Getting Older, Getting Yourself Back: Aging with Intention

Birthdays have a way of sneaking up on us. When we were kids, it was all about cake, candles, and balloons. As adults - especially as moms — they can start to feel like just another date on the calendar, squeezed between school emails, soccer games, and endless to-do lists.But what if birthdays weren’t just about a number? What if they became checkpoints, gentle pauses to reflect on how far we’ve come and what we want for the season ahead?In this heartfelt episode, Vanessa - licensed therapist, mom coach, and host of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast - shares her own mid-forties reflections and the lessons that come with raising both a tween and a toddler at the same time. With humor, honesty, and plenty of real talk, she dives into how aging can feel less like loss and more like coming back to yourself.Vanessa also opens up about the simple practices she uses around her birthday to reset, writing down reflections, creating an “I Want List,” and giving herself permission slips for rest, joy, and change. And she reminds moms everywhere that we don’t have to wait until birthdays or New Year’s to check in with ourselves. Whether you’re in survival mode, juggling all the things, or just needing a reminder that it’s never too late to get yourself back, this episode offers grounding, laughter, and a mindful meditation to carry with you.EPISODE DESCRIPTIONWhy birthdays can serve as powerful checkpoints for growthHow motherhood changes the way we see aging, and ourselvesSimple reflection practices you can start todayThe importance of weekly pauses to reconnect with yourselfTUNE IN TO LEARNHow aging can be an act of alignment, not invisibilityWhy moms often lose themselves in the roles they carryTwo simple ways to pause and reflect without waiting for New Year’sThe power of permission slips for joy, rest, and rediscovering yourselfTAKEAWAY MESSAGEGetting older isn’t about losing who we are - it’s about finding our way back. With each year, we’re invited to stand more firmly in our truth, honor our growth, and give ourselves permission to be more us. Parents.Com Referenced Article3 in 4 Latine Moms Struggle To Express Their Needs—Here’s Why It’s So HardSend us Fan MailSupport the showNJ RESIDENTS, WORK WITH VANESSA Book a free 15-minute therapy consultation https://www.freetobemindful.com/contact LET’S STAY CONNECTED 🎧 Podcast: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast 🎁 Free Resource — 120 Coping Skills: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselorvdejesus/ 💛 Private Coaching for the Mom CEO: https://www.amigamoms.com 🎤 Speaking & Workshops: https://www.freetobemindful.com/speaking 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/counselorvdejesus/DISCLAIMER:Free to Be Mindful Podcast episodes are for educational purposes only and should not be considered as or substituted for therapy or professional help from a licensed clinician.