It’s been one of those years that somehow felt long and fast at the same time. I poured myself into work, writing, family, school events, schedules - everything and everyone except… me. Eventually it started to show. I was exhausted, cranky, eating whatever was around, and ignoring how I felt. My feet hurt, I woke up with headaches, I dragged through the day and crashed at night. I kept telling myself it was just a busy season, but secretly I knew it was a lack of balance. The wake-up call came at my annual check-up. A couple of less-than-great numbers stared back at me on the page, and it hit me: I want to be around for my kids’ futures - the weddings, college graduations, maybe grandbabies someday (way down the line, please). I want to feel present for the life I’m building… not just get through it. So I started small. Not a “diet,” not a big overhaul - just lifestyle shifts. A little more water. A little more movement. Paying attention to what fuels me instead of what fills the m...