In 2020, a year into the Covid epidemic, I retired after a twenty year career as an elementary school principal and felt unimaginable grief.

I sat alone on the bathroom floor, my head pressed against the wall, arms wrapped around my knees as if I could keep myself from unraveling.

The walls around me felt like they were closing in, each one carrying the weight of a battle I didn’t think I’d signed up for: the childhood that left scars no one could see, the years of trying to hold together a life with a husband haunted by PTSD, the unimaginable pain of becoming an AIDS widow, retiring from a career that defined me, and the relentless voice in my head that said, You’ll never be enough.

In that moment, it wasn’t the losses themselves that overwhelmed me; it was the sheer silence.

The absence of anything to look forward to. I wasn’t just tired—I was empty. Like I had given every piece of myself to everyone else, and there was nothing left to reclaim.

The questions came fast and cruel: Is this it? Is this what it is to retire? Is this what my life will always be? And the answer felt like a resounding yes.

But then something shifted—not like a tidal wave, but a tiny ripple. It wasn’t hope exactly, but a whisper inside me that said, Stand up. Because staying on that bathroom floor felt like surrender, and I wasn’t ready to surrender yet.

Picking Up the Pieces

Standing up didn’t change my life overnight. But it was the first in a series of small, defiant acts that would eventually change everything.

I started by asking myself one question: What do I have control over right now? The answer was often frustratingly small—what I ate that day, whether I took a shower, or if I let myself feel instead of numbing out with TV or food. But it was something.

I began journaling, pouring out every raw thought onto paper. Sometimes it was anger. Sometimes grief. Sometimes nothing but incoherent ramblings. But every word felt like a release, a tiny crack in the armor I’d built around myself.

Art came next. Not the polished kind meant for anyone else’s eyes, but messy, imperfect scribbles in a journal. I picked up watercolors, letting the colors bleed together in a way that mirrored how I felt—chaotic, uncontained, but somehow still beautiful.

I didn’t realize it then, but these tiny acts were teaching me something profound: that healing wasn’t a grand, sweeping gesture. Healing is a quiet, daily practice of showing up for myself, even when I didn’t feel like it.

The Moment It All Clicked

It wasn’t until months later, while staring at a chaotic piece of art I’d made in frustration, that I had an epiphany. The painting was messy, imperfect, and full of mistakes, but it was mine. And in its imperfections, it was honest.

I realized I had spent most of my life performing—for my parents, for my husband, for society—trying to be the perfect mother, wife, friend, or woman. I’d believed that if I could just get it right, I’d finally feel worthy.

The real battle wasn’t against the circumstances of my life; it was against the stories I’d been telling myself. Stories that said I wasn’t enough. Stories that kept me small, waiting for someone else to rescue me.

But no one was coming to save me. And for the first time, I realized that was a gift, because it meant I could save myself.

But here, in the middle of my messy, unfinished painting, I saw the truth:

I didn’t need to be perfect to be whole. I didn’t need to fix myself because I was never broken.

Rewriting The Story

And that’s what “SecondAct-Second Chance” is all about.

Helping you in your own dark moment, sitting on your own bathroom floor.

I want you to know something: You are not broken. The story you’re telling yourself—about who you are, what you’re capable of, or what you deserve—is not the final chapter.

Here I teach you how to find something on the other side of the pain, you’ll find something extraordinary: yourself.

This newsletter will focus on a few key topics:

Navigating major life transitions, and embracing new beginnings.

I’ll share real stories of courage and second chances to show what’s possible when you embrace change. These aren’t just feel-good tales—they’re here to inspire you to reimagine your life and see reinvention as achievable.

Together, we’ll tackle self-doubt and outdated beliefs about aging, with practical tools to rebuild a deep belief in your limitless potential.

Through thoughtful exercises, you’ll rediscover passions, revisit forgotten goals, and uncover new possibilities for an exciting future.

Your second act can be your most vibrant and liberating chapter. Let’s make it extraordinary.

Strengthening relationships through healthy boundaries and self-advocacy.

We’ll explore how to lower unrealistic expectations of others while enhancing communication, helping you create more understanding and authentic relationships.

Through personal stories and lessons, I’ll share insights on nurturing bonds with family, friends, and partners, even during challenging times.

You’ll also get practical tips for fostering meaningful connections as you navigate life’s transitions to avoid loneliness.

Exploring creativity as a form of self-discovery and joy in the second act.

I’ll share practical advice for starting a daily creative practice that feels approachable and rewarding, even if you’ve never thought of yourself as “creative.”

I’ll also explore how creativity can be a powerful tool for emotional healing and personal transformation, helping you process life’s challenges and connect more deeply with yourself and others.

Becoming an "emotional scientist" instead of an "emotional judge."

I’ll help you use tools like journaling, self-reflection, and “The Model” to deepen self-awareness and grow at your own pace without being so hard on yourself.

You’ll uncover patterns, clarify thoughts, and create meaningful change in this season of life.

We’ll explore techniques to manage anxiety and calm your nervous system, bringing balance to your daily life.

I’ll also share ways to rewrite personal stories that may be holding you back.

Pursuing lifelong dreams and redefining what’s possible in the second act.

I’ll introduce you to a road map and tools for setting and achieving big, audacious goals.

These strategies will help you break down what might seem impossible into achievable steps, empowering you to pursue dreams with clarity and confidence, no matter how ambitious they may feel.

Become a Free Subscriber to Get

• 1 free article a month - Receive one free, in-depth article each month, filled with insights, tips, and inspiration to support your journey of reinvention and growth.

• Get brief previews of monthly training and paid articles, offering a glimpse into the valuable insights and tools available to help you thrive in your second act.

Become a Paid Subscriber to Get

Live Trainings

• Each month, enjoy a 60-minute live training session, complete with a Q&A, focused on the topics above. These sessions dive deep into reinvention, overcoming self-doubt, setting goals, and fostering meaningful connections.

Downloadable Guides

• Downloadable resources that complement these topics, offering practical tools and exercises to help you uncover passions, set goals, and navigate your second act with confidence and clarity.

Personalized Feedback

• Subscribers can submit questions to receive tailored coaching and insights via email, ensuring support that's customized to your unique journey.

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Testimonials

“Lynn's guidance was a beacon of hope for me. I learned to navigate my challenges with grace and to seize opportunities I never believed possible. My journey with Lynn has been transformative; she has empowered me to live boldly and pursue my passion for painting. I am now living my dream, thanks to Lynn's unwavering support and expertise.”

- Pam

“Working with Lynn has transformed my life. She has illuminated what I couldn't see clearly for myself, influencing who I am as a person. Her guidance has permeated my art, business, and relationships, helping me take responsibility for what’s mine and release what’s not. I moved from feeling stuck and unprogressive to taking massive action, one small step at a time. Lynn is a vibrant, guiding light, and I am forever grateful for our work together."

-Lauren V.

“Working with Lynn was the catalyst for profound change in my life. Her compassionate understanding, coupled with strategic action plans, propelled me toward my goals. Lynn helped me find balance, rediscover my creativity, and step into my power as an artist. I am forever grateful for the new beginning she guided me towards.”

- Chris

What I Want You to Know

You don’t have to fix everything overnight. Start small. Write one honest thought in a journal. Take one shaky step forward..

The journey won’t be easy, but it will be worth it. Your second act is waiting, and it’s not too late to make it the most beautiful chapter yet.