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What happens when life gets overwhelming — and instead of pushing through, you pause?
In this episode of Midlife… Now What?!, Erin and Jennie share why they took an unexpected break from the podcast and how that decision became a real-time lesson in values, boundaries, and nervous system regulation.
From snowpocalypse chaos and family illness to breakups, job decisions, and identity shifts, this conversation explores what it really means to stop abandoning yourself to keep the peace. They talk honestly about how values change in midlife, why saying “no” can feel so uncomfortable, and how listening to your body can guide you back to alignment.
This episode is for every woman who feels stretched too thin, emotionally exhausted, or stuck saying yes when everything inside her is screaming no.
What We Talk About
- Why we chose to pause instead of push through
- How values guide decisions — and why they shift in midlife
- The connection between boundaries and nervous system regulation
- Jennie’s breakup and leaving a job that wasn’t aligned
- Erin navigating family illness, burnout, and special needs parenting
- Generational people-pleasing and guilt around rest
Key Takeaways
- If a decision costs your nervous system, it’s too expensive
- Values evolve — and your life has to evolve with them
- Saying no can feel dysregulating before it feels empowering
- Relief is often your body confirming alignment
- Boundaries aren’t selfish — they’re protective
Resources Mentioned
Values Workbook 👉 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1F9kKZhBwvHYuPuZgr5g7NEZg2dLsYJsX/view?usp=sharing
- 5 Love Languages FREE Quiz 👉 https://5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/love-language
What’s Coming Next
A powerful conversation with cancer survivor and author Ali Shah
Dating in your 40s after divorce
Parenting a child with special needs
You're not behind.
You’re not broken.
You’re learning to listen to yourself. 💛
✨ Sponsor Spotlight: Sheila Haugh
If this episode resonated and you’re noticing how often you override your own needs, we want to share someone we trust deeply.
Sheila Haugh is a Self-Trust & Parts Work Coach who helps women slow down, reconnect with their bodies, and rebuild trust with themselves — especially after burnout, overgiving, or major life transitions.
Her work is grounded, compassionate, and deeply aligned with everything we talk about here: nervous system regulation, boundaries, and learning to listen to yourself again.
Learn more and connect with Sheila here:
👉 https://sheilahaugh.com/
