New Year, Same Coffee… But a Whole New Perspective ☕✨

The new year always feels like a strange mix of fresh-start energy and “wait… how is it already mid-January?” This year, though, I’m actually leaning into the reflection part instead of just making unrealistic resolutions like “I will wake up at 5am and meditate daily” (spoiler: I will not). I’m not into New Year resolutions anyway – let’s make real goals. Ones we celebrate the small steps and achieve them in the long run.

Even Coaches Need Support (And Dietitians)

This week I met with a registered dietitian, and honestly? It was great. Even health coaches need guidance! We talked about making healthier eating choices and how to build on my current workouts — but the biggest takeaway was this: changes have to feel easy enough to actually stick. If it feels like a full-time job, we’re probably not going to do it.

Nobody Warns You About Kids Coming Home From College

Can we talk about this for a minute?

No one prepares you for how much the household dynamic shifts when a kid comes home from college. Suddenly the house is louder, messier, and mysteriously smells like… gym socks and energy drinks? His room is currently a shrine to stinky boy things (along with my cups and bowls). Yet somehow, he’s also requested a full lineup of homemade cookies and baked goods before we drop him off this weekend. So if you need me, I’ll be over here rolling up my sleeves and pretending I run a bakery 🧁.

On the more serious side, we also sat down together this week to review health insurance, how to log into virtual care, and how to find a new dentist closer to campus. Real-life adulting is happening, and it’s both beautiful and mildly terrifying that he needs a 1-on-1 walk through with these things. We have to learn somewhere right?!

Another College-Bound Kid (Send Snacks and Patience)

We also have another kid heading to college in the fall — she got accepted into her first-choice school (which is amazing and exciting and wonderful)… but watching the application tasks, deadlines, forms, and decisions unfold feels like a slow, painful death by checklist. It’s a slow process with teenagers who don’t do well with deadlines or even reading everything thoroughly. “Do I have to read this whole thing?” …. Yes…. Yes you do. 🥴

We still need to focus on finishing high school – with good grades – and ensuring the work is completed (and submitted - seriously). And somehow it’s always the teachers’ fault. No matter what. (Sorry, teachers. And also, I am so grateful I transitioned from teaching to coaching. It's a tough crowd. 😅)

Sophomoreitis Is Real (Probably)

Another one of our kids has been sick for quite a while, exhausted, and unable to play sports. I think it's appropriate to start calling it Sophomoreitis — which is definitely not a medical term, but feels accurate nonetheless. It's viral (the actual sickness) so watch out. School is not everyone’s cup of tea. He’s dreaming of his license, driving and oh yeah – whipping out his new motorcycle in the spring 🏍️ Send calming thoughts when spring roles around, please.

Identity, Growth, and the Hard Work of Becoming

The last kid update - She’s deeply focused on life balance and figuring out who she is. Which, honestly, is no small undertaking. But she’s a tough cookie. She’s learning to make choices that align with her values, not someone else’s expectations. Change is hard. Growth is hard. But she’s doing it.

The Part That Feels Really Different This Year

As I reflect on the start of this year, I feel like I’m in such a genuinely good place.

The kids are doing well (with all the normal teenage ups and downs). I’m loving my contract work and building meaningful relationships with incredible people. And for the first time in a long time, life feels… calm. Peaceful. Aligned.

Most mornings start slowly: coffee, chatting with my husband, our loyal dogs, and a quiet moment before the day begins. Also, I’m clearly getting older as I got a bird feeder with a camera for Christmas and I love watching the birds! There’s no dread. No knot in my stomach. No emotional exhaustion from toxic environments or difficult dynamics. And that is something I don’t take lightly.

Recently, I spent time reflecting on where I was before. I thought I was happy — but I realized I had actually settled. I wasn’t growing. I wasn’t pushing myself. I was staying safe inside my comfort zone.

And we all know why it’s called a comfort zone… because it’s comfortable. We all love comfort. But we don’t grow there.

I wanted more, but I was afraid to take the leap. Afraid to fail. Afraid to disrupt the “good enough.” And honestly, that fear holds so many people back from lives they truly want.

So I stopped. I reflected. Deeply. It took me two full months to figure out what I really wanted. And then I committed to it. With dedication, intention, and a whole lot of courage, I pushed forward.

And I succeeded.

Now I have flexibility. Freedom. Balance. The ability to set my own schedule. Space for family, travel, rest, and meaningful work. And most importantly — alignment. I don't feel guilty for taking time for myself. I have made self-care a priority. I get massages. I read. I enjoy the quiet moments. Sometimes it's just sitting in the sun with the dogs (inside of course because it's absolutely freezing right now).

A Gentle Reminder as We Enter the New Year

If you’re reading this and feeling stuck, or restless, or unsure, know this:

It’s okay to pause.

It’s okay to reflect.

It’s okay to want more.

And it’s absolutely okay to change direction.

Growth doesn’t require perfection. It requires honesty, patience, and the willingness to take one small step forward. It's those small steps that we sometimes forget to celebrate - these are the most important.

And maybe a little coffee. Well, always coffee for me ☕

Oh yeah – having a coach helps too 💛 (okay - now this is the time to go book your coaching session - seriously - you will thank me)

I even made it easy with this handy button!

Book Your Coaching Session Today!

-Coach Ashlee