The Importance of Identity in Shaping Our Life after Kids

10/22/23 • 20 min

Life after Kids with Drs. Brooke and Lynne

If you’ve ever been in a situation where you wanted to create change for yourself, like losing weight or starting an exercise routine, but you just couldn’t bridge the gap or stick to it, you have to listen to today’s episode of Life after Kids. In this episode, we’re discussing the key thing needed to create lasting change in midlife, and that’s our identity, or how we see ourself. And, we provide examples of how our self-perception can affect our ability to achieve our goals.

Key Takeaways:

Our behaviors and circumstances must align with our identity for lasting change to occur.
Self-perception and identity can impact our ability to achieve goals.
Awareness of our identities and intentional action are key to changing our identity.
To create change, first identify how you see yourself now. Then identify who you want to become

Remember that in order to create lasting change, our actions and identity must align. This is also a powerful piece to true happiness. Our identity even plays a role in how we age. Choose to see yourself as youthful, vibrant, energetic, strong, and capable! Make this your identity! Learn more by listening to this week’s full episode of Life after Kids.

And if you want an even deeper dive, check out The Life after Kid Purpose Courses-

Understand Yourself and Your Strengths to Find More Purpose

Discover What You Do Best For More Meaning and Purpose

Timestamp Summary
| [0:00:00] | Introduction to the topic of identity and circumstances
| [0:00:23] | Importance of aligning behaviors with identity for sustainable change
| [0:02:36] | Example of weight loss and identity alignment
| [0:04:40] | Starting point: Identify current self and desired self
| [0:06:11] | Identities influenced by role models and upbringing
| [0:07:34] | Discussion on aging and identity
| [0:08:51] | Insights from women in their 70s on aging
| [0:09:18] | Conclusion and wrap-up of the discussion
| 0:09:17 | Age and identity
| 0:11:01 | Importance of knowing who you are
| 0:12:46 | Shaping identities for children
| 0:14:23 | Importance of self-affirmation
| 0:15:38 | Changing identity through intentional action
| 0:16:21 | Developing habits to change identity
| 0:17:34 | Importance of self-affirmation
| 0:18:05 | The power of words and cognitive dissonance
| 0:18:05 | Dr. Brooke talks about the importance of positive affirmations.
| 0:18:25 | Dr. Lynn discusses cognitive dissonance and the brain's desire to prove oneself right.

Enjoy the show, and we hope you learn a little bit more about living a fulfilling, vibrant, and meaningful Life after Kids!

If you like what you hear please rate and review the podcast, hit subscribe, and pass it along to a friend.

Making tomorrow even better than today,

Dr. Brooke and Dr. Lynne

PS... Don't forget to follow us!
Instagram
Facebook
Tik Tok

Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code AFTERKIDS to get UP TO $300 off! AirDoctor comes with a 30-day money back guarantee, plus a 3-year
warranty—an $84 value, free!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Receive 20% OFF any AquaTru purifier! Go to AquaTru.com and enter code AFTERKIDS at checkout.

*Aquatru comes with a 30 day money back guarantee

Key Takeaways:

Our behaviors and circumstances must align with our identity for lasting change to occur.
Self-perception and identity can impact our ability to achieve goals.
Awareness of our identities and intentional action are key to changing our identity.
To create change, first identify how you see yourself now. Then identify who you want to become

And if you want an even deeper dive, check out The Life after Kid Purpose Courses-

Understand Yourself and Your Strengths to Find More Purpose

Discover What You Do Best For More Meaning and Purpose

Enjoy the show, and we hope you learn a little bit more about living a fulfilling, vibrant, and meaningful Life after Kids!

If you like what you hear please rate and review the podcast, hit subscribe, and pass it along to a friend.

Making tomorrow even better than today,

Dr. Brooke and Dr. Lynne

PS... Don't forget to follow us!
Instagram
Facebook
Tik Tok

Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code AFTERKIDS to get UP TO $300 off! AirDoctor comes with a 30-day money back guarantee, plus a 3-year
warranty—an $84 value, free!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Receive 20% OFF any AquaTru purifier! Go to AquaTru.com and enter code AFTERKIDS at checkout.

*Aquatru comes with a 30 day money back guarantee

Previous Episode

Creating an Organized and Inspiring Home For Better Wellbeing In Midlife

In Life after Kids, we talk a lot about who we want to be and what goals and desires we have for ourselves now that the kids are grown. Have you ever stopped to consider that your home environment can play an important role in achieving your goals because your environment impacts your emotional health, how you manage stress, and how you think and process. In this episode of Life after Kids, we’re discussing the importance of creating a beautiful and organized home environment and how it impacts our emotional wellbeing and stress levels. We also share personal experiences of decluttering and organizing our own homes, and offer practical tips for getting started.
Keep in mind that when we declutter our homes, in a way, we’re also decluttering our minds, the two are that interconnected. If the thought of decluttering and organizing your home feels overwhelming, don’t get stressed! That’s not the point of this conversation. Instead, maybe consider hiring a professional organizer or designer, or even a high school or local college student to help you part time. Learn more by listening to this week’s full episode of Life after Kids, and remember, your life is a reflection of your surroundings!

Check out our Favorite Home Products Here:
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Timestamp Summary
| 0:00:50 | The importance of environment in emotional health and stress management
| 0:01:58 | The connection between decluttering the home and decluttering the mind
| 0:02:35 | The therapeutic benefits of cleaning and organizing the home
| 0:03:40 | Creating an inspiring and aspirational environment
| 0:05:07 | The emotional process of letting go and clearing space
| 0:06:14 | Different perspectives on attachment to things
| 0:07:45 | Overcoming the overwhelming feeling of decluttering
| 0:09:29 | Making decluttering fun and rewarding for others
| 0:10:13 | Setting time limits for decluttering sessions
| 0:10:38 | Saturday cleaning routine
| 0:11:28 | Letting go of unnecessary items
| 0:12:20 | Buying inexpensive storage containers
| 0:13:35 | Dollar stores for affordable containers
| 0:14:02 | Organizing spaces with baskets
| 0:15:00 | Being intentional about what you bring into your home
| 0:16:02 | Saving money by knowing what you have
| 0:17:26 | Hiring a professional organizer if needed
| 0:18:10 | Turning organizing into a business opportunity
| 0:20:13 | Creating an inspiring and calming environment
| 0:21:21 | Importance of creating an inspiring environment for better health
| 0:23:18 | Clean and organized home can save lives and improve health
| 0:24:31 | Bringing nature into the home improves air quality
| 0:25:10 | Clutter and dust can negatively impact air quality and health
| 0:27:17 | Starting with the external environment can improve emotional well-being
| 0:28:14 | Start sma

Enjoy the show, and we hope you learn a little bit more about living a fulfilling, vibrant, and meaningful Life after Kids!

If you like what you hear please rate and review the podcast, hit subscribe, and pass it along to a friend.

Making tomorrow even better than today,

Dr. Brooke and Dr. Lynne

PS... Don't forget to follow us!
Instagram
Facebook
Tik Tok

Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code AFTERKIDS to get UP TO $300 off! AirDoctor comes with a 30-day money back guarantee, plus a 3-year
warranty—an $84 value, free!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Receive 20% OFF any AquaTru purifier! Go to AquaTru.com and enter code AFTERKIDS at checkout.

*Aquatru comes with a 30 day money back guarantee

Next Episode

The Power of Small Acts of Kindness in Life after Kids

Now that the kids are growing up and you’re entering a new phase of life, you might be looking for ways to make a difference or have a bigger impact on the world around you. As we often say, having a sense of purpose and meaning not only leads to more happiness, but also better health and a longer life. Sometimes the easiest way to have an impact on the world around you is simply performing a small act of kindness. On today’s episode of The Life after Kids Podcast, we’re having a discussion on the power of small acts of kindness and how they can have a big influence on not just your life, but other people's lives as well.

Key Takeaways:

Kindness can be as simple as a smile, a kind word, or a small gesture.
Take time to ask others how they are, make eye contact, and really listen.
Call your grocery store clerk or server by name. Hold the door open for people.
Let someone behind you in the checkout line, who has far fewer items than you, go ahead of you.
Engage with and make time for your elderly neighbor.
Modeling kindness for younger generations is important.

If you’re struggling in this phase of life because you’re lamenting the kids growing up, your hormones are raging, or you’re under a lot of stress, sometimes one of the best ways to lighten your emotional load is by taking the focus off your own struggles, instead, turning your attention to the needs of somebody else. Remember, you can have a big impact on other people's lives and on the world in general, just by doing the simplest things...kindness does, in fact, matter.

Timestamp Summary
| 0:00:30 | Importance of small acts of kindness
| 0:01:57 | Impact of small acts of kindness on others
| 0:03:11 | Story about the power of small actions
| 0:04:27 | Impact of small acts of kindness on teens and young adults
| 0:05:48 | Examples of small acts of kindness: eye contact, listening
| 0:07:13 | Challenge to do one small act of kindness a day
| 0:08:06 | Leading with a servant heart
| 0:08:50 | Importance of acknowledging and connecting with strangers
| 0:09:31 | Power of small acts of kindness to change lives
| 0:10:20 | Small acts of kindness can have a big impact
| 0:11:08 | Examples of small acts of kindness
| 0:12:44 | Setting intentions and priorities for small acts of kindness
| 0:13:26 | Praying to be a servant and help others
| 0:14:04 | Parents as role models for small acts of kindness
| 0:15:11 | Taking the focus off oneself to help others
| 0:16:56 | Using negative energy to positively impact others
| 0:17:31 | Recognizing the importance of small acts of kindness
| 0:18:47 | "Kill them with kindness" as a strategy for dealing with negativity
| 0:20:15 | Negative energy and the importance of diffusing it
| 0:21:02 | The power of words and kindness
| 0:21:41 | Kindness in action, not just lip service
| 0:22:35 | Changing behavior and being an example
| 0:23:02 | Importance of small acts of kindness and treating others with love

Enjoy the show, and we hope you learn a little bit more about living a fulfilling, vibrant, and meaningful Life after Kids!

If you like what you hear please rate and review the podcast, hit subscribe, and pass it along to a friend.

Making tomorrow even better than today,

Dr. Brooke and Dr. Lynne

PS... Don't forget to follow us!
Instagram
Facebook
Tik Tok

Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code AFTERKIDS to get UP TO $300 off! AirDoctor comes with a 30-day money back guarantee, plus a 3-year
warranty—an $84 value, free!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Receive 20% OFF any AquaTru purifier! Go to AquaTru.com and enter code AFTERKIDS at checkout.

*Aquatru comes with a 30 day money back guarantee