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Hello everyone!

Happy New Year!!

I hope this finds you well. It's been a while since I've updated my blog, I'm gladly finding the time now :) For those of you who want to stay updated as I blog a little more throughout 2022, go ahead and "subscribe", so you receive updates. After this blog post, I won't send out this link via email again. Since I'm not on Social Media anymore (FB or Insta) I'll be blogging here and there for those of you that appreciate updates this way!

2021 This past year has been such a blessing in so many ways. As most of you read in previous posts I had gone through an extended season of seclusion, and it was definitely transformational. I thought the season would last several weeks -- consisting of slowing down to reflect and prioritize my time and energy. That turned into months, and as I can see and express now, that it has morphed into more of an overall life-style change than a season per se. I'll explain.

While the season of seclusion was pretty specific to cutting out socializing, to focus on my relationship with God, rest, marriage, and to reevaluate my professional goals and priorities, I've since been learning to live in a place where I adopt these mindsets on more of an ongoing basis. Maybe most think that as a Life Coach (and former Mental Health Counselor) I would have had ALL of my priorities completely straight, right? Well, you’d think! lol But that's not entirely the case.

Were many of them straight? I’d like to think so (with God’s grace!!!)! Afterall, I celebrated 16 years of sobriety this past May, which is at least one priority straight! What.A.Blessing. But that doesn’t mean I am perfect, and I’ve been reminded through so many God-ordained situations and lessons, that I am on a journey, just as my clients are. I'm learning to practice what I preach, more than ever before: offering myself MUCH more grace, and self-compassion. I may be a few steps ahead or more of where many of my clients are at, but I acknowledge I'm still on my own growth journey none-the-less.

I must say, I would not be where I am today without my counselor(s) (firstly, the Mighty Counselor!), accountability from trusted friends and family (my mom’s story, and the witness of her life is an inspiration to me!! Through marriage I’ve also gained a MIL who I can say the same for!), mentors who invested and continue to invest in me, authors who share their knowledge, pastors, teachers, and my husband … the list goes on.

2022

As we've entered into this new year, and I've recently turned another year older (41 is feeling pretty good!), my husband and I are getting into a new rhythm with a bit of a new outlook on life. Before I was always buzzing about with anxiety, worry, and stressing over what should have gotten done already, what is being done right now (how it's being done) and what we'll need to do in the future (near and far!), much of which I wasn't consciously aware of. Sounds exhausting, I know!! It truly was!! After slowing down -- way down, I feel as though I have finally reset.

I'm consciously choosing -- and refusing to go back to the lifestyle I led prior to summer of 2020. I'm not really going to get into the ways in which the pandemic has contributed to this change of seasons for me (and my marriage) at length, but it has obviously had an impact on it! I had chosen to work mostly from home a few weeks before the pandemic hit full force, and let go of my second job at AAA a few months prior, and couldn't have been happier with those decisions. Working (mostly) from home has slowed me down in a necessary way, and I have gained more peace because of it. I'm also encouraged that God knew all the details, far before I did, as to why He was ushering me out of the previous jobs I was in, as that season had come to an end.

My heart goes out to everyone who has been impacted health-wise by Covid-19. For those of you that prayed for us when we had the virus earlier this winter, texted, encouraged us, brought food, medicine, and other goodies over -- we appreciate it so much! We can't imagine our lives without community. And even though that looks a little different these days, we are grateful for each and every one of you!

Even though we did not have the celebration we wanted after getting married (which actually hit me a bit harder this Fall and Winter), we want to thank everyone that sent warm wishes, generous gifts, and beautiful cards. It helped us feel a bit more normal, as we waited almost 40 years to find one another, we could have never anticipated how different the world would look during our first couple of years and how it changed the way we would have celebrated . Some of you have asked if the Zola Registry is still active -- YES, it is!! www.zola.com/registry/mbandneil We've enjoyed the gifts given to us tremendously, and there are still some left we have our eyes on for those of you who are still wanting to celebrate our marriage and future together by blessing us with a gift ;) .

I’ll end by saying how thankful I am with everyone’s support this past year. Although we haven’t seen you nearly as much as we would have in the past, we are so grateful that many of you have kept in touch via text, phone calls, video chats (and Marco Polos), emails, and for some, even snail mail! We.are.blessed.!!! We love all of you and appreciate the ongoing support as we maintain our friendships with you, even in the midst of the space between us. Please don’t ever hesitate to reach out for prayer, or just to say hi.

PS We hope to see everyone before we move South this Summer (which is still the plan, Lord-Willing!)

PPS As most of you know – and just as a reminder to everyone who sends clients my way – that as of this New Year, 2022, I am strictly offering Life Coaching services now, as opposed to Mental Health Counseling (you can see all the details on my website: lifecoachmb.wordpress.com ). THANK YOU to everyone who sends clients my way!! God has been so good in using many of you (in addition to current or past clients) to send me people through referrals and word of mouth. SO far since March 2020 I have not needed to spend a nickel on marketing/advertising!! Now because I’m moving into the New Year only offering LC services, I need new clients! Although many of my current clients are sticking with me, they’re seeking a new counselor as well, and will be with me for a limited time and/or more infrequently.

Therefore – I'm asking a favor of you : PLEASE share my info on your social media pages to spread the word about my business. I appreciate it SO MUCH. I am excited to help people reach their goals, and for those of you that know me best – I am passionate about my job, and the ability to help others!! Psychology Today profile, Website, and email address :

( psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/life-coaching-with-mb-akron-ny/740930 lifecoachmb.wordpress.com lifecoachingwithmb@gmail.com )

Thanks for taking an interest in my life, and taking the time to read this. Hope to hear from you in the near future.

Be blessed!

MB Vandenbergh