Have you ever looked around and seen people stuck in a place you used to be? Maybe you even know the way out, that secret path to a more fulfilling life. Well, that’s kind of how I found myself drawn to life coaching.
Let me tell you my story about finding my purpose.
In my early twenties, fresh out of the military myself, I was on a roll. I had a fantastic, stable career I was passionate about, and on the side, I was enrolled in baking and pastry arts school, dreaming of opening my own bakery. Yep, I had a full-blown concept, recipe testing in full swing, and a business plan ready to go.
Then, life threw me a curveball. My husband, incredibly supportive as always, decided to reenlist. Now, don’t get me wrong, he’s amazing, but let’s be honest, military life can be disruptive. Here I was with this thriving career I’d built, and suddenly, everything was up in the air. We talked it through, weighed the pros and cons, and ultimately, we decided to go for it, with the understanding that my career would have to take a backseat for a while.
Fast forward a bit, and our first child arrives. Becoming a stay-at-home mom was a beautiful, unexpected gift. Motherhood brought a whole new kind of fulfillment I never knew I craved. But here’s the thing: it also left a void. I’d always been independent, driven by my own goals and passions, and now, outside of being a mom and wife, I wasn’t pursuing anything that lit me up.
The truth is, for a while there, I felt like my contributions paled in comparison to my husband’s service. Here he was out there making a difference, while I felt stuck at home making a cozy nest. Don’t get me wrong, creating a warm and loving home is important, but there was this nagging feeling inside me. I had all this potential, this desire to keep growing professionally, but with a tiny human who needed me constantly, the path forward wasn’t exactly clear.
Back then, work-from-home opportunities weren’t nearly as plentiful as they are today. Still, I explored every avenue I could find, searching for a way to contribute, to find purpose outside of motherhood, and to make some money while still being there for my kids.
That’s what ultimately led me to life coaching. It’s been a journey of self-discovery, figuring out who I want to coach and how I can best serve them. But the biggest lesson I’ve learned is this: having a way to fulfill my own desires, not “someday” but now, (more on that topic in this blog post: https://heatherjonescoaching.com/military-spouse-dont-shelf-your-dreams-pursue-them-alongside-your-service-member/) in a way that works for my family, has brought me immense happiness and the capacity to pour more into others. Because when you fill your own cup first, you have more to share, right?
Here’s the thing that breaks my heart: I see so many moms and military wives putting their dreams on hold, waiting for “someday” to finally arrive. They lose sight of what brings them joy as individuals. But guess what? You can absolutely have both – fulfillment as a mom/wife and a fulfilling career or passion project. That’s why I now coach women with school-aged children, helping them find that work-life harmony, that sweet spot where they can have their cake and eat it too (pun intended, because baker, remember?).
If you’re ready to explore your own path forward and find your purpose, I’d love to chat! Schedule a free consultation call with me using this link: http://bit.ly/3tETvqQ
Let’s make your “someday” a reality, today.
P.S. To check out the Youtube video head to this link: https://youtu.be/5TTu4l5TjuY
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