The most common question I get asked lately is “so what are you doing now?” It makes me laugh because typically they’ll also add something like….are you counseling? or line dancing? or teaching? And my honest answer is….YES. I am doing all those things.

I have multiple streams of income right now which is great and helping out financially BUT it’s also because I’m trying to feel out multiple paths forward for my business and myself. My goal is to explores what feels most aligned with my values, my preferred pace of life, and my financial goals. Thus, I am in the “try everything” and see what happens phase (which is quite exhausting at times but also exciting). I feel hopeful that I am close to narrowing down a future path so more to come on that later as it develops.

But here is a little snapshot into what’s kept me busy this year:
1. Teaching at Western – I was honored to get asked to be adjunct faculty for both 1st and 2nd year graduate students in the School Counseling Program. I am developing a pilot practicum program (in the schools versus in a clinic setting) as well as teaching actual courses. I have LOVED teaching an excited new generation of school counselors and working back in an elementary school setting has lit my soul back up in a way that I cannot describe. This is just temporary however and will end after this quarter.

2. My small business – Rooted WELL Coaching – Because I am so busy with a full time teaching schedule at WWU, parts of this work have been put on hold. I have a few parent coaching clients that I am keeping up with along with selling my resources to other school counselors online. I also have been paid to do professional development trainings with school buildings and districts which has been a goal for mine since I branched out and started my business. This also gets me to travel to new places and explore different line dancing bars so that’s an added bonus as well! Up next for my business is launching an online course, a podcast in the works and some more public speaking engagements. (If any of this is interesting to you as an educator or event planner, add me on my newly created LinkedIn page.)

3. My work at the Landing – I have been serving as a weekend on-call supervisor for the emergency foster shelter in my county and it’s truly been incredibly rewarding for me. As a former foster parent, it “scratches the itch” that I often get around caring for these vulnerable youth and wanting to cover them in love and care. But instead of bringing them home with me (which is not an option at this point in time), I get to go to them. I love covering the overnight shifts (versus daytime where we go on lots of adventures and play play play) as I feel as this is where the most natural nurturing and emotional needs can occur.

There are a lot of young (college-age) interns and volunteers, so I also really appreciate working alongside them and modeling different strategies for children with trauma and occasionally teaching them how to change diapers and coax teeny ones back to sleep. This shelter is an incredible resource in our community and runs on volunteers – if you are interested in volunteering your time (1-2 small shift commitments a month and only if we have kiddos!), please ask me whatever questions you have or reach out and apply. I promise you will get as much out of the shift as the children will by you being there!

4. Social Media Consulting – Although this is not what I envisioned when I broke off to run my own business, it’s been a fun “side hustle” where I get to use my creativity and some of my lived experience getting business exposure and traction from social media platforms. I help a handful of clients with their social media through consulting, content creation, and technical support. Many of my clients are a wee bit older than me and less excited about using social media, so I am happy to take this necessary part of business off their plates and get their needs met efficiently and effectively! I am a firm believer in doing what you love in your business and paying folks for the things that drain your energy and love for what you do.

So, long story kinda long…..I am pretty busy (and probably won’t text you back right away). Add line dancing, my kiddos, and finding a place to live into the mix and I barely know what’s on my to-do list each day. But this quarter in particular is the busiest grind, all working towards what I hope to be a restful summer full of sunshine and adventure (-adjacent activities) with the people I love the most!