Your Second Wind is Closer Than You Think

I hear this a lot, and it’s so ironic. 

Women reach this next chapter, one with more options, more open than ever, and suddenly feel tired.  It’s not just I need a good night's sleep tired. It’s the deeper kind.

• Tired of the same routines.

• Tired of being responsible for everyone else.

• Tired of putting their own wants at the bottom of the list.

• Tired of doing what is expected while quietly wondering, Is this really it?

So, we tuck away the ideas, interests, and adventures.

If this sounds like you, here’s what I can offer: give it a little time.

Because sometimes, underneath the tiredness, there is something else.

A flicker. A curiosity. A desire.

A little voice saying, “Hey, I’d really like to…” 

Let the breeze in.

I think about what happens when you open a door after being inside for a long time.

At first, you simply notice the air.

Then you feel the breeze. You take a deeper breath. 

You look outside.

Something shifts, and you begin to move.

Can you rest? Absolutely.

You can slow down. 

You can recover from years of giving, doing, achieving, and caring.

But you don't have to quietly disappear into the next chapter.

There is fresh air waiting.

A second wind.

A resurgence of energy that comes not from pushing harder, but from finally having room to breathe.

And then comes the wonderfully uncomfortable part.

When you have more freedom to choose, you also have more responsibility for what you choose.

That's exciting, perhaps a little daunting. 

You get to decide.

• What have I outgrown?

• What gives me energy?

• What kind of work feels meaningful now?

• What does a fulfilling life look like to me?

• What would I do if I stopped worrying whether it was impressive enough, or interesting enough?

Those are big questions. You don’t have to answer them today, but let yourself ask them. See where it takes you.

Remember, your next chapter doesn't have to look like your last one.  

Perhaps this is not the time to become busier.

What if it’s time to become more you?

More willing to follow the desires and ideas that make you feel something - excited, inspired, alive - again.

Maybe this is your most vibrant “Yes, and…” chapter. 

One where you can be spacious and ambitious.

Quiet and expansive.

Joyful and genuine.

This work has taught me that I can be calm and purposeful. 

You can build something new. You can change direction. You can pursue an idea you've carried for years. You can explore.

This is your chapter to define.

And that may be the most exhilarating—and liberating—possibility of all.

So open the door.

Take a breath. Feel the breeze.

You may find you’re more energized, more ready, than you think.

Is This the Opening You've Waited For?

There is a particular moment in life when the familiar begins to fall away.

The career or job that once defined your days is changing or coming to an end. The children who once needed so much of you need you differently now. A relationship, role, routine, or responsibility that occupied years of your life has shifted.

And suddenly, the road ahead looks… different.

Sometimes that feels liberating.

And, if we’re being totally honest, sometimes it feels terrifying.

And sometimes it feels like both before breakfast.

We’re accustomed to knowing what comes next. There is a schedule, a role, a responsibility, a clear destination. We know what we are supposed to do because, for so long, someone or something has helped define it.

Then one day, you realize:

The familiar is ending.

But that doesn't mean you are ending.

When there is no longer a well-worn path in front of you, it can be tempting to assume you are lost.

Far from it.

Now, there is wide open space. There is room. 

• Room to reconsider what you want.

• Room to discover what interests you.

• Room to try something just because.

• Room to create work, a passion, that fits the life you want to live.

• Room to change your mind.

And yes, that kind of freedom can be overwhelming.

When there are fewer external expectations telling us what to do, the possibilities can feel almost too numerous. We become so accustomed to following someone else’s path that choosing our own direction feels like a much bigger undertaking.

Don't make it one.

Here’s what I’ve learned: You don't have to know the whole route.

You don't even have to choose the destination yet.

You can begin with curiosity. 

This may be one of the greatest privileges of this chapter.

You get to move at your own pace. Maybe you're ready to leap, to hit the gas and go. Maybe you're ready to experiment, to try, to test. 

Maybe you want to spend a season listening and noticing what catches your attention, or building something new, but slowly and thoughtfully.

There is no prize for rushing into the next chapter.

Sometimes growth means a willingness to pause. Becoming more honest about what you want. Sometimes it is finally giving an old dream some oxygen.

The important thing is that the choice is yours.

What if this isn't the end of something?

What if it is the beginning of having more say in what comes next?

More freedom.

More creativity.

More room for the parts of yourself that have been waiting patiently while other priorities took center stage. 

The end of something familiar can bring grief. It can bring uncertainty. It can bring the occasional What the heck am I supposed to do now? Here’s the good news: these feelings and questions are normal.

Think of this time as an extraordinary invitation.

Look around. What's possible now?

You don't have to answer immediately.

You simply have to be willing to look.

Because the road ahead isn’t empty.

It’s wide open.

Rewrite the Rules Stage of Life

My weeks don’t look like they used to. I’m embracing this rewrite-the-rules stage of life. Upon review, the constant scheduling, pressed commitments, and hurry are excused. Replaced by gentle refinement, grace, and flexibility. When was the last time you refreshed the rules you set for yourself?

Rewriting doesn’t mean walking away from your dreams, goals, or relationships. It means showing up in a true, genuine light, better because you remove or tweak what no longer resonates. You’re free to show up in all the ways that matter to you. 

Below, I’m sharing nine areas to reassess and ask yourself, what works now? Give yourself permission. You may be excited to recraft, edit, or delete a few old routines and replace them with a new energy and vision.

1. Does work need to be 9am-5pm? Are you still squeezing all the appointments and errands into your lunch hour, out of habit? As long as the work gets done, the “when” is up to you. Half days, skip a day, work an evening, a weekend. Know which hours are the most productive and creative for you, and start from there. You’re allowed to have seasons of work too. Weave the work you love around a life that fulfills you (not the other way around). 

2. All the fabulous, none of the feel bad. Have you picked at least one spirit-free beverage to expand your options? The variety and quality of spirit-free drinks make this choice appealing. You can enjoy and celebrate, not worry about the drive home, and be clear-headed and creative tomorrow. Cheers to that! 

3. The notion of naps. The quicker picker-upper. Let go of the power-through mentality, and re-energize with twenty minutes of rest. (Or, see #6 below.)

4. Reinvent recess. Say yes to a mid-day ice cream with sprinkles, where you spin the cone at Olympic speed to keep it from melting down your arm - loving every lick. Insert your own favorite splurge or escape for a few minutes of fun! This mental break gets you out of the grind and back to fresh energy.  

5.  Friendships are rarely forever. I talk with so many who echo this sentiment. It’s hard, it’s normal, and it’s okay. You can honor their place in your past and move forward with new possibilities. 

6. Movement brings the magic. Skip one scroll session and walk outside for 15 minutes instead. Science tells us that motion, exercise, is the key to our health and happiness. Your brain loves a walk, to be outside in nature. How can you weave motion into your day? 

7. Savor the solocation. Are you carving out time alone to reflect and refine who you want to be and the direction you’re going? My hope is that you set aside at least one full day, or more. This time is precious, and only in the calm can you hear yourself clearly. 

8. Refinement is the royal treatment. Make a list of things to stop doing. We are the queens of adding more. What do you need to quit doing today?

9. Self-care isn’t indulgence; it’s sustainable living. Do you ask your body to show up above and beyond the norm? Working long hours, caring for others with little sleep, expecting mental sharpness without proper nutrition, or wondering why you feel bad exercising when you haven’t moved regularly in weeks. (No judgment here, I’ve done them all.) Take care of your body. Either schedule appointments or care for yourself at home with beautiful music, a lovely candle, and a relaxing bath. I’ve made it a priority to support my body so she’s here for my next best self. Decide to age powerfully. What’s one thing you can do to show yourself that rest and rejuvenation are the new plan? This is one rule worth having.

   If someone you know needs a refresh and a note of inspiration amid their life changes, I invite you to send portable moments of beauty to encourage and uplift them.
   
   

How Small Towns Win Travelers' Hearts

On a warm summer evening on the shores of Lake George, NY, we unpacked our chairs and spread the picnic blanket across the lawn of someone we’d never met. A resident was hosting an emerging folk band, and he invited those interested to join him. With the beauty of Heart Bay as our backdrop, we were introduced to musicians Kat Wallace and the High Horse band. It was fabulous. 

While the trend today with grand, sophisticated hotels is to showcase luxury brands, small towns are taking a different approach. They are playing to their strengths. Communities are expanding beyond their proximity to resort destinations, offering a treasured local experience. 

What this Adirondack enclave has discovered is that weaving arts, music, and culture together, in a casual style, captures the hearts of visitors. It creates passionate guests who stay longer, spend more, give to regional causes, shop locally, and invest in its future by putting down roots. I’ve seen all of this happen in my family and many others. 

The secret is finding creative ways to connect locals and visitors. One example is Ticonderoga (Ti), NY, a rural area at the northern tip of Lake George. There, a regional development coalition engaged artists to paint vibrant murals across town, as part of the Walls Between Waters mural festival. Each mural highlights a different aspect of Ti’s history and culture, and prominently features the artists. By extension, this invites art admirers to become shoppers at the local food co-op, hardware store, and retailers, creating opportunities for travelers to explore beyond traditional destinations.

Music and dance concerts add to the entertainment options. We are three-time returning fans of the Gibson Brothers’ concert, free for locals to attend on the Silver Bay YMCA campus - all part of their Summer Music Series. Then, there’s Evenings of Dance featuring individuals from renowned institutions, including the American Ballet Theater. Big city arts and culture on the shores of a small community. It is wonderful to experience. 

The nearby town of Hague hosts weekly Music in the Park concerts, complete with food trucks. As one attendee noted, it’s a great social event with adults mingling, friends catching up, kids playing, and live music. (This year, someone brought hula hoops! See pic below.) Boaters anchor offshore, adding to the festive atmosphere.  

Lastly, while it might not be Broadway, this year's Peter Pan production, a cast of all local talent, attracted a full house all three nights at Silver Bay.

As someone who’s spent much of my career in economic development and the arts, I appreciate this community engagement effort, up and down the shoreline. These towns are learning that they are stronger together; in addition to the natural attractions, their willingness to host arts, music, and cultural events energizes the local economy, builds friendships, and transforms family vacations into a unique, rich experience, one many will repeat. 

Pictured below, left to right: Members of the Gibson Brothers Band at Silver Bay, a mural in Ti, musicians Kat Wallace and the High Horse band on Heart Bay, and a spontaneous hula hoop contest at Hague’s Music in the Park.

When You're Standing at the Trail Head

Every meaningful journey begins at the same place: standing still long enough to decide to move.

For a moment, we survey the scene, consider our options, evaluate risk. We ask if this is something we genuinely want to do. Then, a decision happens. After all, we are women of action.

Let this be the month you stop admiring the life you want to live and start building it. You’ll still have concerns and see challenges that try to derail you, which is normal. When those moments arise, consider these insights to keep you moving.

Here’s what often shows up at a new beginning:

This photo of me was taken over ten years ago, in telluride, co. no doubt, i was thinking about where i was, and where I wanted to go next. It wasn’t long after this trip that red & rugged became a kernel of thought.

• Excitement mixed with uncertainty - part of choosing a new path is embracing the unknown. Lean into the excitement. Here’s what I know: when the mystery looms large, find evidence that you are capable. “I am capable” is a believable, calming trait that I find most people will adopt. Try it on. 

• Comparing your beginning to someone else's middle - when all the influencers and “everyone” (usually exaggerated) is doing “better” by your assessment - ask yourself: Are they in their first month, an initial launch year, or am I looking at their results after a decade of consistent effort? Usually, it’s the latter, which isn’t helpful to measure against. 

• Waiting until you feel completely ready - there’s no such thing, period. You’ll never have full, complete data on every aspect. When you’re not ready, be willing. 

• Forgetting that confidence grows while moving, not before - Confidence is in the doing, not the waiting (or reading, or researching). 

Use these four practical actions to get you started:

• Choose one next step instead of planning twenty - you don’t need to know the next five years to start. Too many things shift in year one; you’ll revise and tweak as you learn. 

• Celebrate movement rather than perfection - done is better than perfect. Be proud that you are trying something new, different, and willing to learn and grow. Most people never leave the comfort of their current situation (even when it’s miserable); they’re too afraid of change. You’ll have lots of good stories to share around the campfire. 

• Let curiosity become your compass - ask yourself, what if this is possible? What would success look like for me? How can I make this work? 

• Trust that clarity often arrives after you begin - just like confidence, most things become clear in the movement. Some elements you just can’t forecast or imagine until you start. 

A reminder: Every path you've admired was once someone else’s scary first step. 

They didn’t have all the answers either. Like you, they decided to move with courage and confidence - as a capable problem solver. 

Expecting the Ebb and Flow

Some weeks are an easy climb, others are a slow crawl. It’s what you learn managing through the ebb and flow of entrepreneurship, of business cycles. As a new business owner, what’s the best thing you can do for yourself? Instead of fighting it, expect it. Change is part of the deal. It’s a normal piece of the puzzle. Those who succeed don’t have all the answers; here’s what they do have. 

Trust that what you don’t yet know, you will learn. Don’t get knocked off course when the tides change - and they will. Connecting with customers, writing with ease, or launching a product is rewarding, exciting. Enjoy these times, stay focused, and ride the acceleration, not on a whim, but by being aware of what’s happening around you, intentional in your decisions, and making the most of opportunities.

When a shift happens - in the world, your industry, your business - decide that you will handle what comes next. This is where I see a big disconnect with new business owners. Something is harder, takes longer, is unexpected, and you’re afraid because you don’t have the answer. Suddenly, you’re wading into the unknown. Peace of mind (and the answers) comes with a new perspective. 

When the words aren’t flowing, the calls aren’t returned, or your timing is off, don’t throw in the towel or make it mean you are failing. It’s a data point, a chance to learn, adapt, and refine. It is not the time to apply more pressure or sit idly on the sidelines. In these moments, be curious, name what is working, then explore what isn’t. Take one step at a time with confidence, knowing you will figure it out. 

Be that steady hand on the wheel, trying, testing, and tweaking. Then decide, move forward. And the cycle begins again. 

Interest Is Your Compass

In my conversations with women, I find that many are looking for an immediate answer, a quick solution to the question of what comes next in this new chapter. Most don’t want to wade into the unknown with enthusiasm in order to uncover what’s possible. Often, we’re too practical for that. We lament, thinking of how much time we’ll waste. (I know, I’ve said those words myself.) We’d just like the answer, please. So we can keep going. Yet, it doesn’t work that way. 

Follow what feels interesting, and see what direction it inspires.

For those of you staring straight into change, a transition, the mystery of it all, here’s what I recommend. Dial the noise down a notch and alter your environment. Note what captures your attention. See where your compass points. In the midst of bright sunshine and longer, more luxurious days, this is a perfect time to be open - in your mind and in outdoor spaces. 

As crazy as it sounds, slowing down now to reveal your interests is what allows you to move faster, later. An intentional pause saves time in the long run, avoiding unnecessary restarts. One thing I know: if you don’t pause for a refresh, you speed into chaos.

And if you say, “I have no interests,” then spending time in the quiet is at the top of your list. You’ve kept yourself so busy that you haven’t yet allowed your interests or passions to come alive, to be heard. That’s job one. It will be uncomfortable; however, do it anyway. Walk without your phone, or sit on the floor and take some deep breaths. Practice being in silence until the chatter dissipates and you can hear yourself nudging and inviting what’s next. (If this idea terrifies you, then you might explore why.) 

Instead of following your usual routine and doing what makes sense, follow what feels interesting and see what meets you there. 

If this sounds like where you are, and you’d love more inspiration, I invite you to explore Visions of Possibility.

Reclaim Your Creative Rhythm

How much time is baked into your calendar to tinker, trial, and tease out ideas? We are so quick to dampen our creativity with weighty questions of business models, strategy, and pricing before a kernel even takes root. Trying to solve these questions at the discovery stage dims any hope of hearing our own voice, allowing the vision to grow, and following our gut instinct. Here’s a lighter, more playful path.

This month, we kick things off by loosening our grip and opening the door to wild creativity. Not the hectic, frenzied kind, the open and freeing kind.

Grant yourself flexibility to see where ideas take you.

• Let go of control. (Practice spontaneity, flexibility).

• Make time to pause and ponder. (Avoid the urge to be “productive.”)

• Be open to ideas that aren’t complete. (Trust you’ll handle that later.)

exploring my wild creative on the streets of brooklyn, New york

What I’ve learned is that a conscious disconnect from control comes from ease, not effort. Ease means trusting yourself to know what’s genuine and calling for your attention. (For those of us who like control, this is a rough one. It takes practice.)

Ease can look like:

• Sketching, strolling

• Playing, prompting

• Journaling, jogging

• Tinkering, testing

On my journey, I’ve imagined creating beautiful, fun print pieces that inspire and elevate women. I pondered all kinds of options in the beginning and summoned the courage to talk about it. A decision came next, choosing a path and defining first steps: taking pictures, writing, and learning new tools. Creating photo postcards for friends and family followed. Then, in November 2025, I launched my first Visions of Possibility Collection here at Red & Rugged. I put my work out there. Now, I’m planning my next Sensational Summer Series. And so it goes.

It all starts with allowing your wild creativity. Ask yourself:

1. "What if it’s possible?”

2. “What would that look like for me?”

Reclaiming creativity isn’t about pushing yourself to get lost in a dreamy, mystical place. It’s about awakening your imagination, seeing where it takes you.

As we move through the summer season, I invite you to draw upon your ideas and passions, to explore, design, and choose your path.

Stepping into your next best version doesn’t happen by sitting still and letting your passions and skills stay silent. It happens when you open yourself to wild creativity and stay in motion. What next step will you take?

Sunset What Isn't Working

There’s something about this season that speaks truth to growth and change.

Nature gives us all the tips on vibrant transitions if we pay attention.

What was once the norm evolves. And, not everything makes it through winter.

What this looks like is different for all of us. For me, I’ve let go of old eating habits, of foods that happened out of boredom, not nourishment. That habit wasn’t in line with my goal of aging powerfully. And I feel better for it. I let go of clutter, one room at a time. (This one will take a bit longer, perhaps you can relate?!) I love the result thus far - happier, lighter, more ease. I’m meeting with friends and let go of the urge to sacrifice play for more work. Connection is important to me, and catching up with friends is good for my soul.

It’s a gentle awareness of what needs to happen next.

And awareness is what allows savvy women to make their next move.

If you’re building a business in this chapter of life, you don’t have the time - or interest - for what doesn’t work. For what isn’t meaningful or genuine. You’re not here to manage drama, overextend yourself, or carry other people’s opinions.

You’re here to bloom. Which means you need to sunset a few things.

Not everything needs to come with you in this next chapter.

What can you sunset today?

1. Drama disguised as “how things are.” The client who drains you. The friend who subtly undercuts your ambition. The endless loop of second-guessing decisions.

You’re not obligated to keep doing what exhausts you.

2. Habits that once made sense - but don’t now.

Overworking. Undercharging. Saying yes when your gut says no.

It’s okay to reflect on an opportunity before you answer. Hit pause and check in to see if this idea makes sense. If not, decline it. Trust that the right opportunity is coming.

Remember, this is your chapter to define.

3. The belief that your age is a limitation. Here’s the truth: you don’t need to wait longer and learn more. You’re informed now. You bring experience, knowledge, a

willingness to learn - and a much lower tolerance for nonsense.

That’s not a liability. That’s an asset.

Instead of overhauling everything, try this:

Be aware. Notice where you feel heavy, frustrated, and what is draining you.

Be specific. Name it.

• Are you doing so much for others that you have no time for yourself? Your decisions show others how to treat you, set an example, and demonstrate that your priorities matter.

• Do you have a customer who keeps shifting expectations, taking more time, overstepping?

• Are you working all day and evenings? You’ve allowed no time for rest, a refresh, you’ve made no space for creative, pure fun?

  
  Sunset it.

  No need to make a scene or a big announcement.

• Establish boundaries.

• Create space in your day.

• Shorten the meeting.

• Say, “I appreciate the suggestion.” Instead of yes.

• Raise the price.

• Or simply….opt out.

A Few Powerful Thoughts to Keep in Mind

Letting go isn’t about becoming someone new or reinventing yourself.

It’s about becoming a more genuine you - minus the baggage.

And here’s what you need to know: The women who thrive in this season aren’t the ones doing more. They’re the ones carrying less.

This week, don’t focus only on what you’re growing, building.

Look at what needs to go.

Because something fabulous is trying to rise - and it needs room.

Spark Your Mind, Soothe Your Soul

I’m highlighting a natural beauty today, one that invites calm and elevates your creativity and inspiration. She offers joy, mystery, and awe, and is open anytime to welcome you. I honor Earth Day and all of Mother Nature’s gifts.

Nature is a beautiful blend of science and splendor, with studies and lines of evidence showing that spending time outdoors sparks brain activity and improves cognitive function (not to mention heart health). Yes, that means reducing your stress and anxiety while inviting you to think differently, awakening your next idea. Being in nature isn’t just nice to do; it fundamentally impacts our body and mind.

This week, try something new: take a call outdoors, schedule a walking meeting instead of behind your desk, eat lunch outside - your clearest thinking may be on the other side of the door. Enjoy your time soaking up this powerful source of energy and relaxation.

(If you want to read more about the science, here’s one of many articles, Nurtured by Nature: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/nurtured-nature)