by Stephanie Benedetto | Dec 20, 2025 | Personal Development
When I was just nine years-old, I ruined Christmas. Again. The first time was years earlier when my little brother and I drew the shades, lit candles, and played haunted house with the babysitter. When our mom found out, she gave us an unusual punishment: no Christmas...
by Stephanie Benedetto | Dec 19, 2025 | Personal Development
I’m living in a stranger’s house for the holidays. Instead of our familiar, tiny apartment, my partner and I have temporarily moved into a new-to-us space in Tavira, with sunny balconies, wall mount heaters and a heated mattress pad. (This last was an unexpected...
by Stephanie Benedetto | Dec 18, 2025 | Personal Development
I’ve made a few radical shifts in the trajectory of my life. Leaving my loving marriage, successful business and life in New York was one. Moving to Portugal with no family or community connections was another. I didn’t have a “good reason” for making either of these...
by Stephanie Benedetto | Dec 17, 2025 | Personal Development
I’m fairly obsessed with pole dancing. My YouTube playlists are crammed with dance inspiration, calisthentics and stretching tutorials. I spend anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours a day moving my body in service to becoming a better dancer. Until recently, I was...
by Stephanie Benedetto | Dec 13, 2025 | Personal Development
The package arrived at sunrise. It touched down on my doorstep and leapt into my outstretched arms. Inside, I was sure, lived everything I’d ever longed for. Every hope, every answer, the golden calling that would give my life meaning. I peeled back the wrapping,...
by Stephanie Benedetto | Dec 11, 2025 | Personal Development
Take any group of savvy, transformation-loving folks who’ve… ✔️ read the books ✔️ taken the seminars ✔️ journalled till their fingers went numb ✔️ put in the hours on “personal development” and “spiritual growth”… Ask them, “What’s stopping you?” And you can bet...
