a little bit about me (and how i got here)

It only feels fitting to kick off this blog with a little story about me and how I got here :)

So - hi! I’m hailee. I was born and raised in a small colorado mountain town, but currently call southern california home.

I’ve spent most of my early twenties working in advertising, eventually making my way into sales - a very bittersweet experience for my mind, body, and heart (which we can get into this another time lol).

Growing up, I had a million hobbies - sports, dance, drawing, hiking, camping, skiing, writing, photography - I wanted to have a little hand in everything. But as I got older, that curiosity slowly turned into pressure, and by the time I reached high school I realized there simply weren’t enough hours in the day to be the “everything” girl I wanted to be.

Still, I carried that energy into college and well into my twenties - chasing more, doing more, filling every moment. I learned how to be productive, driven, and capable - and doing it very well. Slowing down didn’t feel like an option.

All this time, my health was always a whisper in the background.

I grew up chronically unwell - rashes and hives covering my body for days or weeks at a time, getting sick easily, intense stomach pain that felt like my organs were on fire, deep fatigue, an overall lack of energy, the list is long... My immune system was weak, and my quality of life often felt limited. My days were confusing and heavy - missing birthday parties and dance practices, avoiding pictures - doing my best to stay out of sight.

Growing up, my parents did everything they could to find answers. We saw allergists, immunologists, rheumatologists, dermatologists, naturopaths, holistic healers, energy workers, acupuncturists, microscopic blood specialists - truly, if it existed, we tried it.

We were desperately searching for clarity, and more often than not, we left feeling defeated - and honestly, a little crazy.

As I got older, the flare-ups became more intense, some of the most recent ones leaving me mostly bedridden. Everything and anything could set me over the edge at any moment - and navigating this in the midst of a high energy job, social life, family, hobbies…. I literally felt crazy.

I recently realized that over this past year, there were more days spent in pain than not - wishing my body didn’t feel like it was on fire, wishing it wasn’t failing me, praying helplessly for a miracle.

My nerves were numb from itching so hard.

My skin felt like braille.

I lost my eyelashes and my nails were so thin they completely broke.

I couldn’t shower, sleep, eat, get dressed.

Unfortunately, it took being at one of the lowest lows to realize I really couldn’t keep living the same way.

Something had to change - not just in my health, but in how I lived.

During this season, I started taking my life more seriously - in every sense of the word.

I moved out of an old, moldy apartment and got rid of almost everything I owned.
I let myself sleep as much as my body needed.
I took months off work to create space to heal.
I filled my new home with organic, non-toxic options wherever I could.
I slowed my thinking and my daily pace.
I prioritized meditation and gentle movement.
I stopped being so hard on myself - and started speaking kindly to my body.

None of it was perfect. And it definitely wasn’t instant.

But it was the first time I felt like I was working with myself instead of against myself.

It feels a little bit silly to be writing this, knowing I still have a long way to go until my body feels more regulated and stable. But I’ve decided it’s time to start sharing my experiences because I know how isolating it can feel to live in a body that doesn’t cooperate - or to carry something invisible through everyday life.

My life has been a rollercoaster, but for the first time, it feels like I’m slowly finding my way toward peace.

I’m starting this space to share what I’ve learned, and what has truly made a difference in my overall quality of life. My hope is that it can help even just one person who might be navigating something similar…. or really any heavy season of life.

Healing doesn’t have to be loud.
Sometimes it’s very subtle - and that is enough.

Thanks for being here <3 I’m so excited!!