From Indie’s Desk: A Birthday Month Reflection

October is my birthday month, and every year it challenges me to take stock of what my past year brought forward and what I want this next year to look like. This year feels quieter, more deliberate. After another recovery and more time with my body, I have become committed to two things: tending to what strengthens me, and removing what drains me.

Resilience is not a dramatic return. It is a daily choice. Some days, that choice looks like movement or nourishment. Other days, I'm saying no to what drains me. Those edits add up, creating space for what matters most.

Nourishment for me is broader than food and skincare. It is the books I read (hint: "Through love, all is possible" IFYKYK), the people I let in, and the routines I keep when everything else is uncertain. When I think about clean living and thriving with autoimmune conditions, of which I have 7, I start with one question: will this nourish my body, my mind, or my future self? If the answer is no, it gets edited out.

A few months ago, I decided to start a Substack, The Indie Edit, because I want a place to share these edits and thoughts about longevity, clean living, and practical tools I'm embracing for reclaiming health. If you want deeper dives and real talk about rebuilding your life after trauma, I would love to see you there.

Xx, Indie

PS: I decided I wanted to add some of the tools I'm using to these monthly posts. So indulge me: Name one thing you will remove from your routine for seven days. Notice what opens up. Write it down, then choose one small nourishing ritual to add in its place. The one thing I know we can't get back once it's lost is time, so use yours well.