Today’s #summerofrich adventure was one for the books! From haunted history and spooky sights to dining with ghosts and ghastly tales of torture.
Today was full of unexpected twists and turns, including a beautiful hidden waterfall and a hike led by the spirit of a heartbroken lover 💔.
We finally tried “Guess Where Trips”, a company that plans one-day, self-guided surprise road trips based on your interests. I’ve been dying to try one (pun intended).
You have no idea where you’re headed until you hit the road, and each destination only gets revealed once you’ve completed the previous stop. There are multiple options along the way, and just enough mystery to keep you guessing the whole time. Total choose-your-own-adventure vibes.
It’s such a super cool, unique experience. Was definitely not your average Sunday drive. Can’t wait to do another one!
*Founder of “Guess Where Trips” was featured on Dragon’s Den and is also the “winner of a NACO fellowship” as one of the top 10 female entrepreneurs on the show.
Check out their website to plan your own adventure:
Today, the first Saturday in August, is National Be Outside Day—a perfect reminder to step away from the chaos and breathe in the peace that only nature can offer. It’s exactly what my mental health needs.
We took full advantage of this beautiful summer day with a peaceful yet invigorating #SummerOfRich adventure. The fresh air, the movement, the sunshine. I soaked it all in.
The summer is flying by, and I’m doing my best not to let a single moment slip by when time allows for it. Every step outside feels like a small act of self-care. Even if it’s for a little while, it can do wonders for your mind and spirit.
How are you spending your National Be Outside Day?
Today, on “National Friendship Day,” we celebrate the people who show up, lift us up, and walk beside us in our best and worst moments. But let’s also take a moment to recognize our friends who may be silently struggling.
As someone who battles depression and anxiety, I know that sometimes, even the simplest connections can feel so out of reach. When struggling with your mental health, it can easily convince someone that they are a burden to others or not worthy of love. Depression doesn’t always look like sadness. It also looks like distance, silence, or canceled plans. That is why friendship—real, patient, empathetic, non-judgmental friendship is so powerful.
A friend doesn’t need to have the perfect words.
A friend shouldn’t feel the need to try and fix you.
Your presence matters more than your need to try and fix someone or any perfect words ever will.
A simple check-in letting someone know you are thinking of them can be a lifeline to so many.
There is strength in reaching out, in taking notice, and there is so much healing in loving kindness.
Today is a beautiful day to remind someone that they matter and that they are not alone. And tomorrow, too.
To my friends and loved ones who continue to show up, lift me up and walk beside me on my journey in the best and worst moments, your presence matters, and for that, I am eternally grateful.
“Friendship isn’t just for the good days. It’s for all the days.” ~ unknown
Yesterday, Rich and I spent a peace- filled afternoon visiting one of our favourite farmer’s markets followed by a beautiful and serene hike. On our way home, we stopped to grab a bite to refuel when I received a phone call that quickly unraveled in ways I did not expect, and suddenly, our plans for the evening turned to chaos.
The emotional weight, heaviness, and trauma I carry with me every where I go took over. My peace-filled Saturday afternoon was now nothing more than a blur. All I could do to get through was hold my breath and hope to come up for air.
This morning, once there was a moment to exhale, I knew what I needed most today was a reset, and space to feel and heal after a challenging night, so Rich and I headed to a familiar place that was calling to me; a sunflower field with endless rows of golden petals in full bloom, each one lifting its head toward the sun, as if they were holding on to the promise of a brighter tomorrow; standing unapologetically tall, even with all their imperfections.
Maybe it’s the reason why they have always been my favourite flower.
As we walked through the fields, surrounded by sunflowers, the warmth from the hot sun glistening off my shoulders melted some of the heaviness I was carrying.
Sometimes, walking through a field full of sun-kissed, radiant flowers feels like enough after a night that nearly broke me.
If you are going through a hard time; take a moment to step outside, breathe, and find your version of a sunflower 🌻.
“Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you.” ~ Walt Whitman
Every year on July 24th, we celebrate “International Self-Care Day”. The date symbolizes that self-care should be practiced “24/7” – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!!
Today, we are reminded to pause, breathe, and care for ourselves – body, mind, and soul – and that taking time to care for ourselves is a Mitzvah (good deed). As a Jewish woman, Judaism teaches me that caring for ourselves is not selfish – it’s sacred.
The concept of self-care is deeply woven into our tradition. From the gift of Shabbat, which offers us weekly rest, reconnection and reflection, not only to others, but for ourselves as well, to “Shmirat HaNefesh”, a Hebrew phrase that is translated as “guarding the soul”. It refers to caring for one’s emotional, spiritual, and mental well-being – not just our physical health.
It is also associated with Jewish teachings about self-care, inner peace, mental health, and nurturing the soul through prayer, mindfulness, Torah learning, compassion, and spiritual connection.
May today and every day inspire you to nurture your spirit and embrace the Mitzvah of caring for yourself.
This morning, on my way to work, I stopped to grab a drink at Tim Hortons. As I turned to leave, an old friend and mentor was standing in line, and she caught my attention.
We first met during our school-age years, long, long ago, and although our lives have taken very different paths since then, it’s our own personal mental health journeys that have continued to bring us together time and again over the last 10+ years.
We did a quick catch-up in the parking lot of the plaza before parting ways, but not before making plans in the near future first.
I’ve been thinking about her all day. I truly believe it was no accident that we ran into one another this morning.
Her energy has always felt deeply aligned with mine. I feel an indescribable spiritual connection when in her presence.
I feel safe and authentic.
I feel seen and understood.
There is a sense of mutual resonance.
Our conversations feel timeless. They push me to look inward toward self-awareness and healing.
Today, the universe had its own plans, and I am truly grateful for this gentle reminder of meaningful connections and unexpected encounters.
“The greatest journeys can’t be measured in miles.” ~ unknown
Over the last 8 years since our #summerofrich adventures first began, its accompanying hashtag has become something far more reaching than chasing waterfalls or the distance between trails. Instead, it has brought with it countless moments of joy, meaningful reflection, deep connection, and the invitation to look inward.
“Sometimes peace isn’t something you chase — it’s a place you find.” ~ unknown
Today, we found such a place as our journey took us to the beautiful grounds of Wutai Shan Buddhist Garden, and it was nothing short of awe-inspiring.
Today felt like a mental health reset as we wandered through the serene paths, surrounded by intricate and towering statues, sacred temples, bathing basins, prayer wheels, meditation rooms, and open gardens that left you with a feeling of joy in your heart. There was a collective sense of inner peace, reflection, strength, clarity, and healing.
While wandering the garden, I made wishes to be granted for myself, my family, and the world at large. Health, happiness, peace, kindness, healing, and safety were all top of mind.
The outside world took pause today. The stillness, the beauty, the gentle spiritual energy, all of it created space to just take a relaxed breath and a chance to simply be.
“Within you, there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself.” ~ Hermann Hesse
Today was a true gift of stillness. It was an opportunity to reset and reconnect in a space intentionally created for just that.
“Wutai Shan Buddhist Garden” is a true sanctuary for both the spirit and the mind. It’s a safe space for everyone to visit, reflect, and enjoy, regardless of your faith or religion.
Before heading home, we took a detour to one of our favourite little towns. We continued our peace-filled day with a walk along the water and enjoyed a scoop (maybe) two of ice cream and a milkshake in celebration of “National Ice Cream Day”.
I’ve needed a few days to process an appointment I had on Monday with yet another specialist. It was a really emotional one, and my emotions have been all over the place all week.
Over the last year, I’d lost all hope of finding a way forward through all the trauma my body has endured since my participation in the Psilocybin Research Trial three years ago this past April. I had made up my mind at some point late last year that I would just have to continue to endure the pain and live with it, as difficult as that felt. I was done pursuing answers after every countless referral had turned into a dead end, some of whom never even gave me a chance to see them before being declined due to the complexity of my symptoms.
But then, a few weeks ago my Psychiatrist spoke to a colleague of his, asking if he’d see me after sharing my story with him, he agreed, and pushed me to the top of his very long waitlist. He is a neurologist who specializes in “movement disorders”. I never knew that there were so many different kinds of neurologists!
A movement neurologist has advanced training in disorders that impact the nervous system’s control of muscles and movement. Some of the most well-known disorders that they treat are Parkinson’s, Tourettes, Restless Leg Syndrome, and Tics/Tremors.
My symptoms fall perfectly into the last category. That, along with all the other symptoms that have plagued my body for the last 3 years, including constant tingling in my hands and feet, numbness, brain zaps, a strong sensitivity to noise and touch and of course the most unbearable one of all, PGAD.
Driving to my appointment Monday morning, I began to second guess my decision to meet with the doctor, telling myself it’s just gonna be another dead-end or waste of time. I was super anxious that all he would do is recommend some medication and send me on my way or worse, tell me the same thing I heard 3 years earlier from a “Functioning Neurologist” specialist who saw me over zoom and told me that a circuit broke in my brain the day of the clinical trial and that hopefully it will fix itself. News flash; it hasn’t.
My appointment went better than I could have imagined. It was emotional—no doubt about that—but I walked out with something I hadn’t felt in a long time: a glimmer of hope.
He saw me. He heard me. He watched my tics and tremors with his own eyes, and he didn’t question or dismiss what I was going through. Just compassion, clarity, and validation.
Before I left his office, he had a treatment plan in place. He understood right away that medication and deep brain stimulation weren’t the right fit for me—for so many reasons—and he didn’t push. Instead, he had other plans. Real ones. Thoughtful ones. Tailored for me.
I go back to see him in a couple of months to start my treatment. I don’t have all the answers yet. I won’t know for what could be 6 months or so if it will help, even a little. He was truly a saint, and so too was his assistant.
Before my appointment wrapped up, he wanted to voice his concerns about my recent diagnosis of a genetic disorder called Neurofibromatosis, something I shared with you all not too long ago. Over the last while I have been consumed by it as it continues to worsen. My Doctor had put a referral into a Neurofibromatosis clinic in Toronto, the only one of its kind in Canada. The movement neurologist sees some parallels in so many of my neurological issues and Neurofibromatosis and he wants me to be seen by the clinic as soon as possible, so he overrided my doctor’s referral and put one in to the clinic himself. He felt that coming from.a neurologist, it would help speed the process up. Recently I met someone on line who told me they waited 2 years for an appointment. Today I received an email for a phone consultation with the same clinic for mid September. It may only be a phone consult to start, but I’d say 3 days after the referral went in is pretty impressive.
I’m still processing all of this, but for the first time in a long time…I don’t feel so alone on this path.
The clouds moved out, and the sun moved in after a torrential downpour this morning, opening the door for today’s #summerofrich adventure.
There’s something about the stillness in the air after a rainfall. I think it’s nature’s way of telling us to take pause, to breathe, and to begin anew.
We started with a short and peaceful hike through the forest, over the boardwalk and along the water’s edge, soaking in the post-rain calm.
Then we headed to a nearby lavender farm where we walked through endless rows of lavender in full bloom, stretching into the horizon. It happens to be one of my favourite summertime escapes.
The calming scents. The colours. The sunshine. The beauty. The quiet. It never gets old.
Wandering the fields, the world somehow always slows down long enough to remind me how healing it is to stay grounded, to be present, and to feel grateful for these moments.
It feels like just yesterday you were a precocious, mischievous little tot with more energy than a dog chasing its tail. Always on the go, always curious, always keeping us on our toes.
Now, today, you are 27. And although you are still always on the go, still always curious, and still always keeping us on our toes, watching you grow into an incredibly witty, fearless, resilient, handsome, confident, hardworking young man has been one of the greatest gifts of my life and for whom I am endlessly proud of. My first born. The one who made me a mom.
Keep shining your bright light on the world, keep chasing your dreams, keep living every day to its fullest, keep showing up, and keep being exactly who you are, because who you are is pretty amazing. Don’t ever forget that!!
Wishing you a year filled with an abundance of laughter and everything you love.
I love you to the moon and back, forever and a day.
YouAreEnough 
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