How To Create A Mindful Morning Routine
Starting your day with a positive mindset and a mindful activity is crucial! Early morning self-care rituals can significantly alleviate anxiety and depression, enhancing overall mental well-being. Incorporating your favorite coffee, cozy slippers, or quiet music into your morning can foster a sense of presence and groundedness. It’s important to personalize your routine; there is no right or wrong! Experiment to discover what energizes and aligns with your spirit, and it doesn’t have to look the same every day!
1. Start The Night Before
Starting your mindful morning the night before helps because it allows you to wake up in a calm, organized environment, reducing morning stress and decision fatigue. Preparing the night before—such as choosing your outfit, planning your breakfast, or setting a to-do list—can enhance your morning routine’s effectiveness. This proactive approach also ensures a better night’s sleep, as it minimizes anxiety about the upcoming day, allowing you to wake up refreshed and ready to engage in your mindful activities with a positive mindset.
2. Avoid Technology
What do we see when we reach for our phones first thing in the morning? A list of notifications. Emails and calendar reminders. Engaging with technology can quickly shift your focus from internal awareness to external demands, undermining the benefits of a calm, centered start. So what to do if you aren’t on your phones? Instead, consider starting with a quick meditation or deep breathing exercises to center your thoughts. Journaling can help you set intentions and reflect on gratitude. Gentle yoga or a quiet walk in nature can connect your body and mind. Reading a few pages of an inspiring book can also uplift and prepare you for the day ahead.
3. Make Gratitude Your First Thought
Gratitude is one of the most impactful habits, especially when done first thing in the morning. It can positively influence our day and help us to move through the world with love and kindness toward others. You can also keep a gratitude journal on your nightstand. Write down something you are thankful for before going to sleep, and then look at it first thing in the morning. You can also write letters of gratitude and connection to the people you care about. This has a guaranteed success rate of 1000%. It is impossible to not feel a spark of joy and love when you write down what you are grateful for.
4. Create Small Rituals
Embrace simple, joyful rituals to enrich your mornings. Light a candle while your coffee brews, or awaken your senses with a refreshing spray. You could also have your favorite, most softest pajama pants and slippers that will help you feel warm and cozy even on cold winter days!
What Tom Segura Taught Me About Showing Up After 40
Last night, I went to see Tom Segura live with my boyfriend—and yes, he was hilarious. But honestly? The biggest thing I walked away with wasn’t just a sore stomach from laughing. It was a deeper lesson in visibility.
While everyone else was soaking up the jokes (and trust me, I was too), I couldn’t help but notice how brilliant his marketing is. Tom isn’t just a comedian—he’s a brand. He’s on Instagram, YouTube, podcasts… everywhere. And it hit me: this is what it looks like when someone fully owns who they are, shows up unapologetically, and allows themselves to be seen.
So here are the three big takeaways I want to share—especially for my fellow women over 40 who are starting something new, chasing a dream, or feeling stuck:
Stop Waiting to Be Perfect. Share the Journey.
There’s this idea that we have to wait until everything looks polished before we can share it. But that’s fear disguised as “standards.” Tom reminded me that people don’t connect with perfection—they connect with presence. They connect with the real. So if you’re working on a new business, a personal project, or even your voice… show the behind-the-scenes. Share the messy middle. Let people walk with you, not just celebrate you at the finish line.
Your Message Needs to Be Seen. So Show Up Everywhere.
Tom Segura isn’t successful because he hides his content in a journal. He’s successful because he shares it, everywhere. He’s not worried about annoying people—he’s focused on reaching them. If you have something on your heart—whether it’s a product, a podcast, a blog, or your story—get over the fear of being too much. Be everywhere your people are. Someone needs what you have. Don’t make them go hunting for it.
Be Authentically You. That’s What They’ll Remember.
The best part of Tom’s show? It felt like he was just talking to friends. He wasn’t performing; he was connecting. That’s what makes someone magnetic. And it’s a beautiful reminder that you don’t have to be louder, shinier, or cooler—you just have to be real. When you speak from your heart and own your story, you’ll naturally draw the people who are meant for you.
Ready to Be Fearless and Finally Show Up?
You don’t have to wait until everything is perfect. You don’t have to silence your voice or keep your dreams tucked away. You’re not too late, and you’re definitely not too old. Whether you’re starting a new business, sharing your story, or simply trying to reclaim your spark—this is your time. If this message spoke to you, share it with a friend, leave a comment, or better yet—start creating. Because your voice matters, and the world needs to hear it.
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You Deserve to Be Seen: A Conversation with Kelly Kendall There’s something magnetic about meeting someone who just gets you. Kelly Kendall and I have
Leading with Humility with Brett Topham
When I sat down with Brett Topham for my latest Unwritten episode, I knew we’d talk about city politics, finances, and community resources. What I didn’t expect was how deeply our conversation would remind me that real leadership doesn’t always look like standing at a podium—it often looks like directing traffic in the cold, listening before speaking, or rallying or rallying volunteers for a food pantry. Leading with Humility with Brett Topham
A New Kind of Politics: Partnerships Over Partisanship
Brett’s approach to city government is refreshing. He doesn’t see disagreements as battles to be won, but opportunities for richer dialogue. “We get our best solutions when we get a variety of voices,” he told me. “It doesn’t mean we give up our values. It means we’re willing to listen.”
That mindset is rare—and it’s powerful.
He champions the idea of public-private partnerships as a way to move beyond tight fiscal budgets. Whether it’s the city pool, the taxi system, or the zoo, Brett sees creative problem-solving as a shared responsibility between local government, philanthropic citizens, and businesses.
“Let’s think in 5- or 7-year plans, not just next year’s budget.”
That long-term thinking stuck with me. In a world that’s often reactive and divided, Brett’s vision for collaboration and generational impact feels like a blueprint we could all borrow from.
“Be the Change You Want to See in the World”
It’s a phrase we hear often, but Brett lives it. Whether he’s volunteering with the Beyond Blessed Food Pantry or showing up at city finance meetings as a self-professed “finance geek,” his commitment to community shows up in both big and small ways. His career took him from Hyatt Hotels to trust services to managing investment portfolios, but the throughline was always curiosity, care, and a desire to make things better.
He came back to Baraboo not just to retire, but to re-engage.
Beyond Blessed: Leading with Compassion and Community
Brett’s weekly work at the Beyond Blessed Food Pantry might be what impacted me most. Every Wednesday, they serve around 700 families in just two hours—a staggering feat made possible by nearly 100 volunteers and a lot of heart. And what struck me most wasn’t the numbers, but Brett’s humility as he talked about it:
“I try to make their day a little better if I can. I guess you’d say that’s my ministry.”
In those moments, we’re reminded that real leadership isn’t always flashy. Sometimes it’s about waving cars forward in a long line, or offering a kind word to someone who’s struggling. Sometimes, it’s just about showing up.
Listen To The Episode Now
Ready to Be Part of the Change?
If this conversation with Brett stirred something in you, you’re not alone. We need more people who are willing to show up, speak up, and believe in what’s possible when community comes together.
And if you’re navigating change in your own life—whether it’s reinvention, rediscovery, or just the pull toward something more—I’d love to connect with you through the work I do.
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🎧 Podcast – Unwritten is where I interview people over 40 who are rewriting their story—real, raw, and full of meaning. You can listen here.
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Because your story isn’t over. In fact… the best chapters might still be unwritten.
Lessons For A Soul-Led Life from Amber Sweenor
If you’ve ever felt like you’re meant for something more—but weren’t sure how to get there—this conversation is your reminder that it’s possible to change, grow, and thrive on your own terms.
In this episode, I sat down with Amber Sweenor: leadership coach, retreat host, public speaker, musician, and author. Amber’s journey is a beautiful example of what it looks like to honor your truth and let your purpose evolve over time. She is the truth of lessons for a soul led life.
Authenticity Isn’t Just a Buzzword
For Amber, authenticity means aligning your values with your actions. It’s the art of living your truth, even when it’s scary or inconvenient.
“The true definition of authenticity is when your beliefs and values are in alignment with your actions.”
So many of us have spent years caring for others, building careers, checking all the boxes—and somewhere along the way, we forgot to check in with ourselves. Real authenticity begins when we do that inner work and start living with intention.
You Don’t Have to Hustle to Be Worthy
Amber shares how her own burnout taught her to shift from overachieving to aligned living. Whether it’s through journaling, being in nature, or carving out alone time, healing happens when we start to listen to ourselves instead of the noise.
Your Dreams Are Allowed to Change
What if your old dream no longer fits your new self? Amber reminds us that pivoting isn’t failure—it’s growth. Just because something once lit you up doesn’t mean you have to stay tied to it forever.
If You Feel the Nudge, Follow It
That pull you keep feeling toward something new? That’s your soul trying to guide you. Whether it’s speaking on a stage, leading a retreat, writing a book, or just saying yes to rest—listen. That’s where the magic begins.
Follow Amber Sweenor on LinkedIn or Facebook, and keep an eye out for her upcoming weekly YouTube videos. And if you’re craving deep connection, rest, and a renewed sense of purpose, her next retreat might be exactly what your soul has been waiting for.
Ready to Take Your Own First Step?
If something in this conversation sparked a yes inside you—whether it’s the desire to be seen, the urge to pivot your life, or simply the need for a reset—I want you to know you’re not alone. That’s exactly why I do what I do.
🌿 I help women reconnect with their truth and remember their power—through soulful photography, transformational retreats, honest conversations on my podcast Unwritten, and more.
✨ Start by:
Booking a portrait session that captures your strength and beauty—no filters, just you.
Listening to the podcast for real stories of reinvention and courage.
Joining my email list for upcoming retreats, confidence tips, and personal growth resources.
Because you deserve to be seen—not just for who you’ve been, but for who you’re becoming.
