Ep. 33: One Year In | A Reflection

One year ago, Colleen finally said yes to a passion project she'd been putting off for far too long: launching the Designed to Thrive podcast. Thirty-three episodes later, she's celebrating one year of using her voice, following her curiosity, embracing her creativity, and learning a whole lot about herself along the way. In this anniversary episode, Colleen reflects on the lessons that have shaped her first year of podcasting — and how they've influenced far more than just the podcast itself. Inspired by the book Beyond Wanting: The Art of True Manifestation by Matt Cooke, Colleen explores a deceptively simple question: Who are you beyond what you do? We're so accustomed to defining ourselves by our roles, accomplishments, and responsibilities. But what happens when we strip away the titles and get curious about who we are underneath them? Colleen shares what she's discovering about her own identity, the importance of taking ownership of your dreams, and why the people we admire aren't nearly as put together as we imagine. She also reflects on staying a beginner, letting growth be fun, honoring her energy as a Projector, and choosing quality over quantity. And perhaps most importantly, she shares why creativity isn't just a hobby or something extra to squeeze into our schedules. It's a catalyst for everything else in life. In this episode, Colleen talks about: Celebrating one year and 33 episodes of Designed to Thrive How a conversation with her business coach helped her finally say yes to starting the podcast The difference between who we're being and what we're doing Exploring identity beyond the titles of entrepreneur, mom, wife, and podcast host How Human Design has helped her recognize her natural gifts, values, and sense of purpose Why no one else can take ownership of your vision for you The stories we create about people we admire and why nobody has it all figured out Allowing personal growth to be fun, playful, and imperfect Why staying curious and maintaining a beginner's mindset matters, even as we gain experience Choosing quality over quantity and honoring her natural energy as a Projector The ripple effect of finally pursuing something that once felt scary Why creativity fuels everything from business and parenting to self-discovery and everyday life A moment to take with you: You don't have to have everything figured out to begin. You don't need someone else's permission to pursue what matters to you. And you don't have to measure your growth by how much you produce or accomplish. Sometimes the most meaningful growth comes from getting to know yourself, trusting your own rhythm, and allowing yourself to enjoy the process. One year into this podcast, Colleen's biggest takeaway is that it all comes back to knowing yourself and trusting what you discover. Trust your voice. Trust your creativity. Trust your timing. And trust that the things you keep feeling called toward might be worth listening to. Question to consider: Who are you beyond what you do? Not your job title, your accomplishments, or the roles you play for other people. Who are you when you strip all of that away? And is there something you've been wanting to pursue that's still waiting for you to say yes? Mentioned in this episode: Learn more out Colleen's business coach (and podcast producer) Madison Salavec Connect: Connect with Colleen on Instagram @the_homecraftdesign or her website https://www.homecraftdesign.com/