexy, luxurious, confident, relaxed?
What senses do you love to indulge? An aesthetic? A scent? A delicious taste?
I lovvvvve creating magic out of the ordinary, and I’m very attuned to detail (almost neurotically so). Here are some ways I make magic in my life:
Fresh flowers, always on my counter.
At 5pm, I light candles and make myself a cranberry club soda — or pour a glass of wine — to transition from a busy day into a slower evening.
I experiment with new recipes. When I see a gorgeous food photo, I go to the grocery store and carefully purchase every ingredient. I light candles, put on a podcast or music, and assemble the meal. It becomes an event. Every part of it is special — especially when I get to feed the people I love.
I read all kinds of books. Books are such a beautiful way to add romance and interesting stories to your day-to-day routine.
I invest in good quality bedding. The softest sheets. Bedding that invites me in. Crawling into bed is luxury. If you’re crawling into cheap sheets and a crusty comforter, it’s uninviting and unexciting. Make your sleep space magical. Have bedding you love. Make it so you love your bed.
Life will always have thorns.
But you still get to decide whether you wilt — or whether you arrange the roses anyway.
MSMAMACHIC 