WEBVTT 00:00:04.589 --> 00:00:06.830 This week's going to be a little bit different. 00:00:07.030 --> 00:00:11.289 I'm sharing with you me In the guest seat as 00:00:11.289 --> 00:00:15.050 I joined Laura flowers on her podcast rediscovering 00:00:15.050 --> 00:00:18.750 you a show dedicated to helping women break free 00:00:18.750 --> 00:00:21.870 from feeling stuck and Step into the life they 00:00:21.870 --> 00:00:25.649 truly want Laura and I dive deep into my decision 00:00:25.649 --> 00:00:28.890 to walk away from my long teaching career, the 00:00:28.890 --> 00:00:31.210 emotions and uncertainty that come with such 00:00:31.210 --> 00:00:34.070 a big change, and how I'm using storytelling 00:00:34.070 --> 00:00:37.329 and manifestation to align my next steps with 00:00:37.329 --> 00:00:40.969 my core values. If you've ever felt stuck in 00:00:40.969 --> 00:00:43.829 your career, relationships, or personal growth, 00:00:44.170 --> 00:00:47.689 this episode is for you. I hope my journey inspires 00:00:47.689 --> 00:00:51.490 you to trust the process and step boldly into 00:00:51.490 --> 00:00:59.219 your own next chapter. Thank you for joining 00:00:59.219 --> 00:01:01.579 me for another episode of Life's Next Lesson 00:01:01.579 --> 00:01:04.480 Plan. I'm Rachel and I started this podcast during 00:01:04.480 --> 00:01:07.599 my 29th and last year as a high school teacher. 00:01:08.120 --> 00:01:10.500 The goal of my work with Life's Next Lesson Plan 00:01:10.500 --> 00:01:13.640 as well as my Live and Learn Patreon is to create 00:01:13.640 --> 00:01:16.359 a connection where we are all teachers. We all 00:01:16.359 --> 00:01:18.680 have lessons and stories to share that can help 00:01:18.680 --> 00:01:21.700 others. I'm so fortunate to be able to extend 00:01:21.700 --> 00:01:24.760 the four walls of my previous classroom to an 00:01:24.760 --> 00:01:27.920 unlimited audience. where we can all learn from 00:01:27.920 --> 00:01:30.400 each other, and my guests are some of the most 00:01:30.400 --> 00:01:33.319 inspirational people with the best stories and 00:01:33.319 --> 00:01:35.939 lessons I know, which is why I want to share 00:01:35.939 --> 00:01:38.939 them with you. Their words are something everyone 00:01:38.939 --> 00:01:41.340 should hear. It is my hope that you are able 00:01:41.340 --> 00:01:44.299 to take away something from each episode to apply 00:01:44.299 --> 00:01:47.239 to your own life, whether that be a career search, 00:01:47.680 --> 00:01:50.719 path to a more fulfilling life, or new ideas 00:01:50.719 --> 00:01:59.359 on current topics. Welcome to Rediscovering You, 00:01:59.780 --> 00:02:02.260 the podcast where we empower you to rediscover 00:02:02.260 --> 00:02:05.799 your life and manifest your dreams. I'm Laura 00:02:05.799 --> 00:02:08.659 Flowers, a transformational life post with nearly 00:02:08.659 --> 00:02:12.080 20 years of experience in the fields of psychology, 00:02:12.500 --> 00:02:15.939 mental health, and education. No matter where 00:02:15.939 --> 00:02:19.539 you are, what you're doing, it's never too late 00:02:19.539 --> 00:02:22.199 to reimagine your future. Whether you're ready 00:02:22.199 --> 00:02:25.340 to pin it, redefine success on your own terms, 00:02:25.599 --> 00:02:28.240 or simply take that first step towards a more 00:02:28.240 --> 00:02:31.539 fulfilling life, Rediscovering Youth is here, 00:02:31.979 --> 00:02:35.219 for it and iTunes. For each episode, we will 00:02:35.219 --> 00:02:39.120 share inspiring stories, practical tools to help 00:02:39.120 --> 00:02:41.819 insights to help you bring every time a new thing 00:02:41.819 --> 00:02:44.379 to life and manifest the life you've always dreamed 00:02:44.379 --> 00:02:47.900 of. Are you ready to rewrite your story? Let's 00:02:47.900 --> 00:02:55.699 get started. Welcome to Rediscovering You, episode 00:02:55.699 --> 00:03:00.539 38. Today I am thrilled to welcome to the show 00:03:00.539 --> 00:03:04.620 Rachel Rauch. And I just find it so interesting 00:03:04.620 --> 00:03:08.039 that like people attract like people. I just 00:03:08.039 --> 00:03:11.300 happened to meet Rachel and the similarities 00:03:11.300 --> 00:03:14.740 that we have in our own paths are just so uncanny. 00:03:14.819 --> 00:03:17.719 And so I am really excited to have a conversation 00:03:17.719 --> 00:03:20.520 with her on the podcast today. Rachel, welcome 00:03:20.520 --> 00:03:22.639 to the show. And would you mind just introducing 00:03:22.639 --> 00:03:24.500 yourself to the audience and sharing a little 00:03:24.500 --> 00:03:27.039 bit about yourself? Sure. Yeah. Thank you so 00:03:27.039 --> 00:03:31.629 much for having me. So I have been a high school 00:03:31.629 --> 00:03:35.930 English and journalism teacher for 29 years and 00:03:35.930 --> 00:03:38.129 have decided that this is going to be my last 00:03:38.129 --> 00:03:40.770 year in the classroom even though I am not eligible 00:03:40.770 --> 00:03:44.689 for pension or retirement benefits yet, but I've 00:03:44.689 --> 00:03:47.939 decided that it's time. This also corresponds 00:03:47.939 --> 00:03:50.979 with becoming an empty nester. My daughter is 00:03:50.979 --> 00:03:53.719 going to be a freshman in college in the fall. 00:03:54.180 --> 00:03:57.740 So we're both making a big leap and going to 00:03:57.740 --> 00:04:02.080 be going through big transitions together. Wow. 00:04:02.740 --> 00:04:06.560 You know, everything you just said, I... resonate 00:04:06.560 --> 00:04:12.460 with so much. Can we talk a bit about your decision 00:04:12.460 --> 00:04:15.900 to leave education at this point in your career, 00:04:16.160 --> 00:04:18.519 knowing that you are not eligible for your pension 00:04:18.519 --> 00:04:21.439 and having put in so many so many years? What 00:04:21.439 --> 00:04:25.160 what made you decide to take that leap? Yeah, 00:04:25.160 --> 00:04:28.680 absolutely. It's been not an overnight decision. 00:04:28.720 --> 00:04:32.399 Definitely have been feeling a pull for at least 00:04:32.399 --> 00:04:37.000 three years, I think. 29 years is a long time 00:04:37.000 --> 00:04:40.620 to dedicate yourself to one profession, especially, 00:04:40.740 --> 00:04:44.120 I think, a profession that has changed so dramatically 00:04:44.120 --> 00:04:46.920 in the last three decades. I mean, when I think 00:04:46.920 --> 00:04:49.779 about when I started and there were barely cell 00:04:49.779 --> 00:04:53.220 phones and barely computers and now that has 00:04:53.220 --> 00:04:55.959 kind of overtaken the educational landscape. 00:04:56.379 --> 00:05:00.079 So that, I think, coupled with just other changes 00:05:00.079 --> 00:05:04.259 in education, both politically, socially. I think 00:05:04.259 --> 00:05:07.199 changes in students post pandemic, even though 00:05:07.199 --> 00:05:09.899 we say like, oh, we're past the pandemic now, 00:05:09.959 --> 00:05:13.220 everything's fine. I'm not so sure about that. 00:05:13.959 --> 00:05:15.980 Just kind of the repercussions of what we have 00:05:15.980 --> 00:05:18.680 seen and changes in behavior and expectations 00:05:18.680 --> 00:05:23.180 on teachers and changes in students where like 00:05:23.180 --> 00:05:25.620 we just heard there's this rumor going around 00:05:25.620 --> 00:05:29.319 school that. one in every four freshmen coming 00:05:29.319 --> 00:05:32.860 into the high school has, quote, paperwork, you 00:05:32.860 --> 00:05:35.199 know, meaning that they all have sort of, you 00:05:35.199 --> 00:05:38.480 know, diverse needs, which we are used to dealing 00:05:38.480 --> 00:05:42.220 with, but not at that level, I think, with no 00:05:42.220 --> 00:05:45.399 extra support. So, you know, I've been feeling 00:05:45.399 --> 00:05:49.610 that, that sort of pull to... Use the skills 00:05:49.610 --> 00:05:53.310 that I have gained over all of these years, just 00:05:53.310 --> 00:05:57.870 in a different way. I still do not have a job 00:05:57.870 --> 00:06:00.269 signed on the dotted line, although I've been 00:06:00.269 --> 00:06:03.610 negotiating toward a certain position and it's 00:06:03.610 --> 00:06:08.199 becoming more clear now, but I needed... I knew 00:06:08.199 --> 00:06:10.879 that once I made the decision because I had been 00:06:10.879 --> 00:06:14.019 applying for positions over the last three years 00:06:14.019 --> 00:06:17.699 and at 51 years old I guess I did not realize 00:06:17.699 --> 00:06:21.000 or think about I might not be as marketable even 00:06:21.000 --> 00:06:22.959 though I have a lot of skills that's kind of 00:06:22.959 --> 00:06:28.060 a scary age to employ someone and sometimes people 00:06:28.060 --> 00:06:30.620 think you're overqualified sometimes people think 00:06:30.620 --> 00:06:32.860 you're going to want to match your current salary 00:06:32.860 --> 00:06:35.060 I'm sure there are a lot of different factors 00:06:35.060 --> 00:06:40.189 but I needed to make the decision and not have, 00:06:40.509 --> 00:06:42.269 oh, I'll just go back to the classroom if it 00:06:42.269 --> 00:06:47.170 doesn't work out. So I have worked part -time 00:06:47.170 --> 00:06:50.230 jobs, you know, for fun or to fill my time after 00:06:50.230 --> 00:06:54.089 my divorce because the 50 % of the time I was 00:06:54.089 --> 00:06:57.129 not with my daughter and it was lonely, of course. 00:06:57.410 --> 00:07:00.509 And so I, one of the part -time jobs I had basically 00:07:00.509 --> 00:07:04.009 said to me, you ever decide to leave teaching 00:07:04.009 --> 00:07:07.569 will give you kind of a you know manager position 00:07:07.569 --> 00:07:11.569 and you can work full -time and have benefits 00:07:11.569 --> 00:07:15.009 here. You just tell us when you're ready and 00:07:15.009 --> 00:07:17.670 I knew that you know probably two years ago and 00:07:17.670 --> 00:07:20.540 of course it's not ideally what I would like 00:07:20.540 --> 00:07:23.879 to be doing, but I knew if push came to shove, 00:07:23.920 --> 00:07:26.560 I would have benefits for my daughter and myself. 00:07:26.560 --> 00:07:31.100 I would have employment, not anywhere close financially 00:07:31.100 --> 00:07:33.399 to what I was making as a teacher, but I could 00:07:33.399 --> 00:07:37.819 make it work with planning. And so once I got 00:07:37.819 --> 00:07:42.279 that idea in my head, I just really strongly 00:07:42.279 --> 00:07:46.699 was like, okay, I need to do this. One day this 00:07:46.699 --> 00:07:49.899 past fall, I just kind of said to my significant 00:07:49.899 --> 00:07:52.660 other, I think I need to make the decision. I 00:07:52.660 --> 00:07:54.959 talked about it, had been talking about it. And 00:07:54.959 --> 00:07:57.660 then it was like, even though I obviously knew 00:07:57.660 --> 00:08:01.129 I had written and submitted my resignation. I 00:08:01.129 --> 00:08:03.689 think it was in early January this year kind 00:08:03.689 --> 00:08:06.629 of went off. Around the time in January where 00:08:06.629 --> 00:08:08.810 all the people who are retiring are submitting 00:08:08.810 --> 00:08:11.290 their letter. The school board has approved your 00:08:11.290 --> 00:08:13.850 resignation and I was like who's resignation? 00:08:14.709 --> 00:08:17.810 Even though it was totally my decision and I 00:08:17.810 --> 00:08:21.110 wanted it to happen it was that moment of finality 00:08:21.110 --> 00:08:24.470 where I was like okay you have to go now because 00:08:24.470 --> 00:08:28.540 like other people are involved but When you have 00:08:28.540 --> 00:08:31.819 that sort of back against the wall feeling it 00:08:31.819 --> 00:08:36.100 really motivates you to put on the burners and 00:08:36.100 --> 00:08:39.840 go forward because I think I Hear from many of 00:08:39.840 --> 00:08:42.159 my colleagues who obviously have been in education 00:08:42.159 --> 00:08:44.940 a very long time as well Just kind of saying 00:08:44.940 --> 00:08:47.139 like I just have to make it four more years. 00:08:47.340 --> 00:08:51.860 I just have to make it five more years and My 00:08:51.860 --> 00:08:55.000 pension will be there in four years all Although 00:08:55.000 --> 00:08:58.179 it won't be as big as if I stayed and I have 00:08:58.179 --> 00:09:02.399 investments that can sit there and wait and I 00:09:02.399 --> 00:09:04.700 don't know I've been listening to a lot of the 00:09:04.700 --> 00:09:08.600 universe say like money is energy and I know 00:09:08.600 --> 00:09:11.120 it wouldn't have been possible for me five years 00:09:11.120 --> 00:09:13.580 ago going through a divorce to make this decision 00:09:13.580 --> 00:09:16.820 but I have the supports in place now that I'm 00:09:16.820 --> 00:09:22.039 able to and it's like Everyone I've been talking 00:09:22.039 --> 00:09:24.779 to ever their message just seems to be like don't 00:09:24.779 --> 00:09:29.419 live with regret and I went to a funeral about 00:09:29.419 --> 00:09:32.740 two weeks ago for someone who I used to eat lunch 00:09:32.740 --> 00:09:37.340 with at school every day and she Was in retirement 00:09:37.340 --> 00:09:40.220 for ten years had been retired and it was the 00:09:40.220 --> 00:09:43.299 first person who I taught English with to pass 00:09:43.299 --> 00:09:49.360 away It was just such a reminder of like tomorrow 00:09:49.360 --> 00:09:52.700 is not promised and I have been living like my 00:09:52.700 --> 00:09:55.960 life is on hold I feel like you know do it when 00:09:55.960 --> 00:09:59.080 I'll do it when and you know I'll do it when 00:09:59.080 --> 00:10:02.659 I'm retired you know and it's like that's ten 00:10:02.659 --> 00:10:09.610 years from now and yeah like and nothing is promised. 00:10:10.710 --> 00:10:13.110 So I don't know, I've just been getting a lot 00:10:13.110 --> 00:10:16.029 of nudges and it's, you know, my personal decision. 00:10:16.049 --> 00:10:18.929 That's how I'm feeling. I know a lot of people 00:10:18.929 --> 00:10:21.149 my age who are still very passionate about what 00:10:21.149 --> 00:10:24.690 they're doing. I just feel like there's something 00:10:24.690 --> 00:10:28.850 else for me out there. Thank you so much for 00:10:28.850 --> 00:10:33.070 sharing your story and I... have so many similarities, 00:10:33.269 --> 00:10:36.289 both in myself and in my colleagues within the 00:10:36.289 --> 00:10:39.230 educational profession. Everything that you're 00:10:39.230 --> 00:10:43.330 saying I've heard so many times come out of the 00:10:43.330 --> 00:10:45.429 mouths of people that I work so closely with 00:10:45.429 --> 00:10:50.590 is that I have been doing this as my career for 00:10:50.590 --> 00:10:53.379 so many years. This is what I'm good at, I just 00:10:53.379 --> 00:10:56.019 have to stick it out five more years, 10 more 00:10:56.019 --> 00:10:58.259 years to get all the things that I'm supposed 00:10:58.259 --> 00:11:01.159 to get and what I thought was going to be the 00:11:01.159 --> 00:11:04.080 career path. So even though I'm miserable and 00:11:04.080 --> 00:11:07.200 please don't misunderstand, not all educators 00:11:07.200 --> 00:11:09.139 are in the place that you and I are talking about 00:11:09.139 --> 00:11:11.960 right now, but a lot are because there have been 00:11:11.960 --> 00:11:15.519 changes and people really are saying almost on 00:11:15.519 --> 00:11:17.860 a daily basis, like I just have to make it five 00:11:17.860 --> 00:11:20.220 more years before I can do the next thing. And 00:11:20.220 --> 00:11:23.179 I agree with you because that tomorrow is absolutely 00:11:23.179 --> 00:11:26.820 not promised. I'm thinking of a couple of educators 00:11:26.820 --> 00:11:29.340 that I've worked very closely with over the years 00:11:29.340 --> 00:11:31.940 who've done everything right as far as saving 00:11:31.940 --> 00:11:34.299 for retirement, working the correct amount of 00:11:34.299 --> 00:11:36.779 years to get the correct ratio from their pension, 00:11:37.379 --> 00:11:41.279 everything to the T. And then when they retired 00:11:41.279 --> 00:11:44.519 and finally are able to live the life that they've 00:11:44.519 --> 00:11:47.519 been waiting for, get a cancer diagnosis and 00:11:47.519 --> 00:11:51.210 pass away in a year. And it's a sad story, and 00:11:51.210 --> 00:11:54.570 I don't say it to sound morbid, but it is just 00:11:54.570 --> 00:11:59.269 a flashing reminder that we don't have tomorrow 00:11:59.269 --> 00:12:02.629 as a guarantee. And if we are not happy, if you 00:12:02.629 --> 00:12:04.929 are not happy living the life that you love and 00:12:04.929 --> 00:12:06.990 feeling passionate about waking up every day 00:12:06.990 --> 00:12:09.590 and doing something that feels important to you, 00:12:09.730 --> 00:12:12.289 it lights you up, then what's the point? What's 00:12:12.289 --> 00:12:16.039 the point? And I love that you share that you 00:12:16.039 --> 00:12:18.899 made the decision to leave without knowing exactly 00:12:18.899 --> 00:12:20.899 what your next step is going to be because that's 00:12:20.899 --> 00:12:23.620 the other piece that I hear all the time and 00:12:23.620 --> 00:12:27.279 I myself felt the same way as I know that this 00:12:27.279 --> 00:12:29.659 isn't meant for me long term anymore but I don't 00:12:29.659 --> 00:12:31.559 know exactly what it is but I'm going to make 00:12:31.559 --> 00:12:34.179 a decision I've got to figure it out and trusting 00:12:34.179 --> 00:12:37.460 that the universe will provide to you the signs 00:12:37.460 --> 00:12:39.740 and signals and the things that are going to 00:12:39.740 --> 00:12:43.059 help you move along in the right direction. You 00:12:43.059 --> 00:12:45.840 mentioned that you had lots of nudges along the 00:12:45.840 --> 00:12:48.179 way, like lots of nudges. Can you speak a little 00:12:48.179 --> 00:12:50.639 bit more about like what some of the nudges were 00:12:50.639 --> 00:12:56.539 for you? So the funeral came after I had made 00:12:56.539 --> 00:12:58.860 my decision, but I feel like it was kind of like 00:12:58.860 --> 00:13:03.940 a final. reminder but when because I think we 00:13:03.940 --> 00:13:06.220 started our podcasting journeys at about the 00:13:06.220 --> 00:13:10.139 same time and I interview a lot of former colleagues 00:13:10.139 --> 00:13:13.059 who are now retired but then also former students 00:13:13.059 --> 00:13:15.840 who are kind of in their 20s doing their thing 00:13:15.840 --> 00:13:19.830 have amazing stories and it was like Every interview 00:13:19.830 --> 00:13:23.549 I had, they were saying things where I was like, 00:13:23.710 --> 00:13:27.509 okay, that's what I needed to hear. And it wasn't 00:13:27.509 --> 00:13:30.970 just people who were on the other side who were 00:13:30.970 --> 00:13:33.950 retired. We were saying like, it's the good life. 00:13:34.149 --> 00:13:36.230 Like, so glad I made the decision. It was these 00:13:36.230 --> 00:13:40.679 20 year olds who were talking about like, One 00:13:40.679 --> 00:13:43.580 student is a professional volleyball player in 00:13:43.580 --> 00:13:46.940 Europe and he's played in 17 different countries 00:13:46.940 --> 00:13:51.529 and he said like I had to give up a long -term 00:13:51.529 --> 00:13:55.190 relationship in the middle of my career because 00:13:55.190 --> 00:13:57.970 I knew there was no other time I was going to 00:13:57.970 --> 00:14:00.450 get this opportunity to do what I'm doing, to 00:14:00.450 --> 00:14:02.769 play the sport that I'm passionate about. And 00:14:02.769 --> 00:14:05.769 I was just like, okay, this is a boy in his 20s, 00:14:06.049 --> 00:14:09.509 right? And my son, since he was 16, was saying 00:14:09.509 --> 00:14:13.889 like, don't wait. Yeah. And sometimes you have 00:14:13.889 --> 00:14:16.929 to sacrifice things and do things you're unsure 00:14:16.929 --> 00:14:19.710 of. You're not. You know, he, he came home and 00:14:19.710 --> 00:14:22.009 kind of did some soul searching and wasn't sure 00:14:22.009 --> 00:14:24.590 that he was doing the right thing. And for whatever 00:14:24.590 --> 00:14:27.669 reason, decided to follow the path that he was 00:14:27.669 --> 00:14:31.289 on. And it was like every single person I was 00:14:31.289 --> 00:14:35.129 talking to was saying like, this is the right 00:14:35.129 --> 00:14:38.509 thing. You're doing the right thing. And, um, 00:14:38.549 --> 00:14:43.059 even with my job search now, what I mentioned 00:14:43.059 --> 00:14:46.179 before you know I was you know applying for jobs 00:14:46.179 --> 00:14:48.860 that opened that sounded like they fit my skills 00:14:48.860 --> 00:14:53.120 and once I made that decision I started talking 00:14:53.120 --> 00:14:55.220 to people like hey what do you think I should 00:14:55.220 --> 00:14:59.460 do do you have any ideas and the job that I'm 00:14:59.460 --> 00:15:01.720 pursuing now that I think I'm going to be doing 00:15:01.720 --> 00:15:05.070 wasn't a job posting Someone that I had worked 00:15:05.070 --> 00:15:08.169 with for the last 11 years, my yearbook rep, 00:15:08.730 --> 00:15:11.250 was like, I think you should contact this company. 00:15:11.649 --> 00:15:13.690 They're always looking for people who need this, 00:15:13.710 --> 00:15:16.919 this, and this, which is your skill set. And 00:15:16.919 --> 00:15:19.899 we've had three meetings now basically where 00:15:19.899 --> 00:15:21.840 they're like, we've been waiting for someone 00:15:21.840 --> 00:15:24.960 like you to come down. We have all of these goals 00:15:24.960 --> 00:15:27.720 that we're not able to do because we needed someone 00:15:27.720 --> 00:15:30.159 in the high school space with your skill set. 00:15:30.480 --> 00:15:33.100 And our last meeting last week was like, they 00:15:33.100 --> 00:15:35.700 asked me, what's your ideal job? How many hours 00:15:35.700 --> 00:15:39.159 do you want to work? I gave them my job description 00:15:39.159 --> 00:15:41.500 and I said, and it would be nice to get benefits, 00:15:41.620 --> 00:15:43.960 but it's not a deal breaker. And they were like, 00:15:43.960 --> 00:15:45.960 oh, we can meet all of those things. Like we 00:15:45.960 --> 00:15:48.379 can't wait, you know, to put your job description 00:15:48.379 --> 00:15:50.960 together. We just need to check with people who 00:15:50.960 --> 00:15:53.620 are already on staff. And I was like, this isn't 00:15:53.620 --> 00:15:55.940 real. These are like the things that you hear 00:15:55.940 --> 00:15:58.679 about, like on podcasts and things where people 00:15:58.679 --> 00:16:02.720 are like, I just manifested it. Like I just quit 00:16:02.720 --> 00:16:06.840 my job and the exact jobs that I wanted appeared. 00:16:06.860 --> 00:16:09.179 And I'm like, okay, well, I'm not going to celebrate. 00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:11.720 And so I signed on the data line, but like that's 00:16:11.720 --> 00:16:16.149 what's happening. And so it does feel very, But 00:16:16.149 --> 00:16:19.850 I think that that's a beautiful example about 00:16:19.850 --> 00:16:23.210 how when you decide what you want and you articulate 00:16:23.210 --> 00:16:25.950 it in a way, whether it's the amount of hours 00:16:25.950 --> 00:16:28.149 you want to work, the skill set that you have 00:16:28.149 --> 00:16:30.830 that you want to utilize, whether you want benefits 00:16:30.830 --> 00:16:33.730 or not, when you are specific with what you want, 00:16:34.169 --> 00:16:37.289 even if that position doesn't exist or even it 00:16:37.289 --> 00:16:41.570 just... It will come to you when you are specific 00:16:41.570 --> 00:16:43.929 and deliver it and you that is where you focus 00:16:43.929 --> 00:16:47.370 your attention. It really works. And you might 00:16:47.370 --> 00:16:49.289 not know that that position is going to happen 00:16:49.289 --> 00:16:51.370 or what it's going to look like, but it will 00:16:51.370 --> 00:16:53.730 come. And it's amazing. And I love hearing stories 00:16:53.730 --> 00:16:56.210 exactly like yours where the universe literally 00:16:56.210 --> 00:17:00.049 answers your call. That's so I never thought 00:17:00.049 --> 00:17:02.590 that that could happen. I heard the same kind 00:17:02.590 --> 00:17:06.099 of message when I was ready to start dating again 00:17:06.099 --> 00:17:08.559 after my divorce. And people were like, write 00:17:08.559 --> 00:17:10.960 down, you know, on a sheet of paper, exactly 00:17:10.960 --> 00:17:13.079 what you want, exactly what you want before. 00:17:13.259 --> 00:17:16.819 And I was like, Oh, ridiculous. You know, I did, 00:17:16.819 --> 00:17:19.339 you know, online dating for a while and I was 00:17:19.339 --> 00:17:23.019 like, this is just never going to happen. And 00:17:23.019 --> 00:17:27.299 it did like every single thing that I had wanted 00:17:27.299 --> 00:17:32.359 in a partner and more note up. And I think, um, 00:17:32.359 --> 00:17:35.720 Yeah. If you really sit with the decision and 00:17:35.720 --> 00:17:38.480 you are very serious about like, I am not going 00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:41.920 to compromise my happiness. I'm not going to 00:17:41.920 --> 00:17:45.059 settle. And I think at this age too, I've learned 00:17:45.059 --> 00:17:48.220 like what settling looks like. Yeah. Yeah. In 00:17:48.220 --> 00:17:51.900 both relationships, unemployment. And if you've 00:17:51.900 --> 00:17:53.920 already been there, you're like, I'm not going 00:17:53.920 --> 00:17:57.140 back there. And so if you get serious about it 00:17:57.140 --> 00:17:59.880 and you start putting those messages out there, 00:18:00.250 --> 00:18:02.470 I've heard that from so many other people. And 00:18:02.470 --> 00:18:04.430 I kept thinking, oh, I wish that would happen 00:18:04.430 --> 00:18:09.869 for me. And now it might. But now you're going 00:18:09.869 --> 00:18:12.609 to be the inspiration for other people. And I 00:18:12.609 --> 00:18:15.490 truly believe that you are living by example. 00:18:15.650 --> 00:18:18.549 You're showing that this stuff isn't just woo 00:18:18.549 --> 00:18:21.549 woo, like mystical things that only as handful 00:18:21.549 --> 00:18:25.240 of people can make happen. Anybody can do it 00:18:25.240 --> 00:18:28.259 anybody can do it and and you know, we're just 00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:31.880 regular people you and I you know what? And we 00:18:31.880 --> 00:18:35.000 decided that we wanted something different. We 00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:38.339 put some parameters on what that was and You 00:18:38.339 --> 00:18:42.440 just go for it and it happens. It's just it's 00:18:42.440 --> 00:18:44.839 a really cool thing I want to ask you another 00:18:44.839 --> 00:18:49.460 question about this when you actually officially 00:18:49.460 --> 00:18:54.039 made the decision to resign I want to know about 00:18:54.039 --> 00:18:57.859 what that moment was like. Was there anxiety? 00:18:58.059 --> 00:19:00.519 Was there worry? Was there relief? What was it 00:19:00.519 --> 00:19:04.660 like for you? Definitely very mixed emotions. 00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:08.460 There was a wave of relief. I think I actually 00:19:08.460 --> 00:19:10.539 slept well that night, but then the next night 00:19:10.539 --> 00:19:12.440 I was like, oh my gosh, what did you just do? 00:19:14.730 --> 00:19:18.170 in 29 years of doing the same thing you know 00:19:18.170 --> 00:19:20.809 that's why we say you know if when we're in our 00:19:20.809 --> 00:19:23.329 comfort zone we're you know there's a certain 00:19:23.329 --> 00:19:26.289 amount of contentment that comes with that and 00:19:26.289 --> 00:19:28.769 a certain amount of safety but then when that 00:19:28.769 --> 00:19:32.609 no longer matters to you as much as your happiness 00:19:32.609 --> 00:19:34.930 and your fulfillment and like you said how you 00:19:34.930 --> 00:19:38.069 feel when you wake up in the morning um it's 00:19:38.069 --> 00:19:41.240 definitely like Am I going to regret this? Am 00:19:41.240 --> 00:19:45.400 I leaving money on the table? Is that more important 00:19:45.400 --> 00:19:48.640 to me than my quality of life? And there was 00:19:48.640 --> 00:19:51.779 just that moment where I was like, no, it's not. 00:19:52.220 --> 00:19:54.660 And I think because of changes that I went through 00:19:54.660 --> 00:19:58.109 in my life, my priorities had shifted. And I 00:19:58.109 --> 00:20:00.849 was really looking at all the things that we 00:20:00.849 --> 00:20:03.410 were saying about like on a sheet of paper, what 00:20:03.410 --> 00:20:06.029 do you want your next chapter to look like? And 00:20:06.029 --> 00:20:08.650 I'm sorry, but money was not at the top of the 00:20:08.650 --> 00:20:13.329 list. You know, having shelter and providing 00:20:13.329 --> 00:20:16.549 for my daughter and all of those things. But 00:20:16.549 --> 00:20:20.670 you can do that on less of a salary than I've 00:20:20.670 --> 00:20:23.390 been making. And I think I've been surrounding 00:20:23.390 --> 00:20:26.829 myself with people who all have the same mindset 00:20:26.829 --> 00:20:30.180 or like this like scarcity mindset around money 00:20:30.180 --> 00:20:32.900 I think maybe is a thing in teaching because 00:20:32.900 --> 00:20:36.119 always feeling like we're not you know like we 00:20:36.119 --> 00:20:38.099 didn't go into it for money but then you see 00:20:38.099 --> 00:20:40.720 all these things on you know social media saying 00:20:40.720 --> 00:20:43.339 like oh teachers are underpaid and they deserve 00:20:43.339 --> 00:20:46.940 more and you get into this weird scarcity mindset 00:20:46.940 --> 00:20:50.180 but then you realize like what I'm making can 00:20:50.180 --> 00:20:53.900 live on yeah I can live very happily on and again 00:20:53.900 --> 00:20:56.259 everybody's situation is different and I've gone 00:20:56.259 --> 00:20:58.539 through stages where I could have never made 00:20:58.539 --> 00:21:01.500 this decision but I got to a place and again 00:21:01.500 --> 00:21:04.960 I I put myself through college working three 00:21:04.960 --> 00:21:08.180 jobs and as a single mother I picked up part 00:21:08.180 --> 00:21:11.420 ten jobs on top of teaching full -time so I know 00:21:11.420 --> 00:21:14.559 what it means to work hard but I also know that 00:21:14.559 --> 00:21:18.880 there is always a way to make money And so I 00:21:18.880 --> 00:21:21.720 just started to look at it differently, but it 00:21:21.720 --> 00:21:24.759 didn't. Yeah. It was very, very mixed. Like there 00:21:24.759 --> 00:21:27.019 are going to be people who think I'm absolutely 00:21:27.019 --> 00:21:30.220 crazy to get this at this point, but then like 00:21:30.220 --> 00:21:33.940 you said, I think if I take all the right steps 00:21:33.940 --> 00:21:36.059 and I'm living by my values, there are going 00:21:36.059 --> 00:21:37.960 to be people who are like, I wish I would have 00:21:37.960 --> 00:21:42.740 done that too. Oh, I really feel that. And you 00:21:42.740 --> 00:21:46.079 know, you are now living in the vibration that 00:21:46.079 --> 00:21:48.259 is more in alignment with your true goals and 00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:50.279 passions and values. And so you are naturally 00:21:50.279 --> 00:21:52.619 going to attract the people that are going to 00:21:52.619 --> 00:21:56.099 celebrate you and be cheering you on and validating 00:21:56.099 --> 00:21:58.319 that you are on the right path at doing the right 00:21:58.319 --> 00:22:01.579 things. And, you know, maybe some people are 00:22:01.579 --> 00:22:03.579 going to drop out that don't agree or understand 00:22:03.579 --> 00:22:05.599 with what you're doing and is that necessarily 00:22:05.599 --> 00:22:08.460 the worst thing in the world? Probably not, you 00:22:08.460 --> 00:22:16.160 know? Yeah. We're going to take a little bit 00:22:16.160 --> 00:22:19.839 of a break here and answer some Ask the Teacher 00:22:19.839 --> 00:22:22.640 Anything questions and hear a couple ads and 00:22:22.640 --> 00:22:26.220 then we will be back to continue the interview. 00:22:28.379 --> 00:22:32.400 100 % of men and women have hormones, and with 00:22:32.400 --> 00:22:35.019 the increased presence of processed foods and 00:22:35.019 --> 00:22:37.599 environmental toxins, it's more important than 00:22:37.599 --> 00:22:40.019 ever to make mindful choices in the products 00:22:40.019 --> 00:22:43.500 we use every day. That's why I trust Q and Grace, 00:22:43.940 --> 00:22:46.440 high -performing, clean products designed to 00:22:46.440 --> 00:22:49.400 support hormone health while reducing exposure 00:22:49.400 --> 00:22:53.089 to harmful chemicals. Because this topic has 00:22:53.089 --> 00:22:56.289 been my primary focus since ending birth control 00:22:56.289 --> 00:22:59.710 in 2024 and an attempt to regulate my changing 00:22:59.710 --> 00:23:02.670 midlife hormones. After making healthy swaps 00:23:02.670 --> 00:23:06.250 in my diet, personal care products, and exercise 00:23:06.250 --> 00:23:09.410 routine, I've been able to lower my dose of anxiety 00:23:09.410 --> 00:23:13.130 medication I once relied very heavily on and 00:23:13.130 --> 00:23:15.990 have restored balance to my nervous system and 00:23:15.990 --> 00:23:18.430 cleared up the brain fog I was experiencing in 00:23:18.430 --> 00:23:21.650 perimenopause. Pugh and Grace has played a key 00:23:21.650 --> 00:23:25.410 role in this transformation, offering safe, effective, 00:23:25.569 --> 00:23:28.509 non -toxic solutions that support my wellness 00:23:28.509 --> 00:23:33.150 journey. If you listened to episode 16 with certified 00:23:33.150 --> 00:23:36.009 Mayo Clinic health and wellness coach Tracy Danielson 00:23:36.009 --> 00:23:38.650 Mitchell, you heard our talk about the importance 00:23:38.650 --> 00:23:41.549 of hormone health. Coming in March, I'll be doing 00:23:41.549 --> 00:23:44.799 a deep dive into heart and hormone health. on 00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:47.460 my Live and Learn Patreon, where I'll list all 00:23:47.460 --> 00:23:51.000 the tests, supplements, and product swaps that 00:23:51.000 --> 00:23:53.880 have helped me balance my hormones in my 50s. 00:23:54.039 --> 00:23:56.640 Plus, Tracy will be back to answer all your heart 00:23:56.640 --> 00:23:59.220 and hormone health questions at the end of the 00:23:59.220 --> 00:24:01.880 month. If you're on this journey with me and 00:24:01.880 --> 00:24:04.839 are interested in exploring Hue and Grace's trusted, 00:24:05.259 --> 00:24:08.740 non -toxic products, visit my link at hueandgrace 00:24:08.740 --> 00:24:13.529 .com slash lesson plan. to receive 10 % off and 00:24:13.529 --> 00:24:16.569 free shipping. You can also reach out to me at 00:24:16.569 --> 00:24:19.730 any time with questions at nextlessonplan .gmail 00:24:19.730 --> 00:24:23.269 .com. Live and learn with me as we focus on living 00:24:23.269 --> 00:24:26.710 fully and feeling our best. Visit hueandgrace 00:24:26.710 --> 00:24:30.089 .com slash lesson plan to see how easy it is 00:24:30.089 --> 00:24:33.069 to start making some healthy swaps on the way 00:24:33.069 --> 00:24:39.640 to non -toxic living. To those of you who have 00:24:39.640 --> 00:24:42.400 followed me for a while, you know that I value 00:24:42.400 --> 00:24:45.220 mental and physical wellness. Personally, I've 00:24:45.220 --> 00:24:47.099 worked with a few different coaches over the 00:24:47.099 --> 00:24:50.299 years and even been one myself. If you are looking 00:24:50.299 --> 00:24:52.920 for education and support in your own wellness 00:24:52.920 --> 00:24:55.440 journey, I would love to invite you to the wellness 00:24:55.440 --> 00:24:58.339 community I am currently in that keeps me accountable 00:24:58.339 --> 00:25:01.500 daily with my nutrition and movement. If you 00:25:01.500 --> 00:25:03.960 are a Facebook user, you can search for our free 00:25:03.960 --> 00:25:08.549 group called Team MG. This group is led by my 00:25:08.549 --> 00:25:11.329 coach, Megan Grimord, who is a certified trainer 00:25:11.329 --> 00:25:14.529 and nutrition coach. She offers lots of education 00:25:14.529 --> 00:25:17.670 and support for your wellness journey. If you 00:25:17.670 --> 00:25:19.769 want to get to know Coach Megan more, you can 00:25:19.769 --> 00:25:23.089 follow her on Instagram at all lowercase, Megan, 00:25:23.089 --> 00:25:28.690 M -E -G -A -N, underscore, Grimord, G -R -I -M 00:25:28.690 --> 00:25:32.450 -O -R -D, or even listen to her on episode 10 00:25:32.450 --> 00:25:35.980 of the podcast. She has also created a discount 00:25:35.980 --> 00:25:38.619 code for my listeners. Just go to her website 00:25:38.619 --> 00:25:46.160 www .team -mg .com and enter code lessonplan10 00:25:46.160 --> 00:25:49.819 to get $10 off any of her premium coaching packages 00:25:49.819 --> 00:25:53.299 for the first month. Coach Megan is a busy mom 00:25:53.299 --> 00:25:56.039 like me who works full time, so I appreciate 00:25:56.039 --> 00:25:59.200 her practicality mixed with some tough love to 00:25:59.200 --> 00:26:05.049 keep me going. It is time for Ask the Teacher 00:26:05.049 --> 00:26:08.130 Anything. I need like a little bell sound effect 00:26:08.130 --> 00:26:11.049 or something here. Wish there were more options 00:26:11.049 --> 00:26:14.750 in my editing software. All right. Well, we've 00:26:14.750 --> 00:26:17.690 got one juicy one and one fun one. So the first 00:26:17.690 --> 00:26:20.509 one is, what are you most excited or nervous 00:26:20.509 --> 00:26:26.710 about when it comes to your next chapter in camper 00:26:26.710 --> 00:26:33.440 adventures? So yes, we picked out a camper and 00:26:33.440 --> 00:26:36.740 we have four trips planned this summer all within 00:26:36.740 --> 00:26:41.539 the state all under a week you know to feel out 00:26:41.539 --> 00:26:46.940 this new adventure and I'm most excited I think 00:26:46.940 --> 00:26:50.119 just for all the places we're going to see and 00:26:50.119 --> 00:26:53.319 all the time we're going to spend outside and 00:26:53.319 --> 00:26:56.380 trying something that I've never done at least 00:26:56.380 --> 00:27:00.240 in this way shape or form before. I'm a little 00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:02.599 bit nervous because we're going to be living 00:27:02.599 --> 00:27:05.160 in a camper in the summer in Wisconsin and I 00:27:05.160 --> 00:27:09.160 am afraid of storms, bad storms, bad weather. 00:27:09.440 --> 00:27:12.099 Anybody who knows me knows I would go to the 00:27:12.099 --> 00:27:16.099 basement immediately when I was a child if there 00:27:16.099 --> 00:27:20.220 was like a rumble of thunder or something. So 00:27:20.220 --> 00:27:24.700 that makes me a little bit nervous. I don't like 00:27:24.700 --> 00:27:28.220 being away from my pets or my daughter for too 00:27:28.220 --> 00:27:34.380 long so I have a hard time fully relaxing but 00:27:34.380 --> 00:27:38.319 at least these are short trips so that's good. 00:27:38.920 --> 00:27:42.619 So mostly excited but it'll be something new 00:27:42.619 --> 00:27:45.220 so you just never know how it's going to go. 00:27:45.920 --> 00:27:48.480 And the juicy question we're going there I guess 00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:56.089 here is will you ever get married again? Well, 00:27:56.750 --> 00:27:59.390 if you would have asked me this question five 00:27:59.390 --> 00:28:01.930 years ago, it would be a hard no, never, ever, 00:28:03.109 --> 00:28:06.849 ever. And then even two years ago, three years 00:28:06.849 --> 00:28:15.329 ago, maybe a little bit, still no. I never thought 00:28:15.329 --> 00:28:20.029 that I would feel the way that I do in a relationship 00:28:20.029 --> 00:28:24.140 like I do now, truly, honestly. This is the most 00:28:24.140 --> 00:28:30.119 authentic, calm, supportive, aligned relationship 00:28:30.119 --> 00:28:34.960 I've ever been in. It's very weird, but I have 00:28:34.960 --> 00:28:39.380 told a few people that when I first started visiting 00:28:39.380 --> 00:28:43.619 my boyfriend's house, it reminded me of where 00:28:43.619 --> 00:28:47.420 I grew up, living with my grandparents. And yes, 00:28:47.480 --> 00:28:49.779 some people do call him grandpa. He's younger 00:28:49.779 --> 00:28:54.869 than me, but... some of his mannerisms and things. 00:28:55.750 --> 00:28:59.250 He was raised by, like I was, he was raised by 00:28:59.250 --> 00:29:02.250 aunts and uncles and grandparents and his mom 00:29:02.250 --> 00:29:06.210 too was there but I was primarily raised by my 00:29:06.210 --> 00:29:10.569 grandparents and aunts and we're both Norwegian. 00:29:10.750 --> 00:29:13.349 We actually were born in the same exact town 00:29:13.349 --> 00:29:15.990 and grew up going to a lot of the same places 00:29:15.990 --> 00:29:19.480 but we met on a dating app. so bizarre we were 00:29:19.480 --> 00:29:22.240 like right under each other's noses so I think 00:29:22.240 --> 00:29:26.160 that's kind of neat when you know you can share 00:29:26.160 --> 00:29:28.460 a lot of like oh I went here as a kid yeah so 00:29:28.460 --> 00:29:30.599 did I did you remember this like I don't know 00:29:30.599 --> 00:29:35.700 just it really feels like my grandma who was 00:29:35.700 --> 00:29:38.599 always my biggest nurturer supporter protector 00:29:38.599 --> 00:29:43.099 I just really honestly feel like she sent him 00:29:43.099 --> 00:29:47.789 to me and you know he He has no children. He's 00:29:47.789 --> 00:29:50.089 never been married. He's never lived with anyone 00:29:50.089 --> 00:29:56.250 until me at 46 years old. So he has never really 00:29:56.250 --> 00:29:58.609 settled in a relationship, which is something 00:29:58.609 --> 00:30:00.809 that I've kind of talked about and I talk about 00:30:00.809 --> 00:30:04.509 in this episode. And I just really admire that. 00:30:04.829 --> 00:30:07.250 I definitely admire his perspective on life. 00:30:07.289 --> 00:30:11.819 I will say it is a huge... influence in me making 00:30:11.819 --> 00:30:15.539 this decision and feeling comfortable in making 00:30:15.539 --> 00:30:19.059 this decision because he just has a lot of different 00:30:19.059 --> 00:30:22.400 life perspective from time in the military and 00:30:22.400 --> 00:30:26.079 things he saw there and how he was raised. So 00:30:26.079 --> 00:30:30.940 it's no longer a hard no. It is a possibility. 00:30:31.559 --> 00:30:35.500 So love that juicy question. You can submit more 00:30:35.500 --> 00:30:38.059 questions on my website at Life's Next Lesson 00:30:38.059 --> 00:30:41.220 Plan dot com. There is a spot there to submit 00:30:41.220 --> 00:30:43.839 ask the teacher anything questions or else of 00:30:43.839 --> 00:30:46.720 course you can reach out on social media at Life's 00:30:46.720 --> 00:30:50.039 Next Lesson Plan on Facebook and Instagram. I 00:30:50.039 --> 00:30:52.220 definitely look forward to your questions so 00:30:52.220 --> 00:31:02.049 keep them coming. So I know that you have been 00:31:02.049 --> 00:31:05.190 inspired to start a podcast too and I was hoping 00:31:05.190 --> 00:31:07.529 you could share with the audience what your podcast 00:31:07.529 --> 00:31:11.650 is what it's all about and who you who you hope 00:31:11.650 --> 00:31:14.769 to serve in Speaking through your podcast sure. 00:31:14.910 --> 00:31:17.990 Yeah. Thank you. Um, it's called life's next 00:31:17.990 --> 00:31:22.710 lesson plan because I kind of figured I could 00:31:22.710 --> 00:31:25.910 go out of teaching two ways. One, I could just 00:31:25.910 --> 00:31:29.309 go quietly in the summer, you know, after the 00:31:29.309 --> 00:31:31.890 year was over and just like, okay, figure it 00:31:31.890 --> 00:31:37.130 out. But I teach so many things in our building 00:31:37.130 --> 00:31:40.289 that nobody else knows anything about, including 00:31:40.289 --> 00:31:44.819 doing the entire yearbook and news website. I 00:31:44.819 --> 00:31:47.920 really invested a lot into that program and was 00:31:47.920 --> 00:31:51.920 sort of hoping that I could in some way help 00:31:51.920 --> 00:31:54.400 transition the new person, which is now what 00:31:54.400 --> 00:31:58.200 it's looking like is going to happen. So I knew 00:31:58.200 --> 00:32:00.500 that I was going to be able to make the announcement 00:32:00.500 --> 00:32:03.539 sort of early. And I thought, oh, this could 00:32:03.539 --> 00:32:08.539 be a neat opportunity to sort of chronicle that 00:32:08.539 --> 00:32:12.109 journey and what it looks like. 100 days in the 00:32:12.109 --> 00:32:15.230 classroom, which I'm counting down on YouTube, 00:32:15.349 --> 00:32:19.349 but it also gives me the opportunity to talk 00:32:19.349 --> 00:32:22.390 to people who've made the decision and what that 00:32:22.390 --> 00:32:26.450 looks like, and also talk to people who I know 00:32:26.450 --> 00:32:29.430 personally are in the boat of like, what do I 00:32:29.430 --> 00:32:33.690 do next and how do I do it? And then even just 00:32:33.690 --> 00:32:36.170 like, again, with my daughter going through the 00:32:36.170 --> 00:32:39.470 tough decisions of like, What do I want to do 00:32:39.470 --> 00:32:43.789 with college? And what do I want to be when I 00:32:43.789 --> 00:32:46.390 grow up, even though I'm only 17 right now? How 00:32:46.390 --> 00:32:49.369 do I make that decision? And so I thought talking 00:32:49.369 --> 00:32:52.589 to the students who had made that decision are 00:32:52.589 --> 00:32:56.390 now out into the world. What did that path look 00:32:56.390 --> 00:33:00.109 like for them? And all of their stories, because 00:33:00.109 --> 00:33:02.910 one of the things I teach is journalism and English. 00:33:02.910 --> 00:33:07.150 It's all about storytelling. Have found that 00:33:07.150 --> 00:33:10.829 all of their stories are inspirational To people 00:33:10.829 --> 00:33:12.890 looking, you know, just like how did you get 00:33:12.890 --> 00:33:16.970 to that journey? And what obstacles did you overcome? 00:33:17.049 --> 00:33:20.470 Because everybody's story has obstacles as bright 00:33:20.470 --> 00:33:23.150 and shiny as it looks like in a package on social 00:33:23.150 --> 00:33:27.029 media there were definitely tough decisions and 00:33:27.029 --> 00:33:30.289 adversity that came no matter if you're in your 00:33:30.289 --> 00:33:34.710 20s or you're in your 60s or 70s and so I just 00:33:34.710 --> 00:33:39.160 feel like Their wisdom and their stories are 00:33:39.160 --> 00:33:43.140 so diverse, but also everybody can take something 00:33:43.140 --> 00:33:46.500 away from them. And so that's what I wanted to 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:50.500 do was kind of honor other people's stories. 00:33:50.960 --> 00:33:55.920 And what it's been for me is like therapy during 00:33:55.920 --> 00:34:00.579 that. good distraction and also kind of therapy 00:34:00.579 --> 00:34:03.660 because the thing that I heard and actually one 00:34:03.660 --> 00:34:07.460 of my guests talks about her situation with this. 00:34:08.219 --> 00:34:11.500 One of my English colleagues had a nervous breakdown 00:34:11.500 --> 00:34:14.480 right before school started the first summer 00:34:14.480 --> 00:34:17.920 after she retired and it came out of nowhere 00:34:17.920 --> 00:34:22.989 but also her her last daughter had just gone 00:34:22.989 --> 00:34:25.650 skydiving and her older daughter texted her and 00:34:25.650 --> 00:34:28.090 said, Hey, did you see Molly went skydiving? 00:34:28.090 --> 00:34:31.469 And she's like, it was fine. She's an adult. 00:34:31.510 --> 00:34:33.889 She can do whatever she wants. But she had also 00:34:33.889 --> 00:34:36.309 seen a post that day about a conference that 00:34:36.309 --> 00:34:38.969 she had gone to for the last 10 years and she 00:34:38.969 --> 00:34:40.969 was no longer going to. And she said, I don't 00:34:40.969 --> 00:34:44.449 know. Just in that moment, I just collapsed. 00:34:45.230 --> 00:34:50.369 Wow. And everybody says this like identity shift 00:34:50.369 --> 00:34:53.429 going from What do you do? I'm a teacher, you 00:34:53.429 --> 00:34:55.610 know, and saying that for three decades and you 00:34:55.610 --> 00:34:58.070 know, what are you? I'm a mother. So you're going 00:34:58.070 --> 00:34:59.989 to an empty nest. And I was like, okay, both 00:34:59.989 --> 00:35:04.230 of those things are going to happen. And I think 00:35:04.230 --> 00:35:08.590 the podcast has been, you know, beneficial for 00:35:08.590 --> 00:35:12.989 me selfishly right but also if anybody else is 00:35:12.989 --> 00:35:15.449 going through those types of conversations in 00:35:15.449 --> 00:35:17.809 their own mind and they're looking for wisdom 00:35:17.809 --> 00:35:21.210 all of these stories i think provide that and 00:35:21.210 --> 00:35:25.449 then i do do um some solo episodes as well every 00:35:25.449 --> 00:35:28.969 other time and you know i've talked about everything 00:35:28.969 --> 00:35:32.750 from how to manage your energy and time to how 00:35:32.750 --> 00:35:35.409 to start your own side hustle and how to find 00:35:35.409 --> 00:35:38.090 what you're passionate about and how to align 00:35:38.090 --> 00:35:41.550 your life more to your values. So it is kind 00:35:41.550 --> 00:35:45.869 of just like talking to a screen. to help me. 00:35:47.030 --> 00:35:49.329 So you know talking to just all these people 00:35:49.329 --> 00:35:52.230 who I know have really interesting paths and 00:35:52.230 --> 00:35:56.010 stories and if nothing else it's it's kind of 00:35:56.010 --> 00:35:59.050 given me a distraction during an emotional time 00:35:59.050 --> 00:36:02.130 because I'd had to get in my head for too long 00:36:02.130 --> 00:36:05.030 and I could see how I could overthink my decision 00:36:05.030 --> 00:36:07.670 and go back and forth and there just hasn't been 00:36:07.670 --> 00:36:10.050 a lot of time to do that because I'm focusing 00:36:10.050 --> 00:36:13.730 my energy on this. That's beautiful, yes and 00:36:13.730 --> 00:36:15.989 I totally can relate to getting stuck in your 00:36:15.989 --> 00:36:18.719 head too and then like all of the like... That 00:36:18.719 --> 00:36:20.559 voice, like, oh, you're doing the wrong thing. 00:36:21.460 --> 00:36:23.039 I agree with you, though, about your podcast, 00:36:23.139 --> 00:36:26.460 the power of storytelling and lifting up other 00:36:26.460 --> 00:36:29.320 people's voices. And there's so much inspiration 00:36:29.320 --> 00:36:32.820 when you take the time to give platform to other 00:36:32.820 --> 00:36:36.380 people to share their journey, share their obstacles, 00:36:36.380 --> 00:36:39.820 because I truly believe that we are more similar 00:36:39.820 --> 00:36:43.199 than we are different and that we can find ourselves 00:36:43.199 --> 00:36:45.639 in the stories of other people, no matter who 00:36:45.639 --> 00:36:49.000 they are or where they come from. And it is therapeutic, 00:36:49.059 --> 00:36:54.960 right? It's just so healing to connect with others 00:36:54.960 --> 00:36:58.920 on such a beautiful level and to share space 00:36:58.920 --> 00:37:02.840 with them. And it just, from my own experience 00:37:02.840 --> 00:37:05.780 to every single time I record a podcast with 00:37:05.780 --> 00:37:09.079 a guest, I always leave feeling better than when 00:37:09.079 --> 00:37:13.079 I started, always. And so that... is a gift like 00:37:13.079 --> 00:37:15.940 that that's beautiful and to know that your podcast 00:37:15.940 --> 00:37:20.039 is helping other people and and giving them ideas 00:37:20.039 --> 00:37:22.659 and tools and inspiration through storytelling 00:37:22.659 --> 00:37:26.809 that you're making a difference and And you're 00:37:26.809 --> 00:37:29.230 not afraid to take up space in the world and 00:37:29.230 --> 00:37:32.469 to be like, yeah, this is me. This is who I am. 00:37:32.690 --> 00:37:34.650 I've made this decision to leave. I'm not going 00:37:34.650 --> 00:37:36.710 to go quietly into the night, and I'm going to 00:37:36.710 --> 00:37:41.329 speak my truth, and let's do this. Because people 00:37:41.329 --> 00:37:43.329 are really going to resonate with your story 00:37:43.329 --> 00:37:46.030 and with the guests that you have on your show. 00:37:47.219 --> 00:37:50.480 Thank you so much. Yeah, it's sometimes, you 00:37:50.480 --> 00:37:53.119 know, just like when you're in the thick of working 00:37:53.119 --> 00:37:55.239 a full -time job and then doing this and then 00:37:55.239 --> 00:37:58.820 also trying to job search and calm my daughter's 00:37:58.820 --> 00:38:01.920 nerves. I'm like, what am I doing? But ultimately, 00:38:02.300 --> 00:38:07.429 yes, it has been positive. Yeah, yeah. Um, and 00:38:07.429 --> 00:38:10.190 you know, so for your next steps, I'm wondering 00:38:10.190 --> 00:38:12.829 if you can just give a little bit of insight 00:38:12.829 --> 00:38:15.130 for the listeners about like when you were thinking 00:38:15.130 --> 00:38:17.130 about what you want for your next chapter, what 00:38:17.130 --> 00:38:19.949 were some of the qualities or parameters? I know 00:38:19.949 --> 00:38:23.010 you mentioned that you wanted to have like certain 00:38:23.010 --> 00:38:25.309 hours and benefits, but were there any other 00:38:25.309 --> 00:38:28.230 other sorts of parameters that you had just to 00:38:28.230 --> 00:38:30.010 give a flavor of what it might look like for 00:38:30.010 --> 00:38:32.630 somebody? Yeah, for sure. Because that took some 00:38:32.630 --> 00:38:35.449 time for me. I kind of went back and forth. Like, 00:38:35.530 --> 00:38:37.550 I only want to work outside because I've been 00:38:37.550 --> 00:38:42.030 stuck in a building, right? Or like, I don't 00:38:42.030 --> 00:38:44.650 want to do anything related to teaching whatsoever, 00:38:44.650 --> 00:38:47.650 right? So that kind of went through a lot of 00:38:47.650 --> 00:38:49.510 iterations. And I'm like, okay, let's just sit 00:38:49.510 --> 00:38:52.210 with this for a few months and really think about 00:38:52.210 --> 00:38:56.309 it. And I have always commuted a really long 00:38:56.309 --> 00:39:02.110 way to teach. And so I'm I like being in my car 00:39:02.110 --> 00:39:04.269 because that's my educational time that I listen 00:39:04.269 --> 00:39:06.630 to podcasts, but I do not want to be in my car 00:39:06.630 --> 00:39:10.969 two hours a day. So one of the requirements I 00:39:10.969 --> 00:39:14.530 wanted was more of a hybrid position, like getting 00:39:14.530 --> 00:39:19.369 out and interacting. But also I like having my 00:39:19.369 --> 00:39:22.510 dog and my cat at home and not being on the road, 00:39:22.630 --> 00:39:26.789 gaining those 10 hours a week back. So yeah, 00:39:26.789 --> 00:39:30.570 it was really. requirement when when they asked 00:39:30.570 --> 00:39:33.230 me like are you someone who wants to be in the 00:39:33.230 --> 00:39:35.329 office every day are you someone who's okay working 00:39:35.329 --> 00:39:38.690 with home most of their positions are remote 00:39:38.690 --> 00:39:43.030 and then with the opportunity to come into the 00:39:43.030 --> 00:39:45.590 office once or twice but maybe not even for a 00:39:45.590 --> 00:39:48.869 day and so that was perfect but in my mind I 00:39:48.869 --> 00:39:51.329 knew I did not want to be stuck in a building 00:39:51.920 --> 00:39:54.519 being told by bells when to eat and go to the 00:39:54.519 --> 00:39:58.019 bathroom. Being able to take a walk in the middle 00:39:58.019 --> 00:40:01.039 of the day with my dog if I needed a break from 00:40:01.039 --> 00:40:05.480 work. So that was a requirement. And then also 00:40:05.480 --> 00:40:10.349 I did come back to... Especially, I think, because 00:40:10.349 --> 00:40:13.449 podcasting reminded me I wanted to do something 00:40:13.449 --> 00:40:16.650 with my journalism skills because I had taught 00:40:16.650 --> 00:40:18.789 English, I've taught English for 29 years, but 00:40:18.789 --> 00:40:23.130 I've only taught journalism for 11 or 12. And 00:40:23.130 --> 00:40:25.449 I did, I was a reporter in high school and I 00:40:25.449 --> 00:40:27.650 was a reporter in college and then I didn't do 00:40:27.650 --> 00:40:29.489 anything with journalism while I was teaching 00:40:29.489 --> 00:40:32.570 English until a journalism position opened and 00:40:32.570 --> 00:40:36.159 I took it. And that has been one of the best 00:40:36.159 --> 00:40:40.820 parts of my job is working with kids who this 00:40:40.820 --> 00:40:43.880 is what they want to do and getting them internships 00:40:43.880 --> 00:40:45.980 and getting them scholarships and getting them 00:40:45.980 --> 00:40:50.360 amazing opportunities to sort of pave their path 00:40:50.360 --> 00:40:52.039 and those are some of the students that I've 00:40:52.039 --> 00:40:55.340 had back on my podcast who just I would love 00:40:55.340 --> 00:40:59.840 any of their jobs any of them to hire me so I 00:40:59.840 --> 00:41:02.710 kind of knew after thinking about it that I still 00:41:02.710 --> 00:41:05.670 wanted to kind of use my journalism skills now. 00:41:05.969 --> 00:41:09.170 I'm definitely using them in podcasting. I'm 00:41:09.170 --> 00:41:12.650 definitely learning a lot in building my YouTube 00:41:12.650 --> 00:41:15.610 channel, which has a lot of journalism stuff 00:41:15.610 --> 00:41:20.289 on it. I think I will have to help the new person 00:41:20.289 --> 00:41:23.230 transition. So like educational consulting just 00:41:23.230 --> 00:41:27.150 a little still maybe teaching some lessons based 00:41:27.150 --> 00:41:30.449 on journalism. So it kind of seems like that. 00:41:30.590 --> 00:41:34.389 is going to be it for the immediate future, you 00:41:34.389 --> 00:41:38.329 know, down the road. I looked at what retirement 00:41:38.329 --> 00:41:40.809 community in the South where we're thinking of 00:41:40.809 --> 00:41:43.989 moving and they need a reporter. They need a 00:41:43.989 --> 00:41:47.550 content creator. And I thought, okay, that's 00:41:47.550 --> 00:41:50.210 probably a fun path. And, you know, it doesn't 00:41:50.210 --> 00:41:52.889 hurt to add podcasting skills to your resume. 00:41:52.889 --> 00:41:56.699 Sure doesn't. No. Thank you for giving those 00:41:56.699 --> 00:41:58.880 examples because I think you know sometimes people 00:41:58.880 --> 00:42:00.780 can get caught up in their heads about like I 00:42:00.780 --> 00:42:02.559 don't know how to make parameters but really 00:42:02.559 --> 00:42:05.360 it can be as simple as I want a hybrid position 00:42:05.360 --> 00:42:08.179 or you know like like that or I want to be able 00:42:08.179 --> 00:42:10.199 to create my schedule I want to work these types 00:42:10.199 --> 00:42:14.340 of you it can be very tangible things like that 00:42:14.340 --> 00:42:17.519 and I love how you're also talking about just 00:42:17.519 --> 00:42:19.599 repurposing what you're already good at into 00:42:19.599 --> 00:42:21.809 something else because I know a lot of my teacher 00:42:21.809 --> 00:42:25.550 friends and educator friends are very worried 00:42:25.550 --> 00:42:28.860 about like quote unquote, wasting all of their 00:42:28.860 --> 00:42:31.360 education and all of their expertise that they've 00:42:31.360 --> 00:42:34.539 gained over the years. And I'm here to tell you 00:42:34.539 --> 00:42:37.199 that no, it's not wasted time at all. Like there 00:42:37.199 --> 00:42:39.980 is a market for the skills that you've cultivated 00:42:39.980 --> 00:42:44.000 over these years and it could be reimagined in 00:42:44.000 --> 00:42:46.940 101 different ways. You just need to be able 00:42:46.940 --> 00:42:50.199 to put yourself out there, be open to opportunities. 00:42:50.199 --> 00:42:51.880 Like what you were saying, like I want to move 00:42:51.880 --> 00:42:53.760 down south and oh my goodness, they need a content 00:42:53.760 --> 00:42:56.539 creator. There you go. And as you said earlier, 00:42:56.739 --> 00:42:59.539 there's always a way to make money. We are not 00:42:59.539 --> 00:43:02.920 tied to this one career path and like sentenced 00:43:02.920 --> 00:43:07.300 to be there forever more. Money can be made in 00:43:07.300 --> 00:43:09.980 so many different ways in so many different areas 00:43:09.980 --> 00:43:13.300 and you can use your skills and like you really 00:43:13.300 --> 00:43:16.719 can create the life that you desire. Absolutely. 00:43:16.960 --> 00:43:20.690 Yeah, it's. And of years of mindset and where 00:43:20.690 --> 00:43:23.289 your mindset settles based on, again, your own 00:43:23.289 --> 00:43:25.630 personal values and preferences and for everybody 00:43:25.630 --> 00:43:29.269 that's different. This may be a very, not that 00:43:29.269 --> 00:43:32.510 it's not unsettling at times, but a very unsettling 00:43:32.510 --> 00:43:35.789 path for some people. But for me in this stage, 00:43:35.789 --> 00:43:38.530 it feels right. And even though, you know, I 00:43:38.530 --> 00:43:40.449 can't say that it doesn't come without doubt 00:43:40.449 --> 00:43:43.909 at times, getting out of your comfort zone is 00:43:43.909 --> 00:43:48.159 uncomfortable. But also no growth can happen 00:43:48.159 --> 00:43:50.400 if we're in our comfort zone. Exactly right. 00:43:50.579 --> 00:43:54.059 Yeah. And the comfort zone is a beautiful place 00:43:54.059 --> 00:43:58.179 for a certain amount of time, but if you're feeling 00:43:58.179 --> 00:44:00.679 that nudge that Rachel was talking about earlier, 00:44:00.880 --> 00:44:04.559 if you have that persistent voice that's telling 00:44:04.559 --> 00:44:07.900 you something, I think you owe it to yourself 00:44:07.900 --> 00:44:10.239 to explore that. You don't have to make rash 00:44:10.239 --> 00:44:12.599 decisions or anything, but at least sit with 00:44:12.599 --> 00:44:15.619 it, explore it, entertain it, journal about it. 00:44:15.699 --> 00:44:18.360 You might be shocked at what it's worth with 00:44:18.360 --> 00:44:21.840 all of that. Rachel, I'm wondering if you could 00:44:21.840 --> 00:44:24.019 share with the listeners how people can find 00:44:24.019 --> 00:44:26.000 your podcast, how they can find your YouTube 00:44:26.000 --> 00:44:28.920 channel, and start learning more about your journey. 00:44:29.760 --> 00:44:32.960 Sure, absolutely. So... I do have a website, 00:44:33.179 --> 00:44:35.719 Life's Next Lesson Plan dot com, and that houses 00:44:35.719 --> 00:44:39.300 a lot of my resources, all of my podcasts, which 00:44:39.300 --> 00:44:42.539 those are also on Apple podcasts and Spotify 00:44:42.539 --> 00:44:46.280 and YouTube. My YouTube channel is also Life's 00:44:46.280 --> 00:44:50.519 Next Lesson Plan. So on there, I am also counting 00:44:50.519 --> 00:44:53.719 down the last 100 days in the classroom. I think 00:44:53.719 --> 00:44:58.199 I'm somewhere around 55 or 54, something like 00:44:58.199 --> 00:45:01.039 that. So I have a different kind of topic every 00:45:00.880 --> 00:45:04.260 day that I do a YouTube short about and then 00:45:04.260 --> 00:45:06.780 I've been starting to chronicle we just bought 00:45:06.780 --> 00:45:11.500 a camper for next adventures she's very cute 00:45:11.500 --> 00:45:14.539 so I'm picking her up at the end of next month 00:45:14.539 --> 00:45:16.420 and I'll kind of be chronicling like what does 00:45:16.420 --> 00:45:19.119 that look like and where are we going and you 00:45:19.119 --> 00:45:21.780 know how am I spending my days now that they're 00:45:21.780 --> 00:45:25.760 looking different I'm also on Facebook and Instagram 00:45:25.760 --> 00:45:29.260 and LinkedIn you know life's next lesson plan 00:45:29.260 --> 00:45:33.349 or Rachel route as well. You are doing everything. 00:45:33.630 --> 00:45:36.789 Rachel, you are amazing. I love your story and 00:45:36.789 --> 00:45:40.409 I am just so excited to see where your next chapter 00:45:40.409 --> 00:45:42.530 leaves you. Thank you so much for being on the 00:45:42.530 --> 00:45:45.190 podcast today. Same. It was a pleasure. Thank 00:45:45.190 --> 00:45:55.449 you so much. I hope today's conversation resonated 00:45:55.449 --> 00:45:58.010 with you and maybe even gave you a little nudge 00:45:58.010 --> 00:46:00.730 of your own to embrace your own next chapter. 00:46:01.449 --> 00:46:03.730 A huge thank you to Laura Flowers for having 00:46:03.730 --> 00:46:07.610 me on her podcast Rediscovering You. It's filled 00:46:07.610 --> 00:46:10.190 with powerful conversations designed to help 00:46:10.190 --> 00:46:13.079 women break free from feeling stuck. and step 00:46:13.079 --> 00:46:16.400 into a life they truly love. I personally loved 00:46:16.400 --> 00:46:20.400 the episode that comes right before mine, which 00:46:20.400 --> 00:46:23.460 talks about kind of manifesting your financial 00:46:23.460 --> 00:46:26.480 dreams and she truly has a remarkable story. 00:46:27.000 --> 00:46:29.440 So be sure to check it out on YouTube and Apple 00:46:29.440 --> 00:46:32.469 podcasts and give it a follow. And if you want 00:46:32.469 --> 00:46:35.090 to continue following my journey as I count down 00:46:35.090 --> 00:46:37.650 my final days in the classroom, make sure you're 00:46:37.650 --> 00:46:40.710 subscribed to Life's Next Lesson Plan on YouTube 00:46:40.710 --> 00:46:43.829 and connect with me for behind the scenes content 00:46:43.829 --> 00:46:47.610 on Instagram and Facebook. Please, please, please 00:46:47.610 --> 00:46:51.349 share this podcast. That's what helps me grow 00:46:51.349 --> 00:46:54.550 and stay motivated. There's so much more ahead 00:46:54.550 --> 00:46:57.190 and I'd love for you and more people to be a 00:46:57.190 --> 00:47:00.869 part of it. Until next time, keep rediscovering. 00:47:01.070 --> 00:47:03.929 learning and keep moving toward that life that 00:47:03.929 --> 00:47:06.170 aligns with your values.