The Courage to Bloom: What’s Lost When We Wait—and What’s Found When We Move Forward

I’ve never been one to look back and ask what if. I acknowledge my choices. I accept their consequences. And I try to live a life with no regrets.

Yes, I’ve made some foolish decisions. But I’ve learned from every single one. In fact, I revisit the lessons from my failures far more often than the ones from my successes—because that’s where the real growth lives. When I’m honest with myself about the path I’m on, it’s reflection that opens the door to opportunity. And often, that opportunity arrives unexpectedly.

Now, as I once again put myself out there—building a movement for women over 50—I’m struck by something undeniable: the cost of inaction. It’s not just about missed chances or delayed dreams. It’s deeper. It’s the quiet erosion of possibility.

I feel so strongly about this path, this calling to help women break through the molds of societal norms, that I’ve come to see inaction as the common thread among those who are struggling. It doesn’t matter what your pain point is—grief, transition, loneliness, uncertainty. The real challenge is taking the first step. It’s pushing the button that says yes. It’s acknowledging that you want a little more than what life is currently dishing up.

And it’s not a rejection of what you’ve built. It’s a declaration that maybe—just maybe—you’re ready to find the missing piece of the beautiful puzzle that is you.

🌿 The Quiet Costs of Staying Stuck

1. Unlived Potential
   Your gifts remain dormant, never fully expressed or shared.
2. Lingering Grief Without Transformation
   Pain stays heavy, unshaped by ritual or meaning.
3. Loss of Voice
   Your story stays silent, unheard, and unshared.
4. Isolation in Transition
   Life changes feel lonely, without a circle to hold you.
5. Erosion of Confidence
   Doubt grows, and the belief that it’s “too late” takes root.
6. Disconnection from Purpose
   The next chapter feels blurry, undefined.
7. Creativity Goes Untapped
   Joyful expression stays tucked away.
8. Legacy Left Unwritten
   Your impact fades without intentional action.
9. Emotional Stagnation
   Old patterns persist, and renewal feels out of reach.
10. Time Slips Away
    The most precious resource—time—is lost. And it doesn’t come back.

🌸 The Possibilities That Bloom When You Say Yes

1. Your Gifts Take Root
   You share your wisdom, and others bloom because of it.
2. Grief Becomes Grace
   Pain transforms into ritual, meaning, and healing.
3. Your Voice Rises
   You speak your truth—and it echoes with power.
4. You Find Your Circle
   You’re held, seen, and celebrated by kindred women.
5. Confidence Returns
   You remember your worth and walk with clarity.
6. Purpose Becomes Clear
   You step into your next chapter with intention.
7. Creativity Flows Freely
   You cook, write, teach, and create with joy.
8. Legacy Is Written
   You shape a story that lasts beyond your lifetime.
9. Emotions Move & Heal
   You grow through change, not despite it.
10. You Bloom—Fully, Finally
    You become who you were always meant to be.

🌼 Why Join the Bloom Community?

Bloom shouldn’t be looked at as a fix. It’s not a solution to be applied—it’s a sacred space for becoming. And that’s exactly what so many women over 50 are craving: a place to unfold, to rise, to root deeper into who they truly are.

The Bloom Community isn’t a one-size-fits-all program—it’s a living, breathing garden of possibility. Not every woman is in the same season of life, and that’s the beauty of it. Some are just beginning to explore their creativity. Others are seasoned in legacy work and looking to share their wisdom.

When you join Bloom, you’re not just receiving—you’re contributing. You’ll find women who have what you’re missing, and women who need what you already carry. You can engage with only the aspects that speak to your soul—whether that’s soulful cooking, nature photography, journaling prompts, or simply being held in a circle of courageous women.

And let’s be honest: the journey isn’t always polished. I’ve had my share of mishaps—like the time I took Kari out for camera help and nature time and promptly lost my keys. We were 4.5 hours away in Sax-Zim Bog. We spent many hours in a stranger's warm car waiting for a tow truck, and ended up sharing stories and making new friends that still connect us today.

Or the time I got pulled over for missing a speed limit sign and told the state trooper we were looking for moose as we came up over the hill and into town. He gave us a restaurant recommendation and sent us on our way.

Or the 2 a.m. roadside stop en route to photograph prairie chickens on their lek, when the officer looked at me like, “Yeah, right, grandma…” as I sat there with two other photographers smiling back at him, chasing birds and building a legacy.  He noted he could see the camera gear before he let us go. 

These moments—messy, magical, and meaningful—are what Bloom is all about. It’s not about perfection. It’s about showing up, sharing stories, and blooming boldly in every season.

✨ A Personal Invitation

It might feel scary—and that’s okay. Living boldly and with courage takes practice. But time is critical in the midlife season. My mother had MS and was in a nursing home at 58. That lesson taught me that time is not promised to anyone.

We hear it all the time: women wait until retirement to travel, to create, to explore—and then find themselves unable to do so because of health or circumstance. I picked up my first DSLR camera after 50. Was it technically challenging? Absolutely. But I didn’t need to master every setting. What mattered was that I had developed an eye for composition. That creativity was already within me, waiting for a release.

My connections around the world, my sense of purpose, my spiritual clarity—they all came from choosing to move forward. From seeking the path God had for me. From saying yes.

So if you’re standing at the edge of something new, wondering if it’s too late, wondering if you’re ready—know this:

You don’t have to bloom alone.
You don’t have to wait.
You don’t have to be perfect.
You just have to begin.

🌟 Ready to Bloom?

If you’ve been waiting for a sign, this is it.
Not because you need fixing—but because you deserve flourishing.
Click below to join the Bloom Community and step into your next chapter with courage, creativity, and connection.

🔗 Join the Bloom Community Now
Your legacy is waiting. Let’s bloom together.