There’s something magical about giving yourself permission to fall in love again—starting not with someone else, but with yourself.

This weekend, I treated myself to a solo date at the ballet. I slipped on my gown that made me feel like a star, sat on the other side of the stage I once danced and let the story of Carmen wash over me.  I was reminded that romance isn’t all about candlelit dinners or first kisses—it’s about saying yes to experiences that light you up.

And lately, I’ve been saying yes a lot.

Yes to getting messy in the studio with my new pottery collection, where my hands and heart create pieces that tell stories of imperfection and beauty. 

Yes to writing my book about my “rooster year” of dating post-divorce—a wild, funny, sometimes tender exploration of rediscovering who I am when the rules no longer apply.

Yes to solo time in the gym and cultivating my yoga practice while connecting to my breath.

Yes to discovering that solitude can be its own kind of intimacy.

Falling in love with yourself isn’t a one-time event—it’s a practice. A ritual. An ongoing romance where you’re the main character. And just like clay on the wheel or a ballet on stage, it takes patience, devotion, and a little willingness to be surprised.

So here’s your invitation:

– Book yourself a solo date this month. Ballet, museum, concert—whatever makes your soul lean forward.

– Create something with your hands, even if it’s just a simple meal or doodle.

– Write down your stories, even if they’re messy. Especially if they’re messy.

The more you say yes to yourself, the more magnetic, grounded, and alive you become. That’s the secret to elevated living—it’s not waiting for someone else to choose you, but choosing yourself again and again.