How to Get Unstuck and Take Action: Overcome Overthinking, Distraction & Overwhelm

Change has always been something I’ve handled well—when it’s forced on me. When life throws something unexpected my way, I adjust, make the necessary moves, and get through it. No overthinking, no hesitation—just do what needs to be done. But when it comes to the things I choose for myself—the goals I genuinely want—I get … Read more

Uncovering the Past: A Passion for Ancestry Research

Introduction Have you ever wondered where you come from? What stories lie buried in the past, waiting to be uncovered? For many, genealogy is more than a hobby—it’s a journey of self-discovery, a connection to the past that shapes the way we see ourselves today. For Becky Stites, researching her ancestors has been a lifelong … Read more

Healthy Aging Isn’t About Living Longer. It’s About Staying In Your Life.

There’s a version of healthy aging that’s mostly about subtraction. Less sugar. Less sitting. Less of whatever you were doing before. The advice tends to arrive as a list of things to stop, alongside a list of habits you should have started ten years ago. That isn’t the part that interests me most anymore. I … Read more

You’re Not Actually Relaxing—Here’s Why (And How to Fix It)

Woman journaling in a cozy setting with a cup of tea, promoting intentional relaxation and mental recovery.

If you’re still exhausted after “relaxing,” you’re doing it wrong. That’s because most of us mistake distraction for real relaxation and recovery. Your body and mind need more than just zoning out—they need intentional rest that actually recharges your energy. You collapse onto the couch after a long day, phone in hand, scrolling mindlessly or … Read more

Fearless Reinvention: How I Left Burnout Behind and Began Building a Life I Love at 54

Graduation cap and gown – Completing radiologic technology school and starting a new career.

Burned out at 50, I made a bold midlife career pivot—without a perfect plan, just a quiet pull toward something more.This is the story of how I left behind what wasn’t working and started building a life that finally felt like mine. Want stories like this delivered to your inbox? Subscribe below and get my … Read more

How to Stay Consistent (The Week the System Held)

Gym Clothes ready to go ... systems>motivation

When I went back to school to become a radiologic technologist in my 50s, I had to get serious about my habits in a way I hadn’t before. Long shifts, constant movement, studying, clinicals — I couldn’t run on whatever energy happened to be available that day. I needed something more reliable than motivation. Before … Read more

Whaleshead Beach: A Hidden Coastal Treasure Of Breathtaking Beauty

Rock formations Whales Head Beach, Samuel H. Boardman State Park, Oregon Coast

A Handcrafted Adventure Along Oregon’s Coast Tucked away in the heart of Samuel H. Boardman State Park, Whaleshead Beach is one of those hidden gems that feels like it was made just for us. Tom and I stumbled upon it during our coastal adventures, and from the moment we stepped onto its soft, sandy shore, … Read more

The Career I Accumulated vs. the Life I Finally Chose

A woman walking a path, new adventures and new life path

I didn’t wake up one day and decide to reinvent myself. That’s not how it happened. What actually happened was slower and quieter than that — a gradual awareness that the life I was living had been built mostly by accumulation rather than intention. I’d moved through a career in accounting and finance the way … Read more

Eating in a Way That Actually Works for You

Fresh Produce

I know what happens when I eat in a way that works well for me. And I know what happens when I don’t. I’ve experienced both. Several years ago, I changed the way I was eating and eventually lost 60 pounds. I ate mostly whole foods, kept my carbohydrates relatively low, prioritized protein, and stopped … Read more