As a new year approaches, it’s not unusual to start pondering what your next chapter will look like – especially, if there’s a quiet longing inside you to stop pushing so hard, and start living in a way that actually feels like you again. In this solo episode, I invite you to imagine meeting the “true you” of December, 2026. This is not about pressuring you into another list of goals, but to reconnect with what your soul truly wants next.

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Join me as I share a tender, honest moment about grief, self-judgment, and the kind of coping many of us recognize. Then, you’ll be gently guided towards a new way with aligned intentions rooted in worthiness, support, and trust in Divine timing. You’ll also experience a practical mini-workshop using my L.O.V.E. Method, a simple, heart-centered framework to help you let go, open up to receive, value what makes you uniquely powerful, and embrace the truth of who you are… especially in midlife, when your priorities shift and your spirit starts asking for something more.

Key takeaways:

• Recognize the difference between pressure-driven resolutions and soul-led aligned intentions that restore self-trust.
• Learn how to vision your next chapter without shrinking into practicality too soon, so your dreams have room to breathe.
• Discover why “less is more” in midlife. How choosing a few core intentions can create real momentum (without burnout).
• Create one simple daily/weekly practice that turns your intention into a lived experience – especially around boundaries, energy, and ease.

Midlife has a way of clarifying what’s real: what you’re willing to keep doing and what your body and spirit are done tolerating. If this episode speaks to you, listen all the way through, and then share it with a friend who’s navigating her own reinvention after 50.

And if you’re feeling that nudge: the one that says “I’m ready for clarity, I’m ready to come home to myself,” consider reaching out to explore a next-step clarity session with me, where you can name what you’re releasing, what you’re receiving, and what you’re building now… with support.

Resources:

Learn more about the Good Grief Women’s Retreat: goodgriefretreat.net

Join the Soulful Women’s Network: https://www.facebook.com/groups/soulfulwomensnetwork

Receive daily inspirational email messages: bit.ly/LoveLightNotes

Need support? Go to engagewithgloria.com to schedule a call.

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TRANSCRIPT – New Year, True You: Visioning Your Next Chapter

Introduction: Envisioning Your Future Self

Namaste. Imagine meeting the you of December 2026, one year from now. What is she doing? How is she being and what would she. Thank you.

So as I mentioned, a year from now is December. Well, because this is December right now. And yeah, it’s. That end of year is rapidly approaching. I mean, as I, I’m recording this, it’s like we’re already past a week into the month and it’s going to be Christmas and New Year’s or whatever holiday you celebrate, like in a blink of an eye, it seems like.

And I know that a lot of time people are doing things like setting goals this time of year or they’re doing vision boards about what they want to create next year. Thinking about doing a vision board myself. I have one that I’ve been looking at all year long and thinking I need to update it.

So I also wonder if how much of what you’ve been doing, maybe you have been setting goals and things like that, that it’s related around other people, maybe your family, your clients, your community.

So if that is the case and you’ve been putting yourself last or nearly last, stick around. Because today we’re not going to be doing resolutions. We’re instead creating a vision for 2026 that’s rooted in your soul, supported by your higher self and designed for the wise, radiant woman you are right now.

Welcome to the Podcast: Empowering Women Over 50

But first, if you’re new to the podcast, if you happen to have stumbled upon us, welcome. I’m so glad you’re here. I am Gloria Grace, midlife empowerment guide and self love advocate for women over 50 who want to boldly live life on their terms.

And I, yeah, I know all about the setting of goals and not necessarily having them work out because that happens sometimes. You know, I know I’ve certainly done that in the past in my business. And in fact, a couple, you know, a couple years ago I actually had, I bought this whole, it was like four volume set to use throughout the year of planners. They were one for each quarter of the year. And I started with all the good intentions and filled it out for like the first quarter.

I think I did good. I think I did the whole first quarter. Second quarter started slipping back and wasn’t doing it so much anymore. And, and then as often happens, those goals didn’t materialize because what you focus on expands and conversely, what you don’t focus on, well, maybe it doesn’t necessarily contract, but it certainly doesn’t expand very well if you’re not paying attention to it.

My Personal Weight Loss Journey: Breaking the Yo-Yo Cycle

And I know also, and now that’s for, you know, certainly in my business, but also even in my personal life. Now I’ve. If you have been someone who has actually subscribed to the podcast on YouTube and you’ve been watching episodes of me over the last few years and in fact, I’ve been doing this podcast now since. Well, we. This is our December marks the seventh anniversary.

And I. I didn’t actually call this season seven because. Well, I’m going to tell you about that a little bit later. Why. But anyway, so you’re just going to have to keep tuning in to listen. But anyway, yeah, I started this in December, this podcast, this version in December 2019.

And as I said, if you have happened to. And even if you haven’t been subscribed on YouTube, go back in and go to my YouTube channel at Gloria Grace Rand R A N D and go ahead and look at my transformations over the last six years because you will see my face balloon and then get smaller and then balloon and, you know, and the rest of my body too, and then get smaller again because I have had a terrible habit of putting on £40 or so and then taking them off the next year because I’m realizing that, oh, I can’t fit into my clothes anymore. I don’t like this. I have to wear bigger sizes. I’m sure many of you out there could probably relate to this, right?

And, you know, you start it off and. And the last time I did this was summer of 23, I believe. Yeah, I think it was the summer 23. And I actually went to a hypnotist and. And it worked for a while and I was releasing weight.

And then over the holidays and Christmas time, I started indulging and put the weight back on. And then so by last, in the fall of 24, I was back up to where. Where I didn’t want to be again, let’s put it that way, a weight I didn’t want to be. And I was miserable because it’s like I was really, I think, beating myself up a little bit about the fact that how many times have I done this, Gloria? And really, I would say it’s even gone back to like 2015, 2015.

I got rid of a lot of weight. I was on a different program at the time and did really well. And then in 2016, my sister passed and I gave myself permission to eat my grief. So I did. And so this started this, this yo yo thing where it was like every year I was either putting weight on or taking it off, putting it on and taking it off.

Finding What Works: The Post Diabetes Solution

Well, thankfully the universe sent me a wonderful LinkedIn connection last year. A lovely gentleman who, you know, we, we connected a few times and he happened to mention in one of the last calls we had, last zoom calls, that he had discovered this book and he had gotten rid of a lot of weight and was feeling so much healthier. And so he suggested it to me and it’s called Post Diabetes. And I got the book and I read it one week at a time, I should say, because it, the, the authors of the book don’t want you to go ahead because it includes, it’s basically a nine week plan to move you out of diabetes to so that you can be post diabetic. Now, I’m not.

I have never been thankfully diagnosed as diabetic, but I knew the way I was going I could be really heading towards type 2 diabetes and I didn’t want to do that. So I followed this program and the weight came off and it was pretty easy too. It was not challenging, really challenging at all. And so by this past spring, I’d say by March or April, I had actually released almost 50 pounds and I put a few of those back on. But I can still safely say that from compared to last October, October of 24 to now, which is December 25, I still have £40 off and I have released those pounds.

I’m now putting them back on again. And I’ve been a little indulging this last week again. And I decided this morning that no, let’s go back to eating good food. I don’t need to do that anymore. It’s like I still would like to release a few more, but heck, even if I stay somewhere within the this like a 10 pound range, pretty darn good.

And it really feels good to know that I’m not going to go back because I’m, I’m not the person I was even a year ago. I’m not. I’ve grown a lot, personally and professionally. I’ve been. I worked with someone this summer on my branding and that’s why I call myself now a midlife empowerment guide.

You probably noticed again, if you’ve been subscribed to this podcast for any length of time, that I’ve sort of changed my titles over the years, over the years. But this is the one that’s sticking because this is the one that really feels finally aligned and it feels good. So, all right, hopefully you see a little bit. Well, this is a little bit of my journey. So let’s get into what I want to Talk about today because I want to help you now create a vision for your next year.

Resolutions vs. Aligned Intentions: A Mindset Shift for the New Year

So I want to first kind of talk a little bit about resolutions versus aligned intentions. Because again, you know, a lot of people this time of year start creating New Year’s resolutions. And it’s often about, you know, things like, oh, you know, I am, I’m going to lose weight, you know, next year I’m going to go on a diet. Starting January 2nd, let’s say, you know, maybe not New Year’s Day, but the day after, you know, or I’m gonna do something different with my business this year. I’m gonna, I’m gonna start writing down my goals all the time.

I’m going to do a better job of, of tracking conversions or whatever it is. But all of this, all of these goals or these resolutions, let’s say they kind of, they not kind of cancel, cancel. That’s a phrase my mom used to use, but it applies cancel, cancel. They come from a place of lack of not enoughness. You know, I’m not enough as I am.

Whereas aligned intentions start from, I’m worthy, I am loved, I am guided, you know, what wants to unfold through me, what are my intentions, how do I want to be, how do I want to. What do I want to do this coming year? And so come at it from a more empowered place, from a more intentional. Intentional place in that you are already enough. You are just looking to create something even better.

Co-Creating Your Vision with Spirit and Higher Self

The other thing is to think of your vision for next year as a relationship, not a to do list. So this is something that you get to co create with spirit, your higher self, what have you. And it’s, it’s malleable.

Here’s the thing too, is that as you come up with this vision and as you start to live it next year, know that you can always course correct anytime. So if something you decide, maybe I don’t want to do this, you can change it. So don’t feel that whatever you come up with for next year is, has to be locked in stone.

You get to decide what you want to do, and you can always do something a little different. It’s okay.

Visualization Exercise: Seeing Your Future Self

So how do we go about doing this? Well, as I was alluding to at the very beginning, here is to spend some time, devote some time, maybe after this podcast is over or sometime in the next week to use your imagination and really picture what does that future you look like? How does she feel? What is she, what is she doing differently this year? What has she let go of?

And Just let your imagination go wild.

Don’t. This is not a time to be practical. Not when you’re visioning, when you write stuff down later, sure. But for now, I just want you to just, just.

The Mirror Effect: Finding Inspiration in Others

This is what’s coming to me. If you know someone that you really admire, think about what it is about them that you admire. Is it their. The way they hold themselves, the way they speak, how organized they are, or just how kind and considerate they are? Whatever it is, because here’s the secret.

Whatever you admire in them, you have those qualities because they are a mirror for you. And I know we don’t always see it, but trust me, that is why you respond to that person. This is why you admire them. Because your soul. Oh, I’m getting like, getting God bumps.

As my. A good friend of mine says, your soul recognizes that this is what you have. So when you are visualizing, how do you want to be next year? Think of that person and say, yeah, I want to be more like Jane Smith because I love how she does this and I love how she carries herself. That’s cool.

And if you don’t know anyone in your immediate circle like that, maybe it’s somebody you admire from afar, you know, maybe even somebody who’s not even around anymore. Louise Hay is popping to mind. I love that she was an amazing woman who, she overcame cancer and she lived until she in her 90s, I think, before she passed, and still vital and working in her business and speaking right up until the end. So that’s somebody that I admire. That’s.

That’s somebody I want to be. Be like. So, yeah, just use that in, in your visualization. And then, and again, also honor the season that you’re in.

Honoring the Season of Life You’re In

And what do I mean by that? Well, I mean that however old you are, and I know some of you might be not 50 years old yet, maybe you’re in your 40s. And so whatever age you’re in, whether you’re in your 50s or 60s, whatever, honor that and know that whatever your intentions are, let. Let them be aligned with the. Whatever season you’re in.

And also not even just your, Your, your physical body, but also your, Your status in life. You know, are you in a relationship? Are you not, Are you an empty nester, whatever, but just have it reflect that, let it do that. And then.

Setting Intentions: Quality Over Quantity

When you’re coming up with your intentions, rather than coming up with a whole laundry list of things, less is more.

Pick.

Here’s an idea for you, is to think of like the four. What is it? Maybe Four or five core areas of your life. You know, relationships, your. Your business or your career, your family, your fun, maybe something for fun.

And just. And then just set an intention, like in, like, you know, four to six areas of your life. That’s. That’s all you really need because any more than that is just going to be overwhelming. So think quality over quantity instead.

I think that. I think that’s a better, better way to go. And. Yeah, so. Okay.

So. Yeah, so I just wanted. I just wanted to sort of set a container for. For doing that. And what I want to talk about now is how to give. Give you an idea now a little bit more concretely, I guess, to think of as you’re coming up with these intentions and, and coming up with this vision. I’m using my hands a lot here today, I notice. I don’t know why, but I am. For those of you listening, you’re spared that. For those people watching on YouTube, they’re like, why is she moving her hands around so much?

I don’t know, but I am. Anyway, one thing that I, I teach and that I wrote about in my book is something I call the Love Method. So I want to invite.

The L.O.V.E. Method: A Framework for Intentional Living

Actually, you might want to pause the podcast for a second and go get a pen and paper and let’s. Let’s go on a little. Do a little work right now. I’m going to have you. Or again, you can come back and listen to this later.

But let’s, let’s do a little. Let’s do a little. Let’s make this an experiential podcast today and do some work. So I want to have you. I’m going to show you how we can apply the Love Method, which, Which for those of you who have not listened or don’t know what that is.

I’ll just go over it briefly and then we’ll. We’ll go through each letter separately. But it stands for let go and Let God. Love is an acronym. So Let go and let God.

The O is open your heart to receive. The V is value your uniqueness. And the E is embrace your divinity. So have you paused the podcast? Are you back now?

Did you get a journal and a pen, something to write with? Okay. All right, so let’s, let’s. Let’s talk about this. So the L let go and let God.

L – Let Go and Let God: Surrendering Control

How does that apply? Well, you don’t have to carry 2026 alone. You can let go of control once you set your intentions and then just turn it over to God or source, the universe, whatever you you refer to your higher self even, and just invite a partnership. And what you might want to journal about is the answer to this question, what am I still trying to force or fix that I can hand over to God. And so write down one or two things that you could surrender before the new year.

So maybe that is overworking. Maybe it’s working weekends instead of just Monday through Friday. Maybe it is people pleasing. You’re not setting enough boundaries for yourself. You are maybe just beating yourself up too much, you know, over something that you didn’t do or. Or that you did do that didn’t turn out well, whatever it is. But consider letting go of some of this stuff. Okay? So we can start the new year fresh. So that’s the L and let go and let God in the love method, I should say.

O – Open Your Heart to Receive: Allowing Support and Joy

Yeah. So, oh, open your heart to receive. What are we going to do here? Well, you are allowed to receive support. You’re allowed to receive joy and grace and ease in your life and not just be a giver. So again, maybe as you’re thinking about what intentions to set, what do you want 2026 to look like? Think about where in your life right now are you possibly resisting help or resisting compliments, or maybe resisting taking a break and choose one simple receiving practice for January that you could start doing. So maybe it is accepting help without apologizing. How many times have you. And I’ve hear people do this, right?

And I’ve seen people go like, oh, you know, and in fact, I’m thinking right now of somebody who she was in my workshop last year and, and she mentioned that she hated asking people for help because she wanted to be able to be independent and do things herself and she really felt guilty about asking for help. And, and she would even apologize for it. So maybe that is something you might. If that is something that resonates with you. You’re like, oh, my ears are burning.

She’s talking to me. It’s okay, you’re forgiven. Okay? You’re human, you know, it’s okay. But maybe that’s something you want to work on first thing in the new year.

Maybe it is saying, saying yes to support. Maybe someone is just offering to help you and you’re like, oh, no, no, no, it’s okay, I’m fine. I don’t need that. I don’t need your help. How about saying yes just once in a while?

Self-Care Rituals: Treating Yourself with Love

Maybe it’s treating yourself to something nice, doing some kind of self care ritual, something special. Maybe you treat yourself to a lovely bath. I mean And I mean a bath where you get in, put some essential oil in. I have some lovely lavender oil that I will mix in with my bath and light some candles, shut the door, you know, especially if you’re living with somebody and, and put a do not disturb sign on there and just sit back. Oh gosh.

What’s coming to mind? Showing my age here. There was a, there was a commercial that would say calgon, take me away. I don’t even know if they still sell that. But it was like Kelgon bath beads or something or other.

But yeah, do that. You know, give yourself that every once in a while and you know, because we all, you know, we’ll just, you know, take a shower and get off to work. But no, once in a while just do that. Give yourself that gift of a relaxing bubble bath or, or just not even bubbles maybe again, just like some lovely essential oils that you can breathe in and just ah, make it nice and relaxing for yourself.

V – Value Your Uniqueness: Your Age and Experience Are Superpowers

Okay. V. The V in love is value your uniqueness. So remember that your age and your experience are not obstacles, they are your superpowers. So journal about perhaps what have you lived through either this past year or even going back a while that gives you a perspective that the world needs in 2026 that you could start educating your clients about. Maybe it’s something that then will inform your social media posts, for instance.

And so think about that. And I know for me one thing that I’ve doing right now is I’m actually doing a lot of posts about grief right now because this is something, well, I mean we all live through, through grief. But I have especially this time of year it brings up because this is when my sister passed shortly after Christmas in 2016. And so I’ve been talking about that also as a way to promote my good grief retreat that is going to be happening in, in June of 2026. So in fact, if you want to, you want to know more, I’ll put the. I’ve got the link up. You can go to good grief retreat.net and learn more. So just enough of that. I’m not even gonna, not even gonna tell you more about that right now. But anyway, yeah, yeah, just think of, you know, what is it that you’ve lived through that you, that you can share with others and then identify one way that you can show up more visibly as yourself, whether in your business, in your relationships or creatively possibly.

And that could be part of what your vision is for next year.

E – Embrace Your Divinity: You Are Not Behind

Then finally, the E in love is embrace your divinity so just remember, no matter what, you are not behind. You are a divine expression. Everything is happening right on time, right in divine order, in divine timing. So here’s a question to ask yourself. If I really believed I was a radiant expression of the divine, what would I stop apologizing for in the new year?

So think about that for a little bit. What would I stop apologizing for?

And then choose a daily or weekly practice that you can do to anchor your vision for the next year. So maybe it is a meditation, maybe it is going for a walk. But think about something that you could do. So let me give you a few examples now about what what an aligned intention might look like as you’re thinking about your setting, setting your intentions as opposed to goals. So we’re going to do aligned intentions for next year.

Examples of Aligned Intentions for 2026

Setting Boundaries and Saying No Without Guilt

Okay, so let’s say it’s around boundaries and saying no. So you could say in 2026, my intention is to honor my energy by saying no without feeling guilty.

So what does that look like in practice? Well, maybe it’s declining a volunteer role that drains you, even if you’re really good at it. Maybe it is setting some quiet time for yourself, either every day or maybe, maybe a whole morning in fact that you do maybe once a week or definitely I refer to what I call my non negotiables. So maybe setting yourself up something, something that you do that is you’re going to do that no matter what. And maybe it’s also no longer being that default caretaker or caregiver, I should say, for every family crisis.

Maybe it’s let somebody else handle the load once in a while.

Trusting Your Own Timing and Unique Path

Valuing your uniqueness. We could talk. How did what does that look like in practice? Well, it could be in 2026. I am setting the intention that I’m going to trust my own timing and my path.

So maybe what does that look like in practice? It could be launching a small intimate offering instead of forcing a huge program because everyone else is doing that. Imposter syndrome, you know, or you know, don’t. Don’t feel like you have to be like everybody else. Maybe it could be sharing your story on a podcast or in or in writing or social media posts, but really making sure that it’s your voice. You’re not again, you’re not just following what everybody else is doing.

And maybe it’s celebrating someone you admire instead of comparing yourself to her and feeling like you’re coming out second best. So that’s something to consider. And maybe it’s about listening to your Body and your intuition. So you could set an intention that says in 2026, my body and intuition have a seat at the table. Or I’m, I am in 2026, I am intending to listen, to listen and follow my inner guidance more often because I’m going to. Because I’m going to bet you probably already do listen to it somewhat. But I’m going to be more consistent. There’s an idea. I’m going to be more consistent about following my intuition. So what does that look like?

Listening to Your Body and Following Your Intuition

Well, it could be checking with your body before saying yes, doing a little, little check in and say, hmm, okay, does my stomach, is my stomach tied in knots or does it feel nice and calm and relaxed? It’s relaxed. Okay. Then I can say yes. Maybe it’s scheduling work around your natural energy cycles rather than trying to push through fatigue.

So if you are, who is. Maybe you’re a morning person, then it’s doing things that you really have to get done or that you’re really, you know, maybe that’s your creative time. Do scheduling that for the morning and then leaving the afternoon for other things that don’t take so much brain power. Let’s say that’s an idea. So yeah, I hope, I hope that helps.

I hope you, you’re getting your, your creative juices are starting to flow about how you can create a vision for yourself that feels good. You know, that’s, that’s, that’s doable. That is not something that’s overwhelming where you’re tempted to just give up on it after a month or even a quarter, but something that you could really lean into and, and embrace throughout the whole year. So one thing I want to give to you as my gift to you for the new year and to help you with your intentions is to share a light language message with you. And my intention for this is to. That it will help you to, or to release whatever doesn’t serve you anymore. So you really can step into 2026 with clarity and confidence. Now, if you don’t know what light language is, I’ll just give you the short version. It’s basically a multi dimensional communication that I share. I speak it, I sing it, sometimes one or the other, sometimes both, and use my hands with it sometimes as well.

Light Language Healing: A Gift for Your New Year Journey

And it is something that it’s, it’s energy and it’s a, it’s a language of love that speaks to your soul. And it’s not necessarily something that you, your brain, your, your logical brain is going to necessarily be able to translate. It’s possible you might, but it’s something that I invite you to just listen to with an open heart. And I would set an intention and, and say I set the intention that what I’m going to hear is going to allow me to release what no longer serves me so I can step into 2026 and be my fully divine, beautiful, powerful self.

And I’m going to ask you if you are listening to this podcast where you are when you’re driving, to invite you to pause it and come back to this later so that you can listen to this message, preferably with headphones on, would be really great. But just to be able to listen to it somewhere where you’re in the quiet and you can just allow what comes through to wash over you.

Okay. So I’m going to trust that you’ve done that and we’re ready to the to do that. So as I said, just sit back, relax. You can close your eyes if you like, and maybe just take a deep breath and get grounded.

And, yeah, set the intention that you’re going to receive whatever you need to receive today and that it is going to be for your soul’s highest good and the highest good of all. Sam Kariyana.

Okay, we are complete with that. I hope you did receive it with the love that it was intended. And if someone came to mind as you’ve been listening today to this episode, I hope you’ll consider sending it to her with a little note. You know, let’s create our vision 2026 together. And if you feel called to walk this journey in community, you’re always welcome in my world, where women over 50 are rewriting what’s possible with love, courage, and a whole lot of grace.

What’s Coming Next: Podcast Updates and New Episodes

Now, as I mentioned at the top of the episode, the holidays are coming up and so I’m going to be taking a little bit of break. You’re still going to get an episode, but what I am going to do is we’re going to be doing some encores here for the, for the next two weeks. I’m going to be sharing with you next week an encore of Jessica Tige’s interview, which is perfect for this time of year because it was all about stress, burnout and self care. And this was, this is one of our most popular episodes of the year. So I definitely want to, in case you came to the podcast late, this will give you an opportunity to hear it.

And another popular one that we had also was Melissa LaPlante, and I’m going to run that one the week after. And she, she was a fascinating woman to talk with and it was all about. Our discussion was all about building purpose driven businesses that not only make money, but that also create a positive difference in the world. So look forward to that. And then finally next year the podcast is getting a new name and a new attitude.

Exciting News: Design Your Life Your Way Podcast Rebrand

So make sure that you are subscribed so you can be here for the unveiling of design your life your way. And yeah, we’re gonna have it’s, it’s gonna be a wonderful thing and I’m looking forward to it. I’ve already recorded one interview for, for the new podcast and it was really great and I look forward to sharing that with you soon. But until then, I hope you have a wonderful, blessed holiday season. A wonderfully, wonderfully. Yeah, a wonderfully happy new year. And even though I am going to be talking with you again next week because I am going to be enter in introducing these episodes. But just in case, in case you decide to enjoy the holidays and not listen to any episodes, it’s okay. You, that’s your prerogative, you know, enjoy. So until then, as always, I encourage you to go out and live fully, love deeply and engage authentically.