Mid-Year Check-In
In California, the days have stretched long with light. The sunsets linger like an invitation, an extra glow at the end of the day is my favorite — a childhood love for extra time to play after dinner, to savor the day.
Now, halfway through the year, that same golden hour feels like extra time to pause, reflect, and ask: How am I doing? What have I grown into? What still needs tending?
Mid-year check-ins aren’t about pressure — they’re about presence; about meeting yourself where you are and making space for what matters next.
Mid-Year is a natural time to reflect.
What did you achieve — big or small?
What challenges did you face, and how did you respond?
What strengths surprised you?
What would you like more of moving forward?
Time for Reflection
One milestone for me: this May marked ten years since my cancer diagnosis. It’s hard to put into words. I thought about the fear I had then, the strength I discovered, and the grief of facing the unknown. Back then, after surgery, I had four more rounds of chemotherapy and 35 sessions of radiation. I honestly don’t know how I did it. Sometimes you’re simply faced with something, and you move forward — not because you’re unafraid, but because you have no choice but to grow stronger than you imagined possible.
In April, I had my third surgery — almost a decade after the last one. The physical pain brought up old trauma. There were days when I couldn’t pull up my pants, or even wash my hair. I pitied myself. I cried. But now, about 80% recovered, I am so deeply grateful — for my body’s healing, for my doctors, and for the life I get to keep living.
Moments like these remind me why I became a wellness coach. Wellness isn’t just about habits — it’s about honoring your humanity. The messy, painful, brave, evolving parts of you. It’s about how you meet yourself in difficulty, how you speak to yourself in transition. Coaching helps us create space for that kind of inner work — the kind that builds strength, clarity, and compassion.
So here I am, ten years later — I found a new gray hair recently, a deeper appreciation for all that I’ve lived through. I tell my daughter it’s my wisdom hair.
I celebrated this milestone quietly but meaningfully, surrounded by friends and loved ones. Because joy, for me, is found in the sacred and simple: sharing meals, soaking in nature, being held in conversation, getting lost in music or dance.
Mid-Year Reset
Researchers call it the Fresh Start Effect — the idea that natural time markers (like birthdays, Mondays, or the middle of the year) give our brains a motivational boost. These “temporal landmarks” create mental space between the past and future — helping us begin again with clarity and hope.
Maybe the intention you set in January no longer fits. Maybe your energy has shifted. Maybe life surprised you. Allow yourself to shift direction, begin again — not from scratch, but from experience.
This summer, my personal goals are simple and fun: I’m going to Taiwan to visit family. I enjoy movement and music, so I’ll try different somatic, body-led practices. And of course, I plan to be a bit spoiled — my mom will cook for me. There’s nothing like going home and slipping back into childhood, even just for a bit. Despite any family dynamics or challenges, my intention is to be present. To hold healthy boundaries. To listen, laugh, and allow space for real connection.
What are your intentions for the second half of the year?
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What do I want more of this summer?
Joy, stillness, movement, connection — name what feels nourishing. -
What am I ready to release or loosen my grip on?
A goal that no longer fits? A pressure that weighs you down? -
What would help me feel more like myself again?
Body, boundaries, creativity — choose what realigns you.
Reminder
You don’t need to wait for January. You don’t need to justify a reset.
You can start again today — with honesty, strength, and self-compassion.
Give yourself a pat on the back for how far you’ve come. For the hard days you showed up for. For the grace you’ve extended to yourself. You’re still here — still becoming.
As poet Mary Oliver once asked:
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
I don’t think the answer needs to be big. I think it just needs to be true.
If You’re Ready to Reset — I’m Here
At Bravespark, my coaching meets you where you are — with honesty, curiosity, and care. If you need guidance or support in reaching goals you’ve been struggling with, or simply a space to reconnect with yourself, I’m here. Together, we can explore what intentional living looks like for you — in this season, at your pace, with compassion.
Every step forward, no matter how small, is part of becoming who you’re meant to be.
