Episode 165 - Revisiting My Why: Where It Started
When Everything You've Known Changes
Hello, beautiful souls! I'm Jill Pack, a certified life + relationship coach and founder of Seasons Coaching, and I want to share something deeply personal with you today. If you're a woman in midlife wondering "what's next?" or feeling lost after years of putting everyone else first, this story is for you.
A few years ago, I found myself facing what many call a midlife crisis. But through my journey into life coaching and faith, I discovered it wasn't a crisis at all—it was an awakening. Today, I'm sharing my story of how I went from feeling stuck and purposeless to finding deep joy and meaning in this beautiful season of life.
My Story: 30+ Years of Marriage and Motherhood
I'm married to my husband Phil, who I met at Utah State University (Go Aggies!). We've been married for over 30 years and live in a small town in Cache Valley, Utah, where we raised all five of our children. Three of our kids are now married to amazing spouses, and we have two adorable grandchildren. We're officially empty nesters, and let me tell you—it's been quite the adjustment.
For 28 years, I was primarily a stay-at-home mom. I loved it deeply, even though it was challenging. My children are amazing and taught me so much. I'm grateful for everything I learned in that season of life.
The Midlife Question: "Now What?"
But then came the inevitable moment that every mother faces: when no one needs you as much anymore. All five of our children were paving their own way, discovering their paths and dreams. I hadn't really understood this phase would come. I'd been in the groove of mothering and nurturing for so long that I couldn't imagine things being different.
Yet there I was, wondering "now what?"
I also had some strained relationships that felt hard and didn't look like I thought they should. I was struggling. I felt stuck and lost. Life felt like it was happening to me, and I was just an observer. I was not experiencing joy.
Discovering Life Coaching: My Transformation Begins
Around this time, I started following life coaches, particularly Jody Moore. We share the same faith, and everything she taught resonated with me. I began applying her concepts and watched my life change. I started viewing this season not as a crisis, but as what another coach called a "midlife awakening."
The remarkable thing? My circumstances didn't really change. The people in my life didn't change. The only thing that changed was me—and that was life-changing.
Taking the Leap: My First Coaching Workshop Experience
An opportunity arose to attend a 5-day in-person coaching workshop. I was simply curious to learn more about the concepts that had transformed my life. I went alone, signed up for a random roommate, and joined 50 other women for intensive teaching, learning, and coaching.
Honestly, I didn't go thinking I'd become a life coach. That wasn't my intention at all. I'd previously thought life coaching was "hokey." I just wanted to deepen my understanding for my own life. When people asked if I planned to become a coach, I actually laughed.
I even avoided being coached myself. I wanted to stay in the background and just observe. But on the last day, when the coach asked who hadn't been coached yet, the entire room pointed at me. My stomach tightened with anxiety, but I'd been learning to feel emotions without reacting to them. I noticed the anxiety in my body, relaxed into it, and reminded myself it was just thoughts creating feelings. And it was fine. I was coached, and now I love both being coached and coaching others.
From Student to Practitioner: Becoming a Certified Life Coach
Months after returning home, I couldn't shake my experience. My love for this work grew exponentially. When Life Coach School registration opened, I made myself a deal: if I could earn the money to attend, I'd go all in.
I worked hard, raised the funds, attended The Life Coach School, became certified, and created my own coaching practice: Seasons Coaching.
The Foundation of Joy: Understanding Grace
One of my first blog posts was about joy, inspired by three Greek words sharing the same root (xar-):
Xairó - meaning "rejoice" or "glad for grace"
Xáris - meaning "grace"
Xará - meaning "joy"
These words share the core meaning of delighting in God's grace. I believe joy is an invitation to be present with and aware of the divine grace of our Savior, Jesus Christ—to delight in, experience, and be conscious of the strength, love, and mercy He offers because He loves us.
We often seek this grace more in our struggles. This human experience includes messiness and manageability, imperfection and inspiration, trials and triumphs, grief and growth. When we embrace all of it, we open ourselves up to joy.
Embracing Every Season: The Beauty of Contrast
As we turn to the Savior in times of struggle, we're strengthened and feel His love, mercy, and grace. We come to know Him and become more like Him. We invite growth and become better versions of ourselves, better able to love, show mercy, and offer grace to others and ourselves.
I'm a 53-year-old grandma still learning and growing. I'm loving this season of life—learning to grow a business, finding joy regardless of circumstances, loving deeply regardless of others' choices, and discovering how much we're loved by our Heavenly Parents.
We each are amazing and matter. We're here to become our best selves and experience joy. This doesn't mean everything will be perfect or that others will behave as we want. But through all seasons and struggles, we find joy. The contrast of life makes it truly beautiful—without the bitter, we don't know the sweet.
The only thing we truly control is who we want to be: right now, when things don't go as planned, when life is messy, when we're brought to our knees in sorrow.
Moving Forward: Your Invitation to Joy
My goal is to share what I've learned and continue learning that may help you find joy in your seasons of life. Whether you're facing an empty nest, relationship challenges, career transitions, or simply wondering "what's next," remember:
Midlife isn't a crisis—it's an awakening
Joy doesn't depend on perfect circumstances
Every season has purpose and beauty
You have more control than you think
Growth and transformation are always possible
Take Action: Resources for Your Journey
If you're ready to discover more joy in your current season, I invite you to:
Listen to the full podcast episode at HERE.
Explore working together through life coaching
Join our community of women finding joy in every season
Remember, beautiful friend: You're not too late. You're right on time.
Are you experiencing your own midlife awakening? Share your story in the comments below or reach out—I'd love to connect with you on this journey.
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Join My Conversation Project
I'm currently seeking midlife women of faith for meaningful one-on-one conversations about your unique experiences during this important life season. These 30-minute private Zoom calls provide a safe space for you to share your authentic journey—both struggles and strengths—with deep listening and no judgment.
To participate, email me at jill@seasons-coaching.com with the subject line "Conversation Project."
Learn more about it HERE.
Want More Clarity?
Are you ready to take it to a deeper level? Jill would love to be your coach!
Click HERE to learn about all the ways you can work together!
Click HERE to schedule a FREE Clarity Conversation with Jill.
Click HERE to check out her FREEBIES!
Click on the following links to learn more about Seasons Coaching and the Seasons of Joy Community Facebook Group.
To contact Jill about speaking to your group or business, email her at jill@seasons-coaching.com.
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About the Author: Jill Pack is a certified faith-based life + relationship coach and member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She helps women of faith navigate their seasons of life with greater purpose and joy including transforming conflict into an adventure. For more resources or to work with Jill, visit www.seasons-coaching.com.
Keywords: midlife crisis, empty nest syndrome, life coaching for women, finding purpose after motherhood, midlife awakening, joy in difficult seasons, Christian life coaching, women's life transitions, purpose in midlife, life coaching certification
Meta Description: Discover how one woman transformed her midlife crisis into an awakening through life coaching. Find joy, purpose, and meaning in your season of life transition.
