Welcome to Tulip & Sage
I’m Amanda, a Toronto-based blogger, coffee-lover, home décor enthusiast, foodie and proud mama to an adorable fur baby.
I’m also a recovering people-pleaser and serial self-hater, which is what led me to create this blog in 2018. I’m passionate about inspiring you to build your self-love and life-love. I want you to feel joy and fulfillment and to be fully alive. And for me, that started with a little something called self-care.
From the spaces we live in, to the clothes we wear, to the community we connect with, to the random little things we notice each day that make us smile, all of this stuff makes up the kind of self-care I believe in.
Self-care is all of it – it’s a lifestyle, a way of living mindfully each and every day.
“To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.” – Oscar Wilde
What do I mean by living mindfully?
Mindful living is the opposite of autopilot living. It’s about being fully alive, aware of the present moment, grateful, and connecting with your senses. It’s about slowing down and showing up for all parts of your day. It’s also about self-compassion – being kind to yourself as well as to others – and being non-judgmental. Living this way leads to greater peace, joy, and overall fulfillment.
Why is this important to me?
For many years, I was the quintessential Yes Man (or rather Yes WoMan : ) ). I lacked self-love, self-confidence and struggled with debilitating anxiety. I was living my life on autopilot, just going with the motions, without any sense of fulfillment or joy.
Living this way for so long led to my complete burnout a few years back, which took a toll on my mind, body, and spirit. I felt broken and depressed and completely lost. I could no longer fake it to make it.
As terrifying as this time was, it led me to something beautiful and life-changing.
Self-care.
And self-care is what helped me really start living.
“Self-care is how you take your power back.” – Lalah Delia
Through it, I learned that a healthier me = a more fulfilled me = a better daughter, sister, friend, and human. I learned that as my self-love and self-worth grew, so did my strength to do good and care for others and the world around me. At the same time, I was starting to live a life that felt more balanced, present, grateful, and joyful. And all because I started to practice self-care and, through it, live more mindfully.
Whether it was through creating my own little cozy haven at home or repeating a self-love affirmation in the morning, I was starting to feel tiny bursts of life-love in my every day. And I hope Tulip and Sage inspires you to build your self-love and life-love.
“The challenge is not to be perfect—it is to be whole.” – Jane Fonda
From self-care tips to happy home ideas to motivational quotes and yummy recipes, I want to inspire you to build your self-worth, make time for self-care, and to finally make living a priority. I want you to live your life fully and on purpose – whatever that means for you.
My goal is to create a space of positivity and encouragement, a space where we celebrate the little things in life that bring us joy, and a space where I hope to inspire you through my own journey of pain and perseverance.
Thanks for visiting my little corner of the internet! You are always welcome here. ♡
“An empty lantern provides no light. Self-care is the fuel that allows your light to shine brightly.” – Unknown
“When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life.” – Jean Shinoda Bolen
Why “Tulip” and “Sage”?
Tulip and Sage represents balance – something I strive for in life and hope to inspire in you.
Tulip:
- rebirth
- renewal
- simple beauty
Sage:
- wisdom
- strength
- persistence
