Author: Tracie McLeod

Blind Date with a Journal

Tracie McLeod

By: Tracie McLeod

There were so many things wrong today. I couldn’t seem to get anything right. As I walked out of my home and into the car, I heard a ding. I wanted to ignore the text because I knew it was only my best friend Tiger. I knew what she wanted. I opened it anyway.

Hey, are you almost at the cafe?

I wasn’t but she didn’t need to know that. Yes, I’m 5 minutes away. Tiger wanted me to get in a relationship so badly. She met her true love on a Carnival cruise a few weeks prior. Her goal for me was taking couples trips. The drive was over 15 minutes but seemed shorter with my favorite radio show blasting in the speakers. I needed the laugh today. Last night was the worst date ever. I know they say to meet someone, you can’t be hidden. Sometimes being alone seemed so much better than doing another questionnaire: “What’s your favorite color? What do you like to do? What’s your career?”

As the last terrible dates flooded my mind, the radio host caught my ear. I turned up the volume to hear clearer. “It’s the end of a bad season; it’s the beginning of a new era. Welcome in all the blessings God has in store for you.” As I sighed in relief, I had reached the cafe. I walked in and Tiger was nowhere in sight. Ding, another text. Hey, go to our table in the back. I approached the table, no Tiger, but a Tiffany blue box tied with a satin green ribbon. A card fell to the floor off the box and I picked it up. It read: Natalie. I know you are tired of me trying to set you up on blind dates. This is your last one. Open the box and enjoy.

I opened the box and inside was a leather saddle stitched lavender journal with a note. Welcome to your blind date with a journal. Start writing down your emotions, thoughts and dreams for 6 months. It’s time to move from this cycle of nothing working out to everything is in your grasp.

LIVING 40

Tracie McLeod

by: Tracie McLeod

Oh, how time flies. I didn’t expect this age to come so soon. When I was younger and my parents told me they were 35, I considered that old. Look at me now, walking into 40 with all the lessons, blessings, and failures I have experienced. I first felt a sense of doing everything I hadn’t done in 30 years. All the plans over the past 3 decades that didn’t come to fruition yet. I had 4 months to get them done when the ball dropped January 1st, 2025.  I made the decision to shut down life to make them happen. No content post, no reels, nothing would take me off track from completing all my goals. I had to reach them before the big 4-0. 

I came to a realization after praying, fasting, and soul searching. If I hadn’t done it by now, it wasn’t meant to happen. Am I right? For all of you at the age 39 and moving into 40, did you have an experience like that? If not, applause to you. The truth is 40 is a great start. I had to make the mistakes to understand what not to do. I had to fail to win. I met the right people, and went to the right places. Nothing I did or went through broke me. It raised me to understand my value, worth and skill set. I lost people but also gained them. Every season of a long lasting friendship was not in vain. It taught me something about myself and other people.

I am now ready to welcome 40 with open arms. It is about to be my best decade yet. I haven’t seen all the things God has for me. It’s time for me to move into living 40.

6 Tips for Goal Setting in the 2nd Quarter of 2025!

Tracie McLeod

Quarter 2 is coming!  Take a look back at your Quarter 1 goals!

If you have been following me, you know I love to goal set by way of vision boards.  I also create list.  Yes, I have goal list, and I write down all the things I want no matter how big or how small.  I check them off when I receive them.  This way I can track what I have been doing and what works and doesn’t work in achieving my goals.

Before we reach April, do these things!

1) Have a meeting with God and check your Quarter 1 goals and see what you have left.

2) Create a plan on how you can achieve them by the end of Quarter 1.

3)Decide which goals need to move into Quarter 2.

4.) Find the gaps to why goals were not accomplished in Quarter 1.

5) Write down your top 3 goals for Quarter 2 and how you plan to obtain them.

6) Celebrate any goal you accomplished no matter how big or small.

The Thin-Line Between Toxic and Healthy Co-parenting

Tracie McLeod

Where do you stand?

There is a thin line between love and hate as is one between toxic and healthy. To know which side you are on you have to first define what is healthy to you. What does healthy look like in your life? In foods, it’s anything that creates wholeness in your body. It keeps all of your organs functioning correctly. It also keeps your blood flowing properly. You feel great after eating it even if you don’t like the taste, you know it’s good for you. Take the time and think about toxic foods. They are usually the things that make you feel horrible after you eat them, but they taste so good. You get sick from them and have to shut down for days at a time.

Use that same situation and place a relationship there. That’s co-parenting. You have to decide to have the healthy relationship for your children. Boundaries do not taste good, but they will give you a life of peace. Communication is hard but it’s worth it to speak your standards and what goals you have for your children. Healthy co-parenting needs two healthy parents. You have to converse about the children and not your own personal lives. That’s where it gets messy, tricky, and bitterness creeps in. The relationship is over. However, the slightest trigger reminds you of the past. You revert back to the person you hated to be in the breakup. Now, you are moving into toxic.

I know it’s hard when the other person is toxic. In cases like that, pray for them. Be discerning of the time they spend with your child(ren). Don’t get into arguments with them. Hold your tongue and stay calm. Remember your children watch what you do. They observe how you react with each other. You are teaching them how to react with their peers in their life.

Heal from the wounds of the past. Always remember why you didn’t work out and own it. Let it go. Let them go. Do the work to become healed. Let me leave you with tips.

1. Meditate on the word of God.
2. Pray.
3. Listen to uplifting music, podcast, and conversations.
4. Be around other healed people who are positive.
5. Seek counseling.
6. Last but not least, journal!

festive decoration for celebration party in restaurant

Love is more than a four-letter word.

Tracie McLeod

By: Tracie McLeod

Love should be expressed daily and not for one month. February is black history month as well as the month we appreciate those close to us by expressing our love for them. Let those around you know they are loved every day by your actions and your words. Think about a time you were sad or down and a person came into your life and did something so memorable but small. They cleaned your home, brought food over, or happened to call you in the nick of time. They showed you they loved you by showing up right when you needed them. Maybe the season has passed for them, but you will never forget them. There is always a moment in life where we need someone the most and God places them front and center in our life. It may be for the long haul and you move in and out of life but never lose contact. It could be for a short period while you are in college and needed a friend to hang out and study with so you could make it to graduation. Whatever the reason, pack up the love and memories of then and keep them close. On a day of drought, rain down those situations and cover yourself in love.

Embracing Writing as Therapy: My Journey

Tracie McLeod

Hi!  My name is Tracie McLeod.  I am a lover of God, a mother of two, a daughter, your new best friend, and an entrepreneur.  I have been writing since I could hold a crayon.  Some of my earliest works are from elementary school where I won young author awards. Writing is a way to jot ideas, organize your mind, or just get your thoughts out.  Writing is therapy for me.

I have created a community of women who never imagined journaling as a way of mental relief. Always know self-care is more than working on your outward appearance.  It’s the inward work that allows peace to overflow in your life.  I hope it is now a tool for you to use through what I have created!