Day 35 of 100 Days of Hope

What Honors You? Finding Self-Love and Resilience in Midlife

In midlife, so much shifts — our roles, our relationships, our bodies, even our sense of purpose. It’s a season of transformation, one that calls us to pause and ask a powerful question:
What honors me?

This question has become a guiding light in my own journey. It reminds me to focus on what I can control, to set healthy boundaries, and to give myself permission to slow down and truly listen. Honoring yourself is an act of self-care and self-love. It’s a way to strengthen your resilience and reconnect with your true self — the woman you’ve always been underneath the noise and expectations.

Here are three ways I’ve learned to honor myself that might inspire you too.

1. Honor Yourself by Connecting Each Morning

Before the world begins to pull at you, start your day with connection.
That could be journaling, praying, reading scripture, or simply sitting in silence.
When I take this time each morning, I feel centered and calm. It’s a moment of self-care that grounds me in gratitude and clarity.

Ask yourself: What would it feel like to start each day by honoring your own heart first?

2. Honor Yourself by Unsubscribing from Negative Thinking

Our thoughts shape our reality. And so often, our thoughts are not kind.
But here’s the truth: negative thoughts are just thoughts. They only have power if we give it to them.

One of my favorite practices is to “unsubscribe” from thoughts that don’t serve me — just like hitting “unsubscribe” on a spam email. When a thought tells me I’m not enough, I gently say, “No thank you.” Then I replace it with something true and loving.

This simple act of self-love builds resilience. It reminds me that I am the thinker — not the thought.

3. Honor Yourself by Choosing What Feels Good Inside

You don’t need grand gestures to nurture your soul. Honoring yourself often looks like small, intentional choices that bring joy and comfort.

Read a book that uplifts you. Eat nourishing food that fuels your body. Wear clothes that make you feel beautiful. Smile at a stranger. Send a message of appreciation. Connect with someone who lifts your spirit.

These moments of self-care help you feel alive and supported. They create a ripple of goodness — inside you and in the world around you.

A Gentle Invitation

I’d love for you to reflect on this today:
🌿 What are some ways you want to honor yourself right now?
🌿 Are there things you could do more (or less) of to support your peace and well-being?

When you take time to honor yourself, you remind your heart that it matters. You remember that your needs are important too.
And in doing so, you become more resilient, more grounded, and more open to the beauty that midlife offers — a deeper kind of love, wisdom, and joy.

You deserve that.

Here is a video where I share more.

With love and light,
Julie Burningham
The Hope Coach 🌻