Johanny Ortega | Have A Cup Of Johanny LLC

The Ordinary Bruja

For fans of Mexican Gothic and The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina, The Ordinary Bruja is a psychological horror and magical realism novel about grief, ancestral secrets, Dominican brujería, and one woman’s fight to reclaim the magic her family tried to bury.

When strange messages appear in mirrors, and the scent of cigar smoke follows her through her small Ohio hometown, Marisol Espinal must confront the ghosts of her past, the truth about her mother’s death, and the family curse waiting for her on Hallowthorn Hill.

Her ancestor buried the magic. Now it wants out.

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Finding Your Way Home: The Messy Journey Back to Self


man taking selfie

Have you been pouring from an empty cup? This raw, unfiltered conversation dives deep into what it truly means to find your way back to yourself—and it’s not the Instagram-worthy journey you might expect.

Forget the sage-burning rituals and silk robes. Real self-reclamation happens on bathroom floors at midnight when no one’s watching. It’s about finally hearing that whisper inside that’s been trying to tell you “this isn’t working” and “you’re not being dramatic.” That voice? It’s your soul waving a red flag, hoping you’ll finally see it.

Between marriage tensions, work deadlines, and emotional burnout, I’ve learned three critical lessons this month that changed everything. First, listen to your inner voice, even when it’s inconvenient. Those recurring thoughts aren’t random—they’re signposts pointing to what needs attention. Second, speak up when something feels wrong, especially in your most important relationships. The temporary discomfort of honest conversation prevents the permanent damage of silent resentment. And finally, love yourself aggressively—through rest, nourishment, and boundaries that don’t come with explanations.

What does returning to yourself actually look like? It’s saying no without an essay of justification. It’s making yourself breakfast before feeding everyone else. Sometimes it’s letting the dishes sit while you journal instead. None of this is glamorous, but it’s where the real magic happens—not in performing self-care, but in choosing yourself quietly, consistently, and without apology.

As we move into May and the world of The Ordinary Bruja (my pandemic-born story about finding magic in the mundane), remember this: Even when everything is falling apart, you can choose to stay with yourself. You are allowed to start over, take up space, and be your own safe place to land.

Subscribe now and join me next month as we explore how ordinary moments can become extraordinary magic when you finally believe you are enough.


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