So much of our lives happen by default.

We inherit beliefs.
We inherit traditions.
We inherit routines.
We inherit friendships.
We inherit responsibilities.
We inherit identities.

Eventually we wake up one day and realize:

"I'm managing a life I didn't intentionally create."

Rather than endlessly tweaking what's no longer working, sometimes the healthiest thing to do is pause.

Empty everything out.

Then consciously decide what deserves to come back in.

"I think one of the biggest mistakes we make is assuming that because something came into our life naturally, it should stay forever."

Examples:

Friend groups
Volunteer commitments
Family roles
Morning routines
Businesses
Book clubs
Workout groups
Parenting identities
Traditions
Belief systems
Career paths

None of these are sacred simply because they've existed a long time.

Instead of asking:

"How do I make this work?"

Ask:

"If I were starting from scratch today... would I build this?"

Step One

Pause

Don't redesign while you're emotionally flooded.

Create space.

Step Two

Empty the “Room”

Mentally remove everything.
Imagine nothing exists.

Step Three

Choose Intentionally

Ask:

What deserves to come back?
What has earned a place?
What no longer fits?

Step Four

Rebuild on Purpose

Now create systems.
Boundaries.
Expectations.
Culture.

Don't simply recreate what you've always had.

The second season of life isn't just about discovering who you are. It's about becoming the intentional creator of your life instead of the caretaker of a life that accumulated by default.

If you’re the midlife mom of adult children who can use support to discern what no longer fits in your life, I can help. I invite you to schedule a complimentary coaching call with me. Here’s the link:

Coaching Call with Terri

Thank you for investing your valuable time and energy into listening to the podcast. I’m so very grateful for you.

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My book Intentional Intoxication: How To Deliberately Distill The Different Life You Desire, is available on Amazon. You can imbibe on the entire book in one, short, intentionally happier hour:

Intentional Intoxication Book

If you’re interested to know about how I can support you in overcoming the habit of escaping or chasing, I invite you to reach out to me by using the email below and we find a time to chat:

terribradwaylifecoaching@coachbradway.com

For a quick shot of your life’s current level of intoxication, I invite you to complete the 10 Questions on my Intoxication Inventory:

Intoxication Inventory