January 27, 2025, was my 40th birthday.
Turning forty feels like reaching the top of a mountain and finally pausing to take in the view. It's a chance to reflect on the paths I’ve climbed, the storms I’ve weathered, and the clearer skies ahead. As I step into this milestone, I carry with me the lessons of a decade that has been, in many ways, a grief cycle after leaving New York City in 2014.
The Grief of My Thirties: Saying Goodbye to Dreams
My thirties were a mix of discovery, resilience, and sorrow. There were years when I had to reconcile the person I once dreamed of becoming with the person I truly was. My life still carried the sparkle of Broadway aspirations a decade ago, a feeling of chasing something grand and extraordinary. As time passed, I realized I was mourning the dreams I had imagined as a child and what I truly wanted as an adult.
Grief isn’t just about loss; it’s about transformation. It’s about understanding that letting go doesn’t mean failure. Instead, it creates space. And in that space, I discovered a new purpose: helping others through my multidisciplinary lens—psychology, storytelling, and connection. The theater may no longer be my stage, but my life remains a performance of meaning and creativity.
Lessons Learned Along the Way
Resilience Is Built Through Release: Holding onto the past only weighs you down. I learned that real strength comes from releasing what no longer serves you and making peace with your choices.
Success Isn’t Always the Stage: My idea of success shifted. It’s no longer about applause yet alignment—doing work that resonates with my values and feels authentic.
Self-Compassion Is Key: I spent many years critiquing myself; learning to be kind to myself has been a game-changer.
Life Is Multifaceted: Just because one dream didn’t unfold the way I envisioned doesn’t mean my life is any less rich. My "stage" simply expanded.
Forty and Fabulous: Goals for the Next Decade
As I step into this new chapter, my focus is on creating and celebrating. The grief of my thirties has made way for the harmony I seek in my forties—a balance between ambition and rest, growth and gratitude, self-expression and connection.
Deepen My Impact: Using my expertise in psychology and communications, I want to build programs and initiatives that help others foster resilience and mental health literacy.
Prioritize Wellness: This is the decade I’m committing to my being—not for aesthetics, yet vitality and strength.
Celebrate Small Joys: Life’s beauty often lies in its quiet moments—a good book, a walk, a shared home-cooked meal.
Expand My Storytelling: Whether through writing, speaking, or teaching, I plan to share stories that inspire and connect.
Financial and Time Freedom: I’ve built stability, and now I want to grow it—to support my dreams, adventures, and peace of mind.
Embracing Harmony
My word for 2025 is "Harmony," and it feels like the perfect guide for this season of life.
Harmony isn’t about perfection; it’s about alignment. It’s about integrating the lessons of my past, the goals of my future, and the joys of my present into a life that feels whole and meaningful.
Forty is here, and with it comes a renewed sense of purpose. My thirties taught me how to grieve and grow; my forties will see me thriving and celebrating. Here’s to the journey ahead—to balance, boldness, and the beauty of becoming.
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