🌻 When the Sunflowers Bloom

She's Here! 8/20/26

Every year, I wait for the sunflowers.

Waiting for the sunny yellow bloom..... 8/15/26

There's something about seeing that first burst of yellow that makes me stop.

They're bright and beautiful and unmistakably summer leading into fall —and that, for me, always carried a quiet reminder that change is coming.

I would usually say, "you know it's time to get back to routine when the sunflowers loom."

Oh, and the geese, don't forget the geese flying by in their arrow. And noticing the one that seems a bit off course.

But, then it begins. Earlier Mornings. New Schedules. New Attitudes. Did I mention earlier mornings? The familiar shift from the freedom of summer back into routine.

Peek-A-Boo, I see you! 8/19/26

And then there was the year "back to school" meant something entirely different.

It meant preparing for my daughter to leave for college. As much as I love my Michigan State Spartans (Go Green!), having her in MI was kinda far away. Or helping my other daughter quickly pack to begin her ballet career in Florida; again Florida isn't next door.

And, suddenly, the season I had watched arrive year after year felt different.🤔

This wasn't just another school year.

Something was changing.

And, at that time, I wasn't quite ready for it.

The Signs of a New Season

The funny thing is, I've always loved this time of year.

I love when the mums start appearing everywhere. I love football games, the first hint of cooler air, and yes, the moment I decide it's finally acceptable to pull out my pumpkin pillows and put them back on the couch while I hold my pumpkin spiced coffee.

And while we're being honest, I'm already looking forward to the Hallmark Countdown to Christmas.🎄

Yes, I know. The sunflowers are still blooming.

But maybe that's exactly the point.

I'm looking forward to what's coming while I'm still standing in what's here.

The sunflowers are blooming while the mums are beginning to arrive.

Summer hasn't completely left, but fall is already making itself known.

For a little while, both seasons exist together.

And isn't that so much like life?

We Truly Can Hold Both

Maybe that's why this sunflower means something different to me now.

It still reminds me of backpacks, school calendars, college goodbyes, and seasons that passed much faster than I realized they would.

But it also reminds me that moving forward doesn't mean leaving everything behind.

We can miss what was and love what is.

We can feel nostalgic for one season while being excited about the next.

And, maybe we're a little like August.

Part sunflower. Part mum.

Holding pieces of what has been while making room for what's coming.

The sunflower doesn't resist the changing season.

It simply blooms and turns toward the light.

Maybe that's what it's been teaching me all these years.

We aren't meant to hold onto one season forever.

We're meant to live it, love it, let it shape us—and when the time comes, carry the beautiful parts with us into whatever comes next.

The sunflowers are blooming again.

Soon there will be mums on the porch, football on the television, cooler evenings, pumpkin pillows on my couch—and eventually, I'll happily settle in for the Hallmark Countdown to Christmas.

And this year, I'm going to let myself enjoy all of it.

The memories of what this season used to mean.

The beauty of what it means now.

And the possibility of whatever might be waiting in the season ahead.

Because maybe moving forward isn't about leaving the old season behind.

Maybe it's about carrying its beauty with us...

while still turning toward the light.🌻

My question for you - what season of life are you in right now and what are you ready to make room for? Let me know, let's start a conversation!😊🌻

Also a reminder, as the sunflowers bloom, something new is here too!! Let me know what you think my wonderful Site Members! Enjoy!

When a Recipe Doesn't Work

Last night I tried a new recipe. It was

Sometimes the smallest things teach us the biggest lessons.

one that I had found in a magazine where they were highlighting recipes from 1975 ~ I smiled when I saw it because it reminded me of something my mom has made.

Sounded good. Then I had to have it.....sending my husband to the store....the plan was in motion.

Everything smelled wonderful as it cooked, and I was looking forward to dinner. My evening actually hinged on this; we'll eat earlier, have more time to relax before the hustle and bustle of a new week, it was going to be yummy, cozy and perfect.

But when it was finally ready, and I was stating how much I wanted, something wasn't quite right. The rice was uncooked; hard as can be.😐

I often joke and say, "if this doesn't work, there's always pizza".

And, this was a true test of that.

Well, when my husband looked at the magazine, he, we, whoever, realized what I'd missed.

The rice was supposed to be already cooked before adding it to the dish.

One simple step.

One word I had overlooked.

We couldn't help but laugh.😅

And then I realized how much that little moment reminded me of life.

How often do we miss a detail, misunderstand the instructions, or skip a step without even realizing it? Before we know it, we're convinced we've done something wrong.

We tell ourselves we should have known better.

We wonder why we can't seem to get it right.

We start questioning ourselves over something that was simply...human.

Life doesn't come with perfectly written instructions.

Sometimes the directions aren't clear.

Sometimes we overlook something.

Sometimes we have to pause, go back, and begin again.

Last night, I could have looked at that recipe and thought, "How did I miss that? I can't believe I did that. What kind of ____ am I?"

Instead, we laughed, ate what we could and threw in a frozen pizza.

Further, I reminded myself that mistakes happen.

It made me wonder how different life would feel if we offered ourselves that same kindness more often.

So many women I meet are carrying invisible responsibilities. They're balancing families, careers, caregiving, health challenges, changing relationships, and countless expectations.

They're trying so hard to do everything well that even the smallest mistake can feel like proof they're falling short.

But what if it isn't?

What if it's simply part of being human?

Maybe healing isn't about getting every step right.

Maybe it's about learning to respond to ourselves with a little more grace when we don't.

At Back to Her Wellness, I often talk about sustainable habits, not perfect ones.

Because life isn't about following someone else's recipe perfectly.

It's about discovering what works for your life, your body, and your season.

Some recipes become family favorites.

Others teach us what we'll do differently next time.

Both have value.

Last night's dinner wasn't ruined.

we just had to make some tweaks.

Sometimes that's true in life, too.

We don't need to throw everything away because we missed one step.

We simply pause, make the adjustment, and keep moving forward.

So today, if something hasn't gone the way you planned ~ whether it's a recipe, a habit, a conversation, or a goal ~I hope you'll remember this:

One missed step doesn't define the whole journey.

Take a breath.

Offer yourself the same kindness you would offer someone you love.

Then cook the rice, or make a pizza...and keep going.

❤️

You Don't Have to Do It Alone

Understanding the Role of a Wellness Coach

Recently, someone asked me how they could work with me.

In the same conversation, they shared that they were planning to ask their primary care provider for a referral to a nutrition professional.

And this reminded me of something I hear often.

Many people aren't quite sure what a wellness coach does ~ or how coaching fits alongside other healthcare professionals.

And honestly, that's completely understandable (I see you😊)

There are physicians, therapists, physical therapists, registered dietitians, personal trainers, and wellness coaches....the list goes on and each brings a unique area of expertise.

We're not here to replace one another.

We're here to work together in supporting your overall well-being.

As a board-certified health and wellness coach, my role isn't to diagnose medical conditions, prescribe treatment, or provide individualized nutrition therapy.

Instead, I help people bridge the gap between knowing what they want to do and actually doing it.

Because most of us already know the basics.

We know we should move our bodies more.🚶🏼‍♀️

Drink more water.💦

Manage stress.🧘🏼‍♀️

Get enough sleep.😴

Create healthier habits - you choose the emoji😊

The challenge isn't usually a lack of information.

The challenge is figuring out how to make those changes fit into everyday life ~ especially when life is busy, overwhelming, or uncertain.

That's where coaching can make a difference.

Imagine your physician encourages you to become more active.

A physical therapist may help you move safely if you're recovering from an injury or managing a condition.

A registered dietitian can provide personalized nutrition guidance based on your health needs.

As your wellness coach, I help you explore what those recommendations look like in your real life. Together, we look at what's getting in the way, what strengths you already have, and what small, meaningful steps feel realistic and sustainable.

Sometimes coaching is about creating healthier habits.

Sometimes it's about navigating a life transition.

Sometimes it's about managing stress, reconnecting with yourself, or simply having someone who listens without judgment while helping you move toward the life you want.💗

One of the things I value most about coaching is recognizing when someone would benefit from additional support.

If we believe a registered dietitian, therapist, physician, or another healthcare professional could better meet a specific need, I'll encourage that.

Seeking support isn't a sign of weakness.

It's a sign of wisdom and every single person I have ever worked with has been, and continues to be, so wise. We are all experts on ourselves, right? We know what we need!

And, I've never believed we have to have all the answers ourselves.

Sometimes the strongest thing we can do is build a team of people who each support us in different ways.

At Back to Her Wellness, my goal isn't to tell you what to do.

It's to walk beside you as you reconnect with yourself, create lasting habits, and move forward with greater confidence and self-compassion.

Because wellness isn't about doing everything alone.

It's about receiving the support you need to grow.🪴

If you've ever wondered whether wellness coaching is right for you, I'd love to have a conversation. Together, we can explore your goals and determine whether coaching, another type of support, or a combination of both is the best fit for your journey.💗

As always, I offer my free Coffee Chat for exactly this ~ no pressure, just room to talk it out!