A Timestamp

“It’s never too late to go after what you desire. Middle age isn’t an endpoint. It’s simply a timestamp for you to get out there and accomplish those long-standing goals.” -Stephanie Valente from The Good Trade

Just another blog to prepare me for turning 40. To keep this transition grounded, I’m looking into femininity, feminism, cycle syncing in leadership, and preparing myself to turn 40. It’s all funneled here onto this blog just for you. Now I know this might narrow down my readership, but I’m always down for a solid group of badass women and men who support the full spectrum of feminine power.

Any tips for turning 40?

Intentional Gentleness

“In my 40th year, I feel like I’ve only just mastered the art of not being too hard on myself regarding what I feel I ‘should’ be doing.” -Casey Powney Taken from Louise Haywood-Schiefer’s artcle “I Accept Myself for Who I Am’: People at 40 on What Life has Taught Them so Far.”

This fall, I’ll be saying goodbye to my thirties. I’ll be ushering in my forties. So I started looking for different articles I can share that will be part of my transition into my forties. The quote I shared is from a woman who went on a quest to find 40 others who were born the same year as her. One of the women, Casey Powney, was among the forty she interviewed and shared her words of wisdom. This is what I have been working on for years, and I’d happily bring intentional gentleness into my future.

What are you interested in bringing with you?

Art as a Rebellion

“In this passionate and empowering TEDx talk, writer and creative coach Amie McNee challenges the idea that art is frivolous or indulgent in difficult times. She argues that creativity is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Art calms us, connects us, and gives us purpose. It heals our bodies, minds, and communities. More than that, it’s an act of rebellion, a tool for hope, and a legacy that outlasts us all.” -Her Ted Talk Summary – Link below

One of my favorite IG writers just did a TEDx talk, and I’m so excited to listen to it. Amie McNee inspires me so much as a writer. She is super encouraging, and it almost feels like she’s working alongside all of us writers. On her IG, she said, “Art is activism.” And I’m digging that. If I want to change the world, I make art, and that’s really all there is to it. She inspires me in so many ways, and I’m grateful that I get to see her writing journey! Go, Amie!

Our Inner Mindset

“The most life-shaping choices we can make are those of our mindset — we can choose the best orientation toward the world, we can choose the best orientation toward each other, but where we seem to struggle the most is orienting with clarity and compassion toward our own lives, toward the choice we have in the dialogue between our inner world and our circumstances.” -Maria Popova

This week has been all about reclaiming myself, my time, and my energy. My stress level has dropped significantly since I refocused. All because I learned how to honor my cycle. Before this week, I thought I was honoring my cycle, but trying to act like I feel normal when my body is screaming for rest and low lighting, is in fact, not honoring my cycle.

If I want to be part of a workforce that creates a space for women to thrive, I must understand who what when where makes me thrive. Once I understand myself, it will help me better support the women around me no matter what phase they are in.

Thanks for reading,

If you’re willing to share, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the quote.

The Missing Key

“I really believe understanding the menstrual cycle is a missing key in the wellbeing and creative output of women.” -Claire Baker

What?! Now I need to know more. It has never even crossed my mind to think about my cycle in terms of my writing. I know there are some times I feel like writing more than others, but I never thought about the different phases of my cycle and comparing them to what I’m writing. This could help. Like maybe one week could share reflective writing, while the other could be focused on making connections and networking, while the other could be more focused on an informational type of writing that requires some research.

This cycle syncing is a whole new world for me. I’m diggin it. Have you heard of cycle syncing?

Last Day of April

I am totally easing my way through this last day of April. Will that slow down time? Probably not, but it increases my well-being. Rushing around isn’t good for your heart or your brain (especially during this upcoming finals week). This week, as we transition into a new month, I’ll be taking walks, sipping butterfly tea, and focusing on reflection.

There’s a lot that I want, and my ambitious side just wants to get it all done. That’s okay. I like and accept my drive, but that’s not for this week. This week, I’ve committed to taking my time.

Are you ready for May?

Easing My Way Through Spring

Affirmation: “I welcome my emerging visions without rushing them into action.”

With a million things to do to prep for summer and other transitions coming up in my life, my goal this week is to take things slow and stay in the present. Some things I had to remind myself this evening: I have everything I need right now. I have softness in my home and safety in my relationships. I’ve made it through all my worst days.

What positive things are you telling yourself today? If you haven’t told yourself anything yet, what could you tell yourself now?

Sunday Solitude

Solitude Sunday is my day to honor myself. I spend the morning cleaning and listening to Christina Aguilera or the Fugees. Then I take myself out to get a small treat and read by myself. After that, I come home and seal my day off with a candle-lit bath. This is something that allows me to have time to listen to my body, listen to my inner thoughts, and gives me a space where I can be completely myself with very little or no responsibility.

One thing I have learned about my Solitude Sundays is that it’s needed the most when I feel like I don’t have the time to do it.

Are you taking time to honor yourself?

Book Shopping

So I went to buy a book at Barnes and Noble today with my girls, and they didn’t have the book I wanted in. Someone had purchased the last copy. (Sad face) I wanted to share the book; it’s called Women Living Deliciously by Florence Given. Man, I was prepared for them to have no more left in stock, but I didn’t make a backup plan for myself. I ended up getting a couple books called “The Innovation Handbook” and “Create the Future Tactics for Disruptive Thinking” both by Jeremy Gutsche. It’s not about how to embrace femininity, but I figured desiring to build a unique workforce where women can thrive without limitation was innovative and disruptive. And it had pink on it, haha, so I got it. Yes, the cover drove it home for me.

Is the cover of a book ever your deciding factor?

Eye Roll It’s a Me Problem

“The age of a woman doesn’t mean a thing. The best tunes are played on the oldest fiddles.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

My eyes immediately rolled after this. I think it’s a sign that I need to put aging gracefully into action. I’ve got my 40th birthday coming up in the fall; I’m not sure how I’m going to be feeling by then. Maybe I’ll write myself into aging gracefully. It could help ease the transition.