This episode is a reflection on how our definitions of success transform through different seasons of life, especially during times of major transition and healing.

LIFE UPDATES:

- Recovering from walking pneumonia over the Christmas holidays

- Enjoyed quality family time despite being under the weather

- First Christmas at home since divorce

- Brother and sister-in-law visited for 5-6 days

- FaceTime calls with family in Brussels

EPISODE KEY THEMES:

The Transformation of Success

- Shifting from external milestones to internal measures

- Moving from people-pleasing to self-validation

- Finding worth beyond traditional metrics

- Learning to celebrate smaller, more meaningful victories

Unexpected Strengths

- Discovering capacity for hope and resilience

- Finding glimmers even in dark times

- Growing more comfortable with vulnerability

- Learning to share previously hidden parts of self

The Gift of Starting Over

- Moving home at 35: initial challenge to current blessing

- Three stages of rebuilding:

Embracing the Unfinished

- Having goals again after a period of pure survival

- Building slowly and authentically

- Finding peace in the process

- Understanding the value of the "messy middle"

JOURNAL PROMPTS:

1. What victories have you celebrated this year that might not make it onto a traditional accomplishment list?

2. How has your definition of success evolved? What measures of success feel most authentic to you now?

3. What unfinished goals are you carrying with compassion into the new year?

THIS WEEK'S GLIMMERS:

1. Modern medicine

2. In-between moments of just being together

3. Harry Potter movies

4. New Skylight star projector

5. Finding peace in the process of becoming

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:

Starting in January 2025, Sunday episodes and posts will become part of the paid subscriber experience, including:

- Intimate Q&As

- Community discussions

- Deeper exploration of topics

- Wednesday episodes will remain free for everyone

- Subscription details available on Substack page

QUOTE TO REMEMBER:

"Success isn't just about what you're achieving; it's about who you're becoming in the process."

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedilemmasofemma.substack.com/subscribe