Confessions of a Freebird - Midlife, Divorce, Heal, and Date Differently with Somatic Experiencing, Empty Nest, Well-Being, Happiness

Do you ever feel like you're unable to fully embrace love or connect deeply with others?  Many of us struggle to open up and be vulnerable due to negative experiences from our past, which creates emotional barriers that unconsciously hold us back or sabotage our relationships.    It's frustrating and can be painful. You might find yourself repeating old patterns because they are familiar...

Do you feel lonely when you're alone? Or maybe you feel lonely lying next to your partner or in your relationship. That lonely feeling is something I’ve experienced for much of my life, but couldn’t put it into words to it until I started healing the different parts of me that were driving those emotions.    In addition, the fear of feeling more alone kept me in my marriage for far too long....

How are you doing? Like really doing? I don’t know about you, but I was in need of a break. I’m not one to sit still for very long and that hasn’t always served me well but I’m learning to honor what my body needs and this week, that’s giving myself a break. So this episode will be short and sweet. But there’s stil a message in there for you. Our world rewards productivity and taking breaks often...

Have you ever felt trapped by your emotional pain, unable to move past the memories or triggers that are recurring and may even be controlling parts of your life?   Maybe you’re tired of struggling with old wounds from your past that still feel tender when someone says or does something that brings up that familiar constriction or that sinking feeling in your gut.  The good news is that you don’t...

Have you ever felt overwhelmed or disrespected? Maybe you got mad at someone for something they did and were offended.  If you’ve ever experienced any of the above, you may need stronger boundaries in your life. Setting healthy boundaries isn't always easy. You may be afraid of hurting other people’s feelings, fear the repercussions of standing up for what’s important to you, have FOMO, or it...

Do you struggle to make decisions in life? Maybe it’s what to eat or what rug to buy. Sometimes feelings of overwhelm, fear and anxiety can cloud our judgment when making the smallest of decisions. Or maybe family and society’s expectations have been steering your life rather than honoring what you need or desire.  In addition, most of us have been conditioned to prioritize logical thinking over l...

Going through a divorce can be emotional, frustrating, stressful, and often times overwhelming. That can cause us to shut down, disassociate, and just want someone else to manage the process.  Even through it may sound like the right idea in the moment, it might be the worst thing for your divorce!! When you take an active role in the divorce process, you become more empowered and that could have...

Have you ever found yourself in a heated moment with a loved one, wondering, "How did I get here?” and “Can we get past this?"  We often jump right into defensiveness and blame the other person for what WE might be feeling, which immediately disconnects us.  But what if you took a u-turn and used it as an opportunity to better understand the other person and most importantly, better unde...

Female relationships are the lifeline for most women, yet sometimes they can be hard to cultivate. Between raising kids, working, and caring for family members it can leave little time for our female friends. When we are raising our kids, it can be easier to develop friendships, but as we age it can be more difficult to find like-minded women.  Yet, imagine having a circle of women who are more th...

Have you ever asked yourself, “Is this all there is?” Maybe you woke up one morning and realized how unhappy you were, even though from the outside everything looks perfect. If so, this episode is for you!! Most of us don’t get to midlife without going through several transitions. Sometimes you make them consciously and other times they are made for you. Many things can lead to this and it's...

Are you feeling trapped by your past and talk therapy isn’t working any longer? Maybe you are unsure about how to move forward and are questioning your future? In addition, you might be carrying the weight of old beliefs and your past traumas, which can keep you from living your best life. Today, I'm joined by the inspiring Christina Woods, a recovering power-walking VP, turned Clinical Hypno...

Divorce is the second most stressful life event one can experience. It can also be emotionally draining and legally complex. I know, because I went through a divorce five years ago. It was layered with caring for my aging parents and preparing my youngest, twin girls to go to college. I landed in the hospital for three days after the courts formally approved my divorce. Two weeks later, I was back...

Do you feel stuck or confused about your marriage? Have you ever asked yourself, “Should I stay or should I go?”  The thought of divorce can be daunting. You might even be scared of making the wrong decision, unsure of where to start the process…never mind the worry about how divorce will impact your kids, finances, and future happiness.  In today's episode, we're diving deep into these...

We are often our own worst critic, especially when it comes to dating. Our negative self talk and how we care for ourselves during the process can sabotage our efforts and outcomes. That’s why I’m ending my dating series with an episode on self-love.  Whether you are dating or not, it’s important to notice when you tell yourself you’re not good enough or when you aren’t taking care of your own nee...

Are you ready for a fresh perspective on dating? Maybe you are looking for new dating tips and relationship advice?  Dating can be a lonely experience and midlife dating can be scary after being out of the dating pool for decades, but it doesn’t have to be that way and you don’t have to do it alone! In today’s episode, I am joined by Carolyn Lee Arnold, author of "Fifty First Dates After 50.&...

Where do I start? What do I want? How do I date again in midlife? How do I manage rejection? Oh, and what are the dating rules you have to follow to find the person I desire?  Your concerns about dating are valid and if any of these questions have popped into your head as you contemplate dating again or you are about to dip your toe back into the dating pool in midlife after years of being out, th...

When am I ready to date? That’s one of the many questions I asked myself after I went through my divorce and divorce recovery.  Dating in midlife and beyond can be scary, but the most important insight I gained from having gone through my own journey is that emotional healing and relationship readiness needs to be in place before you date again. Dating after divorce, widowhood or after a long-term...

Do you have a love hate relationship with money? Maybe you secretly struggle with it and turn a blind-eye to it wishing someone else would manage it for you.  Our relationship with money is very complex. It can be tied to our childhood, our self-worth and our identity.  Barbara Stanny Huson is a renowned author of 7 books, speaker, and financial expert who has helped thousands of women transform t...

how's that New Year's resolution going about getting back to the gym or to become more active?  With all the responsibilities we juggle, our tendency is to put others first.  If this is you, it’s time to make fitness consistency a way of life. We’ve put our health on the back burner for too long and as we enter this new year, it’s an opportunity to shift our focus to something we may hav...

Are you feeling the  pressure to craft the perfect year?  I was, until I wasn't…I don't know about you, but it seems like everyone want's you to ‘create the best year of your life’ or 'create your best year yet." While many are busy with their 2024 New Year’s Resolutions that have a small chance of succeeding, some of us are feeling overwhelmed with social media posts abou...

As we step into 2024, it’s a great time to look at the different area in our life that contribute to feeling our best. And  health and wellness is always at the top of the list this time of the year! That’s why I invited the fabulous Peggy Curry to join me to talk about what true health is and how the right nutrition and lifestyle changes can make us feel younger, more vital, and full of energy. B...

Are you overwhelmed with holiday stress? What if I told you that taking 10 minutes to yourself could make all the difference... Today I put together a 10-minute holiday meditation so you can hit the pause button and take a few minutes for yourself. If you need a sign this is IT!  So get comfy and take full advantage of my relaxation techniques. During this meditation I'll take you into your b...

Are you looking for tips on how to set goals for 2024 so you can rest this holiday season? I know the holiday season can be overwhelming with family gathering and seemingly never-ending to-do lists, but today’s podcast will break things down and make your goal setting for 2024 a whole lot easier. Today, I’m diving into a solo episode to help you set yourself up for success in 2024. I may not have...

Have you ever wondered how you can help create a world where everyone feels valued and included? Today I'm joined by the soulful and inspiring Terri Donahue! Together, we discuss Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Belonging. Terri is a Neurospicy Inclusion and Leadership Coach and host of the Neurodivergently Coaching Podcast. She brings her expertise into our conversation to shed lig...

Today is my 59th birthday and to celebrate, I’m sharing some of my personal transformation tips that have led me to reinventing myself over the last 10 years. It’s an introspective journey that has led to a happier purpose driven life and I want to gift YOU my insights with the hope that they will help you too!!  In this episode, I reflect on my life experiences, the wisdom I've gathered over...