Navigating the Twilight Seasons: Growth, "Side Quests," and Finding Peace in the In-Between
Grab your cup, fill it up ☕ and settle in.
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the spaces between big moments. I’ve started calling them the Twilight Seasons. You know those times? They feel a little messy, a little quiet, and a lot full of growth. They are the moments when the sun has set on one chapter, but the stars of the next haven’t quite aligned yet.
For a long time, I fought these seasons. I wanted the midday sun—the clarity, the productivity, the "knowing." But lately, I’m learning that the magic often happens in the twilight.
The Changing Landscape of Home
In our house, this season is marked by new hallways and the echoes of a quieter kitchen. All three of my kids are stepping into massive new stages:
Zeke is off to GCU for his freshman year, starting his own adventure.
Zoe is navigating the halls of a new high school in Washington, D.C.
Titus is tackling his senior year through online school, right here under our roof.
As a mom who has been "intense and present" for... well, forever, watching them fly is both my greatest joy and my biggest stretch. It has involved a lot of crying out to the Lord and learning to trust that the seeds we planted are holding firm.
With the house feeling different, Jesse and I are finding ourselves in a "just the two of us" rhythm more often than ever. We’re leaning into this transition by investing in our marriage with more intentionality than we ever have. It’s a beautiful shift, but it’s a shift nonetheless.
My "Wild Side Quest": Trading the Mic for the Skies
While the kids were transitioning, I found myself at a crossroads, too. After years of pouring my heart into podcasting, I felt a nudge toward something... different.
Back in June, Southwest Airlines opened flight attendant applications for just 1 hour and 39 minutes. Jesse and I were sitting in the kitchen, and that "Why not me?" thought took hold. My kids started calling it my "wild side quest," and I absolutely love that phrasing.
My first big job—raising these kids—isn’t over, but the day-to-day demands have changed. Instead of resisting the quiet, I’m stepping into the clouds. After months of interviews and a trip to Dallas, I officially got the call. I am so excited (and a little nervous!) to learn, to serve, and to see what God has for me at 30,000 feet.
Establishing Over Hustling
As I look toward 2026, the word that keeps rising to the surface isn't "hustle"—it’s STEWARD.
The verse anchoring me right now is Psalm 90:17: “May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.”
I’m learning that I don’t have to force my way into this next chapter. I don’t have to white-knuckle my control over my kids’ futures or my new career. I just need to be a faithful steward of what is in my hands right now. Whether that’s a sourdough starter, a flight manual, or a conversation with a teenager, I want to do it with wisdom and joy.
The "Side Quest" Starter Pack
Transitioning seasons requires a few "tools" to keep us grounded. If we were sitting across the table today, these are the favorites I’d be telling you about:
The Travel-Ready Glow: I’ve been hunting for makeup and skincare that can survive a 10-hour day and recycled airplane air. High-performance collagen masks and long-wear foundations have become my new best friends.
The "Home Base" Comfort: When I am home, I want to be cozy. I am currently living in my Old Navy wide-leg jeans—they are the perfect bridge between "mom life" and "professional life."
Digital Boundaries: To keep my heart present during these transitions, I’ve been using a tool called "The Brick" to help regulate my screen time. It’s been a game-changer for staying rooted in the moment.
A Prayer for Your Twilight
If you are in a season of endings, beginnings, or that messy middle, remember: you are not alone. God is moving in ways you can’t yet see. Sometimes the spaces between seasons are exactly where He does His best work.
I want to hear from you: What is your "wild side quest" right now? What season are you currently navigating?
Leave a comment below—I read every single one, and I’d love to walk into this new year together.
With love (and a fresh cup of coffee),
Jeanette
