Following My Inner Compass: A Gentle Reminder for the Days We Blame Ourselves

Did I miss a sign? Should I have acted sooner? Was I paying enough attention?

There are moments in life — especially as mothers, but really, as human beings — when we find ourselves carrying the quiet, heavy weight of self-blame.

We replay situations in our minds…
Did I miss a sign? Should I have acted sooner? Was I paying enough attention?

It can be so easy to forget that life, like everything in nature, unfolds in ways we don’t always control. Our humanness, our limitations, and even our moments of doubt — they are not flaws, they are part of the beautiful, complex experience of being here.

Recently, I found myself in one of those moments.
I spiraled through that all-too-familiar inner dialogue of guilt and "what ifs," questioning whether I did enough, whether I was attentive enough. The old, heavy energy of self-judgment crept in.

But when I allowed myself to pause… to breathe… a quiet knowing surfaced — a gentle reminder that I wasn’t alone in this, and that my love, my presence, and my intentions were always enough.

It was a reminder I knew I needed to hear — and one I believe every parent, caregiver, and human soul deserves to hear too:

I showed up for my child then, I’m showing up for her now, and I trust that her body — and mine — are both wise and resilient. It’s okay that I couldn’t see everything in the moment. I am a loving, attentive mother, and I give myself grace.

We live in a world that often tells us we must be perfect, always prepared, always in control. But life doesn’t work that way — and neither does healing.

Whether it's raising a child, navigating a relationship, or simply moving through your own growth… we are constantly invited to surrender, to soften, to trust the unseen wisdom that guides our path.

For me, Human Design has been one of the tools that reminds me of this — that we all carry within us an Inner Compass.
A quiet, reliable knowing…
A guide that lives beyond the noise of overthinking and self-criticism…
A part of us that is deeply connected to the rhythm of life, the intelligence of the body, and the timing of the universe.

This space My Inner Compass is where I will share the reflections, reminders, and quiet inspirations that surface along my journey. Some will be connected to motherhood, some to my own healing, some to simply being human.

Not everything here will be strictly about Human Design, but everything will carry the same energy — honoring the process, softening into self-awareness, and trusting that we are all held by something greater, even when we can’t see it clearly.

If this speaks to your heart, know you are not alone.
And you are always welcome here — to pause, to reflect, and to reconnect to your own Inner Compass.

Lavender Syrup for the Soul: A Summer Ritual of Calm and Sweetnes

Homemade Lavender Syrup Recipe (Fresh Version)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water

• 1 cup organic cane sugar or raw honey (for a gentler sweetness)

• 2 tbsp fresh or 1 tbsp dried culinary lavender buds

• Optional: a small strip of lemon peel or splash of vanilla extract

There’s something sacred about the slow moments — the ones where your hands are busy but your spirit is still. Every summer, when the lavender blooms in my garden, I find myself returning to a quiet ritual: gently harvesting those soft, fragrant flowers to make a simple syrup that sweetens more than just my drinks. It sweetens my entire day.

I pick each stem carefully, often in the early morning when the sun is soft and the world hasn’t fully woken up. The bees hum gently around me, and the scent — that unmistakable, calming, soul-softening scent — rises with every touch. I take my time. I breathe. I smile. I don’t just harvest the lavender — I receive it.

Lavender has always held a special place in my heart. Its color — that delicate blend of purple and silver — has long been a symbol of grace, serenity, and higher connection. It’s associated with the crown chakra, helping us open up to stillness, intuition, and divine clarity. No wonder I love bringing it into my home, into my body, into my spirit.

Sometimes, I even set the tone for an evening with lavender — quite literally. I have a beautiful tablecloth printed with soft, delicate sprigs of lavender in gentle purple hues. When we eat outside as a family, I spread it out across the backyard table, light a few candles, and pour sparkling lavender lemonade for the kids. It’s simple, but it feels enchanted.

This syrup has become my seasonal anchor — a way to pause, to soften, and to bring intention into something as ordinary as an afternoon drink.

Homemade Lavender Syrup Recipe (Fresh Version)

✦ Ingredients:

• 1 cup water

• 1 cup organic cane sugar or raw honey (for a gentler sweetness)

• 2 tbsp fresh or 1 tbsp dried culinary lavender buds

• Optional: a small strip of lemon peel or splash of vanilla extract

✦ Instructions:

1. In a small saucepan, combine water and sugar. Stir gently over medium heat until the sugar is completely dissolved.

2. Add the lavender buds and optional lemon peel.

3. Reduce heat and let simmer for about 3–5 minutes.

4. Remove from heat and let steep for 20–30 minutes (longer for stronger flavor).

5. Strain out the flowers using a fine mesh sieve and pour the syrup into a clean glass jar or bottle.

6. Store in the fridge and use within 2 weeks.

Preserving Lavender Syrup for Year-Round Use

If you want to keep your lavender syrup all year long, you can easily adapt the recipe to help it stay fresh and safe for up to 12 months. Here’s how I do it:

✦ Ingredients for Long-Lasting Syrup:

• 1 cup water

• 1¼ cups organic cane sugar

• 2 tbsp fresh or 1 tbsp dried culinary lavender buds

• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (or ⅛ tsp citric acid) — this keeps the syrup acidic enough to preserve it

• Optional: ½ tsp lemon zest or splash of vanilla for extra flavor

• Optional: 1 tsp vodka as a natural preservative (if you don’t mind a small amount of alcohol)

✦ Instructions:

1. Combine water and sugar in a saucepan, stirring over medium heat until sugar dissolves.

2. Add lavender buds (and lemon zest or vanilla, if using).

3. Simmer gently for 3–5 minutes.

4. Remove from heat and let steep for 20–30 minutes.

5. Stir in fresh lemon juice or citric acid after removing from heat.

6. Strain out the lavender and pour the hot syrup into a sterilized jar or bottle (make sure the container is clean and hot to create a seal).

7. Seal immediately and store in a cool, dark place unopened for up to 12 months. After opening, keep refrigerated and use within 3–4 weeks.

How I Use It:

This syrup has become one of my favorite seasonal staples. Here are two ways I love using it:

1. Lavender Iced Oat Latte

• Brew a shot of espresso or strong coffee

• Add 1–2 tsp of lavender syrup (to taste)

• Pour over ice and top with creamy oat milk (I use the one from Costco — smooth, rich, and blends beautifully)

• Stir and sip slowly on a sunny afternoon

2. Lavender Cocktail for Summer Evenings

For a sophisticated, bubbly treat, try this lavender-infused version of the classic French 75 cocktail. It's perfect for summer evenings or any celebration.

✦ Ingredients:

·        1 oz gin

·        ½ oz fresh lemon juice

·        ½ oz lavender syrup (recipe above)

·        3 oz Champagne or Prosecco

·        Ice

·        Lemon twist, for garnish

✦ Instructions:

1.     In a cocktail shaker, combine gin, lemon juice, and lavender syrup with ice.

2.     Shake until well-chilled.

3.     Strain into a Champagne flute or coupe glass.

4.     Top with Champagne or Prosecco.

5.     Garnish with a lemon twist.

6.     Sip and enjoy the effervescent elegance!

Disclaimer: Please follow safe food handling and storage practices when making and preserving recipes. Homemade syrups should be stored properly and consumed within recommended time frames. I am not responsible for any adverse effects from improper use.

💜 Why It Matters

This syrup isn’t just a recipe — it’s a ritual. A way of marking the season, tuning into nature, and turning something ordinary into something sacred. Lavender teaches us to slow down. To breathe deeper. To find sweetness in simplicity.

It reminds me that alignment isn’t always about big breakthroughs or massive changes. Sometimes, it’s just about picking flowers in your garden and stirring intention into your cup.

🌿 Try It Yourself

Let this be your gentle nudge to create a ritual of your own this season. Pick something from your garden, your farmer’s market, or even your spice drawer and ask:
How can I bring more calm, beauty, and intention into my day?

This is how I live my design — by listening to the moment, and letting it guide me home.