Open Relationships

Open relationships can be beautiful, freeing, and fulfilling for everyone involved—or they can spiral into chaos if key ingredients are missing. Like any relationship, open relationships require solid communication, mutual trust, and clearly defined boundaries. Without those things, even the most well-intentioned arrangement can become confusing or hurtful.

Speaking from my own experience, being in an open relationship isn’t about sleeping around or avoiding commitment—it’s about being honest about who you are, what you need, and trusting your partner to do the same. It works for us because we laid out ground rules that make us feel secure and respected. No two open relationships are exactly alike—what works for one couple might not work for another, and that’s okay. 

For me, I’ve found that openness doesn’t mean less love. It means more honesty. It means saying, “Hey, I love you, but I also recognize that sometimes we’re not everything for each other. And that’s okay.” It’s trusting each other enough to allow freedom and still knowing where home is.

But this kind of relationship only works if everyone involved is on the same page. That means sitting down and having some real, possibly awkward, conversations about what is and isn’t okay.

Some boundaries people in open relationships might set:

No dating friends or family

No sneaking around—be upfront about everything

No sleepovers, or only sleepovers with notice

Don't bring other partners to shared spaces

Use protection—always

Emotional connections are okay / not okay (decide what works for you)

Regular check-ins to make sure both partners still feel secure and valued

Everyone’s rules are different. The key is having rules. And sticking to them. Otherwise, you end up with confusion, jealousy, and hurt feelings—which defeats the whole purpose.

I’ll be honest—being in an open relationship hasn’t always been easy for me. There are moments of doubt, of wondering if I’m enough, of needing reassurance. But what keeps me grounded is knowing that I’ve chosen this. We’ve chosen this. And as long as we stay honest and communicate, we can work through the hard parts.

An open relationship isn’t about not loving your partner—it’s about loving them enough to let them be their full self, and trusting that the love you share is strong enough to hold it all together.

It’s not for everyone, and that’s okay. But for those of us who choose this path, it can be real, raw, and deeply fulfilling—when done with care.

Until We Speak Again, 

An Enlightened Soul

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Leave a comment below. What's your thoughts on open relationships? Are you in one? Does it work out for you?

Changing Career Choices

Let's face it, many of us do not work at our dream jobs. Even though it's not the position we wanted, sometimes you find a passion within that job.

Take me, for example...I went to college for massage therapy. I wanted to help people, within the medical realm, but without all the gore and needles. So, I went to college, learned the medical and therapeutic needs for massage, obtained my degree, and started my own mobile massage service! After two successful years, I realized it wasn't my true calling and decided to explore new opportunities. I've cashiered, served (waitress), managed a retail store, cooked, door-to-door sales, and have even been a customer service representative. 

One thing was for sure...I love to work with people. But it wasn't until I worked, as a cook, at a refined bar that I realized I love to bake! I was their only prep person for the restaurant, and I enjoyed it fully. They only had a few baked-from-scratch desserts, but every time I made them and they came out of the oven perfectly, I felt a pure, childlike joy--like the happiness I had when as a kid when I surprised my mom with homemade cookies. That's when I knew I wanted to start my own bakery! 

I talked to my coworkers, friends, family, and even my bosses about it. Everyone was happy for me and saying I should do it. They believed in me. One of my bosses even revealed that she had a dream that I was baking and selling cheesecakes! Unfortunately, they had to sell their business. I worked there until the very last, emotional day. On that day, my bosses asked me to produce a list of start-up items I needed to start my business. They gave me everything on my list plus a few extra things, including prep tables, bowls, measuring cups and spoons, pans, cooling rack, etc.,... for under $300!! Talk about an amazing deal! 

Later, I went to my local health department and picked up the paperwork. It'll take a little time, but I faith that I'll start my bakery this year. I give a lot of my thanks to my previous bosses who believed in me enough to help get me started. I will always be grateful for them.

At the end of the day, follow your dreams and intuition. Passions evolve, and that's okay. Whether your dream job changes, or you find joy in unexpected places, what matters is that you keep moving forward. Believe in yourself and make it happen. If I can do it, starting from scratch, you can too.

Until We Speak Again, 

An Ambitious Soul

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Leave a comment below. Have you thought about changing careers? Have you already done it? Was it worth it? Let's talk!

The Silent Partner

It really sucked when I couldn’t vent to my partner just because it wasn’t something he was interested in. 

Meanwhile, he felt totally comfortable venting to me about anything and everything. 

I’d sit and listen, support him, be present—but when it was my turn to talk? I’d get cut off. Dismissed. Rushed into silence. 

Like what I was saying didn’t matter. Like I didn’t matter.

So, I held it in. I became the “silent partner.” And let me tell you, it wasn’t healthy.

But what was I supposed to do? 

We were so good together in other ways. We laughed, we loved, we showed up for each other. 

But when it came to communication—my communication—it felt like I was on mute.

And it wasn’t a one-time thing. It happened over and over again. 

The pattern was always the same: I’d get shut down, go quiet, and carry it around until the weight of it broke me. Then there’d be tears. Tension. A blow-up. 

Only then did he realize how deeply it affected me. I tried to tell him calmly, directly, but it went in one ear and out the other. And still, it kept happening.

Every time I bottled up my emotions, a little part of me dimmed. A little part of my spirit got quieter. And it wasn’t because I ran out of words—it was because I stopped believing they’d be heard.

I didn’t want to be the silent partner anymore.

I wanted to feel safe to speak, to vent, to feel. I wanted the same space I gave. The same care. The same attention.

Because communication isn’t just about talking—it’s about listening, too. And I deserved to be heard.

Until We Speak Again,

A Silent Soul

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Leave a comment below. Are you an silent partner? Let's talk about it.

Never Been Married

I've been to countless, beautiful weddings, heard countless 'when you know, you know' or 'your time will come', and have even practiced saying my wedding vows in the mirror. But here I am, 41 years old, and never been married.  

There are many views on what a marriage is and how it should be. There are many reasons why people get married; love, children, security. Why did you get married? Is it anything you imagined? Are you happy? Do you regret it?

I've met some wonderful people and felt some pretty intense emotions on my love journey, but we just didn't have that "mmph". Something was missing....that spark or sense of certainty. It didn't feel like a forever thing. I was close though...so close I could taste it. I was, or thought I was, in love with this beautiful man. He showed me the love I never knew existed and was a complete gentleman. For 3 years, I thought he was my forever...that we were endgame.  Then, out of nowhere, at the height of Covid, in 2020, he ends it...shattering my heart into a million pieces.  He said he wanted a baby, and my tubes are tied. Knowing I couldn't give him what he wanted, my world went dark for a while, but I never gave up on love.

What do I think being married would be like? When I envision my married life, I see love. I say love first because it's the most important part of the marriage. I also see struggle, intimacy, pain, confusion, happiness, compromise, sacrifice...I know it's not all "cupcakes and rainbows", as someone used to tell me. Just like any other relationship, we'll make our happiest memories together, but also have heated discussions; some will linger longer than they should, and some won't be resolved overnight. That's part of any relationship.

To me, being married means considering your person's feelings in most decisions; buying/renting a house or car, having a baby, financials, where to spend holidays, birthdays, etc.,... It's trusting someone to be open and vulnerable with; confiding in that person. It's making a sandwich for your person because you know they forget to eat when they get too busy or when your person holds you when you're having a bad day. It’s knowing no matter what, you have each others backs. It's taking on each others issues and solving them together. It takes communication, honesty, and trust. Most importantly, love. Without any of these, I believe a marriage cannot last. 

But, what do I know? I can only imagine what my married life would be like. Until then, I'll keep living my life, loving fully, and believing when it's meant to be, it will be.

Until We Speak Again,

A Loving Soul

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Leave a comment below. What are your thoughts on marriage? 

Introduction

Welcome to Echoes and Epiphanies – A Space for Raw Thoughts & Real Conversations

Hey there, and welcome to my little corner of the internet!

I created this blog as a space to share my thoughts, experiences, and late-night musings—the kind that keep you up at night, make you question life, or simply need to be vented out into the world. This isn’t just a blog; it’s a diary, a conversation, and a place where real-life moments are laid out without filters.

Life can be unpredictable, messy, and sometimes downright exhausting. If you’ve ever felt like you were navigating it alone, I hope this blog shows you that you’re not. Here, you’ll find a mix of personal stories, relatable struggles, and maybe even a few words that inspire you along the way.

I want this space to be interactive—I’d love to hear your thoughts, experiences, and advice in the comments. Let’s create a community where we can support, uplift, and be real with each other.

So, whether you’re here out of curiosity, looking for someone who understands, or just need a place to unwind, welcome. Let’s get into it!

Until We Speak Again,

A Hopeful Soul

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Drop a comment below and say hi!