Radiant Redemption

There are moments when I know—almost instantly—that I’ve slipped out of intentional living and into reaction mode.

It usually starts with a look, a tone, or a shift in someone’s energy that I interpret as, They’re upset with me. And then it begins. My pulse quickens. My brain starts running laps, trying to figure out what I did wrong. The familiar voice inside whispers, It must be your fault. You’ve messed up again. And without even realizing it, I’m no longer in the present—I’m deep in a spiral, bending over backward to make it right, to smooth it out, to escape the discomfort.

This is the power of reactivity. And if you’re anything like me—someone who’s walked through addiction, shame, codependency, or trauma—you know how easily these old patterns sneak in and hijack the moment.

Living intentionally is about learning to pause in those moments. It’s about becoming aware of the places where we go on autopilot—when we try to fix, please, or disappear—and asking ourselves, What’s actually happening here?

The truth is, not everyone’s emotion is about me. Not every shift in tone is a sign that I’ve failed. And even if someone is upset with me, I don’t have to sacrifice my peace to make it right.

Living intentionally doesn’t mean we never react. It means we start to recognize when we do—and we lovingly guide ourselves back to truth.

Over time, we can start to notice the signs: the racing heart, the catastrophizing, the urge to flee or fix. And when we do, we can take a breath, ground ourselves in what’s real, and choose a different response.

This is slow, sacred work. And it doesn’t happen overnight. But every moment we choose presence over panic, truth over shame, and curiosity over self-blame—we are rewriting the story.

This week, I want to invite you to notice your own spiral moments. What triggers them? What does your body feel like when you’re reacting instead of responding? You don’t have to fix it right away. Just notice it. Name it. Be kind to yourself in it. And if you feel brave, share your experience in the comments or send me a message. You’re not alone in this. We’re in it together—and there is always a way back to peace.