A Soulful Mom's Wisdom Episode 56:Finding Yourself Inside Your Life - “Inspiration and Breathing”

Send us your thoughts questions or feedback!A Soulful Mom's Wisdom Episode 56:Finding Yourself Inside Your Life - “Inspiration and Breathing” On this episode of A Soulful Mom's Wisdom, Africa O. closes out season seven with a special recap-style conversation, revisiting the quotes that carried the season, and leaving listeners with a practical tool to carry into the new month: a breathing technique and affirmation that helped her walk into a major professional milestone with a clear mind.As mothers, partners, professionals, and individuals, we don't always get to slow down and look back at how far we've come. But taking that pause, naming the lessons, and giving yourself credit is part of the work too.This episode explores what it means to close a chapter with intention rather than just rushing into the next one, and why the tools you use to stay grounded matter just as much as the goals you're working toward.Theme: Finding Yourself Inside Your Life (Season Recap — Closing Out Season Seven)Season 7 centered on the journey of discovering who you are within the life you already have. In this finale-style episode, Africa looks back across the season's key quotes and the lessons behind them before turning to a personal story and a hands-on practice listeners can use right away.Quote"I am doing the best I can, and that is enough." — Africa O.Episode SummaryRecording in real time on a tight timeline before picking her daughter up from school, Africa walks through season 7 episode by episode, revisiting the quotes that defined each conversation: letting go of the identity that wasn't hers to find the one that was, understanding that happiness is fleeting but joy is not, recognizing that joy and sustainability work in tandem, moving through life as if limitations exist only within rather than around you, giving yourself permission to prioritize yourself without guilt, and staying in your own lane because comparison kills creativity.She reflects on how each of these quotes met her in a different season of her own life, from building her wellness platform while balancing motherhood, marriage, and freelance consulting, to learning the difference between real, systemic limitations and the limits we place on ourselves.Africa then shifts into a more personal story: earning her PMP (Project Management Professional) certification entirely through self-study, without paying for a bootcamp or outside help. She shares how, historically, standardized tests have made her freeze up, and how she prepared differently for this exam by combining rest, movement, and breathwork.She walks listeners step-by-step through box breathing (also known as foursquare breathing): inhaling for four seconds, holding for four seconds, exhaling for four seconds, and holding empty for four seconds, repeated for three to five cycles. She also mentions the 4-7-8 technique as another option in her toolkit.Finally, she shares the affirmation she leaned on throughout her certification journey, "I am doing the best I can, and that is enough," and how it helped her let go of the constant question of whether she'd done enough.Episode Highlights• Closing out season seven with a look back at the quotes that shaped the season • Revisiting: "the identity I had to let go of to find the one that was mine" (episode 49) • Revisiting: "happiness is fleeting, but joy is not" (episode 50) • Revisiting: "joy and sustainability work in tandem, they are not trade-offs" (episode 51) • Revisiting: "move through life as if there aren't limitations around you, only within you" (episode 53) • Revisiting: "you're allowed to prioritize yourself without feeling guilty" (episode 54) • Revisiting: "stay in your own lane, comparison kills creativity" — a Brené Brown quote (episode 55) • The difference between real, systemic limitations and self-imposed limits • Releasing guilt around prioritizing yourself and trusting your partner to figure it out • Earning a PMP certification through self-study, without a bootcamp • Using box breathing (4-4-4-4) to walk into a high-stakes exam with a clear mind • A quick mention of the 4-7-8 breathing technique as an alternative tool • The affirmation that carried her through: "I am doing the best I can, and that is enough"Key TakeawayClosing out a chapter well matters just as much as starting the next one strong.Looking back at the lessons you've learned, and giving yourself credit for the work you've put in, is part of sustainable growth, not a distraction from it. And when it's time to face something that makes you nervous, a simple tool like box breathing paired with the right affirmation can carry you further than you'd expect.Stay connected to your purpose. Breathe with intention. Give yourself grace. You are doing the best you can, and that is enough.Make sure you explore more health & wellness insights and coaching opportunities at liveafricao.com. Stay connected for more episodes of A Soulful Mom's Wisdom.Please be sure to rate and review the podcast. You are greatly appreciated.Thank you!Support the showMake sure you explore more health & wellness tips, as well sign up for personal coaching, by visiting my website liveafricao.com!You can also visit me on Instagram and youtube @liveafricao Please, be sure to rate and review this podcast today—it means a lot. And if you ever want to show extra love, you can always buy me a coffee.You are greatly appreciated.Thank you!