You know that nagging feeling that life is slipping by, and you were meant for more?

That’s exactly where I was before creating The Essentials Deck.

Before Affirmations

My to-do list ran my life. As a mom of a toddler juggling multiple jobs, I was constantly in a rush, packing my days full, but never feeling full myself. I was frazzled, stretched thin, anxious, and tense. No matter how much I achieved, it never felt like enough.

I made myself small so I wouldn’t inconvenience others, always putting everyone else’s needs above my own. If someone asked how my summer was going, my answer was always the same: busy, busy, busy. But if I had stopped to think about it, I couldn’t even tell you what I was so busy doing.

There was just so much: work, errands, the never-ending to-do list, the pressure of figuring out where my family would live next, how we’d afford a house. Most days, I felt like I was barely keeping my head above water. I was drained. Heavy. And I carried this weight everywhere I went.

The Turning Point

Out of sheer necessity, I began writing affirmations. I had never used them before, but I knew my thought patterns were holding me back.

The first one I created was the Self-Worth Affirmation. Within a month, I started doing things I never imagined I would, like waking up at 4 a.m. just to have quiet time with God and journal. For the first time, I felt like I was structuring my life around what mattered, not just what was urgent.

I began to see myself as worthy; not just capable of getting things done, but deserving of the life I longed for. That mindset shifted everything.

I decluttered my home and transformed it into a sanctuary that felt spacious, beautiful, and peaceful.

The Presence Affirmation was the real game changer, it completely rewired my priorities. I let go of my endless to-do list and created space for presence with my daughter and with myself. The Family moments came first. Everything else moved down the list.

What Happened Next

I was so amazed at how rich my life became that I kept writing affirmations, one for each area of life that makes it full and meaningful. That’s how The Essentials Deck was born.

I asked myself: If I were to die tomorrow, what would my obituary say? What would I be remembered for? And would I regret how I lived today?

This deck became my way of making sure the answer would always be: No regrets.

My Life Now

Here’s how affirmations have reshaped my daily life:

• I no longer chase achievement for its own sake; I only do what truly matters, and I get more done than ever.
• My weeks flow with ease. There’s space for rest, fun, and spontaneous joy.
• I fill my days with special moments: cuddles with my daughter, ice skating lessons just for fun, lunch in a pretty spot “just because.”
• Challenges no longer shake me, I stand grounded, confident, and at peace.
• I forgive quickly, set boundaries easily, and nurture stronger relationships.
• The beauty around me doesn’t just catch my eye, it often takes my breath away.
• I notice the little miracles that were always around me.
• And the most surprising thing of all? My true calling finally found me, not when I was chasing it, but when I stopped, created space, and became fully present.

Now, everyday gives me that feeling of ease and excitement that before, only a good vacation could deliver. Even the mundane: grocery runs, chores, are soaked in calm and delight. On hard days, affirmations are my lifeline, helping me to face challenges in ways I’ll always be proud of.

For the first time in my life, I can honestly say:

If my time was up tomorrow, I would have no regrets about how I lived today.

Why I’m Sharing This

Affirmations have done more for me than I could have imagined. They’ve rewired my thinking, reshaped my priorities, and given me a life that feels full, meaningful, and deeply alive.

That’s why I created The Essentials Deck. It’s not about feel-good platitudes, it’s about building a life so intentional that regret fades away. It’s about living your everyday life the way you would if you only had two weeks left.

And if this practice could transform my life the way it has… I know it can transform yours too.