Your Second Bloom

25/10/2025

Have you stayed in your comfort zone for too long?
I definitely have. I took jobs I thought would be easy and low stress, so I could still be available for my kids. But what I didn’t realise was that I was playing small, staying in my comfort zone, and was actually too scared to challenge myself.

I worried what would happen if my midlife brain fog showed up and I couldn’t keep up. So yes, I chose the “easy” job I could do in my sleep — but it was below my skill level. After a while, it became boring, dull, and too repetitive. I felt trapped. My confidence and motivation plummeted. My mind kept asking, Is this all I can do with my life? Is this all there is?

It was a depressing thought — living from payday to payday, just getting through the week and wishing the weekend away. I barely had time or energy left for the things I loved. And money? Just enough to cover expenses.

Does this sound familiar to you?
Where have you played small or kept yourself stuck?

25/08/2025

Mini retirements - have you ever thought about taking one? I’m about to embark on one. It’s taken much procrastination, many “will I or won’t I?” moments, “can I afford to do this?”, etc, etc. However, now that it’s decided I’m really excited about it.

If you’re wondering what a mini retirement is — it’s basically taking a planned break from work (longer than a regular holiday) to focus on what matters most, without waiting until you’re 65. Think of it as pressing pause, so you can come back stronger — or start a new chapter.

Like so many women in midlife, I’ve been facing health issues that I can no longer ignore. This led to experiencing problems at work. I think our bodies whisper signals to us at first, and if we don’t listen, they end up screaming. So, I’ve decided to listen to my body – and step into this new chapter.

Have you experienced any problems in your workplace due to perimenopause health related issues? The stats show that something like 1/8 of women in the workforce retire during perimenopause, and 1/3 alter their work, reducing hours or taking a less demanding position.

It’s so important to build up an emergency fund and, I think also an extra fund for health & wellbeing after 50. Not everyone will need it, but having that financial cushion gives us the freedom to take time off when we need it, go to the appointments, get the care we deserve, and invest in our wellbeing.

For me, this mini retirement is about:
🌱 Regaining my strength & health
👨‍👩‍👧 Spending quality time with family & friends
✈️ Travel adventures
🌸 Starting my next chapter: My Second Bloom

If you could take a mini retirement, how would you spend it?

22/09/2024

“Midlife is not a crisis. Midlife is an unraveling. Midlife is when the universe gently places her hands upon your shoulders, pulls you close, and whispers in your ear:

I’m not screwing around. All of this pretending and performing—these coping mechanisms that you’ve developed to protect yourself from feeling inadequate and getting hurt—has to go. Your armor is preventing you from growing into your gifts. I understand that you needed these protections when you were small. I understand that you believed your armor could help you secure all of the things you needed to feel worthy and lovable, but you’re still searching and you’re more lost than ever. Time is growing short. There are unexplored adventures ahead of you. You can’t live the rest of your life worried about what other people think. You were born worthy of love and belonging. Courage and daring are coursing through your veins. You were made to live and love with your whole heart. It’s time to show up and be seen.“ Brené Brown

11/05/2024

🌿 Life is full of surprises, isn't it? It seems like just when we think we've got it all figured out, bam! A curveball comes our way. Trust me, I've had my fair share. Sitting here unwell right now instead of painting my house! But you know what? These curveballs don't have to throw us off course. As we journey through midlife together, I'll be right here by your side, ready to share my experiences and guide you through the twists and turns. From navigating challenges to overcoming pitfalls, I've got your back. Together, we'll uncover practical tools to help you not just survive, but thrive. I’ll help you move past obstacles and embrace new opportunities with a sense of renewal and purpose! 💪✨

17/11/2022

Get your Christmas shopping sorted with some gorgeous gifts at 10-25% off!!
Easy online shopping and local pick up or delivery is available!
Link to my website is in the comments.

31/10/2022

Start your Christmas shopping early with some gorgeous gifts at 10-25% off!!

Buy online for convenience and local pick up or delivery available.
Link to my website in comments.

25/10/2022

Scheduling "Me Time", do you do it?
Do you find there's no time for you after you've worked/run errands/housework/kids thing..... Well, today I want to share with you three ways you can find the time in your day to get that much needed time to yourself to help you fill your cup and feel energised again.

1. Schedule Everything!
Yes I mean everything! Work, catch ups, time to respond to emails/messages/make calls, exercise, kid’s events and sports, errands to run, etc. Go ahead and put your free time in the calendar too, schedule it and follow through on taking it. It’s much easier to find space for yourself when you can see your schedule on paper or in your phone calendar.

2. Rise and Shine!
They say the early bird catches the worm, so get up before your kids and take some time for you before the day gets away from you. I always make sure I'm up before the kids so I can I get in a cup of tea. It’s so relaxing to have that quality time to yourself, plus it restores some peace into our overbooked lifestyle. And it’s much calmer to start your day when you don’t have to rush!

3. Meal Plan
Meal planning saves so much time. An hour on the weekend save hours during the week. Perhaps you stare into the fridge or pantry wondering what on earth to cook for dinner...again? Or maybe you go to the supermarket 3 or 4 times a week to pick up ingredients to make dinner? Or end up getting takeaway because you don’t have anything to cook or don’t know what to cook? Meal planning will cut all that out, and it helps your budget as well! You might even be able to score yourself a night off if you make double batches or cook and freeze on your quieter days.

I encourage you to try at least one way for yourself.

Many of my clients have done so and tell me that it made a big difference in their life and has given them time to do something for themselves.

I'd like to help you to fill your cup too. Is it time for you to show yourself some love too?

I will show up and support you 110%. Your first step is to get on my calendar, find a day and time that work best for you and book in for a 15min complimentary call with me: https://jopearsoncounselling.as.me/

We’ll discuss where you are now, where you want to be, and what answers you are seeking. I'm looking forward to meeting you.
Jo

17/10/2022

13/10/2022

And the final journal prompt for the week is:

"What are my top 3 stressors in life?"

You know you're stressed, but do you know what is creating that stress?
When you're aware of the cause, you can do something about it.

Do you need help in taking action on anything that came up for you while working on these journal prompts? You can schedule a chat with me to see if counselling would be the right next step for you, or you can book in here: www.jopearson.com.au

Or you can get your workbook with all these questions and more to download for free right here: https://www.subscribepage.com/jopearsoncounselling

12/10/2022

11/10/2022

Today's journal prompt to get you thinking about your life is:

"What do you think you should be doing?"
This is pretty vague, and it's designed that way to really get you thinking....

This could refer to what you should be doing right now, ie. are you procrastinating about something? Why?

Or... you could journal about what you think you should be doing with your life?

Should type thinking is limited, negative, black and white type of thinking. Shoulds limit your choices and freedom and can cause disappointment and guilt if we're not living up to our very high standards.

10/10/2022

Journal prompt for the day

"How do you feel and how do you want to feel?"