The last few weeks I’ve been doing quite a bit of reflective thinking. Partially because it is my birthday month, which is always a time of reflection for me, and partially because this summer is a pivotal time for my family. 

As my youngest son gets ready to move to England for the coming year, I am keenly aware that this might well be the last whole summer that he will spend at home. Not only am I soaking up every possible moment with him and my family as often as possible, but I am also thinking about the time 8 years ago when I realized that in a few years he would be leaving for college. I believe it was that awareness that propelled me to create something new for myself… to start to transition to my own “next act.”

I knew it was time for change. Honestly, I had no idea what that would look like or how I would emerge from this process, but I knew something new was on its way. 

Once I realized what I wanted to do, I decided to go back to school and begin studying nutrition. I was both frightened and exhilarated. I was 53 years old at that point and up until then I had defined myself as an artist and a mom. This new direction was a big change for me and was deeply unnerving for me to share with the world. 

The process led me to create Nourished Body and Mind and has expanded my world beyond my wildest dreams. I love waking up each new day, creating new recipes, coaching, leading reboots and connecting with so many lovely people around the world. 

I am sharing this with you today in the hopes that it will inspire you to reach for those things that you desire. Life is better when you are true to yourself and there is no reason to hold back. Whether it’s a desire for a new job or business, a change in your health or weight, or anything else you want to pursue… this is your life and you CAN make it what you want it to be. 

You might just have a seedling of an idea, or maybe you have a long buried dream that got pushed to the back burner over time. That’s ok, let your imagination go, think, journal, meditate…whatever helps you to get clarity. And then when it’s time, be open to the possibilities ahead of you. These are my best tips for finding your own “next act”:

Set your intention for what’s important to you.
What do you want to achieve? It could be a job/business, a relationship, a sense of physical well-being, a creative outlet, or anything else.

Think about the things you love to do. 
How do you enjoy spending time, what things light you up? How would you like to spend your days? How would you like to see yourself moving through the world? Let your imagination go. I find writing about these things helpful, but you might prefer another method such as creating a vision board.

Be patient with yourself.
It took me many, many months to figure out what I wanted to pursue next. There is no formula you must follow or time frame for when you have to start. Give yourself space and time to find your motivation. 

Reach out to others.
Look for friends or family who do things that you admire or are living life in a way that calls to you. My experience is that most people are happy to share their process and their experiences if you ask. 

Be open to what you feel.
Trust your instincts even if it feels far-fetched. My only regrets have come from not listening to my gut!

Feel free to reach out to me!
I am here for you. You can leave a comment below, hit reply to this newsletter, join the Nourished Body and Mind free private Facebook group, find me on Instagram or even sign up for a free 1:1 consult HERE.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to be part of your life and your journey and I thank you for being part of mine.

XO,