This episode gets raw and honest, so be aware of who might be listening in with you.

A Special Quote for Jennifer   

“Don't lament so much about how your career is going to turn out. You don't have a career. You have a life. Do the work. Keep the faith. Be true blue. You are a writer because you write. Keep writing and quit your bitching. Your book has a birthday. You don't know what it is yet.” - From Brave Enough by Cheryl Strayed

Running Away from a Bad Country Song

In 2013, Jennifer Buchholz wanted to get numb. Her relationship of 10-years was ending, she was caring for her sick father, two of her cats died and she had just turned 40. She, like most of us, thought running away would make her problems disappear.

Even though she felt guilty about planning her trip while her father was bedridden, she realized she really could just pick up and take off on her own. She was now single. She didn’t have any children and she could work remotely. So she called a travel agent with her two prerequisites, warm and all-inclusive.

An Unlikely Pick-me-Up

Jamaica was fun but during her flight home, Jennifer was confronted by the thought of returning to an empty house. She was embarrassed to find someone staring at her while her uncontrollable tears were thinning the cheese sauce of her airport nachos. The scruffy man asked her if there was something he could help her with and she tenderly replied to him “Can you make me laugh?”

Making Choices

In 2014, Jennifer felt lucky to be chosen for a study abroad program in New Zealand. She used her time alone to read books on how to process grief and ponder about what her future might look like. She wrote down what she was feeling and the writing helped her to get unstuck. She found that writing cleared her mind and gave her a freedom she desperately needed.   

Feeling Like a Fraud

Transitioning from being a “rules girl” to an entrepreneur didn’t feel natural to Jennifer. She found the path of the entrepreneur scary, messy and unclear. She was faced with trying to define who she was and who she wasn’t (I Am Habits #1). Still, she kept writing with the intention of sharing her experiences with others. 

Women Aren’t Supposed To

Jennifer’s physical needs didn’t subside just because she was no longer in a relationship. She found herself wanting sex with a variety of people in a variety of ways. She didn’t know what sex was supposed to be like after 40 or what it took to release her own pleasure. She DID know she wanted men to want her and her body. She craved validation and she found it through sexual encounters. She was able to let go of her body image insecurities, to let go and enjoy.

Go Solo! A Savvy Woman’s Guide to Transformation and Self-Discovery Through Travel

Jennifer’s new book is available now, so grab a copy. If you are interested in self-discovery solo travel, following your passions and living a life with purpose, then Jennifer’s life coach sessions may be just what you need. Contact Jennifer via her Transform via Travel website or find out more about her from her LinkedIn profile.

Work Directly with Me

If you would like to work directly with me visit my website, Annpeck.com or email me directly at [email protected] and share with me the impact you have gotten from these stories. If you would like to share your thoughts and ideas with me you can connect on twitter with #curvyworldpodcast and/or @iamannpeck. On Facebook, you can join the private Curvyworld group. If you would like a copy of my “I Am Habits” simply text Iamhabits (all one word) to 44222. Let me know how you found out about Straight Talk, I love collecting the stories.