Listen, It's my first time - Please be Gentle!

It makes sense that I would start a blog. I've been a communicator, reader, and writer for as long as I can remember. I loved making up stories when I was young. My teachers often wrote in my progress reports and report cards that I talked too much in class. I was NOTORIOUS for passing notes and I had a massive shopping bag filled with them by the time I got out of high school. My junior year I wrote an English paper about the health benefits of smoking marijuana vs. drinking that my best friend proudly displayed on her bedroom wall until she moved out of that room.

I used to read books and then describe in length to that same best friend what the book was about. Including all of the gnarly details because I was only reading Steven King at the time - my mom's favorite, too.

When I decided to try college in my mid-30's I took a creative writing class and it was my absolute favorite (besides geology. Another lifetime love is rocks and crystals gahhhhh!).

I was an avid journaler until my late teens/early twenties until someone I wasn't getting along with decided to take my journal and use it against me. Needless to say, that was the end of my journaling days. I still journal in extreme moderation but it's been difficult to truly express myself and "let go" in my writings. But believe me when I tell you I know and understand just how therapeutic journaling can be.

As of late my writing outlet has all been done on social media and in The Zen Den of Gilbert weekly emails and honestly I love it. I've had several friends tell me they can't wait to get that weekly email and read it from beginning to end as well as comment on my posts and tell me "I love reading your stuff". It made me think "well why the hell am I not writing more? I used to love it. I think of things to write all the time but just don't". I was also inspired by a friend, Stephanie, who recently wrote a book that was compiled from 8 months of blog posts and I just thought it was so badass.

So what can you expect from this blog? My newfound passion! (I have MANY passions by the way. My human design energy type is a manifesting generator and if you are into that kinda thing then YOU KNOW!)

Well maybe I should tell you a little bit about me for context.

I'm a 47 year old woman which means midlife - yayyy! I'm extremely sarcastic and tend to make jokes when things are awkward because hello, trauma! I've been on a healing journey since 2020 when I quit drinking alcohol and it's been a roller coaster needless to say. I've learned so many different holistic modalities to help myself and others in the past 5 years and the universe has given me so many opportunities to utilize and share them.

Okay more about me - I'm a wife of 10 years this year (we've been together for 15 ( and a mother to an 11-yo girl who is pure fucking magic. Also, the f word is kind of my favorite so there will definitely be some of that around here.

I'm a teacher of yoga, mindfulness, stress relief, nervous system regulation and a women's life coach. I'm working on a health coaching certification as well to offer my clients for whole body/life coaching that I aim to have completed by the end of 2025 and will launch that part of my business. I've also individually coached local business owners to help them with marketing, organization, and a holistic approach to running their businesses.

Speaking of businesses - I'm the founder/owner of a wellness studio in Gilbert, AZ called The Zen Den of Gilbert where I'm able to share all of these modalities as well as support other small business owners to share their gifts with the community. We offer a bi-weekly Women's Circle (I'm obsessed!), monthly sound baths, family yoga, yoga, and stretch classes with lots of other private and community events peppered in. Today I'll be co-hosting a grief support group with my sister, Jenn. I was also reiki attuned in May so now I get to offer reiki to our clients as well. Not sure what it is? Use your favorite search engine and check it out. It has literally changed my life. I also just received my crystal sound bowls so I can facilitate sound healing to go along with everything I've mentioned above. 2025 has definitely been a year of learning new things!

While I could continue to bore you with my extensive wellness resume, I'm going to throw this in the mix too - I also work full time as a Construction Area Sales Manager for an electrical distributor in AZ. I shouldn't call this "work" because it's a career. I've been in the electrical industry since 2003 and have worked my way from answering the phones to sales leader of multi-million dollar companies. Other than a 2 year hiatus from 2022-2024 when I took a time out after a slight nervous breakdown to get my yoga teacher training cert and launch my business, I've been rocking the electrical construction business. I just have to pause to say how much I fucking love business. Business and holistic wellness are what light me UP. They are literally what get me out of bed in the morning. I love guiding people through realizations in their personal and business lives. Along with breaking generational curses, it is my purpose.

I should tell you that I've lived multiple lives in this one life. I've been many different versions and have stories that you probably wouldn't believe. Some of which I'll be sharing here and some are just not for public consumption.

All of this to come back to what you can expect here - a very fucking real and raw blog about my life, ways that I've combatted depression, anxiety, grief, addiction, people pleasing, and how I help others do the same.

I sometimes wonder if I'm viewed as all love, light & shit because I teach yoga and honestly, that's what I strive for most of the time but I'm also very real. I spent a long time filtering myself because I didn't know better. I believe in the power of kindness, self love, movement, and healing and I spend time in that energy every day. I also believe in the importance of boundaries, telling people what YOU need, and kindly telling them to fuck off if they can't see what a magical beast you are and how lucky they are to be in your presence.

If you've made it this far. Thank you. This is one of many journeys we'll be going on together. I'm looking forward to having you along on this roller coaster with me!

If you want to learn more about The Zen Den and all of the magic happening there, visit thezendengilbert.com and/or subscribe to our newsletter here: https://www.wellnessliving.com/rs/lead-add.html?k_business=529209&k_skin=305950

See you soon - xoxo - Darien