My Internal Weather

🔥My HOT take on *x

Sober s*x isn’t awkward.

🙊Performing is awkward.
🙉Drunk s*x you barely remember is awkward.
🙈Sleeping with someone you don’t even like because you were “caught up” is awkward.

✨Sober intimacy is different. It’s slower. Honest. Real.

🦋And for many women, it’s the first time they experience s*x with:

🤍communication
🤍presence
🤍discernment
🤍actual safety inside their own body

In my episode with Ruby & Susan, we talk about the myths, the fear, and the freedom that comes when alcohol isn’t running the show in your relationships.

If you’re curious about sober dating + sober intimacy (or rebuilding connection in a long-term relationship after sobriety), you’ll love this conversation.

🎧 Listen now on the Sober & Lit Podcast. https://www.buzzsprout.com/2287460/episodes/18486537

Talking about sober dating, vulnerability, and s-e-x! 😅
Check out the episode, friends!
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2287460/episodes/18486537
*x

Intimacy Gets Real: Sober s*x doesn’t have to be awkward, but it might be! It’s also more meaningful, honest, and connected. True intimacy grows when we’re clear-headed, vulnerable, and truly present. On the latest Sober & Lit Podcast, episode 109, Ruby and I had the chance to hear from Lily Shanks, a certified life and relationship coach, as she shared real talk (and plenty of wisdom!) on dating and intimacy without alcohol. Let’s keep the conversation open: How have your connections or relationships changed since going alcohol-free? #sobers*x #soberspaces #soberdating #soberinspiration #sobrietysupport

New year! Fresh start! Out with the old, in with the new . . . you(?)

Are you pumped to say 'BYE' to 2025, but uncertain what to try in ’26?

Are you considering jumping on a diet or detox bandwagon because “everyone else is” and you "probably should”?

Do you dread goal-setting because the goals are always the same, and you’ve tried and missed before?

Do you even WANT to set those goals??

If not, or if you’re unsure what you want to create or how to do it, you just need CLARITY.

And I’m here to help you.

For decades, I chased the same “shoulds” to check boxes that didn’t fit me. When I got clear on my deepest desires and calling, everything shifted.

Now, I offer Complimentary Clarity Calls to help those who feel disconnected, dissatisfied, and aren’t even sure why. They may know that something needs to change … but aren’t sure what.

Participating in a clarity session does not commit you to coaching (seriously, no pressure!). Before our call, you’ll answer thoughtfully designed questions. During our call, I’ll guide you through exercises and dialogue to ensure you leave with insights into what you want, what to change, helpful resources, and recommended next steps.

Schedule your complimentary clarity session with me at https://www.myinternalweather.com/scheduleclaritycallquestions

I look forward to helping you get clear for an incredible year.

Wishing you a 2026 full of peace, progress, and joy! ~ Lily

It's not too late to join my Holiday Giving Challenge and get entered to win 3 months of one-on-one coaching!

Join the fun NOW so you can:
* Keep yourself focused on the simple yet powerful (and free) gifts you can give yourself and others
* Join us for our group coaching session this Sunday
* Get entered to win a free coaching engagement with me!

Learn more and sign up at: https://www.myinternalweather.com/holidaywellnesschallenge

Wishing you peace and joy throughout the holiday season! ~ Lily

BIG NEWS! Voyage Dallas Magazine reached out and interviewed me about my journey, my dramatic career change, and my business – My Internal Weather. Read the article at: https://voyagedallas.com/interview/meet-lily-shanks-of-my-internal-weather

I'm grateful for the article and the opportunity to discuss the work I was meant to do: coaching others to help them create more internal peace, love, and fulfillment – the intangibles that you can’t earn, buy, or borrow.

The holidays can amplify our feelings about life changes, and it's normal to compare this year’s holiday to the past.

For example, I recently came across this photo from Christmas 2020.

What a different world! We were quarantined during the first COVID Christmas, our family work schedules didn't allow us to be together on the "day of," and - most notably for me, when I saw this pic - my beloved Hank (on the right) departed his physical body in Spring 2023.

Yes, time has passed, and I don't ruminate on his absence, yet seeing this photo during the holiday season pulled at my heartstrings differently than it would in, say, March.

Most of us have experienced change in one or more of the following areas during 2025:

* Health (physical, mental, spiritual)
* Occupation
* Family Structures (marriage, divorce, engagements)
* Family Members (birth, death, pets)
* Lifestyle
* Living Environment
* Habits/Patterns (getting sober, change in workout routine)
* Financial Stability

Even if you can't point to a specific change, you may not be feeling as festive as you'd like or think you "should." Or you may be feeling the effects of a loved one's struggles, which can impact you significantly, even when you aren't directly involved.

All this to say: Your holidays probably look and feel different this year!

If you are feeling super merry - great!

If you feel less than merry, that's ok, and you aren't alone.

I wrote about this more extensively in my latest Serenity Sundays newsletter and on my blog.

➡️ You can read the full article at https://www.myinternalweather.com/post/high-emotion-holidays

In it, I walk through an example of processing “less than merry” feelings to guide you through addressing challenging holiday-related emotions. If you need help with your own process, please reach out to me. I'd be honored to assist you as your coach.

☮️ If you’d like to subscribe to my Serenity Sundays newsletter, go to: https://www.myinternalweather.com/resources/subscribetoserenitysundays

Wishing you love, light, and peace!

If you haven’t jumped in to start playing along with my 2025 Holiday Giving Challenge yet, it’s not too late!

Why join? It’s a fun way to keep yourself focused this holiday season on giving yourself (and others) the gifts of compassion, connection, grace, and presence.

What kind of challenges are included? We make progress with small, incremental steps, so the challenges are simple, relatively easy, and require no spending. Examples include: give yourself 10 minutes to go for a walk, smile at 5 people today, do a random act of kindness, etc.

Sign up at the link below, and you will receive:
* A link to our fun, digital "bingo card"!
* A printable bingo card, in case that works better for you
* Access to my 2025 Holiday Challenge Weekly Coaching Cohort (at no charge)
* A chance to win a FREE 3-month one-on-one life coaching program with Lily

The Challenge runs through December 31, and you can join at any time and complete as many (or as few) of the challenges as you like.

** Get more details and join us at: https://www.myinternalweather.com/holidaywellnesschallenge

PS. Need some extra support and encouragement this holiday season? THIS SUNDAY, I’m opening up a group coaching call to ANYONE who needs a safe place to process their seasonal stress, grief, regrets, and/or other struggles related to the holidays.

The open group session will be held Sunday, December 14, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. CT via Zoom. There is no cost to attend.

To join us, please REGISTER AT: https://bit.ly/2025HolidayOpenCall

Are the holidays feeling less than merry this year? Are you struggling with seasonal sadness, grief, regret, and/or stress? This time of year can be packed with a myriad of difficult emotions for so many. Even joyful moments can trigger complex emotional responses.

You aren’t alone.

To help, I’m opening up a group coaching call THIS SUNDAY to ANYONE who needs a little extra support and a safe place to process their struggles.

The open group session will be held this Sunday, December 14, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. CT via Zoom. There is no cost to attend.

To join us, please REGISTER AT: https://bit.ly/2025HolidayOpenCall

Give yourself (and others) the gift of peace, joy, and connection this holiday season! 🎁

A perfect way to do that is by joining my 2025 Holiday Challenge and completing the simple, no-cost (but impactful) challenges on our “bingo card.”

Typically, this fun, supportive challenge focuses on wellness each year – maintaining your good habits throughout the holidays, not waiting for the New Year to make incremental changes, and entering the New Year strong and healthy.

This year’s challenge zooms in on an aspect of wellness that I’ve seen clients and others in my circle need the most right now – giving ourselves and others compassion, connection, grace, and presence.

Sign up at the link below, and you will receive:
👉 A link to our fun, digital "bingo card"!
👉 A printable bingo card, in case that works better for you
👉 Access to my 2025 Holiday Challenge Weekly Coaching Cohort (at no charge)
👉 A chance to win a FREE 3-month one-on-one life coaching program with Lily

The Challenge runs through December 31!

➡️ Get more details and GET STARTED at: https://www.myinternalweather.com/holidaywellnesschallenge

Are you on LinkedIn? Give My Internal Weather a follow over there and/or subscribe to Lily's new LinkedIn Newsletter: "The Internal Work."

Check out her latest edition, focused on self-talk. Because the shortcut to self-love is self-talk!
⏩ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/you-say-so-lily-shanks-jd-clc-wjxnc

TODAY'S THE DAY! The 2025 Holiday Giving Challenge BEGINS!

This year’s challenge is focused on the joy and serenity that comes from giving – to ourselves and others.

It is not about extravagant giving. Instead, it’s designed to increase love and connection with others and ourselves. And it’s FREE to participate in the Challenge!

Join us to create a more peaceful, playful, and joyful holiday season.

Sign up at the link below, and you will receive:

👉 A link to our fun, digital "bingo card"!
👉 A printable bingo card, in case that works better for you
👉 Access to Lily’s 2025 Holiday Challenge Weekly Coaching Cohort (at no charge)
👉 A chance to win a FREE 3-month one-on-one life coaching program with Lily

After you sign up, here’s how you get entered to win:
- Complete the challenges and mark off just 1 row of 5 challenges, and you'll be entered to win
- For each additional row of 5, you'll be entered again
- Complete ALL 25 (pace yourself), and you'll get entered 5x5 (25 times)!​

The Challenge begins TODAY and ends December 31st.

➡️ Join us at: https://www.myinternalweather.com/holidaywellnesschallenge