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» Let's talk about being alone — Y’all have heard me say that I’ve been single for a while (8+ years), but its only been within this last year that I can honestly say I enjoy being alone. Before that, I think that I was just real good at tolerating life as a single human, but last summer I experienced the beauty that comes from embracing it. I mean, if I were to add up all of the time I’ve spent by myself over the last twelve months compared to being with others, I think we’d find that I’ve been solo twice as much, if not more. As I was working through my many feelings last summer while traveling solo, I learned about the distinction between two different ways or feelings of being alone: loneliness and solitude. One emotes a sense of sadness, of longing, of unmet desires… and even a of a potential inability to enjoy or appreciate the company of oneself, which is — in many ways — a real pity... and this is coming from a gal who knows this feeling all too well. The other denotes a sense of peace, of strength, and of glory. To find oneself in a space of solitude and be okay with it — maybe even thrive in it — is magical. It’s rare, in a day when we’re constantly searching for connection, to be someone who enjoys and finds purpose in solitude, and yet it is in that space that one can learn so much about themselves and the world, and experience a new level of freedom. I don’t always hang out on the side of solitude, but it sure is feeling more and more like home. And in that, I find myself craving even more time in to myself to contemplate, to create, and to spend quality time with my Pops. And that is one of the most beautiful aspects of walking with Jesus: realizing that — after all — we haven’t been and are never really alone✨ — So what are your thoughts on being alone? Does it terrify you to think of doing things by yourself, like going to a restaurant or taking a trip? Or would you consider yourself a fellow fan of solitude? ⇩ Share your thoughts in the comments — and let me know if you have any questions about embracing your own company and/or doing all the things things solo! 💁🏻‍♀️
» Hey Nashville, thanks for being my home base (again) for the last two months. I don't know what expectations I had for my time here — if I had any at all — but it's definitely been a time. I'm leaving grateful for the sweet friends I was able to spend time with, and even more grateful for the time I spent alone. It was filled with processing, creating, and digging deep, and while there continues to be little certainty around the next six-twelve months of my life, I'm not really worried. For the first time, maybe ever, I have no fear or worry about my future. Maybe it's seeing that everything has worked out so far or just fully embracing a life outside of the confines of cultural and societal expectations, but I'm feeling freer than I thought was possible… and I never want to go back. Does this mean it isn't hard or lonely, or that everyone "gets it?" lol NOPE. It's all of those things and more, but now that I'm finally looking at Who I'm walking with more than at the path ahead of me, I have the deepest peace that it's all going to be just fiiiine. So here's to the next adventure! To California, Paris, London, Edinburgh, Annalong and more, I'll see y'all real soon 🌍✨
» This last year of traveling has taught me plenty of things, but one of the biggest is just how easy — and crucial — it is to be kind. It's not very hard and it doesn't cost us anything, and can't you just imagine how much brighter things would be if we were all just nicer to one another? On episode 009 of #wildheartswithgennean I’m chatting with my sweet friend @ashleyreale from @shareloveeverywhere about the importance of being kind in a world that so desperately needs it, including what convinced Ashley to start Love Everywhere and sharing some practical steps we can all take to be kindness rebels in our communities. 
Wild Hearts with Gennean 🎧 available on iTunes, Spotify, & Google Podcasts — all links in my profile. G I V E A W A Y✨ SHARE A KIND QUOTE & TAG SOME FRIENDS IN THE COMMENTS BELOW TO WIN A "JUST BE NICE" TOTE FILLED WITH @shareloveeverywhere CARDS! 💕
» Has anyone else been frustrated with @instagram lately? I try to not pay much attention to algorithms and strategies and numbers, but wow have I noticed a shift in how content is being seen… and I don’t like it. But here’s the thing: it’s just social media — a tool built for, well, either connection or consumption ... I can’t really tell which is reigning as of late. All this to say, I'll be stepping away from posting for a bit. I’m hoping, instead, to fill my days with more dreaming, more prayer, more time with my people, more planning for my return to Europe, and more quiet moments with my Pops. Remember: we prioritize what is most important to us, and right now, this platform just ain’t doing it for me. I’ll still be around to connect and talk about important things and share new podcast episodes, but otherwise, I’ll see y’all lovelies on the other side — whenever and wherever that may be✌🏼️
» If there’s one thing that has always bothered me and that I will speak out against freely and for all time it is the idea of settling. Whether it’s things or places or experiences or relationships, I think we humans too often settle for what is good instead of seeking, waiting for, or receiving what could be (and is more often than not) so much better. I think of the picture C.S. Lewis painted in his sermon “The Weight of Glory”, first preached in Oxford, England in 1941 — "It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased." (C.S. Lewis) What He has in store and what He wants to give us is always the best. Does that mean the easiest? 
the most exciting?
the prettiest? the most money-making? the coolest? the most Instagram-worthy? Maybe, maybe not. But the best? Yes, always. Here’s the bottom line: we have an inheritance beyond our wildest dreams — but will we accept it? Or will we keep trying to grasp at straws for a sense of control, settling on what we can bring into our lives on our own? I fully believe He desires for us to stop settling for what our human hands can manufacture and that we would instead just sit at His feet with our hands open, ready to both let go AND receive from Him. I don’t know where you’re at, but I am done trying to control all the things, especially the ones the world loves to tell me I should care about. Because I have glimpsed that holiday at sea, and I’m leaving everything else behind for it 🙌🏼🌊
» Shoutout to the friends (like this one) who have been with me through the good and the bad, and especially to the ones who stuck with me in the hardest and unhealthiest bits these last few years. To those of you who fall into that camp: thank you for showing love when I was operating at minimum capacity — when I was but a shell of myself — and for giving me the time and space to figure it out; for sticking by and pushing me toward healing and wholeness and Grace; and for believing that the best was yet to come. Because, spoiler alert: it was. It’s right here, and right now. I can confidently say that I am the healthiest, fullest, and most fun version of myself nowadays, and it’s the actual best. Glory to my Pops, first and always... but wow was the assist ever my friends. Keep your people close, keep your heart open, and lean into the hard stuff. The ones who love you most will be there through it all, trust me 🙌🏼