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Your Story Is Still Unfolding (And So Is Mine)

Why this Life Untapped blog is becoming Still Unfolding—and what it means for you

Twenty years.

That’s how long I’ve been showing up as “Life Untapped.”

Twenty years of writing, speaking, sharing stories, and encouraging you to discover the relevance in your own narrative. Twenty years of believing that potential exists in all of us—waiting to be discovered, activated, lived.

And it’s been beautiful.

“Life Untapped” has been the perfect metaphor to highlight how within each of us lies something powerful—an abundant life just waiting to be accessed, unlocked, released.

And while that remains true, what’s also factual is that our efforts to thrive through life’s ups and downs, and our still-present hopes and dreams, are worth honoring at every age and stage.

As I’ve grown—through writing 12 books, navigating my own pivots, listening to your stories, and deepening my understanding of transformation—I’ve realized something:

Our quest isn’t just about discovering potential that we’ve left dormant or untapped (although this IS part of it); it can also be about summoning the courage to keep going and to keep saying “yes” to ourselves.

What speaks to your heart? What tugs at you? What will you regret not doing because of what society or those around you declared you “should” be doing instead?

Over the years, as I’ve connected with others who’ve navigated career changes, relationship shifts, grief journeys, health challenges and more (and gone through shifts myself) —I’ve recognized a recurring reality:

Our stories aren’t static potential waiting to be tapped.

Life is an ongoing process of becoming.

You (we) are unfolding—slowly, imperfectly, beautifully—into versions of ourselves that we may not even realize are possible.

Unfolding never stops.

Not at 30. Not at 50. Not at 70.

Still Unfolding is about giving ourselves permission to be in process—forever.

It means:

  • Growth is lifelong. There’s no finish line where you finally have it all figured out.
  • You’re not behind. The timeline you imagined for your life isn’t the only valid one. Your unfolding is happening exactly as it should.
  • Pivots aren’t failures. They’re part of the process. Every turn, every detour, every unexpected chapter is shaping you.
  • Your best experiences may still be ahead. Age doesn’t diminish possibility. Some of the most transformative chapters come later than we expected.
  • You’re allowed to evolve. The person you were five years ago — even a year ago — doesn’t have to be the person you are now. Change isn’t betrayal—it’s honoring the present with the gift of all you’ve become thus far.

What’s Changing

As of today, Life Untapped is becoming Still Unfolding.

Here’s what that means practically:

✨ Still Unfolding is how you’ll see me reference my work instead of Life Untapped on a regular basis. However, my focus will still be transformation, inspiration, life transitions and encouraging you to keep becoming.

✨ Life Untapped will still be used occasionally, because it still reflects part of our unfolding journey – so you’ll still occasionally see my hashtag, and one of the categories of this blog will be Life Untapped Living.

This Blog:

🌐 The URL is changing: LifeUntapped.com → StillUnfolding.com

📝 ALL content remains: Every blog post, every category, every resource you’ve relied on stays exactly where it is. Nothing is being deleted. The archive is intact.

Here’s what also stays the same:

✅ My commitment to you. This has always been about authentic connection, and that remains unchanged.

✅ My belief that your story and your journey matter.

✅ Content designed to inspire, inform and uplift you.

If you’ve been here for years, thank you for reading my blog posts and other social media content, and thank you for allowing me to be part of your journey.

If you’re new here, welcome! You’ve arrived at exactly the right time.

Together, let’s step into our unfolding and have a blast. Let’s remind each other: We’re all still unfolding.

P.S. If you’re not already on my author email list (which is different from this blog post subscription), now’s a great time to join me in both places! In addition to my occasional blog posts here, on every Monday I send a brief message of encouragement straight to your email inbox—and you’ll be the first to know about my TV appearances, events and everything Still Unfolding. Subscribe here.

The Middle Is Where It Happens

Here’s what I’ve learned after writing 12 books, navigating countless pivots and watching life unfold in unanticipated ways:

The middle is where the transformation actually happens.

Not the beginning—that’s just the spark. Not the ending—that’s just the reveal.

The middle? That’s where you:

  • Question everything you thought you knew
  • Discover strengths you didn’t know you had
  • Learn to trust yourself even when you can’t see the path
  • Become someone you weren’t when you started

The middle is uncomfortable, uncertain and sometimes scary.

And let’s consider something radical: What if your messy middle season is what’s required to grow you into a person who can navigate the best chapters ahead with wisdom, poise and resilience? What if you need to go through “this” to be prepared to honor and elevate “that?”

What if the timing of your life is exactly right—even when it doesn’t match your plan?

I’ve learned in my toughest seasons to breathe through it, pray through it, lean on the tenets of my faith and rest in the hope that my resilience and hope will see me through.

Doing this has given me permission to stay in the present, to be in the middle of my story and to intentionally nurture myself. I’ve found the courage to not have it all figured out – to change my mind, alter my path and rewrite the plan.

I’ve surrendered to being in progress, without perfection; to trust that where I am is exactly where I need to be as my life actively unfolds.

And that’s not something to apologize for – that’s something to honor.

As the year winds down and a new one approaches, let’s ask ourselves:

“What wants to unfold in me next?”

Not: What do I need to force or fix or figure out?

What’s already trying to emerge if I just give it space?

Not: Where should I be by now?

Where am I being invited to go next??

I believe in you – in us!

So write your vision, speak life into it and embrace the positives in your present on the way to your next chapter.

“Sunrise — Oregon Mountain Pass” by Beyond the Trail (Gary Robertson) is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.

If you’re not already on my author email list (which is different from this blog post subscription), now’s a great time to join me in both places! In addition to my occasional blog posts here, on every Monday I send a brief message of encouragement straight to your email inbox—and you’ll be the first to know about my TV appearances, events and everything Still Unfolding. Subscribe here.

When You’re Still Becoming

You’re not behind. You’re not late. You’re exactly where you need to be. A reflection on the power of “yet” and trusting your unfolding journey.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the word “yet.”

As in: “I’m not there yet.”

We use it apologetically, don’t we? As if being in the middle of our journey is something to excuse. As if the space between where we are and where we want to be is a gap that diminishes our worth.

But what if “yet” is actually the most hopeful word we have?

When you say, “I’m not there yet,” what you’re really saying is: I’m still becoming.

You’re acknowledging that your story isn’t finished. That there’s more ahead. That the best chapters might still be unwritten.

“Yet” means you haven’t given up. “Yet” means you’re still in motion. “Yet” means possibility is still alive.

Your story isn’t finished.

Your best work might still be ahead of you.

The person you’re becoming is still taking shape.

And that “yet”? That’s not a deficit. That’s a promise.

You’re not there yet.

And that means you’re still becoming.

Keep going.

💛 Stacy

I’m Curious: What’s something you’re not “there yet” on—but you’re trusting will unfold in its own time? I’d love to hear. Leave a comment below, then follow me on Facebook or Instagram for more frequent connection and inspiration. Let’s remind each other: We’re all still becoming.

Gratitude is an Attitude You Can Define

For every opportunity there is to complain, 

hold a grudge,

or judge without knowing the whole story, 

there is an equal opportunity to

let go, adapt and expand.

Be grateful for experiences that can 

strengthen your wisdom and empathy,

and help you grow in grace, joy and hope. 

You are the best possible person to be you – no need to imitate or compare yourself to others or judge their life’s journey.

Be grateful to be alive and to able to try your best another day. 

Release and Receive

In these first few days of November, consider releasing what no longer serves you.

Those unhelpful habits or outdated clothes? Let them go.

That doubt, fear or hesitation? Bid it goodbye. 

Those dreamcrushers in your circle or wishy-washy connections? Bless and release them.

And then?

Since the clutter has been released, may you appreciate the beauty and boldness of purpose within you, and embrace all the good your mind, your heart and your arms now have the space to hold. 

Hold Your Life’s Pen

Decide this week to live and love with abandon, celebrate the good around you, and embrace challenges as opportunities to strengthen your ability to walk in the truth and beauty of who you are.

Everyone can’t or won’t understand your journey or your heart, and only you can script an accurate version of your story.

Hold the pen to your life and do just that, with compassion, grace and joy.


“A (person’s) judgment of another depends more on the one judging and on that person’s passions, than on the one being judged and on his/ her conduct.” (Paul Tournier)

Exude light and love no matter what, and the overflow can’t help but bless others.

I Almost Turned Back

While traveling to Guatemala City for a work-related trip about six weeks ago, I almost turned back. 

An expected five-hour layover in my connecting airport on my travel day in early July turned into an additional 11-hour flight delay. This meant I spent 16 hours roaming the airport (before the airline eventually cancelled the flight altogether, just after midnight).

Amid the waiting to see when the flight would leave came news that a fairly significant earthquake had rumbled through the country 24 hours earlier. 

While my colleagues who are based in Guatemala were moving forward with business as usual (small earthquakes are the norm; this bigger 5.7 magnitude one didn’t rattle them), I was wondering whether the delays and the shaking earth were signs to reschedule the trip.

Just as I had that thought, a team member who was traveling separately to meet us there let me know she had boarded her flight. When I asked her if the doors had closed and her “yes” meant she couldn’t quickly deplane, I took that as a sign that we were all meant to trust our faith (so grateful for the prayers that were surrounding us!) and our Guatemalan colleagues’ assurances that all would be fine. 

I decided on a Plan B for a quick departure if necessary, and we moved forward. 

Within an hour of landing the next day and meeting our calm-natured colleague “A,” and being escorted to our hotel in the heart of Guatemala City, I knew we’d be okay. 

A few days later, when we reached the beautiful city of Antigua and were greeted with gorgeous views of the mountains and a “behaving” live volcano, and warm-hearted people that included other wonderful colleagues, my U.S.-based team and I nodded at each other: Pushing through the delays, the uncomfortable unknowns of what awaited us, and keeping our storytelling mission top of mind had paid off.

The gift of these views and the meaningful connections made, even before our formal work began, had stretched us. 

We grew individually, bonded as a team, and grounded ourselves in the mantra our organization’s leader often utters: We can do hard things well.

The overarching reminder for me as a person of faith? God really does have His hand on us at every turn, and even in stressful times, His presence is evident, if we’ll look for and recognize the signs.  

The overarching lesson/reminder for my team and me?

When you persist through whatever challenges you may encounter, there are often rewards beyond measure on the other side of your yes.

We’ll never forget the beauty of the people, nor the place, nor the power that comes from the PUSH (Persisting Until Something Happens). I believe each of us is better because of it. 

Stacy Hawkins Adams in Antigua, Guatemala

Decide

Right now…

Decide you’re worth it and make the most of this week before you.

Ask the hard questions that will get you closer to the authenticity you seek to embrace.  

Live the soft life that will give you experiences and memories to cherish. 

Push a new boundary. 

Pull yourself up from whatever has weighed you down.

Hold onto goodness.

Let every thing not good for you find other settling places.

Share this post with a friend or two who’ll join you on this journey to better. 

Then decide to do it – 

breath by breath, 

choice by choice, 

step by step. 

You’ve got this!

Push Through

This week, consider this assertion: There’s so much waiting for you on the other side of fear, loss or setbacks. 

Don’t you see it over there – waving at you? Beckoning you? Smiling at you?

All you need are your boots for walking, curiosity and courage to enjoy the journey, and your authentic willingness to fully experience what’s calling.

Now, I know that’s much easier said than done – I’ve been there!

Yet, what I also can assert is that as you start telling yourself the right story, and believing it, you can also start doing those things (or stop doing those things) that will help you achieve what you are longing for.

Give yourself a chance. You are without a doubt worth it.

Start (again) today and keep becoming. That’s the best way to win at being you.

Screenshot

Keep Reading, Keep Growing

There is power in stories. 

They help you better understand yourself and others, and they help you make sense of the world in which we live. 

Before this week ends, why not commit to reading some short fiction or a novel over the course of this month? Or pick up a memoir; perhaps a biography.

Read to laugh, weep, learn or grow. 

Read to gain context, read to know.

Whether you choose some of my work or that of some of my fellow authors, enjoy, immerse yourself and reap the benefits of immersing yourself in stories, long after you’ve reached The End.