The Long Pause - and a New Chapter

It’s been a minute. Or, rather 335,440 minutes.

The last time I updated this blog was in November 2024 – ironically, to recap 2021. Before that? A post about 2020. So yes, it’s been a while to say the least.

I’ve been meaning to write about 2022, 2023, and even 2024. In many ways, those years were filled with incredible highlights – joining the Brooks Run Happy Team (later known as the Brooks Running Collective), meeting some of my now-best friends through running, exploring new places, and embracing new passions. But if I’m being transparent and honest, behind all of the highlight reels, I was experiencing a much darker reality. I alluded to some of this in my 2021 recap post but the references were subtle...probably too subtle.

The truth is, 2022 and 2023 were some of the hardest years of my life. You would think 2021 would have taken that title, given the emotional weight of supporting my dad through his cancer diagnosis and treatment. But the challenges that followed were of a different kind…a nightmare that I wish I had seen coming, and one I struggled far too long to accept. It was the reality of mental and emotional abuse. I was quiet, avoidant, and made excuses, but at the end of the day it was all incredibly damaging.

I am pretty grateful to say that I finally started to get off the emotional, manipulative rollercoaster to break free in late 2023 into 2024, thanks to a Domestic Violence Restraining Order granted in none other than the Inglewood courthouse. And, more recently, a Criminal Protective Order. I could go on about the toxicity, the chaos, the darkness, the emotional toll it has all taken on me. But I'm trying, every single day, to move forward despite how difficult it is because somehow, even nows, reminders pop up – echoes of what I survived and proof of the strength it took to get out. While I know I will one day look back at photos and experiences from the last couple of years and see the good moments that existed despite it all, right now, I still feel pretty stuck when I try to relive them.

It’s not easy to write those words. Yet I’ve come to understand that silence doesn’t equal safety and that sharing my truth is a form of reclamation. Ultimately, getting this out is a way to remind myself that I’m no longer trapped in someone else’s narrative. I hope someday soon I can look back on those years and focus solely on the good times, especially because despite the trauma and shadows of those years, I’m still here. I’m safe. I’m healing. And I’m no longer hiding.

Now, we're already halfway through 2025 and I thankfully feel more grounded, creative, and free than I have in a long, long time. It’s time to bring this blog back to life – FINALLY! Here’s a look at what this year has brought so far… and why I’m committing to showing up here more regularly again.

2025: Healing in Motion

I rang in this year with a sense of clarity and freedom I hadn’t felt in a while. 2025 has already been full of movement – physically, emotionally, and creatively – and each season has brought new milestones and meaning.

In April, I completed my first-ever triathlon: the IRONMAN 70.3 in Oceanside, California. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done and yet, also one of the most rewarding. From learning to swim in a pool to conquering open water, from navigating transitions to managing race-day anxiety, every step of the journey challenged me and made me stronger. All of this while still dealing with the ongoing harassment mentioned earlier… something I chose to channel into fuel instead of fear.

I completed a 1.2 mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride, and a 13.1 mile run as a proud member of Team Athletic Brewing, a role I was honored to be accepted to and step into after serving as an ambassador last year. Crossing that finish line wasn’t just about athletic achievement – it was about reclaiming my power and proving what I’m capable of when I move forward on my own terms. I learned that I am truly stronger than I ever thought.

Running, which became part of my life in early 2020, has taken on an even deeper meaning. It’s been a source of healing, empowerment, and connection. Over the past year, I’ve led weekly runs with Run Happy Los Angeles, helped secure two run residencies at the Goodr Cabana, and partnered with brands I genuinely admire – Athletic Brewing, SaltStick, Shokz, and goodr. Every mile reminds me not only of how far I’ve come, but of the limitless road ahead.

Creatively, I’ve reignited my love for quilting. It started in late 2023 when I dusted off my rotary cutter and rulers to make a simple baby quilt for my boss that turned into something much more meaningful. In 2024, I committed to creating consistently and completed Riley Blake’s 2024 Block Challenge. Each quilt block holds part of that season…some even include intentional mistakes or quiet reflections of the pain I was stitching through.

That same year, I attended my first quilt retreat through A Gathering of Stitches. It felt like quilt camp! It was an unforgettable blend of creativity, community, and camping. Even the journey there became part of the experience as I road-tripped solo across the country from Los Angeles to Maine, visiting new-to-me National Parks along the way like Grand Teton, Theodore Roosevelt, and Voyageurs, bringing my total to 60 of the 63 designated parks.

This year, I launched a dedicated quilting and creating Instagram (@kristaquilts_) and attended my first QuiltCon. Whether I’m designing foundation paper piecing patterns, stitching poolside, or sewing with Bentley curled up nearby, quilting and creating have become a space of peace, purpose, and play.

And of course I still find time to answer nature’s call. I’ve stayed connected to my Wilderness Travel Course (WTC) family, co-led hiking workshops at Sports Basement, and planned an upcoming trip to North Cascades National Park – Park # 61 on my list! I’ve also started dreaming up my final two adventures: Glacier and Isle Royale, with the latter set to be the ultimate finale in my quest to visit all 63 US National Parks. Yes, I am also very excited to meet up with friends in Sacramento later this month as well 😊

Professionally, I’ve continued my work as a School Psychologist – advocating for students, completing psycho-educational evaluations, mentoring interns, and helping families navigate the complex world of special education. This past school year has come with its share of challenges, but I remain proud of the work I do and the difference it makes.

Where We Go From Here

There’s still so much more to share – about healing, boundaries, joy, and everything in between. About the moments that shaped me over the past few years and the ones unfolding now. About running, hiking, quilting, cats, National Parks, and all the quiet and beautiful in-between moments.

I’ve come to realize that my story isn’t defined by what I’ve been through. Rather, it’s defined by what I choose to do next. And coming back to this blog, to write and reflect on my own terms, is one of those choices.

Thank you for being here. I’m (oddly!) excited to write again. Check back soon (hopefully very soon!) for updates on past and current events in my life 😊