The Pause Between Seasons: Reclaiming Myself in the Second Half - Episode 83

In this heartfelt and relatable episode, Kimberly opens up about life in the “second half”—the emotional shifts that come with the change of life, and watching your kids carve out their own lives.

She shares her thoughts on taking intentional breaks, creating her own space, learning breathwork, rediscovering joy, and preparing to return refreshed in 2026.

This isn’t an ending—it’s a renewal. Tune in for laughter, reflection, and a reminder to count your wins and give yourself grace for the rest. So, come on!

Want To Take a Deeper Dive:

• A Space of Her Own: Why Every Mom Needs One 
• Beyond the Makeover: How to Live, Create, and Recharge in Your Space 

Remember, this isn’t goodbye — just a beautiful pause. I’ll be checking in now and then, and back full-time in 2026. So stay tuned and stay connected! 💕

Contact:
For The Love of Parenting Podcast - Sponsored by Pregnancy Concepts LLC

DM us on IG @pregnacyconcepts

Email us at askus@pregnancyconcepts.com

Remember, as parents, do your best—there are no perfect parents, but countless ways to be loving and supportive. Signing off from the For Love of Parenting podcast. Thanks for listening. Until next time.

Transcript

Title: The Pause Between Seasons: Reclaiming Myself in the Second Half

Intro Summary

Hey there! I apologize. I know, I took a little pause. Okay… maybe more than a little. (laughs)
 But I’m back to share where I’ve been, what I’ve learned, and why this season of life feels both freeing and funny at the same time.

We’re talking rediscovery, this whole life change or whatever this is, motherhood and a little midlife magic. So, grab your favorite drink, get comfy, and let’s catch up — it’s been way too long. So, come on!

Podcast
Hello, my For the Love of Parenting parents. 
Welcome back!

I’ve missed you. Truly.
 It feels good to be back here with you again.

I know I’ve been away for a little bit — life has a way of nudging us to slow down, doesn’t it? During my pause, I was working on a few personal things, taking care of home, and honestly just giving myself a chance to breathe and reset.

You know how it is — we spend so much time pouring into everyone else that sometimes we have to stop, refill our own cup, and remember what fills us up again.

Today’s episode is a little different. It’s part reflection, part rediscovery, and a whole lot of real talk about what it means to grow into the next season of life — as a woman, a mom, and a person who’s still learning and evolving, just like you.

So, grab your coffee or tea — whatever your favorite “me time” drink is — and let’s dive in together.

 There comes a moment in a woman’s life—often quietly, without announcement—when the noise softens. The kids are grown or nearly grown. The routines that once defined our days begin to loosen their grip. And suddenly, there’s space. Not just in the home, but in the heart and mind.

For many of us entering perimenopause/menopause and the early days of empty nesting, that space feels both liberating and unfamiliar. It’s a season where emotions shift like tides: pride and nostalgia intertwined, freedom laced with curiosity. We’re learning to mother differently—at a distance—and rediscover ourselves beyond the carpool lines, permission slips, and “what’s for dinner” texts.

And can we talk about how menopause is finally having her media moment? Halle Berry, Queen Latifah, Tabitha Brown—they’re all talking about it! And thank goodness, because for a while, it felt like we were just supposed to power through with a fan, a prayer, and a pack of ice.

 As I navigate this new chapter, I’ve come to see that pausing isn’t quitting—it’s recalibrating. Our minds, much like our bodies, are not built for constant motion. When we step back—truly step back—we create space for the good stuff to bubble up: clarity, creativity, and peace.

For years, I’ve told others to count their wins and give themselves grace for the rest.
Now I’m living that more than ever.

I’ve taken breaks before—short ones here and there—but this one? This will be my longest yet. The For the Love of Parenting podcast will return in early 2026, and I’m using this time to reset, refocus, and maybe even re-date myself a little.

Over the past few years, I created my space—literally and emotionally. I learned to do things in my space, to fill it with music, reflection, creativity, and calm. What I didn’t realize was that all of those little acts of rediscovery and quiet moments of empty-nesting were gently leading me right here—to this very break.

Because here’s the truth: it’s hard to hear your own thoughts when you’re always producing, planning, and pouring into everyone else. Sometimes you don’t know you need a pause until life softly hands you one.

Part of this season has also been about rewiring my relationship with the past. It’s so easy, in midlife, to replay our highlight reels—or our bloopers—on loop. But science tells us we can actually retrain our brains to release what no longer serves us.

Mindfulness, journaling, therapy—they’re not trends. They’re bridges back to ourselves.

Each time I write down my thoughts, I remind myself: progress doesn’t need perfection.
 I’m learning to count my wins, big or small, and give myself grace for everything in between. Healing isn’t about erasing the past—it’s about remembering it with gratitude and moving forward with love.

 In this stage of life, I’m learning about breathwork as a way to reset.

I recently picked up Hoda Kotb’s book Jump and Find Joy: Embracing Change in Every Season of Life. I really like Hoda—and I’ll be honest—I miss her and even Katie Lee on the Fourth Hour. (smiling)

In her book, Hoda talks about how Jenna introduced her to breathwork, and that completely intrigued me. So now, I’m starting to dig into it a little more, learning how something as simple as breathing can help calm the chaos and bring me back to center.

And of course, laughter is still my go-to reset button. My husband and I are finding new rhythms together—and we’ve never stopped laughing. Our relationship has always been good, but now we have more time to enjoy each other, not just manage life together.

We’re talking more, dreaming more, and building a life that’s not just about raising children but about raising ourselves into the next version of who we’re meant to be.

There’s something so freeing about this phase—a mix of wisdom and playfulness, like we finally know what matters and have the courage to live it.

So yes, I’m taking a break from podcasting—but let’s be clear, it’s not a dramatic farewell.

I’m just stepping back to refill my own cup before pouring again.
 I’ll be journaling more, walking more, laughing a lot, rediscovering all the things that make me, me, and maybe even taking some classes that catch my interest along the way.

To keep showing up with authenticity, I need to live a little—to wander, to reflect, and to see what life has to teach me next.

Think of this less as a pause and more as a season of renewal.
I’ll be back—refreshed, inspired, and with a few new stories to share.

And yes, I’ll be checking in with you guys from time to time.
 The only difference? There won’t be a set schedule for me to follow.
 If you’re in this space too—between motherhood and midlife—remember this: it’s not the end. It’s the remix.

We get to rewrite what the second half looks like.
 It’s not about chasing youth—it’s about choosing joy.
 It’s about remembering who we were, blending her with who we are now, and loving the person motherhood helped shape us into.

So, as I step back, I hope you do too.
 Take your break. Create your space.
 And always—count your wins and give yourself grace for the rest.

Because this chapter?
 It’s not a fade-out.
 It’s a freedom song.
 And baby, the second half might just be the best part yet.

So, I hope you enjoyed today's episode, See you soon!

Take care.

Tags:

#ForTheLoveOfParenting, #Motherhood, #Midlife, #Menopause, #EmptyNest, #SelfDiscovery, #ParentingPodcast, #KimberlyMyers, #ParentJourney, #PodcastPause, #LifeRenewal, #WomenOver40, #Breathwork, #SelfCare, #GraceAndGrowth, #@halleberry, #@Queenlatifa, #@Tabithabrown, #@hodakotb