Tag: mental health

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.

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.

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.

Expecting Less, Caring More = Grace

During a leadership event I attended this evening, a new acquaintance informed me about a trauma-relief organization for adults that she leads in the Richmond region called Robin’s Hope.

She and her staff are running 20 groups, 7 days a week, mostly virtual she said, to help people with all kinds of grief, trauma and mental distress.

That level of need blew me away, yet it is very real, across the land.

Nod to UNC-Chapel Hill for acknowledging the mental health crisis unfolding on its campus right now.

Perhaps it’s time we individually take on the charge. I challenge you to look around you, my friend, and be extra kind to those who seem a bit sad, stressed, withdrawn or even overly chipper.

We may not be comfortable yet giving random hugs, but random messages of “Hello” “Have a nice day” “I see you” “I will help you” and “I’m here for you” matter.

Let’s do our best to see each other through this global health pandemic. As you extend more grace to others, also be open to receiving it, because you matter, too.

“hand-heart-silhouette-“ by The Internal Struggle is licensed under CC BY 2.0