Standards and Alignment
I’ve come to see my standards not as rigid rules but as invitations to honor my worth and preserve my energy. Sharing them isn’t about bragging—it’s about modeling how each human deserves clear boundaries and wholehearted alignment.
This blog post is a love letter to the part of me that insists on respect, authenticity, and growth.
Standards protect the space where creativity, joy, and connection can flourish. When I know what I value, I navigate relationships and opportunities with clarity instead of confusion or compromise. They’re less about saying no and more about creating room for the yeses that truly feed my soul.
I say that I started work as a Paid Companion in October, but the truth is it was really this April when I adopted the identity of “companion” but also “unpartnered.” Excited to jump into this world I made choices that taught me I need to be more discerning if I am to invite the work to fulfill me, and not drain me. I started by listening inward—journaling prompts like “What drains me?” and “What uplifts me?” guided the way.
Then I translated those insights into concise statements, for example:
I engage only in conversations that leave me inspired rather than depleted.
I choose collaborations that honor both vision and integrity.
I carve out daily rituals that replenish my mind, body, and spirit.
Holding standards doesn’t mean expecting perfection from others or myself. I aspire to stay curious when something feels off, asking gentle questions before drawing lines in the sand.
Grace and accountability walk hand in hand here—when I miss the mark, I course-correct without guilt.
What if you treated your non-negotiables as acts of self-respect rather than demands? Standards aren’t walls—they’re compass points guiding you toward the life you truly want.
One of the standards I was apprehensive to adopt, but has proven it serves me over and over again, is opening my client portfolio to those under 40. While I want to see these men break through the stereotypes and open my mind to change, each time I’ve entertained that idea, I’ve only managed to further validate that men under 40 do not have the life experience or emotional intelligence to align with my standards. I will take their calls but to this point, they’ve all ended the same way.
From you, my readers, I’d love to know which aspect resonates most with you: defining, living, or refining standards? And is your focus more personal, professional, or spiritual?
