222: The Fall Pause—A Mindful Ritual to Slow Down, Breathe and Feel Grounded

Take a few minutes to step away from the busyness of September and simply...breathe.As the excitement of a new season begins to fill our calendars with fall fairs, cozy sweaters, pumpkin spice, and thoughts of the holidays ahead, it's easy to move from one thing to the next without ever slowing down.In The Habit Thrive Podcast's special guided pause today, we're not adding another habit to your list. Instead, we're creating space to simply be.Together, we'll take a few slow breaths, settle into the present moment, and gently reconnect with ourselves before stepping back into the rest of the day.If you've been feeling rushed, overwhelmed, or like the season is already slipping by, this episode is your invitation to pause, breathe deeply, and embrace the beauty that's already unfolding around you.So light a candle, find a cozy spot if you can, and let's take a few quiet moments together.xoxoLorrieLoving the show? Let’s connect! Find me:Facebook: Women's Wellness Community: For women wanting to rock their “Me Now” YearsInstagram: @Habitguru365Website: lorriemickelson.comMemberVault: lorriemickelson.vipmembervault.comPower & Purpose Daily Motivations: A Year of Coming Home to Yourself: Find it hereHabits, Mindfulness Routines & Self Care For Women 50 & BeyondLoving the show? Let’s connect! Find me:Facebook: Women's Wellness Community: For women wanting to rock their “Me Now” YearsInstagram: @Habitguru365Website: lorriemickelson.comMemberVault: lorriemickelson.vipmembervault.comHabits, Mindfulness Routines & Self Care For Women 50 & Beyond

Fall isn't just changing what's happening outside—it can change what's happening inside, too.As the days grow shorter and the weather becomes cooler, many of us notice shifts in our energy, mood, skin, sleep, and even our thoughts.Today, on Episode #221 of the Habit Thrive Podcast, we're exploring three common changes that often come with the transition into fall—and simple, practical ways to work with them instead of against them.You'll learn how to:Embrace the changing light to support your energy and sleepBring more warmth and nourishment into your daily routinesFeel more grounded when life starts to feel scattered and busyThe goal isn't to overhaul your life or add another long to-do list.Instead, choose one small seasonal habit that feels right for you and see what changes.Because thriving isn't about doing the same things all year long. It's about paying attention to what you need in this season.xoxoLorrieLoving the show? Let’s connect! Find me:Facebook: Women's Wellness Community: For women wanting to rock their “Me Now” YearsInstagram: @Habitguru365Website: lorriemickelson.comMemberVault: lorriemickelson.vipmembervault.comPower & Purpose Daily Motivations: A Year of Coming Home to Yourself: Find it hereHabits, Mindfulness Routines & Self Care For Women 50 & BeyondLoving the show? Let’s connect! Find me:Facebook: Women's Wellness Community: For women wanting to rock their “Me Now” YearsInstagram: @Habitguru365Website: lorriemickelson.comMemberVault: lorriemickelson.vipmembervault.comHabits, Mindfulness Routines & Self Care For Women 50 & Beyond

Welcome to September, Habit Thrivers!After spending August exploring the many ways we can practice rest, we're turning our attention to a brand-new season—and all the changes that come with it.Have you noticed yourself craving different foods? Sleeping differently? Feeling ready for more routine...or maybe a little scattered? Ayurveda reminds us that these shifts aren't something to fight—they're something to notice.This month on the Habit Thrive Podcast, we're exploring the transition into fall through an Ayurvedic lens and discovering simple, practical ways to support ourselves as we move into Vata season.In this episode, we're beginning with three simple invitations:✨ Notice the shift.✨ Embrace the shift.✨ Find your fall rhythm.Because maybe thriving this fall isn't about holding onto summer. Maybe it's about learning what you need now—and building habits that help you feel grounded, steady, and well.Let's step into this new season together.xoxoLorrieLoving the show? Let’s connect! Find me:Facebook: Women's Wellness Community: For women wanting to rock their “Me Now” YearsInstagram: @Habitguru365Website: lorriemickelson.comMemberVault: lorriemickelson.vipmembervault.comPower & Purpose Daily Motivations: A Year of Coming Home to Yourself: Find it hereHabits, Mindfulness Routines & Self Care For Women 50 & BeyondLoving the show? Let’s connect! Find me:Facebook: Women's Wellness Community: For women wanting to rock their “Me Now” YearsInstagram: @Habitguru365Website: lorriemickelson.comMemberVault: lorriemickelson.vipmembervault.comHabits, Mindfulness Routines & Self Care For Women 50 & Beyond

What if getting better sleep doesn't start at bedtime?As we wrap up the August Rest Series here on the Habit Thrive Podcast, I'm exploring something that surprised me in the research: The rest we practice during the day may have just as much impact on our sleep as our nighttime routine.After diving into peer-reviewed research using Consensus AI, three simple, evidence-based practices kept rising to the top for women over 40:Mindfulness and meditationProgressive muscle relaxationGentle, mindful movement like yoga, stretching or walkingThe common thread? These practices help calm the mind, relax the body, and train our nervous system to recover—not just when we're trying to fall asleep, but throughout the day.In this episode, I share the research, my own experiences experimenting with these habits, and a simple challenge: Spend just 10 minutes each day practicing one form of intentional rest. Not because 10 minutes is magic—but because it's realistic, repeatable, and consistency is where the benefits begin.Rest isn't just something we do when we're exhausted. It's something we can practice every day.Here's to preparing for tonight's sleep...starting this morning.xoxoLorrieLoving the show? Let’s connect! Find me:Facebook: Women's Wellness Community: For women wanting to rock their “Me Now” YearsInstagram: @Habitguru365Website: lorriemickelson.comMemberVault: lorriemickelson.vipmembervault.comPower & Purpose Daily Motivations: A Year of Coming Home to Yourself: Find it hereHabits, Mindfulness Routines & Self Care For Women 50 & BeyondLoving the show? Let’s connect! Find me:Facebook: Women's Wellness Community: For women wanting to rock their “Me Now” YearsInstagram: @Habitguru365Website: lorriemickelson.comMemberVault: lorriemickelson.vipmembervault.comHabits, Mindfulness Routines & Self Care For Women 50 & Beyond

Knowing that rest is important is one thing. Actually making time for it is another.In today's episode of the Habit Thrive Podcast, we're taking everything we've started exploring throughout our August Rest Series and putting it into practice.I'll walk you through a simple, realistic way to create a personal rest routine that fits your life—without adding one more thing to your to-do list.We'll revisit the Habit Thrive habit loop of Cue. Routine. Reward. and use it to make restoration a natural part of your day.You'll learn how to anchor your rest practice to an existing routine, create a minimum version for busy days, and recognize the small rewards that encourage the habit to stick.Most importantly, you'll discover that rest isn't about perfection—it's about creating a rhythm of recovery that supports the life you want to live.This week's challenge is simple: Choose one small rest practice, attach it to something you already do, and try it for seven days with curiosity—not judgment. Because the goal isn't to build the perfect routine. It's to make rest a familiar, dependable part of your everyday life.xoxoLorrieLoving the show? Let’s connect! Find me:Facebook: Women's Wellness Community: For women wanting to rock their “Me Now” YearsInstagram: @Habitguru365Website: lorriemickelson.comMemberVault: lorriemickelson.vipmembervault.comPower & Purpose Daily Motivations: A Year of Coming Home to Yourself: Find it hereHabits, Mindfulness Routines & Self Care For Women 50 & BeyondLoving the show? Let’s connect! Find me:Facebook: Women's Wellness Community: For women wanting to rock their “Me Now” YearsInstagram: @Habitguru365Website: lorriemickelson.comMemberVault: lorriemickelson.vipmembervault.comHabits, Mindfulness Routines & Self Care For Women 50 & Beyond

We spend so much of our lives doing—working, caring for others, managing schedules, checking off to-do lists—that we often forget how to simply be.But in our "me now" years, rest isn't a luxury. It's one of the most important habits we can build.Today, on Episode #217 of the Habit Thrive Podcast, we're exploring why restoration becomes even more essential as we move through midlife and beyond. We'll talk about the difference between stopping and truly resting; why our bodies, nervous systems, and minds all need recovery; and how learning to intentionally restore ourselves allows us to enjoy the life we've worked so hard to create.Drawing on research, Ayurveda, and practical everyday examples, you'll discover why rest isn't something we have to earn—it's something we need.This week's habit practice is beautifully simple: Give yourself five intentional minutes of restoration in the middle of your day and notice what happens.Because rest isn't the absence of activity—it's the presence of restoration.xoxoLorrieLoving the show? Let’s connect! Find me:Facebook: Women's Wellness Community: For women wanting to rock their “Me Now” YearsInstagram: @Habitguru365Website: lorriemickelson.comMemberVault: lorriemickelson.vipmembervault.comPower & Purpose Daily Motivations: A Year of Coming Home to Yourself: Find it hereHabits, Mindfulness Routines & Self Care For Women 50 & BeyondLoving the show? Let’s connect! Find me:Facebook: Women's Wellness Community: For women wanting to rock their “Me Now” YearsInstagram: @Habitguru365Website: lorriemickelson.comMemberVault: lorriemickelson.vipmembervault.comHabits, Mindfulness Routines & Self Care For Women 50 & Beyond

If July was all about joy, August feels like an invitation to slow down and savor it.I like to think of August as the “Sunday of summer.” The pace feels a little softer, the long days are still here, and there’s an opportunity to pause, breathe, and enjoy the fruits of all our work.This month on the Habit Thrive Podcast, I want to explore something many of us struggle with: Rest.We often treat rest like a reward we’ll get to once everything else is done. But what if rest isn’t something we earn? What if it’s an important part of restoration?On episode #216 today, I’m inviting you to begin thinking differently about rest and to consider what rest actually feels like in your body and mind. I’ll also guide you through a relaxing Rest Inquiry meditation that you can do right in the middle of your day—not just when you’re getting ready for bed.You can do it sitting outside, in your favorite chair, on a walk, or wherever you feel comfortable. The goal is simply to pause, soften, and remind your body that it’s okay to slow down.So, welcome to August. This month, we’re giving ourselves permission to rest, restore, and enjoy a little more of the “Sunday of summer.”xoxoLorrieLoving the show? Let’s connect! Find me:Facebook: Women's Wellness Community: For women wanting to rock their “Me Now” YearsInstagram: @Habitguru365Website: lorriemickelson.comMemberVault: lorriemickelson.vipmembervault.comPower & Purpose Daily Motivations: A Year of Coming Home to Yourself: Find it hereHabits, Mindfulness Routines & Self Care For Women 50 & BeyondLoving the show? Let’s connect! Find me:Facebook: Women's Wellness Community: For women wanting to rock their “Me Now” YearsInstagram: @Habitguru365Website: lorriemickelson.comMemberVault: lorriemickelson.vipmembervault.comHabits, Mindfulness Routines & Self Care For Women 50 & Beyond

As we wrap up our July Joy Series, we're exploring one final question:If the purpose of life is to be happy…why aren't we happier?After spending the month immersed in the science of happiness and the wisdom of books like The Book of Joy, The How of Happiness, and The Art of Happiness, I've noticed something unexpected—I really am happier. But is it because I've been reading about happiness? Or because I've been putting simple happiness practices into action?In this episode, we explore why happiness isn't something we wait for or someday arrive at. It's something we intentionally practice through our daily habits, routines, and rituals. From mindfulness and gratitude to movement, meditation, and the Habit Thrive Cup, we'll discover that lasting happiness is found in the ordinary moments we choose to notice.We'll also reflect on the Dalai Lama's belief that "the purpose of our life is to be happy" and consider a different perspective: perhaps our purpose isn't simply to be happy, but to seek happiness—and to become someone who creates more happiness for ourselves and everyone around us.As we close this special series, I hope you're reminded that happiness doesn't require a perfect life. It grows one intentional choice at a time.So, ask yourself: What is one small habit I can practice today that helps me seek—and create—more happiness?xoxoLorrieIn this episode:The How of Happiness by Sonja LyubomirskyLoving the show? Let’s connect! Find me:Facebook: Women's Wellness Community: For women wanting to rock their “Me Now” YearsInstagram: @Habitguru365Website: lorriemickelson.comMemberVault: lorriemickelson.vipmembervault.comPower & Purpose Daily Motivations: A Year of Coming Home to Yourself: Find it hereHabits, Mindfulness Routines & Self Care For Women 50 & BeyondLoving the show? Let’s connect! Find me:Facebook: Women's Wellness Community: For women wanting to rock their “Me Now” YearsInstagram: @Habitguru365Website: lorriemickelson.comMemberVault: lorriemickelson.vipmembervault.comHabits, Mindfulness Routines & Self Care For Women 50 & Beyond

As we begin to wrap up our July Joy Series on the Habit Thrive Podcast, this week's conversation explores one of the most powerful ideas we've discussed all month:Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.Life will always include disappointment, conflict, grief, frustration, and heartache. Those moments are part of being human.But what we do after the pain—that story we tell ourselves, the replaying, the overthinking, the defensiveness—is often where suffering begins.In this episode, we explore how our relationships can become both our greatest source of joy and our greatest opportunity for growth. Every interaction gives us a chance to pause, become more aware of our thoughts, and intentionally choose a response that aligns with the person we're becoming.You'll also hear how this week's conversation connects with last week's episode on rejoicing in the joy of others, why social media can actually become a practice ground for cultivating joy, and how something as ordinary as road rage can teach us about resilience.In this episode, you'll discover:Why pain and suffering are not the same thing.How our thoughts often create more suffering than the original experience.The importance of learning to pause before reacting.Why relationships are one of life's greatest "training grounds" for emotional resilience.How awareness is a sign of growth—even if you don't get it right in the moment.How difficult seasons can expand our appreciation for joy.So, the next time you experience frustration, hurt, or disappointment, pause before adding a story to the moment. Simply notice what's happening. Ask yourself:"Am I experiencing pain… or am I creating suffering?"That small moment of awareness may be the first step toward greater peace, resilience, and joy.xoxoLorrieIn this episode:The How of Happiness by Sonja LyubomirskyLoving the show? Let’s connect! Find me:Facebook: Women's Wellness Community: For women wanting to rock their “Me Now” YearsInstagram: @Habitguru365Website: lorriemickelson.comMemberVault: lorriemickelson.vipmembervault.comPower & Purpose Daily Motivations: A Year of Coming Home to Yourself: Find it hereHabits, Mindfulness Routines & Self Care For Women 50 & BeyondLoving the show? Let’s connect! Find me:Facebook: Women's Wellness Community: For women wanting to rock their “Me Now” YearsInstagram: @Habitguru365Website: lorriemickelson.comMemberVault: lorriemickelson.vipmembervault.comHabits, Mindfulness Routines & Self Care For Women 50 & Beyond

What if one of the simplest ways to experience more joy wasn't about changing your own life at all?Welcome back to our July Joy Series here on the Habit Thrive Podcast! This month, we've been discovering that joy isn't something we simply wait for—it's something we intentionally notice, cultivate, and create.On Episode #213 this week, we're exploring one of the most powerful (and surprisingly challenging) joy practices of all: celebrating the happiness and success of others.Whether it's a friend sharing exciting news, a family member reaching a milestone, or someone posting vacation photos on social media, it's easy for comparison to sneak in and quietly drain our own happiness.But what if those moments could actually become opportunities to fill our own Habit Thrive Cup?We're chatting about the ancient Buddhist practice of Mudita—the practice of finding genuine joy in another person's joy—and why this simple mindset shift has the power to expand your own happiness.In this episode, we'll explore:Why comparison and envy are such natural human experiences.The ancient practice of Mudita and how it protects us from comparison.Insights from The Book of Joy by the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.Research from positive psychology showing how celebrating others increases our own happiness and life satisfaction.How social media can become a place to practice joy instead of comparison.Simple ways to become a "Joy Detective" and intentionally celebrate the wins of others.How rejoicing in someone else's joy helps fill your own Habit Thrive Cup.This Week's Joy ChallengeThe next time someone shares good news—whether in person, in a text message, or on social media—pause before comparing.Instead:Say, "Good for you."Celebrate with them.Leave a kind comment or ask a thoughtful question.Let yourself genuinely experience their happiness.Notice how it feels in your body. That warm, expansive feeling? That's your Habit Thrive Cup filling.Because joy was never meant to be hoarded—it was always meant to be shared.xoxoLorrieIn this episode:The How of Happiness by Sonja LyubomirskyLoving the show? Let’s connect! Find me:Facebook: Women's Wellness Community: For women wanting to rock their “Me Now” YearsInstagram: @Habitguru365Website: lorriemickelson.comMemberVault: lorriemickelson.vipmembervault.comPower & Purpose Daily Motivations: A Year of Coming Home to Yourself: Find it hereHabits, Mindfulness Routines & Self Care For Women 50 & BeyondLoving the show? Let’s connect! Find me:Facebook: Women's Wellness Community: For women wanting to rock their “Me Now” YearsInstagram: @Habitguru365Website: lorriemickelson.comMemberVault: lorriemickelson.vipmembervault.comHabits, Mindfulness Routines & Self Care For Women 50 & Beyond