Love of the Week

You know what tastes terrible sometimes? Your own medicine.

But I took a gulp of it this week when I said goodbye to my beloved sidekick, my indomitable wingwoman, my sometimes sparring partner, and beyond-the-beyond BFF.

My daughter, Sophia.

That’s us in the photo you see, on her last night in New York before moving to Los Angeles for a new job.

I am fake-smiling and she was sad too, or so she said, but also filled with excitement. Because her move away from New York was a move toward living her values more fully and authentically.

In theory, I love it when that happens! After all, that’s what Becoming You is all about.

So big hooray.

I mean it. Sophia was only in New York by unhappy accident anyway. After graduating from college, she moved to LA to pursue her purpose, casting films and TV. There, she positively thrived for eight years, until I asked her to come home at the very beginning of 2020, to abide me while Jack died. We never assumed anything other than she would return to LA when the time came.

But right after Jack died, Covid arrived, and Sophia stayed at home with me, one year, then two, then three, until it was six in all. While we both had busy lives with friends, we became two peas in a pod; more than roommates – partners, in a word. The only difference was, while all this was going on, my career was in high gear, and Sophia’s not so much. She found jobs in casting, but her vocation is a Hollywood thing, so she eventually took a corporate marketing job to try a different kind of life.

That was unpleasant. Because not only is casting Sophia’s purpose, her #1 value is Workcentrism, and she was doing work she did not love. At all.

Then a few weeks ago, a big studio came calling with work she did love.

Together we agonized over the decision, but in the end, her values guided her.

We spent last weekend saying goodbye. We went to lunch, we went shopping, we watched football, we went to our neighborhood spot and had dirty martinis. Monday morning, we hugged and hugged and she lugged her suitcases to the sidewalk to wait for an Uber. I couldn’t watch.

OK, so we’ve spoken about 60 times a day since she left. All is well. She is finally becoming herself again, that’s what any mom wants.

That’s what this mom wants, truly. Even if a dirty martini tastes rather better going down.

Hate of the Week

Jack adored our big, beautiful dog Happy, but he was always frustrated that he couldn’t chat with her about her view of things. “I wish dogs could talk!” he would exclaim.

“They don’t need to,” I would reassure him, “they always have a way of telling us what they feel.”

Well, I am with Jack right now because I hate that I cannot explain to Audrie where her favorite girl has gone.

Photo evidence for sympathy, thank you.

Hmm of the Week

On another note, the first week of January is now over. Have you given up on your New Year’s resolutions yet? You know I’m right!

But I think I might also be right about why that happens all the time and how to fix it. If your interest is piqued, check out this week’s podcast. I happen to love this episode! Not just because I think my idea is new and (surprise) correct, but also because I get to tell a Halloween story about the time my friend Rosanne dressed up as the aforementioned Happy. Here is more photo evidence!

Finally, I’m excited to be seeing some of you at next week’s Three-Day Intensive, Jan 16-18 in New York. It’s always an amazing experience, and this time, a great distraction from my missing bestie as well. And by the way, there is still time to sign up here! Or if you have questions, sign up for a free webinar tomorrow, January 9 at 11am ET or 4pm ET.

Until then, keep becoming you, no matter where it takes you.

You must,

What's coming?

→ January 2026 Three-Day Becoming You Intensive here

→ May 2026 Three-Day Becoming You Intensive here

→ Becoming You Certification Program, learn more here

Your New Year Resolutions Have Never Worked. There’s a Way To Fix That. Guaranteed.

Every year, we make New Year’s resolutions. And every year…we break them. But why? In this episode I take on one of the most universal – and quietly painful – rituals of the calendar year. So if you’ve ever made a New Year’s resolution that didn’t stick, this episode will give you a completely new and very Becoming You-way to make your goals for 2026. This one might actually change your year.

Tune in Here!