Half Full or Half Empty? Finding Myself Again After a Month of Hard Truths

There's something profound about reaching life's middle ground that forces you to pause. For the past month, I've been intentionally stepping back, finding clarity in unexpected places. Most mornings, you'll find me in what I call my "thinking spot" - sitting quietly beside our emus as they go about their day. There's something magical about these creatures; they have a way of pulling you into the present moment, away from the chaos of daily life. It was during one of these peaceful morning sessions when the thought hit me like a gentle wave: I'm probably at the halfway point of my journey.

It's a thought that stops you in your tracks. Makes you question everything. Have I become the person I dreamed of being? Am I living with my wild heart and warrior mind fully engaged?

But here's the harder truth I've been grappling with: How much of what I'm doing is truly for me, and how much is for others? It's a strange thing to admit, but I find so much joy in making others happy that sometimes I lose myself in the process. I wake up some days feeling trapped, going through motions that I'm not sure are still aligned with my own dreams.

Here's what I've learned during this month of disconnection and deep reflection: When we're deep in the weeds of daily life - managing schedules, caring for animals, building communities, checking off endless to-do lists - it's so easy to lose sight of not just our bigger dreams, but of ourselves. We get caught up in the "right now," the "what others need," and forget about the "what do I truly want?"

The truth is, this isn't just about checking boxes off a life achievement list. It's about recognizing that every step - even the ones that felt like missteps - has shaped who I am today:

• The warrior who learned to face PTSD head-on

• The community builder who created spaces for veterans to heal

• The animal lover who found peace in unexpected places

• The mindfulness advocate who still struggles with being mindful

• The people-pleaser learning to please herself first

• The person who's brave enough to admit they feel trapped and uncertain

Sometimes we need to intentionally pause, step away from the daily chaos, and ask ourselves the uncomfortable questions: Am I doing this because I want to, or because others expect it of me? What would I choose if I only had to please myself?

Maybe becoming who we want to be isn't a destination but a daily choice - a choice that sometimes means disappointing others to be true to ourselves. Maybe it's in the small moments - when we choose courage over comfort, when we admit we're still learning, when we dare to put ourselves first despite the guilt that comes with it.

To everyone else standing at this midpoint, feeling lost in the day-to-day while yearning for something bigger, feeling trapped between others' expectations and your own desires: You're not alone. We're all writing our stories, one day at a time. And maybe the most beautiful chapters are still ahead - chapters where we finally learn to put ourselves first.

Share your story or just drop a ❤️ if you've ever felt caught between pleasing others and staying true to yourself. #WildHeartAuthentic