Mitchell Abbott 11/22/25 Mitchell Abbott 11/22/25

Reflections on Change, Nostalgia and Moving On

captured by Mitchell Royel, #nowplaying - Kaskade’s Turn It down (with Rebecca & Fiona)

“Dear Younger Me,

I've been thinking a lot lately about the passage of time. About how life unfolds in chapters and eras, each one shaping us in profound ways before quietly giving way to the next. Nostalgia has a way of calling us back, doesn't it? Of flooding our senses with vivid memories of years past.

I close my eyes and I'm transported to long drives down the beach, windows down and music blasting. Kaskade's "Turn It Down" comes on and I'm right back there, singing along without a care in the world. The salty air whips through my hair as I reach for another handful of chili cheese fries, savoring the sweet burn on my tongue.

I see us dancing with abandon in movie theaters, giddy on youth and cheap snacks from the concession stand. Everything felt so monumental then, so dizzying and important. Especially love. Oh, that first brush with love—how it consumed us! We thought we'd never recover when that first "relationship" inevitably crashed and burned. I can still feel the hot sting of tears on my cheeks as I sat in my car after, convinced I'd never feel whole again.

But time kept moving, as she always does. Gradually, often without us noticing, we stepped into a new era. New people and experiences rushed in to fill the spaces left behind. We started to build a different life, one that would've been unimaginable to our former selves.

Yet sometimes the past has a way of circling back unexpectedly. I've had moments of running into people I knew from high school or college—people who were once my entire world. It's jarring to realize how much distance there is now, how little we have in common anymore.

I struggle to find the words to express that I've moved on, that while I look back on our history with fondness, I no longer feel that old connection. There's no malice or ill will, but that chapter has closed for me. The intense emotions and attachments of the past have been gently released.

It's a strange dance, trying to honor what was while being authentic about what is. I want to treat those former friends and flames with compassion, to acknowledge the role they played in shaping me. But I also want to be honest about the fact that I've changed. I'm not that lovesick girl crying in her car anymore. I've grown and shifted and stepped into a new version of myself.

I'm learning that it's okay to let people and feelings fade into the rearview mirror. It doesn't diminish what they meant to us then. But we're not meant to stay in one place forever. Life is constantly calling us forward into new adventures and new ways of being.

So to you, my former self, I say this: Embrace the nostalgia when it comes. Let yourself relive those moments that branded your heart. But don't get lost in them. The past is a beautiful place to visit, but you're not meant to live there anymore. Keep moving forward, even when it's hard or scary. The best is yet to come.

With love and liberation,

Ryder”

Mitchell Abbott 11/22/25 Mitchell Abbott 11/22/25

Emotional Landscapes

Captured. A moment suspended between breath and emotion. Mitchell Royel's lens - our window into raw vulnerability. Soundtrack: Only All The Time by Aviella. Feeling everything. Always.

We exist in the spaces between feeling and understanding. Our emotions are not linear paths but intricate landscapes - sometimes vast and open, sometimes dense and tangled. We move through these internal terrains, sometimes tentatively, sometimes with fierce abandon.

There's a rawness in allowing ourselves to feel completely. Not just the comfortable emotions that sit neatly on the surface, but the complex ones that challenge us. The moments of vulnerability that crack us open, revealing layers we didn't know existed.

We are collectors of emotional experiences. Each sensation, each fleeting moment of joy or pain, becomes a thread in the complex tapestry of our shared human experience. We breathe into these feelings, letting them move through us without judgment.

In the quiet spaces between breaths, we recognize that feeling deeply is not a weakness. It's a profound strength. We embrace the full spectrum - the light, the shadow, the nuanced in-between.

This is our journey. Always feeling. Always becoming.

-Gospel Glamour.

Mitchell Abbott 11/21/25 Mitchell Abbott 11/21/25

Higher Vibration

We often think spiritual growth is all about those perfectly curated meditation moments, journaling at sunrise, and saying our affirmations. And don’t get us wrong – those practices are magical. But sometimes, moving into our higher vibration looks nothing like what we’d expect.

Unexpected Spiritual Practice

Sometimes, our highest selves are calling us to:

Buy that dress that makes us feel like goddesses
Take ourselves on a solo brunch date
Spend an hour playing with makeup just because it feels fun
Cancel plans and choose radical self-love instead of people-pleasing

Why These Moments Matter

Spiritual growth isn’t always about serious introspection. It’s about joy. It’s about listening to that inner voice that says, “Hey, we deserve to feel amazing right now.”

When we choose ourselves – truly choose ourselves – we’re not being selfish. We’re raising our vibration. We’re telling the universe, “We are worthy. We are enough. We choose joy.”

Radical Act of Self-Celebration

Think about it: Taking a day to treat ourselves isn’t frivolous. It’s a profound spiritual practice. It’s saying yes to our own happiness. It’s declaring that our joy matters just as much as our growth.

So today, we want to give ourselves permission. Permission to:

Rest when we’re tired
Dress up for no reason
Buy the thing that makes our hearts sing
Take up space
Celebrate ourselves

Invitation

Our spiritual journey isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence. It’s about choosing love – especially the love we give ourselves.

Breathe. Smile. We’re exactly where we need to be.

Sending us all so much light,

Gospel Glamour

Mitchell Abbott 11/21/25 Mitchell Abbott 11/21/25

Girl’s Girl

Dear Younger Me,

I’m writing this letter from a place of profound understanding – the kind that only comes from years of learning, growing, and embracing the beautiful complexity of being a woman.

Journey of Becoming

There was a time when I thought success was a zero-sum game. I believed that for me to shine, other women needed to dim their light. How wrong I was. The most powerful revelation of my journey has been understanding the magic that happens when we choose to lift each other up.

Lessons from the Waffle House of Life

I remember a morning at a Waffle House – syrup-sticky table, fluorescent lights, and a moment of clarity that changed everything. Sitting across from a stranger, watching her laugh with her friends, I realized something profound: our stories are interconnected. Every woman’s triumph is a collective victory.

What I Know Now

To my younger self, and to every woman reading this:

Your worth is not determined by comparison
Kindness is your superpower
Vulnerability is strength, not weakness
There’s enough success in this world for all of us

Spiritual Practice of Sisterhood

Supporting other women isn’t just an action – it’s a spiritual practice. It’s about seeing the divine light in each person and reflecting it back to them. When we celebrate each other, we create a ripple of empowerment that can transform the world.

Promise to Myself (and to You)

I promise to:

Celebrate your wins as if they were my own
Create space for authentic connection
Speak words of encouragement
Stand up for women, even when it’s uncomfortable

Remember, we’re not competing – we’re collaborating on the most beautiful masterpiece: life itself.

With infinite love and sisterhood,
Ryder

Mitchell Abbott 11/20/25 Mitchell Abbott 11/20/25

When Our Souls Demand a Detour & The Power of Pulling Over

Sonic waves captured by Mitchell Royel, now spinning the electrifying track "Eat It Up" by Brooke Daye - a musical moment that transcends the ordinary.

There comes a moment in our journey when the universe whispers—sometimes shouts—that it’s time to change course. That pivotal instant when we look around and realize the path we’re on no longer serves our highest selves. It’s the moment we ask to pull over, to step out, to choose a different route.

Spiritual Surrender

This isn’t just about a physical journey. It’s a metaphor for life’s most profound transformations. When we find ourselves in situations that drain our spirit, compromise our worth, or dim our inner light, the most powerful act of self-love is the courage to say, “Stop. We’re getting out.”

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” - Jeremiah 29:11

This scripture reminds us that our journey is divinely guided. Sometimes, getting out of the car means trusting that something greater is orchestrating our path.

Energetic Shift of Walking Away

Pulling over isn’t weakness—it’s radical self-respect. It’s understanding that:

Our peace is non-negotiable
Our worth isn’t determined by staying in uncomfortable situations
The universe supports bold moves of self-preservation

What Pulling Over Really Means:

Honoring our intuition
Releasing toxic dynamics
Choosing ourselves without apology
Trusting the unknown path ahead

Spiritual Practice of Letting Go

When we decide to get out of the car—whether it’s a relationship, a job, or a life situation—we’re performing a sacred ritual of release. We’re saying to the universe, “We trust that something better awaits us.”

Practical Spiritual Steps:

Breathe deeply
Center ourselves
Affirm our worth
Trust the journey

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:7

Miracle of Choosing Us

Remember, every time we choose ourselves, we’re not just changing our path—we’re elevating our entire energetic frequency. The universe conspires to support those who courageously choose their own healing and growth.

Our Invitation: Listen to that inner voice. When it says “pull over,” trust it. Our souls know the way.

Sending us light, love, and the courage to choose ourselves.

-Gospel Glamour