Personal Growth & Bestseller at 40: Stop Doubting Yourself

“I just love those kinds of moments where people feel like this book is written for them, because it was.” - Michelle

On this episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle, the mother-daughter duo are celebrating the first anniversary of Michelle’s book, Dear Friend: Daily Love Notes for Contemplation, Connection, and Clarity (365 Days), and the personal growth that came with it. They reflect on this meaningful milestone and why it’s so important to take time to celebrate our wins before moving on to the next thing.

Michelle shares how Dear Friend grew out of the weekly blogs she started writing for Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life® in 2012, and the morning reading ritual Barb began when she was little. The book was released on Michelle’s 40th birthday, and a year later, she’s still taking it all in. She also gets honest about doubting herself and learning to advocate for work she believes in.

Barb shares why a close friend calls Dear Friend her “forever book” and how returning to the same passage year after year can help you recognize your own personal growth. Michelle reflects on writing about grief as a reminder of love, hearing from a reader who found her “following the breadcrumbs” entry helpful, and spotting a stranger carrying the book through an airport.

Barb and Michelle also discuss:

• Why everyone has a story worth sharing, and how journaling helped Michelle find her voice as a writer
• Why reaching a goal doesn’t necessarily make everything easier, and how to keep believing in yourself even when facing rejection
• The power of giving yourself a deadline and sharing your dreams with people you trust
• The importance of being present for the milestones you’ve worked toward, whether it’s publishing a book or celebrating a wedding

Michelle encourages you to keep at it little by little and to believe in yourself. And if Dear Friend has been part of your personal growth this year, tell Barb and Michelle how in the comments.

✨Mentioned in Today’s Episode✨

Journaling and self-compassion are two of the practices inside The Emotional Well-Being Toolkit. It soft launches November 10. Join the interest list at https://peacefulmindpeacefullife.org/toolkit/

Get Dear Friend: Daily Love Notes for Contemplation, Connection, and Clarity (365 Days): https://link.amazon/B04t1aCS1

Read Michelle’s blog, How I Manage My Relationship with Grief: https://peacefulmindpeacefullife.org/how-i-manage-my-relationship-with-grief-3/

Watch the Life Happens with Barb and Michelle episode, ‘Grief Isn’t Linear – How to Navigate Loss and Feel Your Feelings (Without a Timeline)’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwzEJKnR3n8

🎙️Life Happens with Barb and Michelle is a weekly mental health podcast, with new episodes dropping every Tuesday.

Make sure you subscribe & join us next week for another episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle!

Hosted by:

💕Barb Schmidt https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/

💕Michelle Maros https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/

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