January Update – Where Did December Go?!

Where did December even go? Seriously. I blinked and suddenly it was January.

Referring back to my last post—remember that planner/gratitude journal I mentioned? If not, go back and read it again. I promise you’ll laugh. That planner has since moved on to another beautiful soul who I truly hope uses it more than I did.

Did I ever mention that I have ADHD? Because… yeah. Planner after planner after planner. Hobby after hobby after hobby. LOL. At this point, I think my current hobby is work—and honestly? I am NOT mad about it.

I’m still in the process of launching my life coaching business, Guided Steps. I finally ordered business cards (a big step, if you ask me) and I’ve been showing up on social media. No appointments yet, but I shall continue. Consistency over discouragement, right?

I’m also still the manager at the condos—thankfully!! And I have been loving (almost) every minute of it. Even the “hard” or annoying things that land on my desk, I try to look at as learning experiences. I am a sponge right now, soaking it all in.

On top of that, I’ve started classes to become a Certified Manager of Community Associations—and honestly, who knows where that will lead next. Education never stops… well, it never has to stop, no matter how old you are.

Speaking of old… UGH. My 40th birthday is next month and I’m still undecided on how I feel about it. The number itself doesn’t bother me. I’ve gone through hell and high water to get to where I am and who I am today—and I’m still learning how to truly love myself.

The perimenopause part of things, though? I could seriously do without. Exhausted doesn’t even begin to describe it. Throw neurodivergence into the mix and—deadly combo. Look it up… or don’t, if you’re already a neurodivergent woman in your late thirties. You know.

Anyway—here’s hoping February doesn’t slip by the way December did (yes, I realize it only has 28 days). But here’s to being optimistic, continuing to grow, and taking guided steps forward—one day at a time.

November Musings — Balance, Growth & a Little Bit of Chaos

Well, since it seems I’m on a “once-a-month” blogging schedule now, here we are — November already!

In my last post, I shared the exciting news about my promotion. Since then, it’s been a whirlwind of working and learning nonstop. Somewhere in all that chaos, I managed to do something pretty big — I bought my first car on my own! 🎉

This job may be stressful at times, but it’s already proven to be so rewarding. Having a vision for the future of this place, and watching the steps we’re taking to make it even more amazing than it already is, has been incredible. You can feel the transition happening, and it’s exciting to be a part of it.

That said, I have got to work on balance. I still plan to see clients through my life coaching business and grow that into something much larger — it’s just taking a little longer than expected. I’m learning a lot about myself in this process, too. I honestly never thought of myself as a “leader” (outside of a classroom), but I feel like I’m thriving.

With the coaching background I have, I tend to see myself more as a coach than a boss or manager. But that brings its own balancing act — being supportive while still leading. I’m learning to be okay with being “unliked” or “unpopular” when necessary (you’d think high school would’ve prepped me for that!). If I’m going to build a strong team — whether in my current role or my coaching business — I have to put the business first. It’s not personal. It’s long-term thinking. And honestly? It’s getting easier.

Speaking of balance (again) — I started the year with a gratitude planner/journal that I loved. I filled it out daily, decorated every page, and even bought a second one when the first didn’t quite fit my… let’s call them “creative ideas.”

If you were to flip through my journal since the end of September, though — it would be a quick read. YIKES. I kept telling myself I’d “time block” a few minutes each day to keep up with it, but saying it and doing it are two totally different things.

Now I have a work planner (thank you, ADHD and OCD) that I write in daily. So where’s the gratitude journal now? Collecting dust. If I added up all the money I’ve spent over the years on planners and journals, I probably wouldn’t even have this new car payment! 😂

So here I am again — sitting at my desk with a little downtime, wondering: do I continue in that same gratitude planner/journal or… SHOCKER… start a new one? Maybe something “free form” — no lines, just personal reflections and doodles, no work allowed.

And if you don’t know an overthinker — allow me to introduce you to one. 🙋‍♀️ Simple decisions are never simple. It’s exhausting!

Maybe I’ll wait until the very typical January 1st to start fresh. Or maybe I’ll start a new gratitude plan right now because, well… I’m bored. Only time will tell.

Stay tuned. 😉

YOUR life plan? Oh, that's cute

 Blog Update: Life’s Little Plot Twists

Seeing as how it’s been a little over a month since my last post, I figured it was time for an update. Yes, all ten of you who read this — this one’s for you.

It’s funny how we create these detailed plans for our lives — our plans, not God’s plans — and then, lo and behold, something happens and those plans change. If that hasn’t been the story of my life lately, I don’t know what is.

I got certified as a Youth Life Coach and Positive Parenting Coach, created my logo, mission statement, social media pages, and even designed business cards (that still haven’t been ordered — don’t judge me). Everything was moving right along… until the universe threw me a curveball.

“Oh, wait,” it said. “You’re now the Association Manager of a condominium with 184 units and twice as many people. Oh, and by the way, you’re also managing 17-plus employees.”

You could’ve knocked me over with a feather.

But here’s the thing — as challenging as it might sound, in the past two weeks (yes, it’s only been two weeks), I’ve felt more accomplished and prouder of myself than I have in a long time. My anxiety is on 100, but I’m thriving.

And that’s what I want to share with you — two things can be true at the same time. You can have anxiety and still kick ass. You can be nervous and still make yourself — and others — proud.

So while my plan for life hasn’t exactly changed, it’s definitely taken a turn. Not a bad one — just a turn. It’s up to me to adapt, to keep moving forward, and to keep making myself proud. (Also, I really do need to stop biting my nails. Send help.)

If you read my previous post about being S.M.A.R.T., that’s been on my mind a lot lately — and it’s something I want to share with my team.

We need to be Self-aware.
We need to live Meaningful lives.
We need to be Authentic.
We need to be Resilient.
And we need to Thrive.

When we’re living S.M.A.R.T., it radiates. It affects everyone around us. So to my readers, my team, and anyone who needs to hear it — have the audacity to be S.M.A.R.T.

There’s nothing wrong with that.
You are smart.

SMART

 

A New Chapter: Almost Certified!

As September begins, I find myself just under two weeks away from officially becoming a certified coach—and I couldn’t be more excited! Over the past couple of weeks, the assignments I’ve been working through have shown me something powerful: coaching feels natural to me. Honestly, it comes easier than I ever expected.

It’s funny how life works, though. When things are going smoothly, we feel confident and secure. But when challenges hit or things start to feel uncertain, our minds tend to overthink. We worry, we question, and sometimes anxiety creeps in louder than our inner wisdom.

What I’m learning through this journey is that coaching isn’t just about helping others set goals or stay accountable—it’s about perspective. It’s about guiding people (and reminding myself) to step back, take a breath, and see things more clearly. Often, the answers are already within us—we just need the right questions, the right space, and the right encouragement to bring them out.

And here’s the truth: it’s so much easier for us to “talk nice” to others or to help them with their goals and aspirations than it is to do that for ourselves. But I believe that by helping others on their journey—whatever that may be—we in turn help ourselves. We grow more confident in our own choices and can say, “Hey, that worked for them, let me try it.” Our support systems grow as our businesses grow.

Starting my own business has felt overwhelming at times, but one thing that grounds me is remembering SMART goals:

• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Relevant
• Time-bound

This framework helps break big dreams into smaller, more digestible steps. But SMART doesn’t stop at goals—it can also serve as a guide for how we live our lives:

• Self-Aware
• Meaningful
• Authentic
• Resilient
• Thriving

It’s not just about what we achieve, but how we live and the impact we leave on those we come in contact with.

This certification milestone feels less like an ending and more like a beginning. I can’t wait to use these skills to make a difference in the lives of others, to help people walk through their challenges, and to remind them (and myself) that even in seasons of overthinking and anxiety, growth and clarity are possible.

Here’s to the next two weeks—and the many journeys ahead!

Own it!

 Week 6 of my coaching journey ✨

One of my biggest staples—both in life and in this journey—is transparency. I’ve written before about the difference between therapy and life coaching, and I’m living it right now.

I’m currently in therapy, and it helps me process my past, my emotions, and how I see the world. But if I’m honest, I could also benefit from a life coach. I have big goals for my future—and my family’s future—but turning those goals into an actual step-by-step plan can feel daunting.

I’m a planner at heart. I need a to-do list I can check off. The problem? I’ll make one… then throw it away and make three more until I think it’s “perfect.” I need someone to help me make ONE plan—and stick to it. It’s kind of like journaling. I’ve started countless journals in my life and never finished one… until now. This time, I’m determined.

Here’s my encouragement to you: keep going. Everything you need to succeed is already in you. Just make sure your version of success fits your story—your life, your goals, your values. What success looks like for someone else might not be success for you.

Comparison is the thief of joy. Focus on your life, your family, your future. And when you take three steps forward and two steps back—remember, you’re still moving in the right direction.

Own your pace. Own your path. Own your win. ✅

Challenges = Opportunities

 As I work through this week’s module in my journey to becoming a Certified Youth Life Coach and Certified Positive Parenting Coach, one concept really stood out to me: the idea that challenges can be opportunities. It made me pause and reflect—how often do I, as an adult, approach challenges with curiosity and openness instead of dread? Do I look at them as chances to grow, or do I brace myself thinking, “This is going to be hard”?

The truth is, we rarely see the lessons in a challenge until we’ve moved through it, sometimes not even until years later. I think that’s part of why I feel so strongly called to this work. As a teenager, I faced tough challenges daily. And no, I didn’t face them with a great attitude, and it almost cost me my life. But looking back now, I can finally see the value in those experiences. I can see how they shaped me, and how I can use what I’ve learned not only to improve my own life but to help others, too.

Honestly, if I thought being a teen was hard 20 years ago, I can’t imagine what kids are navigating today. The pressure, the exposure, social media, the expectations—everything seems magnified. That perspective fuels my passion even more.

Even now, I face challenges. . . . .like this blog, for example. I notice there are no subscribers yet, no comments, and few views. It’s easy to slip into negative thinking: “Why bother? Who’s even reading this?” But that’s exactly the mindset I want to help my clients shift. We all start somewhere. This is part of my journey, and I want to be real about it.

If you read my first blog post, you’ll know how much I believe in authenticity and transparency. Leaning into those values has helped me build a better relationship with myself, and I want the same for others. Growth comes from being honest—first with ourselves, and then with the world. And in my humble opinion, growth can equal success! 

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 Any and all feedback is accepted folks! Remember, you’re my village!