A Florida empty nester's "oh shit" moment — the realization that there's no magical "later" to start living your dream life. Plus current obsessions, book recs, Substack faves, and what's coming in 2026.
"there is no magical later when everything aligns perfectly and you finally have time to chase your dreams." So true. I feel like we mostly live this... when we want to do something, we just do it. But I recently realized how I've been putting a few projects off because I think I don't have enough time. I keep waiting for that magical moment when my calendar is free, which has never happened before, so I don't know why I think it will happen someday. I realized that even 15 minutes a week spent moving something forward is better than waiting for the mythical perfect time. Sometimes doing it now means doing it slowly, but that's much better than never doing it.
Yes!!! We also tend to build things up in our brains as more complicated than they actually are. How many times have you finally started doing that thing you've put off... and then when you do it, you're asking yourself why you waited so long? I do this all the time! 🤣 Also, my friend Jenna (😘) totally changed how I think about 15 minutes. When I stayed with her in Hawaii, she had SO much on her plate - Marine Corps officer, deployed husband, pregnant, toddler at home. But she looked amazing! Turns out she just hit the gym for 15 minutes every single day - it was the first thing she accomplished in her morning before work. I was like "why even bother?" She said it made her feel good and it was the only time she had, so she made the most of it. That's it. Just 15 minutes. IT.BLEW.MY.MIND. I'll be totally honest and say I would've never even shown up. But now I get it...15 minutes really can make a difference. So I agree with you - doing it slowly is better than never doing it. That should be on my next coffee mug!
Awww, I’m so happy you liked it, Allison! 💖 Seriously, we love our little house. We naively thought that our expenses would go down once our son went to college, but nooooo. She’s like a middle child, screaming for attention every few weeks. 🤣 So glad you stayed for the coffee, hugs, and the catchup! ☕️
HA! Your house sounds like quite the character! She's got to be such a fun adventure to live in!!! ♥️ Your sense of humor will serve you well with a quirky house!
Thank you, Val! We leave tomorrow and are excited for the unexpected trip. Tomorrow is also Max’s 20th birthday, so we’ll be celebrating it in PR…not a bad way to leave the teen years behind! I’m sad and happy all at the same time.
💬 LET’S DISCUSS: What do you want more of from Sandrapop in 2026?
"there is no magical later when everything aligns perfectly and you finally have time to chase your dreams." So true. I feel like we mostly live this... when we want to do something, we just do it. But I recently realized how I've been putting a few projects off because I think I don't have enough time. I keep waiting for that magical moment when my calendar is free, which has never happened before, so I don't know why I think it will happen someday. I realized that even 15 minutes a week spent moving something forward is better than waiting for the mythical perfect time. Sometimes doing it now means doing it slowly, but that's much better than never doing it.
Yes!!! We also tend to build things up in our brains as more complicated than they actually are. How many times have you finally started doing that thing you've put off... and then when you do it, you're asking yourself why you waited so long? I do this all the time! 🤣 Also, my friend Jenna (😘) totally changed how I think about 15 minutes. When I stayed with her in Hawaii, she had SO much on her plate - Marine Corps officer, deployed husband, pregnant, toddler at home. But she looked amazing! Turns out she just hit the gym for 15 minutes every single day - it was the first thing she accomplished in her morning before work. I was like "why even bother?" She said it made her feel good and it was the only time she had, so she made the most of it. That's it. Just 15 minutes. IT.BLEW.MY.MIND. I'll be totally honest and say I would've never even shown up. But now I get it...15 minutes really can make a difference. So I agree with you - doing it slowly is better than never doing it. That should be on my next coffee mug!
Love seeing your life update and thanks for mentioning Y2K Betrayal ❤️
Thanks, Tania! Sometimes it feels like I’m oversharing but these are things I’d literally talk to my friends about. 🤣 I’m glad you love it!
So many beautiful reminders and so much joy happening in your 2026 already!
This made me laugh so hard: “Our house is a greedy, needy little biatch”
Thanks for the coffee, hugs, and catchup 🥰
Awww, I’m so happy you liked it, Allison! 💖 Seriously, we love our little house. We naively thought that our expenses would go down once our son went to college, but nooooo. She’s like a middle child, screaming for attention every few weeks. 🤣 So glad you stayed for the coffee, hugs, and the catchup! ☕️
HA! Your house sounds like quite the character! She's got to be such a fun adventure to live in!!! ♥️ Your sense of humor will serve you well with a quirky house!
I love this quote: “there is no magical “later” when everything aligns perfectly and you finally have time to chase your dreams.” Truth!!
Cheering you on with your watercolors, and sprinkling good vibes into the universe for Max!!
Thank you, Val! We leave tomorrow and are excited for the unexpected trip. Tomorrow is also Max’s 20th birthday, so we’ll be celebrating it in PR…not a bad way to leave the teen years behind! I’m sad and happy all at the same time.
That makes perfect sense - a mix of emotions! Fingers crossed for Max and load up on some good Puerto Rican food for us. ;)