How It All Began

SunnyMind began long before I knew what I was building. As a little girl, I loved to draw. One of those drawings became a magnet that lived on my grandmother's fridge for over 25 years. She kept it there like it was the most precious thing in the world - a reminder, to both of us, of light, creativity and joy. I still remember the way she beamed with pride when she showed it off to others. A beautiful sun, of course. Something I never knew would be so important for a future season of life.

Around a similar time, we adopted my first dog I named Sunny - a gentle yellow lab mix who lit up my world the same way. I spent so much time outside with him, walking at parks, breathing in fresh air, going on mini "expeditions". Nature always made me feel happiest.

But as I grew older, I lost touch with that light. I found myself in a life that felt nothing like me- stuck in burnout, living on autopilot, in a job that drained my energy and a world that made me forget who I was. One day, I passed by that same magnet that once hung on my grandmother's fridge - the one I drew all those years ago. And in that instant, I remembered her belief in me...and more importantly, I remembered me.

I made the decision to leave the life I no longer recognized- to walk away from what wasn't lighting me up. I traveled solo across national parks, spent nights under starry skies, hiked trails with no destination, sat in stillness, moved my body, laughed again, connected with strangers from all over the world and slowly began finding my way back to the version of me that once felt radiant and real. The one who believed in sunshine, in movement, in joy. The one who believed there was something beautiful waiting just on the other side of choosing yourself.

SunnyMind was born from that moment- and now, it lives on as a reminder. For me. For anyone else who needs one.