You know how people always look back and say, “Those were the good-ole days”? But what if right now is the good-ole days?
It’s such a common phrase that we almost say it without thinking. We picture moments from years ago, a time when life seemed simpler, slower, or just sweeter. Maybe it was when the kids were little, when we first moved into a new home, or when weekends felt endless and full of possibility.
But what if we’re in those moments right now and just don’t realize it?
In 2023, I turned 40. And for months leading up to it, one question kept circling in my mind: What is my purpose? It’s the kind of question that can keep you up at night, make you rethink your habits, your relationships, your choices… and even your dreams. I knew I didn’t want to just go through the motions. I wanted my life to count.
Then, in October, everything changed. I had a health scare that landed me in the hospital. Nothing will shake you awake faster than lying in a hospital bed, hooked up to monitors, wondering what’s next. In those long, quiet moments, my “purpose” question didn’t just whisper—it roared.
The four walls of that hospital room became a mirror, reflecting back what I had been avoiding: the ways I had been neglecting my health, letting busyness crowd out joy, and putting off the things that truly matter. I realized I didn’t just want to survive this. I wanted to live—and I mean really live.
When I walked out of that hospital, I made a decision: life would not go back to the way it was.
Starting With Myself
The first thing I focused on was me. That might sound selfish, but I realized something powerful—if you want to serve others at your highest level, you have to take care of yourself first. You can’t pour from an empty cup.
I started moving my body daily, not out of guilt, but out of gratitude for the fact that I could. Making simple, intentional changes to the way I ate, fueling myself with real food that gave me energy instead of taking it away. I paid attention to how certain habits made me feel and replaced the ones that drained me with ones that built me up.
I gave myself permission to rest without guilt. Because rest isn’t weakness—it’s strategy. And when my mind tried to pull me back into old patterns of “go, go, go,” I reminded myself that I am in charge of my time, my energy, and my life.
For You to Think About: What’s one thing you could start doing today just for your own health and joy?
Transforming My Home
Once my health was on the mend, I turned my attention to my environment. I wanted my home to reflect the life I was building—peaceful, intentional, and life-giving.
Decluttering without hesitation and letting go of what no longer served us, makes my brain so happy. I swapped out toxic products for cleaner, healthier ones. I made small changes that added up to a home we could breathe in and feel safe in.
It wasn’t about perfection. It was about alignment. I wanted my space to support the way I wanted to live, not distract me from it.
Choosing My Time With More Care
Before all of this, my days were jam-packed. I was constantly moving but rarely present. I told myself I was “too busy” to slow down, but deep down I knew it was a choice.
Now, I live differently. I choose my time instead of letting it choose me. I ask myself daily, Does this matter? Will this move me closer to the life I want?
If the answer is no, I say no. Not out of selfishness, but out of clarity. I replaced endless scrolling with actual connection—with my kids, with my husband, with myself. I pay attention to the beauty in ordinary moments: the smell of coffee in the morning, the sound of my kids laughing in the other room, the way the sunlight hits the kitchen counter.
The Heart of It All: My Kids
A few months ago, my oldest son, who is now 18, said something that stopped me in my tracks.
“Mom, you seem different these past couple years.”
I asked him, “How so?”
He paused for a moment and then said, “You seem… nicer. Calmer.”
That simple comment hit me right in the heart. It was proof that all of the work I have been doing—the changes in how I care for myself, how I show up, how I prioritize—was making a difference that my kids could actually feel. They are seeing a new version of me. And I love that.
This past year has been big for him. He graduated high school and decided to pursue real estate instead of taking the traditional college route. I’ll be honest—part of me is scared to let go. I know he’s so close to building his own life and future, and that’s both thrilling and terrifying as a mom. But I’m also incredibly proud of him. I’m learning that letting go doesn’t mean loving less—it means loving enough to let them grow.
My daughter, who will be 13 this fall, is my soccer travel buddy. We’ve spent so many hours on the road together, laughing, talking, and enjoying healthy meals between games. One of our favorites is grabbing acai bowls and talking about life, friendships, and how the little choices we make every day shape who we become. These moments feel small now, but I know one day they will be some of the memories I hold closest.
And then there’s my youngest, my 10-year-old. It feels like he was just learning to ride a bike, and now he’s on a local travel baseball team and tried flag football for the first time this year. He loved it, and I loved being there for every game. Cheering him on from the sidelines, watching him light up when he plays—those are the snapshots of motherhood I want to keep forever.
The Tony Robbins Event
That same year, just one month after leaving the hospital, I had the chance to go to a Tony Robbins convention in Dallas, Texas with my oldest son. I almost didn’t go—I still didn’t feel 100% physically, and life felt overwhelming. But I knew in my heart that I needed it.
And I am so glad I went.
For four days, I was surrounded by energy, hope, and people determined to change their lives. Tony’s words lit something inside me. He reminded me that life isn’t something that happens to us—it happens for us.
I sat there with my son beside me, realizing what a gift it was to share this experience together. It wasn’t just about learning strategies for success. It was about shifting how I see the world and believing that anything is possible if you are willing to decide, commit, and take action.
Why We Wait for “The Good-Ole Days”
We have this habit of thinking life will be better later.
Later when:
The kids are older.
We have more money.
The house is finished.
We have more time.
But “later” is a trap. And while we’re chasing it, we’re missing the beauty of right now.
The Truth I’ve Learned
The truth is, this might be the chapter I will one day call “the good-ole days.” Not because life is perfect—it’s not. But because it’s real. It’s mine. And it’s worth living fully.
That hospital stay, that milestone birthday, my son’s heartfelt comment, the Dallas event, and the everyday moments with my kids taught me that we can’t wait for life to feel magical. We have to decide to make it magical right now.
If you want things to change, you have to change them. If you want to feel alive, you have to live with intention. You can’t outsource your joy, your health, or your purpose.
A Challenge for You
I want to challenge you to take one small step today toward living your “good-ole days” now. It doesn’t have to be huge. Maybe it’s taking a walk without your phone. Or maybe it’s eating a meal at the table with your family and no distractions. Maybe it’s saying no to something that drains you and yes to something that fills you up.
The flowers outside aren’t waiting for a “better” day to bloom. They don’t need the perfect weather, the perfect season, or the perfect conditions. They are blooming now, right where they are. And they are beautiful right now.
Our lives are the same. We are here now, in this exact moment. The sights you see, the feelings you feel, the thoughts running through your mind, this is life. It isn’t happening in the future, and it isn’t hiding in the past. So why do we so often live in yesterday or hope for a tomorrow before we allow ourselves to feel joy?
Life is happening now.
Tony Robbins says, “It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.”
So here’s my encouragement to you: stop waiting for hindsight to tell you when life was sweet. Decide today that it already is. And ask yourself: What If Right Now Is the Good-Ole Days?
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Oh and hey, if you feel a connection in your heart to my life, I’d love for you to explore my other posts: Life After 40
Simply with Julia
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