"Becoming" is Still Beautiful (Messy Bun and All)

At some point along the way, someone convinced us that by now—midlife-ish—we’d have “arrived.” Like there was this imaginary finish line with a gold medal, a well-behaved houseplant, and maybe a spice rack alphabetized by someone other than us.

Instead… here we are. Hair in a messy bun. Keys in the fridge. Wondering if "becoming" was supposed to feel more... together.

But here’s the truth, Sister: becoming yourself takes time. It takes grace. And let’s be honest—it takes really forgiving pants.

The Map We Never Got (But Kind of Made Up as We Go)

When this whole “grown woman” thing started, we weren’t handed a roadmap. No neon signs. No turn-by-turn confidence directions like:

• "Authenticity: 2.4 miles, exit left."

• "Inner peace: after Comparison Boulevard, just past Target."

• "Joyful reinvention: please U-turn at last week’s meltdown."

  
  

Nope. We’ve been building the road as we go—sometimes crawling, sometimes dancing, and sometimes limping with a lukewarm coffee in one hand and a grocery list we left on the counter.

And yet…Even with the chaos, the curveballs, and the “what the heck am I doing?” detours—this journey is sacred.

Becoming Isn’t About Arriving. It’s About Not Quitting.

Spoiler: there’s no certificate of completion. No streamers drop the day you finally “figure it all out.” (Though wouldn’t that be nice? I’d like mine laminated.)

Becoming doesn’t mean you’ve arrived. It means you keep showing up. Hair unwashed. List half-crossed. Socks probably mismatched.

And guess what? Your messy bun is not a sign of chaos—It’s a crown of survival.

You don’t need a vision board to be valuable. You don’t need a five-step plan to be purposeful. And you definitely don’t need to “have it all together” to matter here.

If you're here, you're growing. Shifting. Becoming more you—even if you’re just figuring out dinner and sanity one cup of coffee (or two cups of wine) at a time.

Let’s Celebrate What We’ve Gained

We joke a lot about what midlife takes from us—collagen, clear memory, the ability to stand up without groaning.

But let’s talk about what it’s given us:

• Boundaries that say “nope” without apology.

• Depth of heart and perspective we couldn’t fake in our 20s.

• Compassion that reaches beyond appearances.

• Wisdom we didn’t even know we were earning.

We’re not who we were—and honestly? That’s a beautiful thing.

Sisterhood Suggestions – Try One This Week

1. Wear the messy bun like it’s a crown. Bonus points if you rock it during a Zoom call, at the grocery store, or while dancing in your kitchen. Own it. It’s a lifestyle.

2. Write down three things you’ve learned this year that weren’t on any to-do list. (Like: how to rest without guilt. Or how to say “not today” and mean it.)

3. Text a friend and say, “Still becoming.” See what opens. That one phrase holds a whole world.

4. Treat yourself like someone you adore. Not someday. Today.

If your second wind comes in waves—or your clarity is still buffering—take a deep breath.

You’re doing just fine.

You’re not behind. You’re not broken. You’re not too late. You’re still becoming.

Even on the days when you feel like you’re held together with dry shampoo and prayer…You're becoming someone really beautiful.

Cheering you on (messy bun and all),

Laura

Second Wind Sisterhood