A semi-charmed life is a phrase that suggests things look good on the outside—maybe even charmed—but underneath, there's more to the story. It's a life that’s had moments of beauty and joy, but also struggle, disappointment, and pain. In other words… maybe it's the life most of us are living.
Could it be that we all live a semi-charmed life?
You might say, “I know I do—but that girl over there? She’s got it all together.” But if there’s one thing I’ve learned in my 34 years, it’s this: the people I’ve admired, envied, or compared myself to—they struggle too. They have insecurities. They’ve failed. They have fears. Nobody on this earth has it all figured out. Not one.
And yet, in today’s culture, we’re encouraged to “fake it till we make it”—to slap on a smile and push through, often alone. But what does “making it” even mean? And what’s the cost of pretending we’re fine when we’re really not?
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
This month, I wanted to create something that not only brings attention to mental health but gently encourages us to work through our past, embrace our present, and find peace in the in-between. Have we failed? Yep. Disappointed others? Absolutely. Is life different than what we dreamed? For many of us, yes. But can we still be used by God? Can there still be purpose in it all?
You bet.
Now, I can feel you raising an eyebrow—“Wait, isn’t this a boutique blog? Why are we talking about life, mental health, and... charm bracelets?”
The Stories We Wear
Have you ever had a charm bracelet?
What were your charms? Were they things you loved? Representations of your hobbies or milestones? Symbols of something deeper?
On mine, I had a basketball, my birthstone, and a white dove. Each one held meaning. I used to imagine my future like that bracelet: five children (five charms), travel the world (an airplane), a lakeside mansion (a wave), happily ever after (a glass slipper). Perfect, right?
But real life doesn’t usually go according to our charm-by-charm plan.
Sometimes, life takes turns we didn’t anticipate. We lose people. We grieve dreams that didn’t come true. We find ourselves sitting in the middle of a life that looks nothing like the one we envisioned—and yet somehow, it’s still ours.
The truth is, we don’t always get to choose the charms life adds. Some are painful. Some represent heartache we’d rather forget. But those pieces? They’re part of us too.
Finding Beauty in the Broken Places
At the start of this year, I made a choice. I decided it was time to stop constantly looking back and start moving forward. Honestly, I never expected to find so much joy in working through the hard stuff—but I did.
Instead of pretending I had it all together, I opened up and shared my story. I listened to others. And I realized I wasn’t alone. So much of our strength comes from vulnerability—from saying, “Here’s my story. All of it.”
What if we all lived this way?
What if, like a charm bracelet, we let our lives reflect both the light and the dark, the wins and the losses? What if someone looked at your bracelet—your story—and asked, “What do these charms mean?” and you had the courage to tell them?
Because the truth is, every one of us is carrying something. And God is not waiting for you to be polished and perfect. He loves you right where you are. He’s using your story right now. Even your broken places are beautiful in His hands.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18
A Little History: Why Charm Bracelets?
Charm bracelets have captivated hearts for centuries. In ancient times, people wore them for protection or to show their status or beliefs. But it was Queen Victoria who brought sentimental charms into fashion—tiny portraits, keepsakes, symbols of her life.
After World War II, charm bracelets became a way to commemorate milestones—births, travels, love stories. They weren’t just accessories; they were wearable stories, collected over time. And that’s what makes them timeless. They reflect who we are, where we’ve been, and what we’ve loved.
The Semi-Charmed Collection
This collection is charming—literally. It’s filled with pieces that hint at stories, spark memories, and reflect the little things we love and cherish. Each item was chosen with love, reminding us that beauty often lies in the details—and in the stories we carry with us.
You can shop the full collection here, and maybe even find a piece that speaks to your own semi-charmed life.
You’re Not Alone
If you're struggling right now, please know you are not alone—and there is no shame in asking for help.
🧠 Mental Health Crisis Hotline (U.S.): Call or text 988
Free. Confidential. 24/7.
💛 Trauma REBOOT
A faith-based course designed to help people understand and begin to heal from trauma. I’ve personally seen how transformative it can be.
👉 Learn more or find a class near you
You are loved. You are seen. And you are so deeply valuable—not just in spite of your story, but because of it.
You are worthy of healing. Your story matters. And you are never too far gone for grace.