Over a year ago, two of my girlfriends reached out with an invitation that sounded straight out of a travel magazine, “Would you like to spend a week on a yacht in the Adriatic Sea, sailing to Croatia and its islands?” My first thought? Croatia? Honestly, it wasn’t even on my bucket list. The cost seemed steep, and I couldn’t quite picture myself there. My automatic response was a hesitant no.

Some days are meant to test your patience, your sense of humor, and your ability to go with the flow, literally. Back in July, my friend Trina invited me and my daughter Hannah to see Teddy Swims in concert along the beautiful lakefront of Lake Michigan. We had Teddy on repeat for weeks, belting out his soulful songs in anticipation of what we thought would be an unforgettable musical night. Little did we know, it would turn into an unforgettable adventure.

Have you been feeling a little stuck lately? Maybe bored or even frustrated with where you are in life, not completely unhappy, but sensing there’s more waiting for you beyond the routine? That whisper inside you saying, “There’s something else, something better.”

Recently, my day began with sunshine and promise. I had a new local airport shuttle service, and everything seemed to be falling into place. We zipped to O’Hare airport lickety-split, with check-in complete, luggage weighed, boarding pass in hand and CLEAR sign-up complete, I had time to sit at the gate with two friends I was traveling with. We chatted with excited anticipation, ready for our adventure to begin. But oh… how quickly things can change.

If I asked you right now, “How are you doing?” I mean really doing, what would your honest answer be? Would you smile and say, “I’m good,” even if you’re barely holding it together? Would you whisper, “I feel stuck,” and afraid to admit you’ve been standing still for far too long? Or maybe, just maybe, you’d boldly declare, “I’m ready and I’m already on the path to transformation.”

If you had told me years ago that I’d be sitting here today, beaming with pride and writing about my son rocking solo parent duty for several weekends during the summer, I probably would have smiled and said, “Of course he will.” But watching it unfold in real life? It still touches my heart in ways I can’t fully describe.

Have you ever caught yourself saying “yes” when every fiber of your being wanted to say “no”? Or found yourself doing something not because it aligned with your heart, but because someone else expected it of you? If so, you’re not alone and it might be time to check in with your boundaries.

Recently, I found myself in a moment that left me shaking my head, feeling equal parts annoyed and fired up. I was with three wonderful women: smart, funny, vibrant women all in our second half of life. We had made reservations at a lovely restaurant with an enchanting view of a hidden city park. It was the kind of place where you want to linger, catch up on life, and watch the world go by through big windows.

Have you ever had one of those weeks that seems to disappear right before your eyes? You wake up on Monday, with a long list of things to do, a calendar full of appointments, a few goals in mind, and then somehow, it’s Sunday evening and you’re left wondering, where did the time go?

For years, I was on autopilot, doing all the right things, the things good moms, good wives, and responsible women do. I raised my family with love, devotion, and the kind of energy that makes you forget to pause and ask, “What do I want?” Somewhere between soccer practice, meal planning, and cheerleading for everyone else’s dreams, I left a part of myself behind.