April was tough. For me, it’s a month of joy and celebration that was also marked by significant loss this year. I am still feeling a bit disoriented as I navigate grief and overwhelm, while still finding gratitude in God’s blessings and in recognizing the miracle of each new day. I am learning to be more present, less perfect, and even more tethered to God in this season. And will continue to water the seeds He’s given me, in hopeful expectation of what’s to bloom.

At the top of April, I started a series here on identity, but the final two posts in that series remain in my drafts. At the time I was set to publish them, they felt premature and undone. Like there was more that God was still working on in me before I could share. So, I chose not to release them, yet. This month, I plan to revisit those rough thoughts on personal growth and perception, and ask God how to prepare them for publication.

I also intend to take better care of myself in May. I have spent the last several weeks, and will spend the next couple of weeks, caring for and serving others. And I realize how it’s already begun to deplete my own emotional and spiritual reserves. I share this because it might just be the reminder that you need to care for yourself first in this season. Will you join me in the pursuit of restoration and radical self-love this month? Let me know below.

xo, m.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

— Psalm 34:18

During life's tougher chapters—those times when grief weighs heavy and anxiety clouds our vision of the future—it's critical that we remind ourselves of the promises nestled in the words of scripture. Psalm 34:18 offers such a promise: "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

This verse is a tender assurance that in moments of sorrow or overwhelming change, we are not forgotten. It speaks directly to those of us navigating the rough terrain of loss or facing the daunting unknown of what’s next in our lives. The Lord’s closeness in these times isn't just a passive presence; it's an active engagement alongside us even in our deepest struggles.

Embracing this promise means resting in the fact that our pain and our challenges are seen, and that help is at hand. It invites us to lean not on our own understanding but on the strength that comes from God’s divine companionship. In practical terms, this might look like giving ourselves permission to slow down, to mourn, to sit with our feelings without judgment, and to seek support when the burden feels too heavy to bear alone.

Practicing self-care in these seasons is essential. It might be as simple as ensuring enough rest, nourishing our bodies with good food, or finding moments for activities that replenish our spirits. And as always, recognizing and documenting gratitude daily will transform our perspective—helping us to see beyond our immediate circumstances to the bigger picture of God’s ongoing work in, and through, our lives.

So, if you find yourself feeling brokenhearted or crushed in spirit, recite this psalm. Let it remind you that you are not alone in your struggles. Allow it to inspire you to practice self-care and gratitude. In the midst of everything, remember that God is close, and His help is real. Let's hold onto that truth, together.

I can’t stop eating fruit. All the good stuff is in season starting in May — blackberries, strawberries, blueberries, and mangoes. And all of it has gone from flavorless (bitter, even) to sweet, ripe, and juicy. And the best is yet to come because I know the berries are only getting better in the summer months, especially those raspberries, and then the peaches will be ready! I’m excited to hit up my local farmers market and get in on all the fresh and local goodness. Thank you, apples, pears, and oranges for your services, but berries are back!

Friends, I pray that you find simple pleasures in your daily lives this week that you point you both to self care and gratitude. Until, next time, be well.

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I love the springtime. For most of my life, I’ve been excited about spring in anticipation of my birthday. I am big on my birthday. And while spring birthday season is still very much a thing for all the members of our household, it’s not the sole reason for my excitement.

My excitement grows from a lot of the same feelings you are likely feeling — the anticipation of more sunshine, the lifting of the winter blues, and just this general sense of renewal. Renewal not just in the natural but also metaphorically in the areas of my spirit, my space, and myself. I am ready for something new on all fronts, and this month I intend to focus and meditate on renewal in the same way that I centered my thoughts around love last month.

I’d love to know how you’re feeling this month. Are you anticipating refreshment and renewal, too? Is your spring cleaning underway? (Y'all know I am full steam ahead!) Maybe you’ve given something up for the Lenten season and find yourself going inward? Or maybe you're the opposite, and just ready to be outside? Let me know! I love hearing back from you.

xo, m.

The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come.

— Solomon 2:11-12 (NIV)

There’s something about shaking off the winter chill and welcoming even just a little more sunshine that helps lift our moods and renew our minds. This scripture from the book of Solomon evokes that feeling of beauty and hope that comes with the changing seasons. And just as nature has this rebirth each spring, we too can open ourselves up to renewal.

For a lot of us, the season that we’re coming out feels a lot like winter — long, dark, isolating. A time when things didn’t appear to be growing. But like the winter, this season must make way for the next; the frost will melt away, and those things that looked not to be growing, maybe even appeared dead, will blossom and bloom.

As we welcome spring, I am ready to let go of the past, to release the weight of burdens, and to embrace the possibilities of new beginnings. My word for the year is ‘lighter,’ and that’s how I am entering the coming season — cleaning and clearing, purging and purifying, organizing and in order.

I’m taking inspiration from the flowers, the birds, and bees. Immersing myself in the beauty of nature, reconnecting with people I love, and pursuing the passions that bring me the most fulfillment. In a society that says we should decide who we are early on, brand ourselves as such, and then stick to it — I want to extend an invitation to evolve, just as nature does. To embrace growth, change, and something new.

I invite you to join me as I welcome the month of March with an open heart and open mind, ready to embrace all the beauty and blessings it has to offer. Our season of singing has come.

I am loving all things spring — the longer days, sunshine and rain, pastel prints, and floral facades. I can’t wait to see the Cherry Blossoms in peak bloom in the city I love later this month, just before the emergence of one of my favorite flowers, tulips at the Floral Library just near the National Mall.

And, in the spirit of spring cleaning – which I have been doing feverishly all February long – I’m also loving the Brightroom storage collection at Target. It’s reasonably priced, modern, and has modular mix & match organization for every room in the house. I’ve used it to get all the little nooks and crannies of our home organized and in order.

The Self Love Letter Love, Maaden is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.