LIVING IN MID-BLOOM

Sharing my ongoing journey of emotional struggles, self-care, and facing some of my fears. Life can be scary!  I talk about the importance of being kind to yourself and taking small steps towards positive change.  I also offer encouragement for those going through similar experiences. 

Takeaways

• Why self-care is essential for personal growth and happiness.
• How taking small steps towards positive change is a significant achievement.
• Why it's important to be kind to oneself and not put too much pressure on personal progress.

Chapters

00:00 - Navigating Emotional Struggles and Self-Care

03:39 - Facing Fears and Finding Strength

06:03 - The Journey to Positive Change

We want to hear from you! Send us a text and share your thoughts.

Connect on Instagram for a behind the scenes look of what it really means to BLOOM in MID LIFE --> @livinginmidbloom

April Pruitt; greeting card creator, writer, podcaster, and professional nerd, dives into honest conversations about her personal journey along with a variety of guests whose own stories can help cultivate a community of support and understanding. We all have are own struggles and ways of coping. April reminds us that no one is walking this path alone. Get ready to bloom!

In this conversation, I discuss the theme of external validation and its impact on my personal growth journey. I reflect on my complicated relationship with my late mother, struggles with body image and self-worth, and the importance of focusing on internal healing. I also talk about my podcast and how I created it as a way to support women of a certain age and share their stories. I share my ongoing journey of organizing my home, improving my physical health, and taking things one day at a time. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of self-reflection, gratitude, and making positive changes in life.   

Takeaways

• External validation can have a significant impact on personal growth and self-worth.
• Focusing on internal healing and self-reflection is essential for personal development.
• Creating a podcast can be a powerful way to support and empower others.
• Organizing one's home and taking care of physical health can contribute to overall well-being.
• Taking things one day at a time and practicing gratitude can help with feeling overwhelmed.

We want to hear from you! Send us a text and share your thoughts.

Connect on Instagram for a behind the scenes look of what it really means to BLOOM in MID LIFE --> @livinginmidbloom

April Pruitt; greeting card creator, writer, podcaster, and professional nerd, dives into honest conversations about her personal journey along with a variety of guests whose own stories can help cultivate a community of support and understanding. We all have are own struggles and ways of coping. April reminds us that no one is walking this path alone. Get ready to bloom!

Reflecting on my journey through friendships and the invaluable lessons I've learned along the way. Join me as I share insights on the importance of setting boundaries, embracing authenticity, and making self-care a priority.

I open up about my own experiences with toxic friendships and the pivotal realization that I no longer want to sacrifice my own comfort for the sake of others.  Acknowledging the dynamics of relationships, I take ownership of my part in their successes and failures. 

As I chat with you, I'll dive into the gratitude I feel for my personal growth and the incredible journey I'm on.  It's all about surrounding myself with people who genuinely care, support, and value our friendship.

Join me as I share valuable insights into nurturing healthy relationships and honoring our worth.

Takeaways

• Setting boundaries and being authentic are crucial in maintaining healthy friendships.
• Prioritizing self-care is essential for personal growth and well-being.
• Toxic friendships can be detrimental and it is important to recognize when to let go.
• Surrounding oneself with people who care, support, and value their friendship is invaluable.

We want to hear from you! Send us a text and share your thoughts.

Connect on Instagram for a behind the scenes look of what it really means to BLOOM in MID LIFE --> @livinginmidbloom

April Pruitt; greeting card creator, writer, podcaster, and professional nerd, dives into honest conversations about her personal journey along with a variety of guests whose own stories can help cultivate a community of support and understanding. We all have are own struggles and ways of coping. April reminds us that no one is walking this path alone. Get ready to bloom!

Sharing some of my past experiences in dating. I talk about how I used external validation to boost my self-esteem and the profound impact that medication and therapy had on my mental health journey. Looking back, I realize now how I lacked self-awareness during that time.  Through it all, I'm reminded how my curiosity and questioning  myself are key in my personal growth. So, join me as I dive into these topics with openness, hoping to inspire and connect with each of you on your own journeys.

TAKE AWAYS

1. Improved Mental Health: Seeking therapy and trying medication were huge steps for me in addressing my depression. As I started feeling better mentally, I experienced a real boost in my overall well-being. It was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders, and I felt more like myself again.
2. Increased Self-Care: Feeling better mentally made me more motivated to take care of myself physically. I found myself paying more attention to my appearance and health, which was something I hadn't prioritized before.
3. Seeking Validation: Placing those single ads in the newspaper was a way for me to seek validation and affirmation from others. After struggling with depression and dealing with the aftermath of my past, receiving positive attention from potential dates was a feeling I never had before.
4. External Validation vs. Internal Healing: While focusing on external appearance and going on dates provided temporary distractions, I realized that it wasn't addressing the deeper emotional wounds from my past. It was a reminder that true healing comes from within, and it's something I continue to work on every day.
5. Lack of Self-Awareness: Despite making progress in my mental health journey, I still felt lost at times. Engaging in external activities, like dating, didn't always provide the introspection and self-discovery I needed. It was a reminder that healing is a journey, and I'm still figuring things out.

We want to hear from you! Send us a text and share your thoughts.

Connect on Instagram for a behind the scenes look of what it really means to BLOOM in MID LIFE --> @livinginmidbloom

April Pruitt; greeting card creator, writer, podcaster, and professional nerd, dives into honest conversations about her personal journey along with a variety of guests whose own stories can help cultivate a community of support and understanding. We all have are own struggles and ways of coping. April reminds us that no one is walking this path alone. Get ready to bloom!

Meet Jen Hall, Co-Founder of Ambition to Success.  We discussed her time in the military (training to be an air traffic controller), her painful spinal disease, and becoming a successful entrepreneur. We touched on topics such as her addiction to pain medication, and experiencing discrimination as a woman in the military as well in the  health care system. 

Jen shared her heartfelt connection to WESOS (Women's Entrepreneur Secrets of Success). We emphasized the importance of supporting and listening to each other's experiences as women. Jen's journey speaks volumes about resilience.  And through it all, her determination and strength shine, inspiring others to push through adversity with unwavering courage.

Jen has one husband, three children, two dogs, and two birds. This is a family that  supports each other, and has fun together. Though I think the birds are being upstaged by the 60 pound puppies.

Jen, along with her partner Anna Paszkiet, co-founded Ambition to Success, a one of a kind group coaching program that includes a monthly entrepreneur box delivered to your door. Join Jen and Anna in this program that includes a community of entrepreneurs as they give you the tools and training to grow your business to the next level.

Below is the link to their website;
https://ambitiontosuccess.com

Takeaways

• Finding support in women's organizations can be instrumental in an entrepreneur's journey.
• Balancing motherhood and business requires resilience and the ability to prioritize self-care.
• Overcoming adversity, such as health issues, requires vulnerability and a determination to put oneself first.
• Addiction to pain medication is a serious issue that needs to be addressed and  supported. No one should be shamed.
• It is important to have a contract and give honest feedback in business partnerships.
• Open-mindedness, curiosity, and kindness are essential in fostering understanding and support among women.

We want to hear from you! Send us a text and share your thoughts.

Connect on Instagram for a behind the scenes look of what it really means to BLOOM in MID LIFE --> @livinginmidbloom

April Pruitt; greeting card creator, writer, podcaster, and professional nerd, dives into honest conversations about her personal journey along with a variety of guests whose own stories can help cultivate a community of support and understanding. We all have are own struggles and ways of coping. April reminds us that no one is walking this path alone. Get ready to bloom!

A heartfelt conversation with award winning author, Linda Joy Myers.

Linda Joy Myers has always been haunted by the power of the past to affect people in the stream of time. She learned about World War II through her grandmother, a passionate Anglophile who would rhapsodize about the unfairness of war. Together they watched stark black and white documentaries about the war when Linda Joy was thirteen, and later this led to a passion about history which she integrated into her own struggles with intergenerational trauma and her work as a therapist and a writer.

As founder of the National Association of Memoir Writers, Linda Joy is the author of four books on memoir writing. The Power of Memoir and Journey of Memoir help writers find their way to their healing stories. Her two memoirs Don’t Call Me Mother, and Song of the Plains have won the Bay Area Publishing Association Gold Medal award and the 2018 Next Generation Indie Book awards.

Linda's perspective as a therapist, for over 40 years, added another layer of depth to our conversation. She  expressed how writing can serve as a therapeutic exercise, and a pathway to self-discovery and healing. Her encouragement for others to write their stories, regardless of publication intentions, emphasizes the profound value of storytelling for personal growth. I'm finding in sharing my personal story in my solo podcast episodes has at times, been painful as I touch on wounds that I believed from which I was fully healed. This  subject actually came up during our conversation. 

Linda  left me inspired and deeply appreciative of the transformative power of writing. Her wisdom and encouragement will stay with me as I continue on my own journey of self-expression and exploration through my podcast and writing.

All of Linda's published works and the link to her SubStack account can be found on her website;

https://lindajoymyersauthor.com

Linda Joy’s memoir links: www.namw.org and www.writeyourmemoirinsixmonths.com.

Takeaways

• Writing can be a therapeutic exercise and a tool for personal growth.
• Understanding history is important to avoid repeating past mistakes.
• Memoir writing allows individuals to share their stories and potentially help others.
• Family dynamics and personal experiences shape our lives and can be explored through writing.
• Writing about both the dark and light moments in life can create a balanced and impactful narrative.

We want to hear from you! Send us a text and share your thoughts.

Connect on Instagram for a behind the scenes look of what it really means to BLOOM in MID LIFE --> @livinginmidbloom

April Pruitt; greeting card creator, writer, podcaster, and professional nerd, dives into honest conversations about her personal journey along with a variety of guests whose own stories can help cultivate a community of support and understanding. We all have are own struggles and ways of coping. April reminds us that no one is walking this path alone. Get ready to bloom!

Discussing my personal journey with body image and self-acceptance. I talk about the teasing by school bullies, the pressure I felt  from society, and my own family to conform to certain beauty standards. I share my experiences of being offered surgery to change my body and the impact it had on my self-esteem. We must emphasize the importance of loving and accepting ourselves regardless of societal expectations. And I encourage you to prioritize self-love and embrace your bodies as they are.

Takeaways

• Love your body where it is right now, while still working towards health goals.
• Don't compare yourself to others or strive for perfection.
• Recognize the influence of media and society on body image.
• Prioritize self-love and acceptance to improve overall well-being. 

Chapters

00:00
Introduction and Body Image 

03:20
Influence of Media and Society

07:14
Pressure from Family

08:42
Pressure from Others

11:20
Self-Esteem and Acceptance

14:08
Loving Your Body

16:02
Conclusion and Self-Love

We want to hear from you! Send us a text and share your thoughts.

Connect on Instagram for a behind the scenes look of what it really means to BLOOM in MID LIFE --> @livinginmidbloom

April Pruitt; greeting card creator, writer, podcaster, and professional nerd, dives into honest conversations about her personal journey along with a variety of guests whose own stories can help cultivate a community of support and understanding. We all have are own struggles and ways of coping. April reminds us that no one is walking this path alone. Get ready to bloom!

I am excited to announce the launch of  Season Three of of The Living In Mid-Bloom Podcast. In this first episode, I continue sharing my journey of truth and experiences of healing and resilience. As a survivor of childhood abuse, I've found solace and strength in opening up about my journey, and I'm committed to providing a platform for others to do the same. Through heartfelt reflections, personal anecdotes, and insights gained along the way, I aim to foster a community of support and understanding. 

Something new I have added this season is a complete transcript of each episode. You will find it by looking for the heading of each section to find the specific subject matter and time stamp. You can find the transcript on the Episode Page.

I'm also happy to share my website will be up and running in a couple of weeks. Stay tuned!

We want to hear from you! Send us a text and share your thoughts.

Connect on Instagram for a behind the scenes look of what it really means to BLOOM in MID LIFE --> @livinginmidbloom

April Pruitt; greeting card creator, writer, podcaster, and professional nerd, dives into honest conversations about her personal journey along with a variety of guests whose own stories can help cultivate a community of support and understanding. We all have are own struggles and ways of coping. April reminds us that no one is walking this path alone. Get ready to bloom!

Hi Mid-Bloomers! Thanks for joining me for part two of my interview with Beth Tyson.
Beth and I continue our conversation beginning with therapy; finding a therapist and determining, among many factors, if they are properly licensed. We also discuss;

• An amazing organization called Connect Our Kids.
• Children aging out of the foster care system.
•  Her children's book A Grandfamily for Sullivan. It is a tender-hearted story about a child’s experience as he travels through the grief and trauma of being separated from his parents and building a new life. It is a realistic, yet hopeful story about the power of courage, compassion, and unconditional love.
• Beth's work as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer.

"I am a mom to one little girl who lights up my world, and also has big, scary feelings. As her mom, I makes mistakes, sometimes yell, and I’m always more anxious than is necessary. To cope with this, I go to therapy, attend workshops, and  engage in self-care  just like I recommend to others. I am constantly growing and adapting from a deep desire to pass on tools that will increase children’s wellbeing for generations to come. Let’s do this work together."  - Beth Tyson

Reach out to Beth at  her website Bethtyson.com and email her at [email protected]

We want to hear from you! Send us a text and share your thoughts.

Connect on Instagram for a behind the scenes look of what it really means to BLOOM in MID LIFE --> @livinginmidbloom

April Pruitt; greeting card creator, writer, podcaster, and professional nerd, dives into honest conversations about her personal journey along with a variety of guests whose own stories can help cultivate a community of support and understanding. We all have are own struggles and ways of coping. April reminds us that no one is walking this path alone. Get ready to bloom!

Hello Mid-Bloomers!   

My special guest for the next two episodes is Beth Tyson. Beth is the founder of Beth Tyson Trauma Consulting, LLC, is a sought after public speaker, and, author.

I connected with Beth after reading some of her posts on LinkedIn. They focused on the support of children who have experienced trauma. Beth's wealth of knowledge and compassionate approach make her an exceptional guest for my podcast. 

Her commitment to advocating for children who have experienced trauma deeply resonates with me as a survivor of childhood abuse. Beth's impactful work and dedication to this crucial cause have left an indelible mark on the landscape of support and care for young survivors.

I am eager for you to listen to our conversation, exploring not only her
professional insights but also the personal motivations that drive her
commitment to this vital cause. 

"I am a healer, a helper, a mother, and a flawed human being who shares in the joys, fears, and sadness that we all experience. My personal and professional journey, shaped by encounters with trauma and loss, has transformed into a mission to educate others on supporting children in navigating adversity. "- Beth Tyson

We want to hear from you! Send us a text and share your thoughts.

Connect on Instagram for a behind the scenes look of what it really means to BLOOM in MID LIFE --> @livinginmidbloom

April Pruitt; greeting card creator, writer, podcaster, and professional nerd, dives into honest conversations about her personal journey along with a variety of guests whose own stories can help cultivate a community of support and understanding. We all have are own struggles and ways of coping. April reminds us that no one is walking this path alone. Get ready to bloom!