Life in Motion

The Emotional Side of Adulting No One Prepares You For Spoiler: It's not just about taxes and toilet paper. When I was younger, I thought being an adult meant staying up late and eating brownies for dinner. Technically, I was right—but I didn’t realize I’d be doing it because I forgot to grocery shop… again… and I’m too emotionally exhausted to care. Nobody Warns You About the Tiny Existential Crises Like the first time you buy a shower curtain and feel weirdly emotional about it. Suddenly you’re staring at the checkout screen thinking, Is this who I am now? A person who gets excited about neutral-toned bathroom accessories? Or when you realize “doing nothing” now includes scrolling TikTok while waiting for your laundry to finish and questioning every life decision that got you here. You Will Miss Your Younger Self… and Also Want to Slap Her There’s this sneaky grief that comes with growing up. You’ll randomly remember your high school self who thought 25 was ancient and...

  Coming Out Wasn’t a One-Time Thing: What It’s Really Like The Myth of “One and Done” When people hear “coming out,” they often picture a single, dramatic moment — maybe tears, hugs, or a slammed door. But in reality, coming out isn’t a one-time thing. It’s not a scene from a movie. It’s not a milestone you pass and then move on. It’s a lifelong process. “Each time I come out, I have to pause and ask myself: Is it safe? Will this change how they see me? Am I ready for that?” The Repeating Conversation I’ve come out in so many ways: Casually, in conversation: “My girlfriend and I went to the beach last weekend…” Directly, when needed: “Just so you know, I’m gay. Is that going to be a problem here?” Silently, by choosing not to correct someone, because it didn’t feel safe. Every situation — a new job, a new dance class, a new friendship — comes with a choice. Sometimes I speak up. Sometimes I stay quiet. But the emotional math never really stops. “Coming out is less of a moment a...

  5 Ways I’m Reparenting Myself in Adulthood Adulthood has been a crash course in doing things for myself that I didn’t even realize I needed as a kid. It’s not about blaming my parents—they loved me the best way they knew how—but about acknowledging the gaps and learning how to fill them in ways that support my emotional and mental well-being. This process of reparenting looks different for everyone. For me, it’s been a slow (and sometimes uncomfortable) journey of building habits, choosing healthier relationships, and showing up for myself in ways I used to wish someone else would. These are five areas where I’ve been doing the work. 1. Creating Routines That Help Me Feel Safe These days, routines and schedules are how I keep myself grounded. I crave structure—not in a strict, militant way, but in a way that brings me balance and peace. Growing up, life was pretty hectic. I lived in a house with four older sisters and two hard-working parents who were always juggling multiple jo...

Intro: Hey there, I’m Lainey, and welcome to Life in Motion . To start things off, let me take you back a few years when I packed up my life and moved 800 miles from New Jersey to Florida at the age of 18. No family, no friends—just me, my excitement, and an unwavering belief that I could totally figure it out (spoiler alert: I didn’t). But hey, it’s been quite the ride, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. The Jersey Girl Who Wanted More So, growing up in New Jersey was, to put it lightly, pretty wholesome. I had my family (we’re a little dysfunctional, but who’s isn’t?), a lot of love, and plenty of familiar faces. But let’s be honest, all that comfort made my anxiety go into overdrive. I loved my life in Jersey, but the thought of being stuck in the same place forever? Terrifying. I knew I had to break free. I’d been talking about moving to Florida since I was 12, and I had big dreams of becoming a behavior therapist. Fast-forward to 18, and I was ready to make the leap. So, ...