I’d tell you my journey to this place started a few years ago but it really started when I was a child- a tall, larger-than-my-friends girl who constantly compared herself to others. I started to figure out how to project an image that others would be attracted to before they judged me by my physical size alone. And it kinda just snowballed from there, spending decades of living from the outside in and very often losing a connection to my own value, my authentic strengths.  I was also unable to recognize that my thinking was creating unfounded fears and a brick wall standing between me and happiness.

A few years ago, I hit one of those downward spirals that happens to a lot of us in mid-ish life.  I felt overwhelmed by a lot of changes in my life- some of which I chose because I desperately wanted to alter the course of my career and my life as it was at the time.  I underestimated how difficult it would be as I tried to go “all or nothing” about these major moves. Then my mother died- I knew it was coming, but it still hit me like a tsunami.  Put all of these events together in a few months, and I came face-to-face with a depressed feeling and sense of failure that I’ve never experienced in my adult life (though I should have- but I always pushed feelings away to just soldier on).

I felt like I was trapped under 12 heavy blankets, unable to breathe. I didn’t want to get out of bed. I sincerely thought I’d never again have a worthy job and end up penniless and homeless.  These swirling thoughts had me fearing this frightening future was a real potential, despite everything I had achieved in my life. I would have been embarrassed to tell you that in the past, but now it’s part of being authentic and sharing a story that I’m pretty proud of!

And looking back now, I see that those days lying in bed with my pillow over my head were actually the start of my whole new way of thinking and living.   I drug myself to the computer and updated my resume, putting myself out there and ending up in a job I’d never have thought of for myself, but one which I enjoy and provides a good living. I began reading books and blogs, listening to podcasts and signing up for free courses to understand, in simple terms, how to be happy.  I discovered so much about thoughts, feelings, mindfulness, authenticity- all of those terms I’d heard before but never fully understood. This journey led me to study the role of a life coach, go through training and become certified. These days, my idea of success is thriving not just surviving.  I recognize and employ my strengths of honesty and  creativity to contribute value to my clients, and find it so fulfilling!  I’m me, and always me, with my friends and family and can’t tell them enough times how much they mean to me.  And I’m looking forward to hearing your story, sharing with you what I’ve learned (and am still learning) and partnering you through an amazing upcycle!