Lately I have been reflecting on identity, growth, and what it means to step more fully into who we are.

A few weeks ago, I had a House of Colour analysis and learned something that surprised me. For years I gravitated toward earthy autumn tones. It made sense. I love nature. I feel most at home in the woods, hiking a trail, sitting beside a stream, or simply noticing the beauty and presence that nature commands us to.

Instead, I learned that I am a Winter.

The colors that look best on me are clear, bold, saturated colors, high contrast, and jewel tones.

At first, I resisted. How could that be? Those weren’t the colors I associated with the natural world I love so much.

Then I realized something.

Nature is so much more than moss green and burnt orange. Nature is also the brilliant colors of a sunset, the deep blue of twilight, the vivid purple of wildflowers, and bright berries standing out against a winter landscape.

I don’t have to blend into nature to belong there.

I can be the flower. I can be what stands out. This realization is asking me to be bold, not to shy away from my path or the work I am here to do.

I also realized something else. There was a period in my life when I naturally gravitated toward these more saturated, clear colors. Looking back through old photos, I noticed that many of the times when I felt the most confident, grounded, and fully myself, I was wearing more of my palette without even realizing it.

Somewhere along the way, my wardrobe gradually shifted toward softer, earthier tones. I still love those colors and the connection to nature they evoke, but it was interesting to recognize that what felt familiar wasn’t necessarily what allowed me to shine.

Sometimes growth isn’t about becoming someone new. Sometimes it’s about remembering parts of ourselves that have been there all along.

As I reflected on that, I realized this lesson extends far beyond clothing. It feels connected to a larger season of my life, one where I am learning to release identities that once felt comfortable and step more fully into my path.

Part of that path is continuing to deepen my education and refine my skills in service to my clients.

Recently, I had the opportunity to travel to Buffalo and spend time learning alongside my mentor, Aimee Takaya, and her father, William Davis, a Somatic Educator with over a decade of teaching experience and decades of experience in martial arts, yoga, and mind-body practices. It was a gift to learn from both of them and continue exploring the depth and possibilities of somatic work.

This past weekend, I attended additional training with Gabriel Posner at Potomac Massage Training Institute. After reading his book, I knew I wanted the opportunity to learn from another Somatic Educator who is helping shape this growing field. Bringing a somatic perspective to hands-on work is essential for creating lasting change, and I am grateful to be part of this movement.

I remain committed to being a student of this work. Every training, every teacher, and every client continues to deepen my understanding of the body’s incredible capacity for adaptation, resilience, and healing.

Just as I am learning to step more fully into who I am, I feel honored to help others reconnect with who they have been all along.