Happy Tuesday evening, everyone. How are you doing on this absolutely amazing and wonderful Tuesday? I hope your day treated you kindly. If you feel like sharing your happenings, I’d love to hear. Let’s chat.
Today was a full one for me. I spent time working on my business — posting to my Pinterest and Instagram accounts (you can find me at Pinterest: LoveLifeWithDawna and Instagram: LoveLifeWithDawna). I’ve been setting up my YouTube channel, designing my Eternal Echoes business cards, and sketching out brochures. It’s a lot, but it’s the kind of “a lot” that feels like purpose.
Even though I’m not growing as fast as I’d like, John keeps reminding me: Slow and steady. Grow slow and you’ll last for the long haul. Grow too fast and it’s harder to maintain. He’s right. He knows how my mind works — how easily I can spin if things move too quickly. And when you’re creating something from the heart, spinning is the last thing you want.
Tonight, after a long day of showing up for my little corner of the internet, John and I went to our dear friend’s beer tasting at her restaurant in Murrieta — Downtown Public. It’s a great little pub. John enjoyed the beer; I had a couple sips, but doctor’s orders have me limiting drinks again. In fact, I’m supposed to return to a high‑protein liquid diet. So iced tea was it was for me.
We sat outside with soft firelight in front of us and that gentle hum of life happening around us. The fire, the music, the chatter of strangers — though it didn’t feel like strangers. It felt like an intimate gathering of friends and family. Toddlers laughing and playing, moms and dads relaxing, couples leaning in close, a few people clearly on first dates. I soaked in the atmosphere, and somewhere in all of that warmth and noise and humanity, something settled in my chest.
And I want to share it with you.
Because I know so many women — and men too — especially in midlife, who haven’t felt that kind of settling in a long time.
Tonight I’m speaking from a woman’s perspective, because that’s the experience I know best. But if you’re a man reading this, know that you fit into these moments too, just in your own way.
As women, we spend years pouring into everyone else. Years holding things together. Years being the steady one, the strong one, the dependable one. Most of the time, we are the heart of the home.
And somewhere along the way, we forget what it feels like to simply exist in a moment that belongs to us. We get so busy nurturing everyone else that we fall to the bottom of our own lists. We convince ourselves that we have to be everything to everyone — especially our children and spouses.
So tonight, this is for you — the woman who’s tired, the woman who’s questioning, the woman who wonders if she missed her chance, the woman who feels like she should have it all figured out by now. If you’re anything like me, you’re not behind. You’re right on time… and you’re just beginning.
I pray you hear this truth:
You’re not behind. You’re not late. You’re not done.
You are becoming.
Midlife isn’t a closing door — it’s an opening. It’s the first deep breath after years of holding it in. It’s the moment you finally look up and realize there is still so much life ahead of you — not the life you were told to live, but the life you’re finally ready to choose.
And if no one has told you lately:
You are allowed to start over. You are allowed to want more. You are allowed to take up space. You are allowed to rewrite your story — even if you’re the only one who understands the next chapter.
I pray you are as blessed as I am to have a partner who believes in you. John is my biggest supporter and my most loving critic — not in a harsh way, but in the way that keeps me grounded. He helps me move at a pace I can sustain. He knows my weaknesses and helps me navigate without burning out. I still fall and skin my knees, but he’s always there to pick me up and hold me until I can stand again.
Starting over doesn’t mean leaving your loved ones behind. It means allowing yourself to follow your dreams — if you want to. That’s what I’m doing. I’ve talked with John, I’ve talked with my sons, and I feel so blessed that they want to see me become.
Next week, I’m taking time away to rewrite my memoir — not because I failed the first time, but because I’ve grown since then. I’m launching my YouTube channel — not because I’m chasing anyone, but because I’m finally stepping into the voice I’ve spent years quieting.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a passion for writing. I used to love writing letters by hand. I loved talking to people when I was in the preaching work as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. I didn’t love the preaching, but I loved the people — hearing their stories, connecting with them.
Who would have thought that the years of misery in the ministry were actually preparing me for my true calling as a writer?
I’ve come to realize I’m not behind in life. I’ve been preparing to become.
And I want you to know that you can do the same in your own way. Maybe you’re not a writer. Maybe your dream looks different. But whatever your heart desires — you can make it happen.
You don’t need a memoir. You don’t need a channel. You don’t need a plan that looks impressive on paper.
You just need one thing:
A willingness to believe that your life isn’t over — it’s unfolding.
If you’re reading this, I want you to walk away feeling heard. I want you to feel understood. I want you to feel less alone. And I want you to feel that spark — that tiny, quiet reminder that there is still more for you.
Because there is. There always has been. And you’re allowed to reach for it now.
🦋 From My Corner,
Until next time, don’t forget, Love Life++ Hugs
Dawna – may the butterflies remind you that we are all still becoming
Love Life with Dawna 