JennyLarsen210

Our hearts are overflowing as we welcome the newest member to our family! Knox Patrick Wade, you are SO loved! 🥰

Are you entering a new season of life?

> Your kids might be heading off to college, and while staying home with them was great when they were younger, you’re becoming more and more aware they don’t need you in quite the same way, and it’s time to create a different outlet where you can make a contribution.

> Or you might be realizing that what you have been doing, is no longer as enjoyable, no longer as challenging or feeling as purposeful.

The first step is committing to let go of the past.

Reflect on what you’ve learned, be thankful for the opportunities you had and the things you learned, look for how God was with you throughout all the ups and downs, then intentionally let what happened go and be willing to turn a new page and be open to new things ahead.

For me, letting go looks like choosing to think, “That’s in the past, and God is doing a new thing.” (Isaiah 43:18-19a, “Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new…”)

Then start thinking about what you want the future to look like. Start dreaming a little. Where do you want to be this time next year? What do you want your life to look like? What contribution do you want to be making?

Comment a “This is me!” if you’re approaching a new season of life.

P.S. If you’d like support as you’re defining what that looks like for you and/or help moving forward to make that happen, that’s just what my membership THRIVE is designed to do.
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Don’t waste any day because you’re not sure what to do. Reach out for help. Actively seek something that lights you up, that fits you better.

If you’re not sure what you’re made to do, reach out – I can help. That’s what I’m made to do – helping others find their thing and make it happen.

Check out the Work with Me page on my website. Read testimonials from others who’ve been just where you are to give you hope. Schedule a call to discuss working one-on-one together.

I’ll close with one of the things God used to get my attention – I hope it encourages you too:

“A New Day” by Dr. Heartsill Wilson

“This is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will.

I can waste it—or use it for good, but what I do today is important, because I am exchanging a day of my life for it!

When tomorrow comes, this day will be lost forever, leaving in its place something I have traded for it.

I want it to be gain, and not loss; good, and not evil; success and not failure; in order that I shall not regret the price I have paid for it.”

Make the most of today and tomorrow too – I’m here to help!
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Do you struggle turning your brain off?

Wake up feeling tired even though you technically slept long enough?

Feel like you can’t keep up mentally with your to-do list?

Snap at others at insignificant things?

You may have a mental rest deficit!

Mental rest is when we quiet our mind from the ongoing influx of information it receives, quiet all the mental background noise and mental chatter.

Examples of mental chatter:

–Overprocessing
–Brainstorming, especially before bed
–Thinking about things all the time
–Self-critiquing and evaluating
–Ruminating on the same thing over and over again
-Reliving past events and thinking about what you wish you would have done or said
–Dwelling on what-ifs and the future
–Escaping the present by fantasizing about the future

How will you rest your brain today?

(Source: The 7 types of rest in today’s post are based on Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith’s work.)
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Is your college kid on the verge of burnout?

Do they have an ongoing lack of energy? And catching up on sleep only leaves them feeling *more* exhausted?

That’s because sleep and rest are not the same thing.

You can think you’re rested because you’ve gotten enough sleep, but your child may be missing out on the other types of reset they’re lacking.

The end result?

A high-achieving, high-producing, chronically tired and chronically burned out child.

If they’re not intentionally filling themselves back up in all 7 areas, they’re most likely in a “rest deficit”.

Rest should equal restoration in 7 key areas of their life.

Comment below which area *you’re* most depleted in right now!

(Source: The 7 types of rest in today’s post are based on Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith’s work.)
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Communication is so much more than the words coming out of your mouth.

Most experts agree that between 70-93% of all communication is non-verbal.

It makes a profound impact on how your message is received.

Non-verbal communication includes your tone and volume of voice, eye contact, facial expressions, body language including position in the room, posture, gestures, even your appearance.

Make sure your verbal communication matches your nonverbal communication, because nonverbal always rules it out.
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Did you know that 75% of careers are derailed for reasons related to poor emotional intelligence?

Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize and understand your emotions and others, the ability to regulate your own emotions, and the ability to relate to and work well with others.

Once you identify and understand your emotions, you want to expand your ability to relate skillfully to others by learning to communicating effectively.

Is your child a good communicator?
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When we’re able to communicate effectively, others are more likely to perceive us as trustworthy and competent.

Research shows that people who are perceived as both competent and warm tend to elicit respect, admiration, and loyalty from others.

My top tip to communicate more effectively?

Become an active listener.

Active listening is a huge part of effective communication.

The focus of active listening is seeking to understand the other person.

Arlin Cuncic says, “Active listening refers to a pattern of listening that keeps you engaged in a positive way. It is the process of listening attentively while someone else speaks, paraphrasing and reflecting back what is said, and withholding judgment and advice.”

Are *you* an active listener?

If you don’t take the time to imagine who you want to be, then you’ll reactively become whatever life drives you towards.

Research has shown that shaping your future self requires “deliberate practice,” or the ability to develop yourself towards a specific goal.

You can’t effectively grow without a direction to that growth; you need a clear goal to shape the process.

Both motivation and hope stem from the combination of a clear, desired outcome, the belief that you can succeed, and a path to get there.

Your behavior in the present is largely shaped by your view of your own future.

If your future is clear, exciting, and something you believe you can create, then your behavior in the present will reflect that.

So, who is your future self?

What can you do today that your future self will thank you for?

Have you ever wondered how you can help your child figure out what they want to do with their life?

Have you ever heard of a personal success path?

A personal success path provides direction and markers along the way so you can track your progress.

Your success path will be rooted in *your* desired outcomes and what’s important to you, so it will be individual to your college kid.

Your college kid has their *own* desired outcomes and things that are important to them.

A success path will give them something to aim for and some direction as they move forward with deciding on what they want for their life and career.

Zig Ziglar said it best, “If you aim at nothing, you’ll hit it every time.”

If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll get there every time.

Have you had these conversations with your college kid?

If so, where does your college kid get stuck in this process?
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Feeling anxious about launching your kid off to college?

You’re not alone!

It’s typical to struggle with anxiety when things are uncertain, and there’s a lot of uncertainty about becoming an emptynester.

Anxiety tells us something we need to know. As we listen to it and deal with the message, it will fade away.

When we ignore the message, for whatever reason, it can affect our everyday lives adversely.

When you recognize you’re feeling anxious about your kids going off to college, whether by noticing anxious thoughts or the sensations in your body, use that as a clue to become curious.

–What is the anxiety telling you?
–What is the concern?
–Is there something that needs to be taken care of?
–Is what you’re imagining true, helpful, or right?

When we accept anxiety as just part of the process of stretching and growing, as opposed to thinking something’s wrong, it becomes more manageable.

Comment below what worries you the *most* about becoming an emptynester.💚
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Are you uncomfortable investing time and money in yourself?

You may be feeling a little hesitant because, like most moms, you’re used to putting others first – your kids, husband, parents, friends, boss, the list goes on and on.

It may feel a bit uncomfortable to invest any time and money in yourself, but rest assured…you are worth it.

And your kids’ mom is worth it!

You will be much more effective as a mom, and in all areas of your life, if you’re thriving as an individual.

Just like on an airplane, you have to put on your “oxygen mask” first.

If navigating the changing waters of the pre-teen, teen, and empty nest years and finding a purposeful career or area of contribution that fits with your life was as easy as talking to your friends and Googling what to do, then everyone would have it.

Just like you want to invest in your physical health, it’s important to invest in your emotional and mental health.

This new season requires a new set of skills. I’d love to show you the way.

Schedule your complimentary mini session with me today.

https://jennylarsencoaching.com/schedule/
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