February 1, 2026: what a blessing it is to be able to turn off feelings
It all begins with an idea.
Happy Sunday happiness crusaders 💖
It’s another (very) cold day here in Gwinnett as we endure this winter storm. Everything is swell on the Melton-girl front. I’m still employed. My daughter is doing so well in school. We’ve been spending time with our community here in GA. Taking it all day by day.
As I’ve mentioned before, I care too much. I care for my family - as resistant as they’ve all been welcoming us back home - and how they perceive me. I care about performing not well enough at my job. I care too much about certain people that I know don’t care for me in the same senses. I care if they do or don’t. I care bout things and people that, in hindsight, don’t have much meaning.
As I’ve been going through the motions of adulthood, I’ve been noticing more and more people…. Just not caring. At first, I’m envious. How does one simply wake up and choose not to care? I’m even thinking “wow, your friend just stabbed you in the back and you’re kinda like… whatever about it.” I get jealous of other people when the actions of others don’t affect them. This is where I recommend the read “The Subtle Art of Not Giving A Fuck” by Mark Manson. I have gifted this to a few friends over the years and it frankly might be my time to read it again for myself.
I then remember a time where I felt nothing. I was literally incapable of producing tears when I was sad. My tears turned into anger (hence the birth of my angry music for happy people playlist on Spotify). I was left feeling incredibly empty. I’m at a point in my life where I’m finally feeling free to FEEL. I allow myself to feel sad when necessary. I’ll allow myself to fall in love - when the time (and person) are right. I’ll allow myself to feel frustrated when something doesn’t make sense.
So, am I envious of others not feeling or caring today? No. What a beautiful thing it is to just
feel. 😇
Until next time, here’s three things today that make me happy:
The sound of children laughing, nachos, gradient color schemes.
Celebrate what makes you happy always.
Stay blessed,
Starshine ✨
January 24, 2026: I don’t know what I’m doing (nobody does)
It all begins with an idea.
Happy Saturday happiness crusaders 💖
It’s another gloomy day here in Gwinnett as we all get prepared for the impending ice storm. The last ice storm that happened here, I was about my daughter’s age and I slept through it. 😅 but, it’s almost 10am, my coffee is hot, my thought juices are flowing, and what better place to organize them than ✨here✨.
This weekend, I have a friend from FL visiting. We get to chit-chatting about life… and where the title of this post comes from. When I first moved to FL, I was battling homelessness, working at that coffee shop, trying to do everything to help my dad, and be the best mom I could be at the time. It was a lot. I didn’t know what to do. It came to one very awful work shift that forced me to rage-apply to every job possible which landed me (kind of) where I’m at today. Even during all of that, I didn’t know what I was doing. Looking back, it sort of feels like a fever dream, going through the motions, and I was fortunate enough to have made a few friends from it too. 💖
This is my advice to anyone who reads this: don’t stress it. Don’t stress how things will play out. Don’t stress how things will be taken care of. As long as you’re willing to put forth effort and make it work, it will all work out on its own. After all, nobody truly knows what they’re doing. We are all kind of just going through the motions of life, praying that one day.. something magical will happen.
The magic is you. ✨
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for the people.”
Colossians 3:23
Until next time, here’s three things today that make me happy:
Fresh coffee, quality time with framily, having new adventures and exploring.
Celebrate what makes you happy always.
Stay blessed,
Starshine ✨
January 13, 2026: new year, less nonsense.
It all begins with an idea.
Happy Tuesday happiness crusaders 💖
What’s another day, updating this, updating on life, rinse and repeat. Around Halloween is typically when my life gets unusually busy and stressful. Single parenthood, juggling Halloween, sorting out which family Thanksgiving to crash (I made someone cry this year), Christmas road trip to Colorado (I miss the mountain air for sure!) and we celebrated another successful trip around the sun!! I officially have a 9 year old on my hands and seriously am astounded with how wonderful of a child they are. That’s probably biased me of me to say, but if the general public agrees… 😇 With all that being said, HAPPY NEW YEAR 2026!!
My trip to Colorado was one I needed personally. Nothing heals me more than the open road and my music. LOUD. Wind in my hair. Not a care in the world. It truly was a magical experience seeing those mountains (as opposed to the ones on the East Coast). I had the pleasure of seeing friends I haven’t seen since 2012 - and it included a reunion with my co-founder 💖 From the week we were there, I had my time to reflect - with one of my many chosen Moms. After a lot of trusted conversations, I learned… I care too much. I give too much of a f*ck for things and people that don’t make the same space for me. Is it hurtful? Yeah. Is it amazing that I have that capability? Absolutely. Nothing screams healed and redemption more than giving a f*ck fiercely. Though, for me… it’s choosing what to care about. It’s nothing but a great balancing act of glass vs. plastic bowling pins. It’s picking and choosing my battles.
So…. here I go. Picking and choosing my battles. I’m choosing myself and my own and what benefits me, my own, and our pockets/wallets. I’m no longer concerning myself with those who don’t share similar morals and values as me. I will no longer try to shrink myself to make certain people feel better about themselves. I will no longer go out of my way. I will not dull my sparkle. I’m no longer making efforts to maintain certain relationships. Today, I’m setting myself free of all of it - the expectations and standards I hold others at, the anger I feel sometimes, all of it. For this reason, I’m choosing to toss what I refer to as my “government name” on social media. I’m okay being Starshine forevermore. I’m perfectly okay with not associating myself with liars, cheats, abusers, and enablers.
Until then, I’ll keep to myself… continuing my legacy in trying to create. Recreating my own, new-to-me village. In the same town that chewed me up and spat me out. Here’s to light and positivity! Crossing my toes (because let’s admit… that’s more impressive than your fingers).
I am still looking for additional happiness crusaders! If you’re interested in join the mission, please let me know! I’m excited to finally get this thing rolling and keep it going steady.
When God’s blessing is on your ordinary, it becomes extraordinary.
Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.”
John 13:7
Until next time, here’s three things today that make me happy:
coffee candy, lighted candles, a clean living room.
Celebrate what makes you happy always.
Stay blessed,
Starshine ✨
