We’re at that point in the new year when the resolutions we declared just a few short weeks ago have likely fallen to the wayside. How can it be that something we felt so motivated and determined to do is now being ignored with such ease? And when I say “we”, I mean me.

Close your eyes and imagine this: You go to your favorite restaurant. You order your absolute favorite meal. You wait patiently as your anticipation builds. Finally, it's placed in front of you, and you take that first bite you've been dreaming of. But something's off. The chef didn't add any spices, seasonings, or the usual sauces that make it so tasty and unforgettable.

How many times have you made a commitment to yourself—a new nutrition plan, exercise routine, or an earlier bedtime or wake time—only to hear that familiar inner voice say "I'll skip it…just this once"? You're not alone. This happens far more often than we'd like. It's a common challenge I see as a life coach, and it's something I've experienced many times myself.

It’s a new year. A fresh start. Perhaps you spent the last few weeks in a holiday haze—not doing much, or maybe reflecting on the past year and setting intentions for the year ahead. And now you’re ready, standing at the threshold of a new year…yet you already feel like you’re hitting a wall?! If that resonates, let me reassure you: it’s not you, and it’s not your goals or intentions.

For the past two weeks, my inbox has been inundated with emails reminding me that the year is coming to an end and it’s time to conduct a personal annual life review. To be fair, I signed up for these kinds of messages a long time ago, and I usually welcome these invitations with open arms. Yet this year, rather than feeling inspired, I felt overwhelmed by the push to do a full annual review.

“How do I know what I really want?” and “How do I get it?” These powerful questions are some of my favorite ones to explore, because determining what you want lays the foundation for your life. And once you know what you want… well, the possibilities ahead of you are simply exciting and expansive!

Most things in life are pretty simple, but as the complex humans that we are, we tend to complicate them way more than necessary. These three experiences revealed simple yet profound truths of life. They reshaped the way I live and became foundational mindsets I live by.

Last week’s journal explored what it means to live fully with the wisdom and opportunity that emerge in our 40’s. Later that week, we celebrated my daughter’s 21st birthday. During celebrations for her milestone birthday, I couldn’t help but think about the powerful 20’s and 30’s that build the foundation for who we become in our 40’s and beyond.

Midlife, the next chapter, the second mountain, the last half… call it what you want, but please, stop cringing, and please stop telling the tired story that life is over! I hear it time and time again in regards to every aspect of life: once you hit forty, it’s all downhill from there. The only thing sad and tired about life in the forties is this mindset!

My journals are often a reflection of mindsets, strategies, and habits I’ve developed over the last several years to create a purpose-driven and fulfilling life. We’ve explored topics like creating white space, fierce commitment, and cultivating strength, just to name a few. But equally important to what I’ve added to my life are the things I choose to exclude.

I have a good friend who was by my side in the early days of grieving and at the beginning of my healing journey. He was especially present when I signed up for a deep transformational coaching workshop—one of the first steps I took in my personal growth journey. He called me after reading last week’s Journal and we shared a heartfelt and reminiscent conversation about all the emotions, doubts, and needs that are so often left unsaid when we talk about self-growth and transformation.

For far longer than I'd like to admit, I believed that there was something fundamentally wrong with me. I was convinced that I was "broken" and desperately needed to "fix myself" to feel valuable and worthy. This was my mindset as I muddled through years in survival mode, trying to heal through loss and grief.

The most common thing I hear from potential clients is some version of, "Do you have a hack for this situation I'm in?" or "I just need something quick to get past this issue." I get it. We all crave quick fixes to eliminate whatever crisis we're facing and bring us back to comfort. But what I've learned is this: the question isn't whether I have a shortcut for you. The real question is whether you actually want comfort, or if you want something deeper. Because those two things—they're not the same at all.

I often hear clients say the same four words at the start of our work together: “I’m not happy.” They come to me with seemingly full lives and all of the things—material extravagances, thriving and successful careers, meaningful relationships, a full social calendar—but they consistently claim that they're not happy. Despite having "everything," they still feel unfulfilled and unhappy.

Imagine this recurring scene in my house: whenever I ask my kids what they would like for dinner, the answer is often, "I don't know… whatever you want." But the moment I start suggesting options, they're suddenly full of opinions and quick to say, "No, not that… I don't want that… Anything but that!" Sound familiar Isn't it interesting that they can't seem to articulate what they do want, but they can very clearly and quickly express what they don't want?

A few weeks ago, I wrote about the space between stimulus and response, where awareness, clarity, and self-trust emerge. This week, I want to take it further—into white space. That’s where magic happens: clarity replaces busyness, intuition grows louder, and overthinking dissolves. It’s uncomfortable at first, doing nothing when we’re used to constant motion. But in this space, we discover self-trust, expanded creativity, and true productivity. White space isn’t empty—it’s where our most optimal selves come alive, ready to lead with presence, purpose, and power.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about the truth behind healing: that it is a choice and requires discipline. And Frankl's words added another essential layer of understanding—not only of the path of healing, but of true freedom. “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” He made it sound so simple—choose your response, and you'll experience growth and freedom. A simple sentence, easy enough to understand. But when I tried to apply this mindset to my life, I hit a wall. Over and over again!

If there's one thing I truly indulge in religiously, it's my vacations! Whether I'm exploring a new city, sunbathing in a beach town, or spending a quick 24 hours in Vegas, I soak it all in. And as much as I stick to an exercise routine at home, I NEVER work out on vacations—until recently, when everything changed.

When is it time to put down what we've been carrying? As we move through life, we naturally collect things—souvenirs, memorabilia, treasured family heirlooms. All of these are good and meaningful, bringing smiles to our faces when we see them, but what about the other things we pick up along the way?

Have you ever felt a spark of curiosity or a burst of inspiration, only to have it immediately squashed by that annoying, scared voice in your head? The voice that says, "Don't bother… it's not important… you'll look ridiculous… NOT TODAY!" I know that voice all too well—for years, it was the loudest voice in my life.