Change is a Journey, Not a Destination 🌱
Change is rarely a lightning-bolt moment. More often, it’s a slow, layered process—like peeling an onion. Each step forward exposes something new: a little pain, a little growth, a little clarity. Sometimes it stings. Sometimes it reveals things we weren’t quite ready to see. But each layer we shed makes room for something new to emerge.
The tricky part? There’s no universal roadmap. No one-size-fits-all blueprint for how change should happen. Your process will look different from mine, and mine will look different from someone else’s. The key is recognizing that change isn’t a one-and-done event—it’s an evolving journey.
Like many, I’ve faced my share of life’s challenges—those moments that test your strength and make you question everything. But it’s in these moments that change often begins, quietly, with each small step forward. Reinvention happens gradually—one step, one layer, one day at a time.
The Hard Before the Hard
For years, my life felt like an exhausting cycle of sameness—too much food, too little exercise, too much television and distraction, and too much worrying about the future and finances but not knowing how to actually change things. It was hard, but not in a fulfilling way. It was a draining, heavy kind of hard—the kind that made every day feel stagnant.
Then, I made a decision: I went back to school in my 50s. That was hard, too—but a better kind of hard. A hard with purpose. Suddenly, the exhaustion wasn’t from stagnation; it was from moving toward something. The stress wasn’t just aimless worry anymore—it was the challenge of learning, growing, and proving to myself that I could do this. School required effort and focus, and while it was overwhelming at times, it pushed me to grow in ways I never expected.
The Wake-Up Call
Going into healthcare opened my eyes in ways I wasn’t prepared for. Every day, I saw chronic illness up close—the physical limitations, the consequences of years of neglecting the body. It was jarring and heartbreaking. And honestly? It scared me. Seeing just how fragile our bodies can be—and how much of that fragility comes down to the choices we make—made me rethink everything.
Tom and I had already made some changes. We walked regularly, strength trained, and I’d added yoga after an injury. Our diet had also shifted—out of necessity. I had dealt with chronic pain for years, with no clear explanation. Nothing helped until I completely overhauled my eating habits. The pain disappeared, and I finally understood how much my health depended on what I put into my body.
But I knew I needed to do more. Seeing the realities of chronic illness up close made one thing very clear: If I wanted to be strong and capable for the long haul, I had to take my health seriously. That’s why I started focusing on clean, whole foods—eliminating what wasn’t serving me and fueling my body with what it truly needed. If you’re looking to take that first step, my 1-Week Clean Eating Meal Plan is a great way to reset your habits, and my 30 Days of Delicious Meal Plan offers a deeper dive into making sustainable, healthy changes that actually taste good.
The Gradual Climb
So, I committed. I started working out in earnest—not just to survive school and clinicals and student tech jobs, but to build real strength, endurance, and resilience. Exercise became my outlet for stress, my mental reset, and my anchor. It kept me focused through two grueling years and became more than just a way to stay fit—it became a way to take control of my well-being.
But let’s be real—consistency has always been my struggle. Some days, I’m on top of it, hitting my goals, feeling unstoppable. Other days, life happens. I get sidetracked. I slip back into old patterns.
What I’ve learned? Consistency isn’t about perfection. It’s not about never falling off track—it’s about how quickly you get back to it. Every time I restart—whether it’s fitness, nutrition, or mindfulness—I’m reinforcing my commitment to the life I want rather than settling for the one that just happens. The real power is in the recovery.
Goals as Tools for Reinvention
Goals keep me moving forward. They keep me accountable. They give me something to strive for. But goals don’t have to be huge—small, steady steps lead to big change over time.
Actionable Tips for Your Own Transformation
- ✨ Set Clear, Achievable Goals – Big goals can feel overwhelming, so break them down into smaller, manageable steps. Focus on one thing at a time to stay motivated.
- ✨ Embrace Imperfection – Perfection doesn’t exist. Don’t wait for the perfect moment to start—celebrate progress instead.
- ✨ Consistency Over Time – Instead of aiming for perfection, aim for steady effort. Show up for yourself every day, even in small ways.
- ✨ Adapt and Evolve – Change isn’t static. Regularly check in with your progress and adjust your approach if something isn’t working.
- To help you navigate your midlife reinvention, check out the Midlife Reinvention Checklist, which breaks down practical steps to get started and stay on track. For a deeper dive, the Midlife Reinvention Workbook offers guided exercises to help you create a personalized plan for change, walking you through every stage of the process.
Evolving Goals, Evolving Perspective
The wild thing about making small changes? They add up. And as they do, your thinking evolves. New ideas emerge—ideas that never would have occurred to you before. Doors open—sometimes doors you didn’t even know existed.
If you had told me years ago that I’d go back to school in my 50s, graduate, shift my career, completely transform my health, and start focusing on adventure and reinvention, I would have laughed. That wasn’t even on my radar. But change builds momentum. One decision leads to another, and before you know it, you’re in a place you never imagined—but one that feels right.
And you know what? That’s the beauty of the process. The more you change, the more possibilities you open up for yourself.
If you’re looking for ways to stay on track with your own transformation, I’ve compiled a free 1-Week Meal Plan for Clean Eating to help you stay energized and focused on your goals. This plan has been a game-changer for me. You can also explore my 30 Days of Delicious Clean Eating eBook for more meal ideas to support your journey.
Holding the Vision, Saying No to Distractions
Change isn’t easy, and it’s easy to get distracted by things that don’t align with your bigger goals. But here’s the secret: you have to stay focused. You have to define your goals and guard them fiercely. When you want real change, you have to get serious about what matters and hold your priorities close. That means saying no to things that don’t serve your bigger vision.
It’s tempting to say yes to distractions, to convince yourself that small detours don’t matter, but that’s where you lose traction. Every time you say no to distractions, you say yes to your purpose. Change is a process—a messy, imperfect, evolving one—but if you stay in it and keep peeling back the layers, even when it stings, you’ll be amazed at what’s waiting underneath. Stay focused. Define your goals and guard them fiercely.
Final Thoughts
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that change isn’t a one-time event. It’s a journey, a gradual process of discovery. As you take each step—no matter how small—you’ll uncover more of who you are and what you’re capable of. And before you know it, you’ll be living a life that feels more aligned with who you want to become.
Remember: you’re not alone in this. We all have our own unique processes, but we’re all moving forward together. So, what’s one step you can take today to move toward the life you imagine?
I’d love to hear your thoughts! What change are you currently working on? How has your process been evolving? Share your story in the comments below, and let’s support each other in this journey of reinvention.