98 | Why “When the Time Is Right” Is a Burnout Trap for Midlife Moms & Affirmation to Stop Waiting (replay Ep.50)

Are you waiting for the “perfect” moment to begin your next chapter? Too often, we say “when…”—when the kids are grown, when the job slows down, when we’re more ready, richer, healthier, or more confident. But “when” is a four-letter word that delays your dreams. This inspiring episode invites you to trade “when” for “what can I do today?”

In this powerful replay, you’ll:

• Identify the subtle self-limiting beliefs behind common “when” statements.
• Learn how shifting to “what” questions opens up agency and forward momentum.
• Practice an empowering affirmation to stop waiting and start living a purpose-driven life now.

Press play to stop deferring your dreams—and take one small but powerful step toward them today.

You’re listening to the right show, formerly known as the Mindful Life Changes or Mindful Career Change Podcast. We’ve made some pivots through the years, but we’ve finally landed on the right path: producing content for moms seeking calm within the chaos of midlife changes.

New episodes drop on:

• Sundays: 20-minute episodes addressing common midlife challenges with practical strategies plus a featured mindfulness practice (affirmations, mantras, or meditations)
• Wednesdays: Short guided practice sessions to reinforce Sunday's mindfulness technique and reset your week

More from The Mindful Midlife Mom:

Discover Valerie's articles on ohhellomidlife.com or watch her videos on Youtube @ohhellomidlife

This podcast explores patience, meditation, confidence, presence, and overcoming resentment while cultivating calm, peace, mindfulness, clarity, mantras, and addressing loneliness and burn out; it covers boundaries, caregiving, guilt, affirmations, working moms, self-care, midlife crisis, empty nesters, empowerment, people pleasing, compassion fatigue, family caregiving, stress relief, self-worth, stress management, and how to shift from reactive to centered when feeling short tempered, offering tools for self acceptance, easing mental exhaustion, building emotional resilience, harnessing inner strength, and preventing caregiver fatigue for those in the sandwich generation through expert advice on boundaries setting.

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Episode Transcript

(00:00):
The message in this episodecouldn't be more timely.
While I'm working on theexciting new chapter for our
podcast community that I can'twait to share more details later
this week, I'm no longer sayingwhen I have more time or when
everything is perfect.
I'm saying, what can I do today?

(00:20):
Taking action.
This replay episode explores howwe often delay our dreams with
the word when putting ouraspirations on hold until some
perfect future moment that maynever arrive.
Whether you've heard thisepisode before or it's your
first time, I invite you tolisten with Fresh ears and ask

(00:40):
yourself, what small step couldyou take today toward your
dreams instead of waiting forthat perfect moment?
Remember, there is no perfecttiming to start that passion
project or taking a step towardschanging your career.
This episode will help youreplace when with what?
Transforming passive daydreamsinto active pursuits.

(01:04):
You can begin right now, sowithout further ado, episode 50.
Today's affirmation.
My time is now.
I am capable and worthy ofmaking my aspirations a reality
today.
There's a four letter word Ioften hear for midlifers,
especially from women.
That's holding them back fromfulfillment potential, or even

(01:26):
joy.
With statements starting withwhen, when the kids are older
than I'll take back course.
When the work slows down, thenI'll take care of my health and
wellness.
Or when I have more money, thenI'll work on that passion
project.
The true meaning behind the wordwin is wait.
You're waiting for perfection,whether it be timing, finances

(01:49):
or personal readiness.
So in today's episode, I want toreplace this four letter word
with another one that is just asimpactful.
With what, what sparks,curiosity, and action.
Even with the tiniest steps, canyou closer to making your, when.
daydreams into a reality for alife filled with purpose and

(02:11):
passion right now, not later.
Hello and welcome to the mindfullife changes podcast.
Where we dive deep into thechallenges and transformations

(02:33):
shaping our lives from shifts inour roles at home and work to
the transitions we navigatephysically and mentally as we
gracefully age.
I'm your host, Valerie Mickey.
A career change guide andmindfulness enthusiasts.
In today's episode, we'll take acloser look at the statements
that start with when.
Exploring what they truly meanin the subtle damaging effects

(02:55):
that can have on our mindsets.
And self-worth.
Often without our awareness.
These wind statements frequentlycome up in casual conversations
with others.
Or as private thoughts you keepto yourself.
Let me share some common windstatements that we midlifers
might be telling ourselves alongwith the possible meanings
behind them.

(03:16):
Let's start with.
When I retire, then I'll startdoing what I really love.
What you're really tellingyourself is fulfillment is only
for post career life.
How about when the kids are outof the house, I'll focus.
My own needs.
What you're really tellingyourself is my dreams and
desires.
Aren't a priority.

(03:37):
Or.
When I have more money saved,I'll take that risk.
This statement can preventsomeone from pursuing
opportunities now.
Well, I would never make anyonefeel bad or pressure them to
neglect their essential needs.
But if you do have some room inyour finances and you have yet
to take any action.
Then you might be tellingyourself your passion and talent

(03:59):
are not worth investing for abrighter future.
Or do you say to yourself.
When I lose weight or get inshape, I'll be more confident.
What you're really tellingyourself is your self-worth is
linked to your physicalappearance.
How about when things at workslow down, I'll take time for
that hobby.
I used to love.

(04:19):
What you're really tellingyourself is work supersedes my
personal wellbeing andinterests.
And lastly, when I have theperfect plan, I'll make a
change.
What you're really tellingyourself is I don't know what
I'm doing so I'm not going tomake any moves at all.
Did any of these statementsresonate with you?
Along with these windstatements, you're probably

(04:40):
justified these thoughts withyour being.
A responsible parent by waitingthat money is the only thing you
need to unlock your next chapteror your schedule is too
overwhelming to take care ofyourself and just barely hanging
in there is the best you can doright now.
How about those reasons?
Do they sound familiar to you?
Well, let's flip the script,probably replacing win with

(05:02):
what, what is another fourletter word that could spark
curiosity and empower you totake immediate action?
Even if it's the smallest step.
So the next time you catchyourself saying wind pause and
transform that thought intothese empowering what questions.
What do I want for myself rightnow?

(05:24):
What small step can I take todaytowards my dream?
What will bring me joy today?
What can I do today that I'vebeen putting off?
By replacing when with what?
You're not just exploringpossibilities.
You're actively creaming them.
Each, what question can helptransform passive needs and

(05:44):
daydreams into.
Active pursuits.
Real life moments you can enjoytoday.
Right now.
Even if it's creating aPinterest board with your ideas
for that passion project,documenting your recipes for
that cookbook, you wants topublish one day.
Or meeting for coffee with thatfriend who owns that business
you admire in.
You just want to ask somequestions.

(06:05):
These small steps can help shiftyour mindset, allowing you more
agency over the outcomes youdesire and deserve.
We know life can beunpredictable.
We're never guaranteed the planswe've created in our minds.
That it will align with thetiming with God or with the
universe.
Because a parent could get sick.
A child could move back into thehome.

(06:28):
Or you could get laid off.
There are so many things thatcan happen over time.
So why wait.
The best time to start anythingthat will help you feel more
fulfilled or content.
Today was yesterday.
So the next best time is rightnow.
With that in mind, let's seizethis present moment.
With an empowering affirmation.

(06:48):
To help us open thepossibilities.
Of starting something for youtoday.
Instead of waiting for life tobe perfect.
We'll start our affirmationpractice by priming your mind a
body.
So you'll be open to thisaffirmation.
Take a deep cleansing breath in.

(07:11):
And out.
Releasing all energy thatdoesn't serve you.
I'll begin by reciting theaffirmation twice.
And while you listen to theaffirmations, imagine you're
writing this information down ona whiteboard.
Or you're watching someone writeon the board for you.

(07:32):
This will help withmemorization.
So let's speak at.
My time is now.
I am fully capable and worthy ofmaking my aspirations a reality
today.
My time is now.
I'm fully capable and worthy ofmaking my aspirations a reality.

(07:52):
Today.
I'll repeat the affirmationagain, but this time I want you
to repeat it out loud toyourself.
So you make a connection.
My time is now I'm fully capableand worthy of making my
aspirations a reality today.

(08:19):
I'll repeat the affirmationagain.
And once again, say it out loudto yourself.
My time is now.
I'm fully capable and worthy ofmaking my aspirations a reality
today.
Now imagine.

(08:41):
And visualize herself in action,doing something that brings
fulfillment and joy right now,or small action towards your
longterm goals.
I'll repeat the affirmationagain and imagine yourself.
In this vision.
And full color.
My time is now.
I'm fully capable and worthy ofmaking my aspirations a reality

(09:05):
today.
I'll repeat it one last time andit give you a moment to let it
sink in.
My time is now.
I'm fully capable and worthy ofmaking my aspirations a reality
today.

(09:33):
When you're ready.
Slowly open your eyes.
If you had them closed.
And if it feels comfortable toyou.
Place your hand over your heart.
Tilt seal this affirmationpractice with self love and
care.
This affirmation is yours torecite and practice for at least
21 days once a day.

(09:54):
It's most effective before yougo to bed at night, or when you
wake up in the morning beforeyou start your day.
To deep in your affirmationpractice, consider making your
affirmations sticky.
Right this affirmation down on asticky note and place it on your
bathroom mirror as a dailyreminder that you deserve to
follow your desires and dreamstoday.
Not tomorrow.
Or transformed this affirmationinto a short mantra.

(10:18):
My time is now.
I am worthy.
Repeat it to yourself silentlyas you go on a run or a walk.
Or right before you start yourjournal session.
To help you explore thepossibilities of what's next.
Let's not just dream about afuture.
Where everything is perfect.
Let's make today as fulfillingas possible.

(10:39):
By embracing what over, when youempower yourself to take control
over your journey.
They need to a more vibrant andpurpose driven life.
Please make sure to subscribeand bookmark this episode.
So you'll have it handy wheneveryou need a quick guide of this
affirmation.
If you found this episodehelpful, please share it with a
family member or a friend whomay be searching for empowering

(11:02):
affirmation or a mantra.
Or you can show yourappreciation by giving us a
rating of this podcast, whereveryou're listening, your support
will help other midlifersdiscover this podcast so it can
grow in blossom.
Thank you for sharing this timeand space with me.
Every moment you dedicate tobeing mindful a step towards a
more fulfilled and vibrant life.

(11:24):
Keep embracing your midlifejourney with an open heart.
And remember you are not alonein this.
I look forward to our nextmindful gathering.
I'll talk to you soon.