Finding Joy in the Journey

Today I share how I’ve seen God prepare me in advance for things I couldn’t predict.How being willing to follow my promptings has been a blessing in many surprising ways!

I tried to record a podcast about getting triggered at church, realized I didn’t record it, and started over feeling frustrated.A speaker from outside our congregation shared a message on a common topic, but his angle and the “sticky,” old-fashioned, heavy emotional language didn’t resonate with me, so I stepped out for a bit, prayed to run into someone, chatted in the hallway, and then returned and enjoyed the end.Afterward I processed what happened with my coach, named my emotions, and even rewatched the talk to pinpoint what bothered me.I realized I agreed with parts of his message, but I was judging myself for not feeling “heartbroken,” then projected that into judging him even though he wasn’t judging me.I’m grateful for the growth, and for having support like my coach, my emotions workbook, and Rob as a safe place to process.

Today I reflect on letting go of old identities, behaviors, and thought patterns, comparing change to shedding a snakeskin and a crab molting, which can feel unsafe until a new “shell” hardens.I saw an image of wearing hundreds of layered “Hi, my name is” stickers—some worth keeping (mom, friend, daughter) and others that no longer serve me.Instead of covering old labels with new ones, I’m learning to uncover and remove them through support like coaching, learning about emotions (including reading Language of Emotions and using the workbook), and other practices.

In this episode of Finding Joy in the Journey, I share the four levels of fun my husband and I developed from the outdoor “types of fun” concept, and I explain how they affect relationships and decision-making. I break down level one (easy and pleasurable), level two (challenging but still enjoyable), level three (hard and painful in the moment but fun in hindsight), and level four (a bad decision that isn’t fun during or after).Using examples like the steep “Switchbacks” hike, the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim-to-rim, and even a work project where my husband enjoyed “fighting with AI,” I show how recognizing that different people experience fun differently can help you set boundaries, find compromises, and stop trying to force someone else to do what you would choose.

In this follow-up to my Clean Start episode, I talk about “clean stops”—the practice of consciously deciding what “done for now” looks like so I can stop without feeling behind.I explain how unfinished tasks keep mental and energetic loops open, and how setting clear finish lines ahead of time helps my brain and body relax, builds self-trust, and creates calm momentum.

I share how “clean starts” help me begin overwhelming tasks with intention, gentleness, and a small spark of motivation. Instead of focusing on a big goal, I explain how choosing a ritualized, simplified first step creates a tiny win, a dopamine boost, and momentum—like opening my laptop and pulling up my list of podcast ideas, or deciding to floss just one tooth. I guide you through a short visualization to identify your own tiny first step, encourage you to try it as soon as you can, and invite you to tell me how using a clean start turns resistance into forward movement.

In this episode, I share a simple way to get clarity on my to-do list by separating items into routines (ongoing) versus projects (finishable).I walk through asking, “Do I actually want to do this?” and what to do if the answer is yes, no, or not right now.I also share how I identify obstacles, make a plan, delegate, or move ideas into a “parking lot” list for later.

I share a powerful experience from a recent sacrament meeting where an experience with Jesus reminded me tofocus on Him amidst personal worries. There is transformative peace and power that comes from focusing on Jesus instead of life's problems.

Discover how to ask angels for help and witness miraculous changes in your life. Learn from some of my personal stories and get access to a free mini-class that provides practical steps to connect with angelic assistance in both challenging and everyday situations. https://sheridanripley.com/ask-the-angels (https://sheridanripley.com/ask-the-angels)

In this episode, we delve into the incredible story of Charles Blondin, a 19th-century daredevil famous for tightrope walking across Niagara Falls. Through his astonishing feats, including carrying his manageracross the tightrope, we explore the deeper metaphor of trust and faith, particularly in how we can depend on Jesus to navigate life's challenges. We also connect this idea to the last episode on staying flexible amidst life's inevitable changes. 01:03 Niagara Falls: A Force of Nature 01:50 Blondin's Daring Feats 02:15 The Wheelbarrow Challenge 02:49 Trusting in Jesus: The Ultimate Lesson 05:23 Applying the Lesson to Our Lives

Explore my favorite money tools that can transform how you think and manage your finances. From Ramit Sethi's Teach Meto Be Rich series to a practical budgeting app and 2 other enlightening books on money mindset 00:04 Exploring Ramit Sethi's Financial Resources 01:56 Benefits and Challenges of Financial Discussions 03:01 Second Favorite Tool: YNAB (You Need A Budget) 04:08 Recommended Books for Financial Mindset