I’m not doom scrolling. I’m looking for a plan.
What I reach for when things feel uncertain
As I refresh Substack for the 16th time, I realize I’m not looking for affirmation or hot takes. I’m hope scrolling—looking for a solid plan I can latch onto because everything feels insane and out of my control.
Not a miracle fix. Just direction.
Direction helps me exhale because it reminds me I’m not stuck. And if I can take action? Even better. That feels like taking back control (even if it’s a little bit).
I learned about my need for plans after my daughter missed the same girl’s birthday party twice. Yes. You read that right. The first year was an oversight. The second looked intentional. I had to pull it together fast. So I doubled down on calendars, plans, and clearer communication. It worked.
About five years ago, when my youngest hit middle school, I realized the empty nest was no longer theoretical—it was on its way. I could see how rough that transition was for some women, and I wanted to avoid that, but I wasn’t sure how. It felt far off. Was it even worth thinking about yet?
Around that same time, my best friend Andrea died, and suddenly life felt louder and more urgent. I wanted to know how to make it feel meaningful now, not someday. So I studied. Took workshops. Learned how to build life plans. At first, I thought it was about some distant future version of me. Then I realized something important: a plan isn’t just about later, it’s about today.
Once I got clear on who I wanted to become (the version of me my 80-year-old self would be proud of), I made small, doable shifts. Tiny changes that added up. And it worked. I felt steadier, more focused, and genuinely excited about the direction my life was taking.
Which brings me to my aunt—one of my favoritest people on Earth and someone who has always told me the truth about motherhood, aging, and marriage. Last summer, she told me how she’s really doing in this phase of life.
“I love my life,” she said. And she meant it. The woman practically radiated contentment!
Her life isn’t flashy. She doesn’t need grand vacations or Instagram-worthy milestones to be happy. She loves her horses, walks in nature, family dinners, church with friends, and Big Band music.
Simple. Meaningful. Entirely hers. A life she’s been quietly building for decades.
Here’s what struck me most: she didn’t plan this. She got here the long way—through time, chance, and a lot of quiet accumulation.
I don’t want us to wait decades to feel that kind of contentment.
What would happen if you didn’t leave it to chance—if you gave yourself a direction instead?
That’s why I created Path & Purpose.
It’s a personalized midlife plan, and it’s not complicated or taxing (I’m a realist, after all). I strongly believe that having a path to follow (especially now, when everything feels so heavy) is one of the simplest ways to feel better now, while also building toward a life you actually enjoy.
Here’s what you’ll get:
✨ Clarity: Discover who you are today and who you want to become
✨ A real plan: Practical steps you can take immediately
✨ Tools: Support systems you can adjust as life changes
✨ Extra support: Flexible goal setting, habits, time management, and personal brand work
✨ Hands-on guidance: I won’t hand you a workbook and walk away. I’ll help you brainstorm, discover, and build your ideal Midlife Plan
Workshop details:
Five 1-hour Zoom calls on Tuesdays at 9am Pacific
Optional Zoom Q&A + homework review Fridays at 9am Pacific
First call: Tuesday, Feb 24 (finished before spring break)
Small group = lots of personalized attention
The waitlist is open, and registration will be announced soon.
Sometimes the most powerful move when life feels chaotic is focusing on what’s within reach. A plan helps with that.
P.S. If you’ve been thinking, “I know I need a plan, I just don’t know where to start,” this is it. I’ll help you build one and show you how to maintain it.