I have to laugh because I almost started this post by saying, “What a chore!” But the truth is, this has been a project unlike anything I’ve ever tackled.

This morning, Kindle approved the paperback cover for The Road to Becoming Me.

Submission #4 was finally the one.

Now let me be honest... there were far more than four versions created along the way. 😂

Between Kindle, Canva, ChatGPT, Google, and every other tool I needed to figure out, I learned more than I ever imagined I would. I said, “I can’t do this,” more times than I can count.

When I get frustrated, I tend to get quiet. I internalize it, and somehow that frustration turns into determination.

Kevin could tell I had reached the end of my “I can try this one more time.” He suggested we hire someone to finish the cover and size it correctly for Kindle.

I looked at him and said, “I am going to try one more time.”

So I did.

I copied and pasted a little differently. I stretched a few elements. I made a few more adjustments.

Just a little more of this and a little more of that.

And this time... it worked.

Is it perfect? No.

I can still point out the tiny things I wish were just a little different. But those tiny things don’t change the message of the cover, and they certainly don’t change the message of the book.

So I called it done.

Kindle agreed.

This morning I received the email saying my paperback will be live on Amazon within the next three days.

I honestly can’t believe I’m writing those words.

A paperback book... that I wrote... will soon be available on Amazon.

That is another one of those pinch me moments.

The best part of this entire experience isn’t just that I published a book.

It’s that I learned how.

And that means next time will be easier.

I absolutely love that... because there will be a next time.

Here I am flipping through the latest proof, and I think it looks pretty damn perfect.

I cannot wait to hold the very first edition of The Road to Becoming Me in my hands.

YAY! ❤️

The Kindle edition is available now, and the paperback is coming very soon. If you’d like to follow along on this journey, here’s the link:

https://a.co/d/06Jtv0w1

Thank you to every single person who has encouraged me, cheered me on, shared my posts, or believed in this dream. You have no idea what it means to me. ❤️

❤️ Debbie

#TheRoadToBecomingMe #AuthorJourney #Memoir #SelfPublishing #KindleAuthor #PaperbackComingSoon #WomenWhoWrite #HealingThroughWriting #Becoming #PersonalGrowth #AmazonAuthor #DreamBig #NeverGiveUp #KeepGoing #LearningEveryDay #NewAuthor #BookLaunch #WriterLife #DebbieSueLurvey #TheBecomingSpace

Hi, friends,

I don’t even know how to put into words what this moment feels like.

I wrote the first essay seven years ago. I had no idea where the road would lead. I certainly never imagined it would lead here.

But today, I got the email that my book is live!

I searched for my book on Kindle…

AND THERE IT WAS.

My book.

My name.

My stories.

My life.

I am overwhelmed. I am grateful. And I am so proud.

To every single person who has read my words, encouraged me, believed in me, shared my posts, cheered me on, and walked even a small part of this road with me…

THANK YOU.

The Road to Becoming Me is officially available on Kindle. 💛🌻

And I still can’t believe I get to say that.

I PUBLISHED A BOOK.

🧡 Debbie

#TheRoadToBecomingMe #DebbieSueLurvey #NowAvailableOnKindle #MemoirInEssays #IndieAuthor #BookLaunch #PublishedAuthor #DreamComeTrue #TheBecomingSpace #KeepBecoming

This morning, around 10:00 a.m., I took a deep breath and hit PUBLISH on the Kindle edition of The Road to Becoming Me.

Now comes the waiting... and I’d love for you to be part of this exciting moment!

🎉 Here’s a little contest for you:

Watch the video, then comment with your guess of how many hours it will take before my book officially goes live on Amazon. The person with the closest guess to the actual number of hours to publication will win a copy of The Road to Becoming Me and I will proudly sign it with love and appreciation!

💛 If you’re willing, I’d be incredibly grateful if you would share this post with your family and friends. Every share helps introduce my story to someone new, and your support means more to me than I can ever put into words.

Thank you for believing in me, encouraging me, and walking this road alongside me. This journey has been years in the making, and I couldn’t have reached this moment without all of you.

Ready... set... GUESS! 📖✨

🧡 Debbie

❣️❣️ Here’s my Linktr.ee. An easy way to stay connected with all the latest on The Road to Becoming Me and The Becoming Space. ❣️❣️

#TheRoadToBecomingMe #BookLaunch #DebutAuthor #Memoir #Becoming #PersonalGrowth #HealingJourney #WomenWhoWrite #ShareTheJourney #DreamBig #AmazonKindle #AuthorLife #ThankYou #NewBook #Giveaway

Good morning,

I am beyond excited to have received the paperback proof of my book!

There was nothing more exciting than going to the mailbox yesterday with Kevin and opening the box that held two copies of the book—one for me and one for him.

We both stood there in the Havasu post office, just taking in the moment. Feeling the weight of the book. Touching the pages. Flipping from front to back. Looking at each other with so much pride, joy, excitement, and love.

Then my toddler brain kicked in.

“Oh my God... look at the cover.”

It’s off-center. Words are cut off. It just looks awful.

In an instant, I felt irritated and defeated. That beautiful moment of joy was quickly stolen by my critical inner voice.

Then I reminded myself...

This is the first book I have ever published.

Until this project, I had never designed a full book cover. I had never created a paperback sleeve. I had never walked through this process before.

When I remembered that, I looked at the cover differently.

Instead of being irritated, I chose to celebrate it. It wasn’t perfect, but damn... it looked good.

Allowing myself to set aside the judgment opened me up to spending the evening rereading the book. I honestly don’t know how many times I’ve read it now, but every single time I read it, I walk away with a different message. I made notes along the way for a few final adjustments, but I truly hope this is the last read-through before publication.

Then, at 4:45 this morning, I was awakened by sweet Ellie Mae getting sick. My brain wouldn’t shut off, so I grabbed my phone, crept back into bed, and started working on the cover again. I want everything to be as close to right as I am capable of making it before I hit publish.

I am one step closer.

The shitty thoughts are still showing up to challenge me... and I keep answering them back.

Yesterday, while I was holding the book, I looked at Kevin and said, “Who am I to be holding this book?”

He didn’t hesitate.

He simply looked at me and said, “You’re an author.”

And he’s right.

The Road to Becoming Me is just days away from being published, and I cannot wait to share it with all of you.

Thank you for cheering me on, believing in me, and reminding me—sometimes before I can remind myself—that dreams really do become reality one imperfect step at a time.

🧡 Debbie

#TheRoadToBecomingMe #AuthorJourney #Memoir #Becoming #PersonalGrowth #HealingJourney #WritingCommunity #FirstBook #WomenWhoWrite #DreamsInProgress #KeepGrowing #LakeHavasu #SelfDiscovery #BookLaunch #TheBecomingSpaceWithDebbie

Good morning and Happy Monday! ☀️

Fresh outta bed. Makeup still on. Workout done. This is your reminder that you don’t have to show up perfectly — just SHOW UP and here I am, showing up just as I am right now! 💪😉

I checked in with my weigh-in this morning. The number? It’s up. 📈 But guess what? That number doesn’t get to steal my joy or derail my day. It’s simply data I’m aware of… and that awareness is powerful. 💥

✨ How did YOU show up this weekend for your goals?

✨ What’s one thing you’d do differently?

✨ What small, doable goal can you set this week that moves you forward?

Let’s celebrate the doable wins — because consistency always beats perfection. 🙌 My goal? 15 minutes of intentional movement, 3 times this week. It may not sound like much, but for me? It’s progress.

🎯 Drop your goal below so we can cheer each other on!

🎯 Share your wins, your lessons, and your plan — we’re in this together!

Oh! And don’t forget… a brand new episode of April and Debbie Dish the Truth on Weight Loss just dropped this morning! 🎙️ We’re answering your questions, talking real talk, and having a blast. Got a topic or question for us? Send it in — we’d love to hear from you!

📧[email protected]

🎧

From my heart 💖 to your journey 🌱, keep blooming, my friend! 🌻

💖Debbie

#JustShowUp #KeepBlooming #ProgressNotPerfection

#SmallStepsBigWins #DebbieLurveyCoaching #GrowthInProgress

#MondayMotivation #WeightLossJourney #ScaleIsDataNotJudgment

#YouGotThis #RealTalkRealResults #AprilAndDebbieDishtheTruthonWeightLoss

Hey friends!

Kevin and I are road-tripping from NH to AZ with our pups, and we’d love your support as we share our Simply Marvelous Adventures!

Subscribe on YouTube:

https://youtube.com/@simplymarvelousadventures

Like us on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/669190836039998

Follow us on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/simplymarvelousadventures

Every like, follow, and share helps us grow and keeps the journey rolling. Thanks so much for cheering us on!

💖 Debbie and Kevin

#SimplyMarvelousAdventures #DebbieandKevinLurvey #OpieInOurHearts #EllieMaeandBella #JeepRubicon #GEOProFDS #NHtoAZ #RoadTripSupport #TravelWithDogs #CrossCountryJourney

Good morning, my friend! ☀️

Before I start my day, I want to share this important reminder with you—it’s the weekend!

Saturday and Sunday can feel so different from the Monday-to-Friday grind. Our schedules are often more relaxed, and our brains might chime in, reminding us it’s the weekend—cue all the thoughts about food and celebrating.

Here’s the thing: the weekend doesn’t have to derail your goals. You get to choose how you want to show up for yourself. Will you eat in a way that supports your goals, or will you eat to celebrate the weekend?

Pause and ask yourself: which choice moves me closer to the life I want to create?

This weekend, I invite you to choose something that helps you move forward. When the thought of “all the food” pops up, take a moment to remember your WHY. Think about the goals you’re working toward and decide what feels best for YOU.

It’s your choice. And you’ve got this. 💖

✨ Want to go even deeper into uncovering your WHY? I’ve created a journal just for you: Your Why Matters. It’s a powerful tool to help you stay connected to your goals and take steps forward every day. Visit my website to grab your copy today!

❣️ Click here for your free ‘Your Why Matters’ journal!❣️

What’s one thing you’ll do this weekend to step closer to your goals? Let me know below—I’d love to cheer you on! 🙌

I am rooting for you! 🌱 Keep blooming! 🌻

💖 Debbie

#YourWhyMatters #WeekendGoals #ChooseYourPath #EmpoweredChoices #WeightLossJourney #GrowthInProgress

Good morning,

We are so often taught to eat by the clock. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is so ingrained in us that we often eat at those times even when we are not hungry.

Today, I invite you to stop before you eat your meal and ask yourself if you are hungry? If you’re not, don’t eat it right now. The food will be there later.

I’d love to know how you did with this challenge today.

Did you wait until you were hungry?

How did waiting feel for you?

Share in the comments. I’d love to celebrate that you waited for hunger.

Let’s set up a time for a FREE call to chat about your ACHIEVABLE weight loss goals!

DebbieLurveyCoaching.com/schedule

I hope you all have a beautiful day.

I am rooting for you! 🌱 Keep blooming! 🌻

💖 Debbie

#GrowthInProgress #NormalEater #weightlossjourney #CelebrateProgress #WaitForHunger #waitforit

Good morning,

What is a normal eater?

The way I was eating at 240 pounds was normal for me.

The woman I am at 145 is also a normal eater, for the size that I am now.

Our definition of normal is always changing and that definition of normal changes for the life we are growing into.

We can continue to eat normally to support the weight that we are now or we can choose to explore what a normal eater looks like at 5 pounds less.

Today, I’d love to know what you are choosing for normal eating. Are you ready to embrace a new normal for today?

Let’s set up a time for a FREE call to chat about your ACHIEVABLE weight loss goals!

I hope you all have a beautiful day.

I am rooting for you! 🌱 Keep blooming! 🌻

💖 Debbie

#GrowthInProgress #NormalEater #weightlossjourney #CelebrateProgress

Hello, my friend! ☀️

I’m so excited to share the latest episode of my podcast, where I talk about a dream I’ve held close for years—opening my own Etsy store—and how I finally stepped into the belief that I could make it happen. 🌟

For the longest time, fear and self-doubt held me back. “What if I couldn’t do it? What if no one wanted the journals I created?” But then I realized: I could do it scared. Taking that first step, even without all the answers, was the key to turning this dream into a reality.

In this episode, I share:✨ How I pushed through fear and embraced the journey of trial and error✨ The lessons I learned along the way that made everything possible✨ Why starting small and believing in yourself can lead to big growth

If you’ve ever put off a dream because you weren’t sure you could do it, this episode is for you. 💛

🌻 Visit my Etsy store to see how my garden of journals is growing! 🌻

Your dreams are worth the first step. Let’s take it together.

I am rooting for you! 🌱 Keep blooming! 🌻

💖 Debbie

#DreamToReality #DoItScared #EmpoweredJourney #EtsyDreams #BelieveAndAchieve #GrowthInProgress