From the Next Chapter Woman podcast
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When I sat down with Lois, I knew we were going to have a meaningful conversation—but I didn’t expect it to be so moving, so real, and so beautifully reflective. Lois is a former business owner, political volunteer, proud mom and grandma, and someone who’s weathered some pretty major life shifts with grit and grace. She’s also living proof that our later chapters can be some of the richest—if we’re willing to slow down, reflect, and say yes to what we truly want.
From Busy to Balanced: Lois’ Earlier Chapters
In her earlier years, Lois was juggling it all: running a business with her husband Keith, raising two daughters, working outside the home, volunteering with the hospital auxiliary, and being active in local politics. As she describes it, those years were “a blur of just getting things done.” Sound familiar?
Lois reminds us of the pressure many women carry for decades—serving everyone around us with little time to consider what we want. And yet, it’s in those rough waters, as Lois puts it, that our resilience is forged.
Loving and Letting Go
Lois shared deeply about the time when her husband became ill. What struck me was the way she navigated that period with both strength and honesty. Keith never believed he was going to die—and that meant Lois was left making tough decisions on her own, including what to do with his beloved collection of classic cars and memorabilia after his passing.
With support from her daughters, close friends, and even members of the car club, Lois got through it. But she’s honest: “That was the hardest part. Trying to get him to realize that his life was coming to an end… he wouldn’t buy that.”
Friendship, Shifts, and Starting Over
One of the most beautiful parts of our conversation was about friendship—the ones that sustain us, and the ones that fade. Lois candidly talked about letting go of friendships that had run their course. Not with bitterness, but with peace and acceptance.
She also shared how new friendships bloomed—like the couple she met after moving into a condo her daughter helped her find. They approached her and said, “Are you Lois? Your husband Keith wired our basement.” From that spark, a whole new connection was born.
Looking Back—and Loving Forward
When I asked Lois what she knows now that she wishes she’d known then, her answer stopped me: “I wish I would’ve appreciated more of who I was and what I was capable of doing.” How many of us feel that way?
Lois was married at 19, became a mother soon after, and set aside dreams like studying law. While she doesn’t regret her choices, she’s also honest about the cost of putting yourself second for so long.
The Newest Chapter: Traveling, Partnering, Choosing Joy
Today, Lois is traveling with a new partner, exploring Canada in their RV, and savoring a quieter—but still full—life. She calls it the “old people life,” but don’t let that fool you. Her calendar is still full—just with things she actually wants to do.
Words of Wisdom from Lois
As we wrapped up our conversation, I asked Lois what advice she’d give to other women listening—especially those standing at a crossroads.Her answer was simple and powerful: “If there’s really something you want, get out there and find it—or do it. Don’t wait. Make it happen.”
Lois is a shining example of what it means to evolve, to grieve, to let go, and to keep moving forward. She shows us that courage isn’t always loud—it often looks like packing up a garage full of neon signs, downsizing your house, starting a new relationship, or just finally choosing what fills your cup.
What About You?
Have you had to let go of a friendship? Made a big move? Or finally stepped into something that’s just for you? Tell me in the comments or join our private community, Next Chapter Crew, where we’re having real conversations about real life.
And if this episode moved you, don’t forget to share it with a friend who needs a little inspiration. If you related to Lois’s story or are navigating your own life shift, download our free reflection journal to help guide you through your own Next Chapter.
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Resources
~ Step Confidently ~ Live Fully ~
What Lois Said …
On Living Life on Her Terms:
“Maybe I’m finally doing what I want to do, not what I used to have to do.”
On Courage and Action:
“If there’s really something you want, get out there and find it — or do it. Don’t wait. Make it happen.”
On Friendship and Change:
“Sometimes your closest friends… become not your closest friends anymore — and that’s okay.”
On Grief and Moving Forward:
“He never thought he was going to die — so he just kept on living.”
On Self-Worth & Missed Potential:
“I wish I would’ve appreciated more of who I was — and what I was capable of doing.”
On Strength and Softness:
“People always saw me as strong and independent but I still wanted the same kind of love and openness that I give to others.”
On Letting Go of the Old Life:
“I didn’t realize it but I was slowing down. And maybe that’s okay.”
On Life’s Unexpected Turns:
“I didn’t plan this chapter but I’m pretty content at the speed I’m traveling now.”
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