Hi friend,
I’m Allie. I want to see you know your value and thrive in your life. I am the Founder and Director of Wonderfully Made, a nationwide non-profit for teen girls and young women designed to equip and encourage them to know their God-given value and live spiritually and emotionally healthy lives.
"WHEN A GIRL OR WOMAN KNOWS HER TRUE GOD-GIVEN VALUE, IT CHANGES EVERYTHING."
Breaking Up With Your Ideal Self
Denmark is the happiest nation in the world—according to studies—and researchers attribute Danes’ happiness to having low expectations in life. In other words, Danes have a non-idealized way of looking at the world. The happiness killer isn’t having ideals. Rather, it’s the power we give them. We can either be inspired by or imprisoned by our ideals—and the choice is ours.
The word ideal can be defined as:
- Existing as a mental image or in fancy or imagination only; broadly: lacking practicality
- A standard of perfection, beauty, or excellence
- Of, relating to, or embodying an ideal
Since the age of twelve an ever-widening chasm between my life ideal and my reality has loomed over me. The daughter of successful parents with a mother who fed me motivational quotes and self-help books as if they were milk, I’ve always been a dreamer, a goal setter and a somewhat obsessive list-maker. Deep-seated insecurity has been the fuel driving many of my lofty, unmet goals.
In middle school I daydreamed of high school—of having a tall, baseball-playing boyfriend who drove a blue ’69 mustang; of being the standout soccer player and the captivating object of all the guy’s affection.
How I Fight for Joy
The more difficult seasons I have endured, the deeper my joy. For all the days I’ve spent in darkness, I never take a single day in the light for granted. I’m learning that joy is something I choose everyday by looking to God and fighting for my own mental, spiritual and physical health. It’s a
Thoughts on Being Free and the Sea
This January morning we woke up before dawn and hit our favorite point break for some waves. Like many girls and women, for most of my life I’ve lived with an unrealistic standard of how my body should look. God is setting me free as I pursue wholeness over perfection. I’m pursuing strength over the
A Season to Create
I’ve learned that dreams take time. After ten years, one dream I’ve had is unfolding before me. It feels so surreal but meant to be at the same time. I can’t wait to share more about with you in future months. In the meantime I will be quiet in online spaces so I can show
