The Path to Joy

Today's episode is a little different. It's a short meditation about letting go of the need to know what's coming. Frankly, none of us love uncertainty. Spontaneity, maybe. But uncertainty can be scary. Today's meditation is meant to help you find a little more ease with something that's ultimately always uncertain: life.   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!)...

Today is a bit of a hard episode. I’m not going to sugar-coat it. Today is about the passing of my dear rabbi, Michelle Pearlman. It’s hard to get beyond the grief and the feeling that this can’t be — that this incredible human being can’t actually be gone. But I do keep thinking about the fact that she got two hundred bonus days.   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and i...

Today I share about the twins’ first college visit. I kind of can’t believe I’m starting this process all over again — but you know I love it! I would go on any college tour, any time! The day takes some interesting turns and really highlights how stressful it can feel when you think you’re supposed to have it all figured out.   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and impro...

I'm always coming up with new phrases to help me stop a train of anxious thoughts — the quippier, the better! The one I've been repeating lately is, "Not today, bucko. Not on my watch." Yes, I sound ridiculous in my own head, but it does seem to do the trick!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   Here are...

I've done an episode about Rosh Hashanah every year — and, yes, I know it's not actually Rosh Hashanah by the time you're listening to this. But the timing doesn't really matter. One of the themes of the holiday is to wake up — and it's always a good time for that!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   He...

Sometimes you need someone to remind you what things could look like on the other side. It’s not that we try to operate with blinders on, but sometimes we do. So, I always appreciate a shift in perspective. Even when it’s heartbreaking, I appreciate it. And on today’s episode, I got one.   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives --...

Today I share a bit more about our trip to the Finger Lakes but, really, today is all about expectations. What is my life with Andy, the most active man on the planet, going to look like when it’s just us?? Are we going to be able to just sit at a lake? I don’t know if I have the answers, but I’m trying.   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception o...

Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!    🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱 Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE! 🌱...

Life got so busy I almost forgot to tell you about Vermont! Vermont is a funny place for me — it’s my home, it’s a place my kids feel is very much their second home, and yet, in many ways, I’m still a fish out of water! If you’re wondering how NOT to handle the aggressive mosquitoes in Vermont, then listen in!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their percep...

Today I share an update -- about Ben, me, and life in general. I think my rambling is getting worse, friends. At this point, some episodes are so all over the map that I’m not even sure how to write a summary.  Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!    🌱 Create th...

I've been toying with the idea of going back to school. I have a little PTSD from getting my master's over twenty years ago, so I'm not exactly sure what “school” would even look like this time around. But I'm considering it. Never too old to try something new, right??   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY....

I shared all the details of Ben’s move-in on Tuesday. But how am I actually doing (because it’s all about me, right??). If you need the CliffsNotes version because you can’t wait to listen to the episode: Ben is so happy, hardly calls, and I’m actually doing OK. I suppose better than expected.   I still think this whole setup seems rather archaic — send the humans you love most in the world off to...

So, this is it, friends! No, don't freak out — I'm not ending the podcast, but the move is here. Ben has officially moved to Rochester (land of 90 inches of snow — no exaggeration — look it up!), and life will never be the same. Today I share how move-in went, and then on Thursday I'll just break down and cry!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their percep...

My dear friend Caitlin hit the nail on the head when she said, 'Your mother is a freakin' icon!' Well, there you have it folks -- I am the daughter of an icon. I think you'll just have to listen to today's episode to learn why!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   Here are links that I mention in the sho...

Well, it's not actually my birthday. As you are listening to this, my birthday was a few weeks ago. I am sorry -- there's no way for me to write and record in actual real time. But, today's episode is about my birthday -- 47 -- and, spoiler, a key lime pie!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   Here are l...

What mom wants their kid to suffer or struggle? I don't know many. But where is that line between supporting your kids and taking over? I have no clue because I probably cross it daily. But I'm learning...maybe I can sit back just a bit!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   Here are links that I mention...

I love getting older. I love that, at this point, I know myself pretty well. I even know what my nervous system needs. Sometimes I forget -- like when I make a doctor's appointment way too early in the morning. But, at least I know!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   Here are links that I mention in th...

From California we fly west! To Hawaii! Middle seat again. Hawaii brought up lots of childhood memories, too. And the Dole Whip at the Dole Plantation was probably worth the flight.   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!    🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retr...

Today I share a bit more about our time in California. Driving south to Monterey brought up all these memories of time with my parents in Monterey, Carmel, and then San Simeon (home of Hearst Castle).   Memory is funny, isn't it? Mine can be hazy and blotchy. But it's telling what our minds latch onto.   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of...

Today I share some stories from the start of our family trip in San Francisco. I honestly travel with a very funny crew -- from Andy, who likes to 'pump up the crowd' by playing songs related to our destination weeks in advance, to Alexander, who's worried he’s going to lose too much weight on our trip because we do so much walking. I can’t tell you how many times I ask myself, “How did I get here...

As I write today's episode, I'm on a plane headed to California with my crew (middle seat -- I always get the middle seat!), but I'm really thinking about how much time is left before Ben leaves. In fact, by the time you're listening to this, it will be his last week home. It's all just crazy and surreal.   Today, I kick off the start of this two-week trip and spend a little time grappling with th...

What does your rich life look like? I love this question. Not what will you do someday when you have more money, but what kind of life do you actually want to create? Today, we’re talking money, budgets, and soap presses -- no joke!!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   Here are links that I mention in t...

What do you want to be when you grow up? I kind of love that question. Little kids' answers are the absolute best — firetruck might still be my favorite. But somewhere along the way, that question starts feeling a little more stressful. Today, let's talk about why maybe we’re asking the wrong question and what we might ask instead!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and...

Does luck exist? I love the word luck — it makes me think of rainbows, leprechauns, and little pots of gold — but I'm not sure I actually believe in it. Today, I share a week full of minor disasters that somehow made me feel incredibly lucky. Was it luck? Or was it something else entirely?   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -...

I know -- you've been waiting with bated breath. Did Ben actually come to the beach?? I know the last five days of waiting have been torture -- but the wait is over! I reveal the answer in probably the first minute of this episode because I hate suspense. I can't handle it. So, don't worry, you won't have to wait very long!    Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve...