Recently, I had a life-altering experience when I suffered a TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack). My heartfelt gratitude goes to the swift response of the medical professionals who took me to the hospital by ambulance, the doctors and nurses in the ER, and once in my room, the doctors, nurses, and medical techs that took good care of me. During that time, I experienced high blood pressure, numbness on my left side, and garbled speech. Fortunately, these symptoms lasted no more than three...

People often struggle with self-esteem, self-care, and believing in themselves.  Childhood trauma, which I experienced, can have a profound and lasting impact  throughout a person's life. Trauma experienced during childhood can lower self-esteem with feelings of unworthiness, guilt, or shame.  There are voices that whisper in your ear from your past playing old and negative self-perceptions which can persist into adulthood, making it challenging to believe in yourself and prioritize...

Hello Mid-Bloomers!  Hope all is well with you as we get closer to the end of summer. Many of you are aware of my love for storytelling and my deep curiosity about other people's journeys and coping mechanisms.  This is what inspired me to launch my own podcast, "Living In Mid-Bloom." I use this platform to delve into the details of everyday life and inform universal truths in everyone's journey, including my own. Well, I have a special surprise for you. For the first time I'm sharing an...

Hey there, my fabulous Mid-Bloomers! Wow, it feels like forever since we last caught up, and I've been counting down the days to reconnect with all of you! Can you believe it? An entire month has zipped by in the blink of my little eye.  Today I offer you a little teaser about my thoughts and fears on my first season and a little bit of info on my second season coming up in September. Keep those podcast-loving ears tuned in there's some great stuff coming up! I care about you and I hope you...

Hey Mid-Bloomers! This is my 24th and last episode of the first season of my podcast!  Season One is in the books!  I am still overwhelmed by the support that you've been giving me. It is really just amazing.  So let's get into  our last topic for Season One. Something we often overlook-friendships. They're not just nice-to-have; they're essential for a fulfilling life. Here are three key reasons why adult friendships matter: Support System: Friends are there to cheer us on and lend a...

Hello my dear mid-bloomers! This is Episode 23! Next week Episode 24 is my last episode for Season One! Yay!   This podcast has been one of my dreams and I did it! I knew nothing about podcasting but I have always loved storytelling. I have always wanted to share my journey to help heal myself and others. I know, for me, all of this is in co-creation with God. We all have our own journey and no one can tell you how to travel and live it.   Today's episode focuses on why I wanted to start a...

Hello my Mid-Bloomers! I had the privilege of interviewing Joanne Greene, my guest for today's episode. Joanne is a Writer, Podcaster, Humorist, and Memoirist.   After surviving a life altering accident in 2012, Joanne Greene had to let go of controlling everything in her life, honor the still moments,  and allow herself to crack, finding beauty and possibility in her fragility.  Raised just outside of Boston, Joanne moved to the San Francisco Bay Area post college where she hosted and...

Hi My Mid-bloomers!  What's going on?  Are you being kind to yourself? In this episode I share my first experience working with a therapist and what brought me to the point where I needed to seek help. My thoughts about finding the right therapist are my personal point of view and not to be considered as advice from a professional. #4 Tip For Finding The Right Therapist Find out if they take insurance or, if you even want to use your insurance. What can you afford to pay and is it within...

Hello mid-bloomers and friends! So; are all feelings present and accounted for? I think it's a good question and I ask this of myself almost every day. Do I stay in the moment? Can I respond in real time? Which brings me to another question. Were we allowed to have all of our feelings?  I am finding through my podcast that there are moments or relationships that I'm continuing to heal from. As I talk about them I start to really feel them and embrace them.    My thoughts about finding the...

Hello my mid-bloomers and friends! If you are loving my podcast please give me a positive review and/or five stars on whatever podcast platform you use. Let people know what they're missing!   In this episode teaser I continue my therapy journey and my issues with trust and being present. The full episode airs next Wednesday, May 31st.   Blessings everyone! In order to grow we must reveal our truth and stand in it. I am brave. It doesn't mean I 'm not afraid. I love myself for where I...

In this episode I continue along my therapy journey. I enter into a very unhealthy relationship and seek guidance from a therapist that I thought could help me navigate through this relationship. My thoughts about finding the right therapist are my personal point of view and not to be considered as advice from a professional. #2 Tip For Finding The Right Therapist Look for a therapist who specializes in the type of therapy that you may require.  It may be something general that may not...

Hello my mid-bloomers and friends! Hope you like my new artwork! Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No! It's Super Middle-aged woman!  Learning to treasure the most important relationships of my life; with myself and my God.  Knowing I come first as this is the best way to be there for myself and my loved ones. I have superpowers, you have superpowers, we all have superpowers! If you haven't figured out all of yours that's ok because I haven't either! We're on this journey together.   For this...

"In order to grow we must reveal our truth and stand in it. I am brave. And I love myself for where I was and where I am." Just as finding the right physician is important to your physical health, you should demand the same care and attention for your emotional and mental health. My focus over the next few weeks will spotlight the good, the bad, and the ugly I experienced and experience in therapy.  Seeking therapy is a very individual decision in which you may find yourself vulnerable....

Hi mid-bloomers and friends! Putting out a little teaser today about therapy. After finding and working with a well suited therapist, it can be life changing. It was painful and is painful when touching on experiences that you never really worked through. Or, are just now rearing their ugly head. I found the quality of my life and my relationships are so much better but as we know the journey never ends. Many relationships ended because my personal vibration had changed for the better.  Just...

Victoria has been a long-time neighbor and friend. She has a master’s in social work and has spent her entire career in the healthcare field. She has the gift of "Empathy" and that explains, to me, why she was passionate about her career and has the same passion in retirement. Over the past few years I was dealing with elderly family members, including my mother, that required additional attention and care. Navigating through our massive health care system can be overwhelming and Victoria...

This is a sound bite from the next episode scheduled to air Wednesday, April 19, 2023.  April's friend Victoria has spent her entire career in the healthcare field. Leading with an empathetic soul, Victoria shares her personal insights. April shares her gratitude toward Victoria when dealing with elderly family members including her mother.    In order to grow we must reveal our truth and stand in it. I am brave. It doesn't mean I 'm not afraid. I love myself for where I was and where I...

In this episode April starts getting into some of the issues she began dealing with after losing her job. Here are some of her own go to quotes; "You are worth caring about!  It may be a new message but it is surely the truth. That voice that easily says "fool". It's familiar. But it's not the truth. It sounds right because what else did you know? Revel in this new message!""Some of us were taught that others come first. That we do not matter. And we end up being caregivers for those you...

This is a sound bite from the next solo episode scheduled to air Wednesday, April 5, 2023.  April starts to get to the heart of some of the issues she has been dealing with for the past few years.   "There's nothing to lose and everything to gain when you put it all out there." In a world where women of a certain age are often overlooked, April Pruitt is on a mission to flip the narrative and redefine what it means to be middle-aged. Are you wanting a life you’re not living? Do you want to...

This is part two of my interview with Beth Tomas.   We start the conversation with her breast cancer diagnosis as Beth owns her feelings of anger, fear, and frustration. Despite recently losing her husband and her brother, Beth kept her annual breast exam appointment.   Beth; you could not have provided a better example of self-care! What a reminder for all of us to understand the importance of regular exams. Take yourself and take a friend with you to an appointment. No; it's not a party...

I had the privilege of speaking with Beth Tomas, my guest for the next two episodes to share her journey through unexpected loss. In September of 2021 Beth lost her husband, Antero Tomas, of 21 years. He died of complications from a massive stroke.  Within a few weeks of Antero’s passing, her brother Skip died of cancer. A few months later, Beth was diagnosed with breast cancer.  She was brave enough to share her journey through grief and how she is learning to navigate these life changing...

March 1st is the third full episode and the second solo episode of the Living In Mid-Bloom podcast.  April has said all along she would be sharing her personal journey. In this episode she starts at the beginning of the journey she's  been on for the past three years.  Summary of episode; Self-Care for the Mind, Body, & SoulTrauma Responses - Do we still need the tools we used as children to protect ourselves?Flipping The Narrative  In a world where women of a certain age are often...

Stacey Montgomery began her education studying medicine due to an early inspiration as a child.  However; she realized fairly soon it was not  her cup of tea and shifted to the law, starting her professional career in the corporate world.  Stacey has always loved drawing and writing but never believed it was something that could blossom into a successful living.  But when she was laid off, she took the opportunity to follow her passion and speed down that creative track.  Stacey M. Design...

This is the first full episode of the Living In Mid-Bloom podcast! In this episode, Host,  April Pruitt describes the podcast that begins with her sharing a piece of her personal journey toward joy and emotional health. She will be interviewing women who are in different points in their lives who may be struggling to figure out who they are, and how to navigate the world. This episode falls on National Self-Renewal Day to focus on the self-care needed to stay vibrant and healthy. Following...

How do we survive the holiday season?  Lots of wine, lots of food, ooh, and lots of wine. Don't get stressed out and forget what the season is all about....Drinking and eating!  Seriously folks; consider these top five ways to brighten your holidays.                                     WISHING EVERYONE A JOYOUS HOLIDAY SEASON                                                             AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! In a world where women of a certain age are often overlooked, April Pruitt...

It's the most wonderful time of the year! And it's  one of the most stressful times of the year! We all have our family traditions and, family members we see only on these special occasions. They may not be your favorites but hey, it's only once or twice a year right??  Even I have displayed bad behavior every now and again.  I know. Shocking. May you laugh hard as you listen to the Top Five Ways to Avoid Killing a Family Member and going to jail.                                          ...