Today started off rough. My significant other and I had yet another argument about his porn addiction — something that has been a shadow over our relationship for years. Addiction of any kind is painful, but porn addiction is one of those things that sneaks in quietly and eats away at intimacy, trust, and connection. It leaves you feeling like you’re competing with a screen, and that does real damage over time. This isn’t new between us, but each time it resurfaces, the weight of it all feels just as heavy.

It’s only 7:35 a.m., but it feels like I’ve already lived a whole day. Lately, sleep and I are not on speaking terms. Normally, I’d be an early riser at 5 a.m., but now I’m waking up at 3 a.m. like some kind of haunted rooster. I try to fall back asleep, but I just end up staring at the ceiling, struggling and bargaining with my brain. Some nights it’s neuropathy keeping me awake, other nights it’s… well, who even knows.

I’ll be honest — sitting down to write this second post feels a little funny. After all the excitement of starting this blog, I caught myself wondering, what do I even talk about first? There are so many little pieces of me I’d like to share — from painting and gardening, to cooking, mom life, and even my studies — that I didn’t know which thread to pull on.

Hi friends! I’m Nicci, and I’m so glad you’ve found your way here. Starting this blog has been on my heart for a while, and I finally decided to jump in. For me, this space is about slowing down, sharing the things that bring me joy, and hopefully connecting with others along the way.