Birthdays have a way of sneaking up on us. When we were kids, it was all about cake, candles, and balloons. As adults - especially as moms — they can start to feel like just another date on the calendar, squeezed between school emails, soccer games, and endless to-do lists.
But what if birthdays weren’t just about a number? What if they became checkpoints, gentle pauses to reflect on how far we’ve come and what we want for the season ahead?
In this heartfelt episode, Vanessa - licensed therapist, mom coach, and host of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast - shares her own mid-forties reflections and the lessons that come with raising both a tween and a toddler at the same time. With humor, honesty, and plenty of real talk, she dives into how aging can feel less like loss and more like coming back to yourself.
Vanessa also opens up about the simple practices she uses around her birthday to reset, writing down reflections, creating an “I Want List,” and giving herself permission slips for rest, joy, and change. And she reminds moms everywhere that we don’t have to wait until birthdays or New Year’s to check in with ourselves.
Whether you’re in survival mode, juggling all the things, or just needing a reminder that it’s never too late to get yourself back, this episode offers grounding, laughter, and a mindful meditation to carry with you.
EPISODE DESCRIPTION
- Why birthdays can serve as powerful checkpoints for growth
- How motherhood changes the way we see aging, and ourselves
- Simple reflection practices you can start today
- The importance of weekly pauses to reconnect with yourself
TUNE IN TO LEARN
- How aging can be an act of alignment, not invisibility
- Why moms often lose themselves in the roles they carry
- Two simple ways to pause and reflect without waiting for New Year’s
- The power of permission slips for joy, rest, and rediscovering yourself
TAKEAWAY MESSAGE
Getting older isn’t about losing who we are - it’s about finding our way back. With each year, we’re invited to stand more firmly in our truth, honor our growth, and give ourselves permission to be more us.
Parents.Com Referenced Article
120 COPING SKILLS
https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills
CULTIVATE CALM CHALLENGE
https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-cultivatingcalmchallenge
1:1 PRIVATE COACHING FOR MOMS
https://www.amigamoms.com/coaching
WATCH THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE:
https://www.youtube.com/@counselorvdejesus
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https://choosemuse.com/freetobemindful
Use this link to get 15% off your total when you purchase the amazing brain sensing headband that tells you when you're in a meditative state and guides you to improve your practice.
STAY CONNECTED:
Show Hashtag: #freetobemindfulpodcast
Website: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast
All Social Channels: @counselorvdejesus
DISCLAIMER:
Free to Be Mindful Podcast episodes are for educational purposes only and should not be considered as or substituted for therapy or professional help from a licensed clinician.
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