50 AND THRIVING: MY JOURNEY OF HEALING and LEARNING TO THRIVE

 As I approach my 50th birthday, I can't help but reflect on how extraordinary this milestone feels. Turning 50 has been nothing short of liberating. Every decade of my life has been a journey of growth, healing, and rediscovery, shedding old patterns and embracing my truest self. If you're a self-healer, cycle breaker, or change-maker, I hope my reflections inspire you to embrace your own path to healing and authenticity.

Every Decade, A Step Closer to Myself

Life is a series of challenges, triumphs, and changes. For me, every decade has brought deeper clarity about who I truly am beneath the layers of emotional baggage, trauma, and societal conditioning. At 50, I've never felt more at peace with myself. The struggle to conform to "who I should be" has gradually given way to embracing my true essence. And let me tell you, it feels amazing.

While life has been far from perfect—filled with personal challenges, serious health issues, and significant losses—each year has been a step closer to becoming the most authentic version of myself. The process of peeling back those layers has been hard but rewarding, though the rewards often weren't glaringly obvious - especially early on in the process. This milestone feels like the culmination of everything I’ve been working toward—a life where I can fully embody my spirit and show up in my body, life, and in the world unapologetically as me.

My Journey of Healing - All About Breaking Cycles

I’ve known since I was seven years old that I was meant to break cycles—family cycles, dysfunction cycles, pain cycles. I didn’t have the vocabulary for it back then, but I felt it deep in my soul and I named it way back then in my own childlike ways. My healing journey truly began in my teenage years, devouring self-help books and searching for ways to overcome the trauma and limitations that had shaped me.

But here’s the truth: I didn’t do it alone. I couldn’t. None of us can. Healing is not something we’re meant to tackle in isolation. It’s a collective process, one that requires support, whether through therapy, community, or other means. I’ve spent years navigating this terrain, learning that healing isn’t just about the mind—it’s about the body, the nervous system, and the emotional baggage we carry. And now, I’m here to share what I’ve learned with others who are on this same path.

The Role of the Nervous System in Healing

If there’s one thing I wish more people understood, it’s this: your nervous system holds the key to your healing. Whether you’re trying to manage stress, deal with intense or repetitive emotions (like anxiety), shift your mindset, achieve a goal, get through the day, or break free from limiting patterns, your nervous system plays a pivotal role. It’s the bridge between where you are and where you want to be. It's LITERALLY the resistance you feel, the stuck feeling like you always end up right back where you started. 

Let’s be real—life can feel overwhelming. Politically, culturally, economically, it’s a lot. Our nervous systems are constantly processing immense amounts of information, and when we don’t know how to support them, they can become dysregulated. But the good news is, with the right tools and support, you can learn to regulate your nervous system, recover from dysregulation faster, and navigate life with greater ease.

This is the work I’m most passionate about. In my membership community, group support, and one-on-one work, I help people develop personalized strategies to support their nervous systems. When your nervous system starts working with you instead of against you, the results are transformative. You’ll feel more connected, empowered, and at peace.

Why Support Matters

Healing in isolation is not sustainable. As human beings, we’re wired for connection and support. Whether it’s through therapy, a supportive community, or a trusted guide, having someone to walk alongside you on your healing journey makes all the difference.

I see this often: the more you need relief, healing, or new outcomes, the harder you work for it, then the more overwhelmed you feel, then you aren't able to sustain the effort (or you can't even figure out what to do, what you need, or what will work for you). 

You are not unmotivated or lazy, that's NOT why you 'forget to do the thing' after a week or two, and it's not why you can't sustain your self-care or healing activities...it's because it's too much for your already overtaxed nervous system. You see, healing and self-care create changes, and your nervous system isn't familiar with the changes (no matter how subtle they are) so it resists as a way to protect you from what is a potential threat.

That lack of clarity is overwhelm and dysregulation of the nervous system in action. You can't get clarity about what you need and what to do when you're adding research and sorting through all the information and doing all the things to your already very full plate of work, family, and getting through the day.

For years, I tried to do it all on my own, and it wasn’t until I allowed myself to receive support that I truly started to thrive. Healing is a multi-faceted process—mental, physical, and emotional. It’s about finding what works for you and your unique nervous system so that you can break free from old patterns and step into a life that feels aligned and fulfilling.

A Birthday Reflection: Embracing the Big 5-0

As I celebrate my 50th birthday this July (yes, the whole month, maybe on and off through the rest of the year! 🎉), I’m filled with gratitude for the journey that has brought me here. I’ve learned to embrace my quirks—like my "witchy energy" (perhaps I'll aspire to be a Sand Witch because who doesn’t love sandwiches? hahaha 🥪)—and to fully embody my authentic self. And I want this for you too.

If you’re tired of carrying the weight of healing on your own, if you feel stuck or unsure of the next step, know that it’s okay to ask for help. Your nervous system may resist change, but with the right support, you can teach it that healing and thriving are safe. You don’t have to do this alone, you don't have to put all your time and energy into the seeking, finding, and trial and error without support.

Ready to Step Into Healing and (re)Discovering Your True Self?

If you’re ready to connect with your body, your purpose, and your ability to thrive, I’d love to support you. Whether you join my self-healing support community or explore other ways to work together, I’m here to help you break free from survival mode and start thriving. Together, we can create a life that feels aligned, empowered, and truly yours.

To all the self-healers out there: I see you. I see your drive to create something better for yourself. And if you ever feel stuck or overwhelmed, remember, you’re not alone. Let’s talk about how to get you from where you are to where you want to be.

Let’s Celebrate Together 🎉

And hey, since it’s my birthday month, feel free to send your wishes my way—July 11th (TODAY!) is the big day! Just leave a comment if you want to but no pressure - it's up to you. 

Thank you for being here, for following my journey, and for doing your own healing work. Here’s to healing and thriving, together. 💖