It’s January 2026, and I’m in my fifty fifth year. This spectacular life journey is full of interesting new opportunities for growth and transformation. I’m finding myself increasingly intrigued by the current changes my body is experiencing in this season of life.
As many women may relate, menopause has moved in, like a house guest who has overstayed their welcome. Offering unsolicited advice and leaving me carrying the load. I am finding a marked decrease in my energy levels and ever-present fluctuations in my mood and emotions. This is definitely the most challenging aspect. Physically, my body has managed to morph into a cute little squishmallow.
My fuel light is glowing a steady burnt orange and despite doing my best to stay active and healthy, my stamina is literally just chugging along.
As a result of COVID 19, my career in nursing, which I begun at age sixteen, came to an end, and I struggled to find another position. Eventually I got a job as a dish pig at a local hotel and from there, worked my way up to become a commercial cook where I worked in busy, fast passed kitchens. I very much enjoyed the work although it became increasingly arduous. Today, I find myself dealing with burnout and emotional and physical fatigue.
After finally reaching my long awaited Wackywanderbus travel goal, and since having some down time to reflect, I have reached a place of acceptance that my time of fast passed, physically demanding and high-pressured environments just no longer serve me.
I had been re-evaluating my options moving forward, and was determined to wait for the next right action and opportunity to present itself. I had purchased a shamanic frame drum early in the year, which to my surprise, really helped me release some heavy emotions and stuck energy I had been carrying and working through with my journal. I found this extremely intriguing as I have never played a musical instrument before. I loved using the drum for that purpose and it helped me a lot to feel grounded and calm. I was looking to attend a meditation retreat after having to return home unexpectedly and was excited to discover a sound healing workshop available nearby. It was another synchronistic occurrence of which I am always grateful!
I attended the retreat with much anticipation and excitement and gratefully received the blessing of sound. Amazingly, I found myself very drawn to this gentle, yet powerful modality. I felt it such a giving and nurturing experience where a complete reciprocity occurs between the recipient and the practitioner. I resonated with the philosophy, instruments and teachings so much and had a great many uncanny synchronistic occurrences throughout the four days. I found myself contemplating furthering my study as a sound practitioner and went on to undertake a level one Integral Sound Healing course, am beginning the Diploma course in February. I am super excited to see how this new career opportunity will unfold.
Along with beginning my substack, I feel very eager to move forward into this New Year with excitement, anticipation and complete surrender. Totally detached from the outcome and open to receive whatever blessings and abundance may unfold.
I’m ready to refuel!
Thank you for reading.
That is a massive shift going from high-pressure kitchens to discovering the drum and sound healing. Dealing with severe burnout and a major career change at fifty-five is a lot to handle, but it all looks like its working out amazing. Which instruments have you started learning to use?
I'm on the wrong article because the first one is locked so I'm putting it here before I read this one. Hope that is ok.
Very late to the party but I liked to try go back to the start with everyone.
Congratulations on bringing your "Wackywanderbus" dream to life and launching your Substack. I loved reading this – it is incredibly inspiring and brave to step out of your comfort zone, face your fears, and reinvent your reality.
It shows so strength, and it is wonderful that you after meeting the love of your life you and your husband have embraced this magical new chapter together. Thank you for sharing your story and creative spirit.