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Hi! I’m Dania. Multi-hyphenate student of life and living.
After over a decade away from running—facing depression, physical changes, and major bouts of imposter’s syndrome—I’ve decided it’s time to make my return. I’m building from absolute zero, with the goal to run a 50k. That will be the furthest I’ve ever run in one go.
I don’t know how long it will take me to get there, but that’s not the point. What is the point is that I’m doing this while (1) prioritizing joy and (2) listening to my body every step of the way. Here, you’ll find (mostly) daily updates on the journey, the ups and downs, the physicality of the rebuild and the thoughts, emotions, and epiphanies that running gifts me along the way.
Beyond running, I’m also a photographer (both fine art and family), a PhD student studying Cultural Heritage and Museology at the University of Coimbra in Portugal, a knitter and aspiring crafter of other disciplines, and mother of three (no link because I don’t post about them here). You’ll see me touch on all of these topics as well.
I share all of this here because I believe that we all need reminders of what it looks like to fill our lives with true living. To do the things that we feel called to do. To pursue the things that we dream of, even if they feel out of reach. I’ve spent years of my life trying to squash the yearning because I didn’t feel capable, I didn’t think those dreams were for people like me. I’m under no illusion that things will magically fall into place simply because I’ve decided to pursue them. I know full well that there will be times where I’ve done everything I can and everything will still fall apart. It’s already happened to me many times throughout my life. It will continue to happen as long as I live.
And.
I still think the effort is worth it.
In a world of absurd uncertainty, all I can do is move forward towards the things that bring me to life. Nothing is guaranteed—not time, not relationships, not money. But this moment, the one I’m sitting in now? I can choose to infuse that with life. I can swing my arms wide open and take in the majesty of it all. I can open my heart to love things as they are, however they come. And I can take a chance on my hopes and dreams, knowing that whether they happen or not, the process of trying will bring more living into my life and make me into more of myself.
I don’t have all the answers. I don’t even have many of them. But I have a lot of questions, and a lot of love, and I think there’s meaning and purpose in sharing those two things with others. If you’d like to join me, please subscribe to my newsletter below:
I’m honored that you’re here, reading my words today. I’m honored that, out of all the incredible corners of this internet, you’ve chosen to spend time in mine. I’m a firm believer that every story matters, that each of us has some beautiful way to contribute to the tapestry of our interconnectedness. Thank you for seeing the beauty in me.
I hope you’ll share some of yours in the comments on this post and others—your thoughts, your insights, your stories, your beauty. What a gift it is, to witness each other. What a gift it is, to intersect with others as we walk through life.
