Who Said the Garden Was the Problem? You Don't Need More Fixing to Deserve Love

A social media post told me to stop chasing butterflies and build a beautiful garden to attract them instead. Lovely advice, on the surface. My first thought? How much more landscaping am I supposed to do, and when did the absence of butterflies become my fault? In this episode of Postcards from the YES Life, I'm sharing why that familiar metaphor hit a nerve after divorce and a relationship that left me questioning my worth. We'll talk about loving your life while still longing for companionship, how easily self-improvement slips into self-blame, and giving yourself permission to want more without turning yourself into another renovation project. What if there's nothing wrong with your garden, and you'd simply love someone to enjoy it with?   CONNECT WITH KIM: Instagram at @kimberlylpeek for micro-adventure ideas and @TheYESLifeProject Tag Kim and The YES Life Project in your next YES moment. She'd love to see what you're trying.   Has life hit you with a Plot Twist or three? Check out the Plot Twist Playbook!  If you're standing in that strange space between what was and what's next, The Plot Twist Playbook was created for you. Inside you'll find 25+ guided audio sessions to help you calm the chaos, quiet the noise, rebuild your confidence, and start creating a bigger, richer, more interesting next chapter. Because a plot twist isn't the end of your story. It might be the beginning of your best one. https://www.theyeslifeproject.com/store   Your Host: Kimberly Peek is a writer, podcaster, endurance athlete, and creator of the YES Life Project — a philosophy devoted to helping women rebuild, reinvent, and design lives that feel expansive, meaningful, and fully their own. After navigating major life plot twists including breast cancer, loss, heartbreak, and an empty nest, Kim began asking a simple question: what would happen if she started saying YES to herself? Some happy accidents became an intentional way of living. The YES Life isn't about blowing up your life or chasing constant adventure — it's about choosing what expands you, protecting your time and energy, and creating a life you don't feel the need to escape from. Through honest storytelling and real-world lessons, Kim invites listeners to reconnect with joy, agency, and the belief that it's never too late to design a future you're excited to wake up to.  

Have you ever said YES to something you wanted, then immediately started looking for a way out? Maybe it's a trip, a new group, a creative project, or a challenge that suddenly feels bigger than you're ready for. I just signed up for Grandma's Marathon for June 2027 and the initial excitement came crashing down with a generous helping of "What was I thinking?" But this isn't my first time making plans and then questioning my own judgment. In this episode, I'm sharing a story about a challenge I nearly backed out of, what I would have missed, and why I'm willing to keep challenging myself in midlife. If you've been collecting reasons something is too much for you, this conversation might give you a reason to reconsider.   CONNECT WITH KIM: Instagram at @kimberlylpeek for micro-adventure ideas and @TheYESLifeProject Tag Kim and The YES Life Project in your next YES moment. She'd love to see what you're trying.   Has life hit you with a Plot Twist or three? Check out the Plot Twist Playbook!  If you're standing in that strange space between what was and what's next, The Plot Twist Playbook was created for you. Inside you'll find 25+ guided audio sessions to help you calm the chaos, quiet the noise, rebuild your confidence, and start creating a bigger, richer, more interesting next chapter. Because a plot twist isn't the end of your story. It might be the beginning of your best one. https://www.theyeslifeproject.com/store   Your Host: Kimberly Peek is a writer, podcaster, endurance athlete, and creator of the YES Life Project — a philosophy devoted to helping women rebuild, reinvent, and design lives that feel expansive, meaningful, and fully their own. After navigating major life plot twists including breast cancer, loss, heartbreak, and an empty nest, Kim began asking a simple question: what would happen if she started saying YES to herself? Some happy accidents became an intentional way of living. The YES Life isn't about blowing up your life or chasing constant adventure — it's about choosing what expands you, protecting your time and energy, and creating a life you don't feel the need to escape from. Through honest storytelling and real-world lessons, Kim invites listeners to reconnect with joy, agency, and the belief that it's never too late to design a future you're excited to wake up to.  

When you look at the week ahead, is there anything you're actually excited about? Maybe your calendar is packed with responsibilities. Or maybe you finally have time to yourself and realize you have no idea what you want to do with it. In this episode of Postcards from the YES Life, Kim shares how a few sunset paddleboarding outings helped her rebuild her life after divorce and an empty nest. What began as a way to spend an evening eventually led to kayaking, a 340-mile river race, and a circle of friends who became family.  We'll explore how small plans can help you discover what you enjoy, meet people, and give yourself something to anticipate. We'll also walk through the YES Life 6Ps: People, Physicality, Presence, Perspective, Purpose, and Play, so you can choose plans that respond to what you actually need. In this episode: Micro-adventures you can try close to home with a little planning. How specific invitations and showing up regularly help friendships grow. Five things to put on your calendar besides responsibilities. How a monthly camera-roll highlight reel helps you remember the good parts. You don't need to have your next chapter figured out to give yourself a good time.   CONNECT WITH KIM: Instagram at @kimberlylpeek for micro-adventure ideas and @TheYESLifeProject Tag Kim and The YES Life Project in your next YES moment. She'd love to see what you're trying.   Has life hit you with a Plot Twist or three? Check out the Plot Twist Playbook!  If you're standing in that strange space between what was and what's next, The Plot Twist Playbook was created for you. Inside you'll find 25+ guided audio sessions to help you calm the chaos, quiet the noise, rebuild your confidence, and start creating a bigger, richer, more interesting next chapter. Because a plot twist isn't the end of your story. It might be the beginning of your best one. https://www.theyeslifeproject.com/store   Your Host: Kimberly Peek is a writer, podcaster, endurance athlete, and creator of the YES Life Project — a philosophy devoted to helping women rebuild, reinvent, and design lives that feel expansive, meaningful, and fully their own. After navigating major life plot twists including breast cancer, loss, heartbreak, and an empty nest, Kim began asking a simple question: what would happen if she started saying YES to herself? Some happy accidents became an intentional way of living. The YES Life isn't about blowing up your life or chasing constant adventure — it's about choosing what expands you, protecting your time and energy, and creating a life you don't feel the need to escape from. Through honest storytelling and real-world lessons, Kim invites listeners to reconnect with joy, agency, and the belief that it's never too late to design a future you're excited to wake up to.  

Joy is often dismissed as frivolous — something nice if you have time for it, but not essential. In this episode, Host, Kimberly Peek makes the case that joy isn't a luxury… it's medicine for your body, brain, and spirit. From dancing on tables at a winery to chasing meteor showers, kayaking adventures, spontaneous sunsets, and quiet moments of gratitude during her seven-week coastal journey, Kim explores how small sparks of joy can transform your mood, resilience, relationships, and even your physical health. This isn't about toxic positivity or pretending everything is fine. It's about refusing to let hardship be the only story your life tells. If you're ready for deeper support navigating life's unexpected plot twists, check out the Plot Twist Playbook, a practical five-step reset designed to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.   Your Host: Kimberly Peek is a writer, podcaster, endurance athlete, and creator of the YES Life Project — a philosophy devoted to helping women rebuild, reinvent, and design lives that feel expansive, meaningful, and fully their own. After navigating major life plot twists including breast cancer, loss, heartbreak, and an empty nest, Kim began asking a simple question: what would happen if she started saying YES to herself? Some happy accidents became an intentional way of living. The YES Life isn't about blowing up your life or chasing constant adventure — it's about choosing what expands you, protecting your time and energy, and creating a life you don't feel the need to escape from. Through honest storytelling and real-world lessons, Kim invites listeners to reconnect with joy, agency, and the belief that it's never too late to design a future you're excited to wake up to. Website: https://www.theyeslifeproject.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theyeslifeproject/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/POWERofRUN/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-peek/  

Midlife isn't a crisis — it's a remix. And we are done believing the rules we've been handed about women, aging, beauty, love, and worth.  Host, Kimberly Peek, shares the jaw-dropping comment from an ex that sparked a powerful reckoning about body image, aging, relationships, and the stories society writes for women over 40. From breast cancer and hormone therapy to emotionally unavailable partners and high school reunions, this episode explores what it really means to grow older — and grow stronger — on your own terms. This isn't toxic positivity or anti-aging nonsense. It's an honest conversation about reclaiming your voice, your body, your desires, and your future. If you've ever wondered whether your best years are behind you… this episode is your reminder that they might just be beginning. The YES Life isn't about staying young; it's about moving and thinking in ways that allow you to live in ways that are magical, expansive, and wildly-alive. Your Host: Kimberly Peek is a writer, podcaster, endurance athlete, and creator of the YES Life Project — a philosophy devoted to helping women rebuild, reinvent, and design lives that feel expansive, meaningful, and fully their own. After navigating major life plot twists including breast cancer, loss, heartbreak, and an empty nest, Kim began asking a simple question: what would happen if she started saying YES to herself? Some happy accidents became an intentional way of living. The YES Life isn't about blowing up your life or chasing constant adventure — it's about choosing what expands you, protecting your time and energy, and creating a life you don't feel the need to escape from. Through honest storytelling and real-world lessons, Kim invites listeners to reconnect with joy, agency, and the belief that it's never too late to design a future you're excited to wake up to. Website: https://www.theyeslifeproject.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theyeslifeproject/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/POWERofRUN/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-peek/

A spontaneous decision last year turned a four-day trip to participate in a half marathon into a month-long journey — and ultimately into the YES Life Project. This year, host Kimberly Peek, returned to the coast intentionally to see what would happen if she gave herself space to explore. She shares the backstory behind both trips, the emotional season that led to them, how your daily schedule shapes your identity, energy, and sense of freedom. This isn't about travel for travel's sake. It's about creating space to rediscover yourself — and building a life that feels expansive, intentional, and alive. If you've been feeling the urge for change, clarity, or breathing room, consider this your invitation to start noticing. Your Host: Kimberly Peek is a writer, podcaster, endurance athlete, and creator of the YES Life Project — a philosophy devoted to helping women rebuild, reinvent, and design lives that feel expansive, meaningful, and fully their own. After navigating major life plot twists including breast cancer, loss, heartbreak, and an empty nest, Kim began asking a simple question: what would happen if she started saying YES to herself? Some happy accidents became an intentional way of living. The YES Life isn't about blowing up your life or chasing constant adventure — it's about choosing what expands you, protecting your time and energy, and creating a life you don't feel the need to escape from. Through honest storytelling and real-world lessons, Kim invites listeners to reconnect with joy, agency, and the belief that it's never too late to design a future you're excited to wake up to. Website: https://www.theyeslifeproject.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theyeslifeproject/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/POWERofRUN/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-peek/  

In this episode of Postcards from the YES Life, host Kimberly Peek takes you beyond her own story and into the heart of what it means to stop waiting for "someday" and start living fully now. Drawing on science, real-life stories, and her own midlife reinvention, Kim explains why so many of us delay joy—and how one small "YES" can shift everything. You'll learn: ✨ Why waiting for the perfect time keeps you stuck in the "deferred happiness trap" ✨ The psychology of temporal discounting (and how it sabotages your dreams) ✨ How to use Main Character Energy scripting to reframe your daily life ✨ Simple, affordable ways to spark novelty and adventure right where you are ✨ Why joy isn't selfish—it's survival, resilience, and the fuel for your best life Whether you're craving midlife reinvention, healing from a plot twist, or just ready to infuse your days with more meaning, this episode will inspire you to say yes today, not someday.     RESOURCES: Like what you hear and want to start living your own YES Life? I created the YES Life 31-Day Challenge to guide you step by step. Each day, you'll get a simple micro-mission, a reflection to lock it in, and a Main Character Energy script to start your morning strong. Plus, you'll get weekly pep talks to keep you motivated. It's fun, it's doable, and by the end you'll have the proof that you can create momentum, joy, and confidence — even in the middle of ordinary life. 👉 You can join right now at https://www.crushingmygoals.com/postcardproject Let's start stacking those YESes together.   WEAR YOUR MAIN CHARACTER ENERGY! From Main Character Energy, to Plot Twist Queen... I have a full assortment of YES Life gear in my Etsy Shop. Check it out!

After years of heartbreak, plot twists, and a midlife reset, I realized I had two choices: wait for life to change… or start saying YES to myself. In this comeback episode, I share the story of how a road trip to the Tybee Running Festival with my dogs turned a four-day getaway into nearly four weeks of adventure — and how that journey sparked what I now call the YES Life. You'll hear the backstory behind this podcast's new name, Postcards from the YES Life, and why midlife isn't a crisis — it's a remix. We'll talk about stacking small YESes, the power of Main Character Energy, and how to begin creating joy and momentum right where you are. If you've been waiting for the "perfect time" to start living boldly, this episode will remind you: the best chapters of your story are still ahead.   RESOURCES: Like what you hear and want to start living your own YES Life? I created the YES Life 31-Day Challenge to guide you step by step. Each day, you'll get a simple micro-mission, a reflection to lock it in, and a Main Character Energy script to start your morning strong. Plus, you'll get weekly pep talks to keep you motivated. It's fun, it's doable, and by the end you'll have the proof that you can create momentum, joy, and confidence — even in the middle of ordinary life. 👉 You can join right now at https://www.crushingmygoals.com/postcardproject Let's start stacking those YESes together.   WEAR YOUR MAIN CHARACTER ENERGY! From Main Character Energy, to Plot Twist Queen... I have a full assortment of YES Life gear in my Etsy Shop. Check it out!

What if the best coach you could ever have is yourself? In this episode, Kim shares that she's training for a spring marathon with her daughter. After taking many years off from distance running to pursue other activities, Kim is running again. She shares that she will use the Responsive Endurance Training Method to take a scientific, self-study approach to training.  Join Kim as she chronicles her path from practically being a non-runner again to aiming for that marathon finish line, sharing actionable tips to help you master your own training and performance. Connect with Kim: Podcast Facebook page Instagram at Iris Digital Media Group Instagram for The Digital Dreamer     Are you a business owner who would like to use podcasting to connect with customers and accelerate your sales cycle? Let's connect!  Interested in starting a podcast to talk about running, fitness, mindset, your hobby, or your business? I'd love to help you get started!    

Martin Salama's mission is to spread laughter and joy- and he even sets a daily quota to make someone laugh every single day.  In this conversation, Martin delves deep into relationships and vulnerability, discussing the societal expectations placed on men and the importance of being authentic. He shares personal experiences of childhood bullying and forgiveness, highlighting the power of letting go and fostering meaningful connections. Prepare for an injection of laughter, positivity, and authenticity in this episode featuring the incredible Martin Salama.   Connect with Martin: https://connectwithmartin.com/   Connect with Kim: Instagram at Iris Digital Media Group Instagram for Dream Building and Podcast Home Instagram for The Digital Dreamer Podcast Facebook page The Digital Dreamer Podcast Apple.   Spotify iHeart Create an Income Generating Audio Product:https://www.irisdigitalmediagroup.com/audioproduct Expressions by Iris store:https://www.etsy.com/shop/IrisDigitalMedia Start your journey as an Amazon Influencer:https://www.irisdigitalmediagroup.com/influencer Join Kim's Podcast Coaching Group: https://www.irisdigitalmediagroup.com/coach