Creative Seasons and Midlife Wisdom

In this week’s edition of Tranquility du Jour, I chat with Melinda Parkhurst on:

• Gracefully Embracing the Midlife Shift
  Melinda reflects on stepping into the role of a wisdom carrier and how midlife offers perspective, legacy, and a chance to pass the torch. She encourages us to lean into change, not resist it—and to keep showing up fully.

• Creativity as Lifelong Nourishment
  A dancer, gardener, artist, and maker, Melinda shares how creative expression has evolved with her seasons of life. She listens to what calls her now, letting go of old projects and embracing new ones with curiosity and grace.

• Mindfulness in the Garden and Beyond
  Whether she’s planting vegetables or petting her cat, Melinda finds tranquility in nature and simple sensory pleasures. Her outdoor time offers space to center, reflect, and reconnect with what matters most.

• Letting Go and Looking Ahead
  From going back to grad school in midlife to planning her next creative chapter, Melinda models how reinvention is always available. She reminds us that unfinished books and unchosen paths are okay—and that authenticity is our most powerful legacy.

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Grab your journal, a cuppa tea, and settle in for this week’s inspiration.

 

Our Guest: Melinda Parkhurst

Melinda Parkhurst is a multifaceted professional whose expertise spans business operations, coaching, creative arts, and personal development. With a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems and extensive experience in business operations, she began the transition to a more holistic and creative career path by earning a Master of Arts in Transpersonal Psychology with a focus on creativity. She further honed her skills by obtaining the International Coaching Federation (ICF) ACC certification.

As a certified Professional Development Coach, Melinda specializes in empowering women through their personal and professional journeys. Her coaching approach integrates her academic training, professional experience, and creative insights to support her clients in discovering their authentic selves and curating meaningful lives. She is also committed to pro bono coaching for emerging leaders particularly within BIPOC and non-profit communities. Additionally, she mentors interns as part of her HR Operations role.

Melinda is the author of Stories of Myself: Your Journey of Self-Discovery Through Storytelling, Mindfulness, Movement, and Creativity Practices, a guidebook designed to inspire self-exploration and transformation through creative practices. Beyond her professional endeavors, she is an accomplished photographer, mixed media artist, and avid gardener—a true modern renaissance woman.

Find Our Guest

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