@Jen – You so hit it on the head. The main reason I decided to name my business When I Grow Up is because, at the age of 27, I would always get a great big laugh when I would say, "I don't know what I wanna be when I grow up." I realized these adults were laughing because they felt that, too – how can you create a fulfilling life for yourself when you have adult responsibilities? That's where most people hit that roadblock, tricking themselves into thinking they can't possibly pursue their passion as their career because they have kids, and/or a mortgage, etc etc. The key here is to not ignore those responsibilities, but to see how you can do it in spite of them. I am totally convinced that there's always a way for everyone – it's just taking the time & having the patience to find it. Oh, & I hafta add that just because you're a grown-up doesn't mean there's no time to play & have fun!

@S.E. – Ain't it nuts when you can't differentiate what you want from what everyone else tells you what you want? It's so common, though! Whether it's coming from family or friends or Society At Large, it's sometimes really difficult to figure out. I would highly suggest going to your favorite quiet spot & just letting yourself be still. Notice what comes up. Let your thoughts just go in any direction they please. If you find journaling helpful, take one along & write, write, write. Or, take a few minutes & simple write doing What You're Doing in a bulletpointed list. When you have everything on paper, go through the list one by one & star which ones excite you. If it's hard to figure out, close your eyes & think of yourself doing that thing for a little while. Open your eyes & observe how you're feeling. Are you excited, inspired, thrilled? Or do you just shrug your shoulders? That'll be a big hint into what's really going on.

@Alisha – Absolutely!

@Jess LC – It's so nice to hear you say that! I have to admit I was thinking it might be Beginner's Trust, fading over time. I think I need to make sure to keep checking in with myself every few weeks to make sure I'm still trusting & feeling "right" in my choices. That's definitely my north star.

@Amanda – Thanks so much for all of your kind words! It's my first day as my own boss today, & what a wonderful thing to read first thing in the morning. And congrats on your two part-time jobs! That is SO amazing – you're on your way to going confidently in the direction of your dreams, & I promise that if you just keep working you'll get there. It might not be overnight, but it'll happen eventually, & that's what matters. When I started my life coaching classes I had no idea when I'd be able to make the leap to full-time coach, but if you told me in Aug 2007 that it would happen in March 2010 I might have groaned & made a motion like I was shooting myself in the head. But looking back in Mar 2010 to Aug 2007, it doesn't seem like a long time at all! And I have to admit, it's really gratifying to see how far I've come in that "short" amount of time. You can do it, Amanda!

Just wanted to encourage you and thank you for all you do….

Amanda

Your phrase "follow that path in a way that sits well with you" really hit home for me. So did the reminder that finding and doing the thing that lights me up doesn't have to involve shirking the responsibilities of being an adult, which are also really important to me. To know I can trust in my feelings because it doesn't mean that my logic is totally turned off is such a huge relief. Thank you.

@Carmen – Can I keep you in my pocket & take you out to tell me nice things? You're so, so good at making me feel so, so good! Thank you so, so much for it!