GRACE & HOPE CONSULTING, LLC
  • Home
  • ABOUT
    • Meet Our Founder
    • Blog
    • CONTACT
    • COURSES
    • Recommended Reading
    • Resources
    • Testimonials
  • INDIVIDUALS
    • Christian Counseling
    • Group Counseling
    • Resilience Coaching
    • Stress RELIEF Coaching
    • Supports Broker Services
    • Person-Centered Parenting
    • Support For Caregivers
    • Women Achieving Mental and Emotional Wellness
    • Recommended Reading
  • ORGANIZATIONS
    • Inclusion Support
    • Mental Health Consultation
    • Person-Centered Thinking Training
    • Stress Management Training & Coaching
  • Churches
    • Christian Counseling
    • Inclusion Support for Churches
    • Women Conferences
  • SPEAKING
    • Seminars/Workshops
    • Women Conferences
  • WRITING
    • BOOKS BY CHOU
    • PUBLISHING
    • Made to Overcome - Mental Health Edition #2 >
      • Author- Chou Hallegra
      • Author- Hope Naysha
      • Author-Louis Bianco
      • Author-Donnel Brown
      • Author-Kirsten Marie Peterson
      • Author-Domonique Jackson-Rodriguez
      • Author-Jeanne Cesena
      • Author-Tracy Loken Weber
      • Author-Kristine Irwin
      • Author-Rhonda Cee
      • Author-Kate Adams
    • Made to Overcome - Single Parenting Edition >
      • Author- Chou Hallegra
      • Author-Nichole Wilson
      • Author-Wendy Park
      • Author-JoAnna Gardner
      • Author-Kate Adams
      • Author-Jasmine Merill
      • Author-Catherine Hughes
      • Author-Erin Adams
      • Author-Debbi Stricler
      • Author- Dr. Leanne Montoya
      • Author- G
    • Made to Overcome - Mental Health Edition >
      • Author- Chou Hallegra
      • Author- Dani Adams
      • Author-Justin Birckbichler
      • Author- Nikki Burgess
      • Author-Dan Esterly
      • Author-Catherine Hughes
      • Author- Dana Lambert Hodge
      • Author- Al Levin
      • Author-Holly Miller
      • Author- Karsten Penkacik
      • Author- Shawnee Penkacik
      • Author - Thomas Newman Powell
      • Author-Carrie Reichartz
      • Author- Cherie Faus Smith
      • Author- Carol Strang
      • Author- Karima Leslie
    • Made To Overcome - Chronic Illness Edition >
      • Author- Chou Hallegra
      • Author-Christina Abernethy
      • Author-Lisa Baker
      • Author-Rhonda Clemmer
      • Author- Nikki Burgess
      • Author - L.A. Weems
      • Author - Shawnee Penkacik
      • Author- Dana Lambert Hodge
      • Author-Sara Mohr
      • Author- Karima Leslie
      • Author- Dr. Leanne Montoya
      • Author-Rafe Shearer
      • Author-LaShonn Edmunds
      • Author-Jennifer McPherson
      • Author-Julie P. Watson
    • We All Belong
    • Made to Overcome Caregivers Edition
    • I QUIT


BLOG
Spreading Hope
Sharing Resources
Empowering You
Doing Life Together

How I'm Reinventing My Life After 50

3/31/2020

0 Comments

 
By Cherie Faus Smith
Picture

After being diagnosed with a panic disorder in 2006 and by the suggestion of my physician, I quit my job.  It wasn’t easy for our family since we were a two-income household. 
I felt embarrassed knowing I was letting my husband and our family down. Because of my panic disorder, I became agoraphobic and couldn’t leave my home for a full year. So, I began searching for jobs which allowed me to work from home.

When major shifts occur in our lives, we are given an opportunity to reinvent ourselves.
Since my career as an administrative assistant spanned many years, I found that I was already prepared to offer the same services online. I was fortunate to find a virtual assistant who lived about 30 minutes from my home who was willing to chat with me and share a book she’d written about the field.

I took a leap and started my own virtual assistant company. I’ve been going strong ever since 2007. The work was comfortable, my clients were happy, and my work ethic and accomplishments have brought in plenty of referrals and new work. Yet after 13 years of providing support for my clients, I was yearning to find an outlet for my creative side.
My husband and I were returning home from the grocery store and as we drove through the gorgeous mountainside, I told him that I wasn’t happy in life anymore. It wasn’t that I was unhappy with him or our marriage but instead unhappy with MY life.

He was receptive to hearing why I wasn’t happy. After talking it through with him, I realized that I was looking for a purpose.  I was a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, employee, and now a business owner. 

BUT I was 49 years old at that time and staring 50 in the face. 

Instead of dreading midlife, I wanted to do something different and fun!I remember sitting in our backyard on a swing, closing my eyes, taking a deep breath, and embracing what life would look like after I turned 50.  I’m an extrovert and absolutely LOVE helping other women so it was only natural for my mind to tune into that part of me that wanted to celebrate being a midlife woman and supporting other women who are going through the same things in life.

At that moment, I knew that something better was coming my way.
I’ve learned two things since that day:
  1. Reinventing myself doesn’t mean that I am going to change who I am.
    In fact, it is just the opposite! The idea of reinventing myself is an opportunity to bring out the real me.  I’ve spent so many years supporting my clients and putting my needs last that it’s time for me to step outside my comfort zone and try new things.  One of which is ziplining!  I’m terrified of heights but if I don’t give it a whirl, I’ll regret it when I’m 80 years old.
  2. It’s okay to dream big.
    I’d gotten used to playing small.  Perhaps it’s because of my past abusive relationships and didn’t feel worthy of having a beautiful life.  But since turning 50, I've been dreaming big and open to see what the Universe has in store for me.     
The major shifts in my life have always led me to new opportunities. As painful as they were at the time, whether it was losing a loved one, leaving a job, turning another year older, or becoming an empty nester, I’ve tried to see the grace and take hold of opportunities that arise.
As I’m stepping into midlife and taking risks, I invite you to join me.  Let’s embrace fifty together and support one another.

Because I have a passion for supporting women, I created a Facebook Group called Sisterhood of Fabulous and Fearless Women.  Would love for you to join.


Picture

Cherie Faus-Smith

Cherie Faus-Smith is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and mentor to women who want to reinvent themselves during midlife. Her goal is to inspire women (like you!) to live life on their own terms.
She shares her experiences with surviving domestic abuse, cancer, and being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder to inspire women to push their comfort zones and thrive.
Find out more about Cherie at www.cheriefaus-smith.com. Also, you can follow her on Instagram and Facebook. If you would like to join her Sisterhood of Fabulous and Fearless Women Facebook group, you can find it here.
If you prefer email, you can send her a message at cherie@cheriefaus-smith.com.Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Chou is a best-selling Author, a Transformational Speaker,  Certified Life Coach, Counselor and Consultant on a mission to inspire people to rise above their circumstances. She is passionate about helping others achieve emotional wellness, reach their full potential, and live fulfilling lives. You can contact Chou at chou@graceandhopeconsulting.com

    Categories

    All
    ADD
    ADHD
    Anxiety
    Autism
    Behavior
    Children
    Community
    Counseling
    Depression
    Disabilities
    Faith
    Family
    Health
    Mental Health
    Parenting
    Personal Growth
    Person Centered
    Self Care
    Self-care
    Self Help
    Stress
    Stroke
    Suicide
    Trauma
    Women

    Archives

    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016

Picture

Pennsylvania
​

20 South 36Th Street, 1st Floor
Camp Hill, PA 17011


MARYLAND

6340 SECURITY BOULEVARD - SUITE 100
BALTIMORE (WOODLAWN), MD 21207

​
TEL: 717-216-0230 (also available on Whatsapp)
​CHOU@GRACEANDHOPECONSULTING.COM

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
​COPYRIGHT 2016-2020
  • Home
  • ABOUT
    • Meet Our Founder
    • Blog
    • CONTACT
    • COURSES
    • Recommended Reading
    • Resources
    • Testimonials
  • INDIVIDUALS
    • Christian Counseling
    • Group Counseling
    • Resilience Coaching
    • Stress RELIEF Coaching
    • Supports Broker Services
    • Person-Centered Parenting
    • Support For Caregivers
    • Women Achieving Mental and Emotional Wellness
    • Recommended Reading
  • ORGANIZATIONS
    • Inclusion Support
    • Mental Health Consultation
    • Person-Centered Thinking Training
    • Stress Management Training & Coaching
  • Churches
    • Christian Counseling
    • Inclusion Support for Churches
    • Women Conferences
  • SPEAKING
    • Seminars/Workshops
    • Women Conferences
  • WRITING
    • BOOKS BY CHOU
    • PUBLISHING
    • Made to Overcome - Mental Health Edition #2 >
      • Author- Chou Hallegra
      • Author- Hope Naysha
      • Author-Louis Bianco
      • Author-Donnel Brown
      • Author-Kirsten Marie Peterson
      • Author-Domonique Jackson-Rodriguez
      • Author-Jeanne Cesena
      • Author-Tracy Loken Weber
      • Author-Kristine Irwin
      • Author-Rhonda Cee
      • Author-Kate Adams
    • Made to Overcome - Single Parenting Edition >
      • Author- Chou Hallegra
      • Author-Nichole Wilson
      • Author-Wendy Park
      • Author-JoAnna Gardner
      • Author-Kate Adams
      • Author-Jasmine Merill
      • Author-Catherine Hughes
      • Author-Erin Adams
      • Author-Debbi Stricler
      • Author- Dr. Leanne Montoya
      • Author- G
    • Made to Overcome - Mental Health Edition >
      • Author- Chou Hallegra
      • Author- Dani Adams
      • Author-Justin Birckbichler
      • Author- Nikki Burgess
      • Author-Dan Esterly
      • Author-Catherine Hughes
      • Author- Dana Lambert Hodge
      • Author- Al Levin
      • Author-Holly Miller
      • Author- Karsten Penkacik
      • Author- Shawnee Penkacik
      • Author - Thomas Newman Powell
      • Author-Carrie Reichartz
      • Author- Cherie Faus Smith
      • Author- Carol Strang
      • Author- Karima Leslie
    • Made To Overcome - Chronic Illness Edition >
      • Author- Chou Hallegra
      • Author-Christina Abernethy
      • Author-Lisa Baker
      • Author-Rhonda Clemmer
      • Author- Nikki Burgess
      • Author - L.A. Weems
      • Author - Shawnee Penkacik
      • Author- Dana Lambert Hodge
      • Author-Sara Mohr
      • Author- Karima Leslie
      • Author- Dr. Leanne Montoya
      • Author-Rafe Shearer
      • Author-LaShonn Edmunds
      • Author-Jennifer McPherson
      • Author-Julie P. Watson
    • We All Belong
    • Made to Overcome Caregivers Edition
    • I QUIT