The Aftermath of a Life-altering event

It's 10 days since my daughter's wedding and I'm still not back to my "schedule." Of course, my life has NO schedule, so there lies the problem. I've spent the better part of the last 3 months so engrossed with Melissa's wedding- calls to vendors and my daughters, working on all the details, thinking proactively to anticipate every moment and potential issue, making lists, etc, that I don't know what a normal schedule is any more.

How do you get back into a routine after a life-altering or all-consuming event?

I suppose if I had a 9-5 job or young kids at home to force me into a routine, that might help. Instead, I work from home and much of my motivation has to come from within.
It's 1pm and I've done a million things today (except get dressed).
*Client call at 8am.
*Breakfast routine for my dog Celtie and me.
*30 minutes reading "Wedding Goddess" for my market analysis for book proposal (I am writing a book called The Empowered Bride and working on the proposal to send to an agent).
*Semi-Quick look through emails
*30 minute call about a community service fundraiser I am doing this Friday
*45 minute chat with my older daughter Christine (got a kick in the butt to keep writing so I can sell lots of books, promote my business, and help my husband retire early.)

I have a call at 3 with a fellow coach who is going to ask me if I made the promised number of calls I said I would make by 3pm. These are business calls mind you. So far, I have made 0 business calls. I'd rather read Wedding Goddess and see how MY book will be better! My accountability is at question, so now I am in a panic!

There is the nagging thought that I SHOULD get the house clean and walk the dog and put away a few last wedding items or prepare for Melissa and Chris' return from their honeymoon. They will stay with us for a day and then head to Virginia (sniff!)
Even my blogging gets distracted by talking about semi-wedding stuff!

I hate the word SHOULD so I am going to do what I want to do right now.
I am going to get dressed and call some wedding vendors and set up appointments to talk about my book and my wedding coaching service and see where that gets me!

As for the aftermath of a life-altering event, I guess declaring a schedule and getting dressed first would help!
Any other suggestions? Please help!

My daughter's wedding

After 10 months of planning and a life time of anticipation, my youngest daughter Melissa was married on August 28, 2010. It was a beautiful wedding and we are very happy with her choice for a husband. Chris went to school with Melissa at the University of Mary Washington and they have known each other for 6 years.

I have written all about the wedding prep and wedding day (including pictures) in my other blog. Check it out! www.theempoweredbride.com/blog.


As a coach, I'd like to say that my daughter and I did everything right. It was my third try at being Mother of...and things got better each time. We talked about things ahead of time, we planned together as a team, we were honest about our feelings after missteps were taken (only a few), and we were able to share this whole process with my other daughter Christine (a truly amazing wedding planner).
If we had the chance to do it all over again, I don't know what we would change (besides a few minor details) because honestly, it was picture perfect.


The mother-daughter relationship is a very special bond. When it's right it adds such pleasure to your life. I am blessed to say I have that with both my daughters. Our relationship will be in transition for a while as she settles into the new role of wife, not to mention settling into her new home in VA with her husband Chris.

Wow! My children are all married. And now I am officially in an empty nest. I guess it's time for me to ramp up my connection with my husband Steve! We are taking a long-overdue trip for our 30th wedding anniversary to Rome and a cruise in the Mediterranean.

As for my professional life, I am coaching, networking, and doing presentations on a number of subjects. I am also working on a book called The Empowered Bride. Next will be something for The Mother of the Bride. After 3 children getting married in just over 3 years, I have much insight to share and want to fill the void of relationship knowledge in the midst of planning a wedding.

Here's to Melissa and Chris, the newlyweds, and the life they will share together.

A New Life is Calling Me- Weddings!

Have you ever been drawn to something and can't pull yourself away? I'm not talking about a car crash on the highway, I'm talking about a presence or event or activity in your life. Some people get obsessed by a book series, or their favorite TV show, or Facebook. I am now obsessed with wedding websites and wanting to be on one of them. I am officially announcing myself as a wedding coach. It's not like I haven't lived and breathed it for the better part of the last 2+ years. My son got married two summers ago. I wasn't that involved with the planning but it was a good primer for things to come and I learned a lot about how roles change and intertwine. My older daughter was engaged by that time, and we spent the next year planning everything down to the last detail (at least 13 different vendors) for their big day. It was a great experience! We finished the year with a super special wedding day and a stronger relationship. No horror stories for us, only teamwork, good planning, and fun! (Ask me about the mother-daughter dance).

My younger daughter is now engaged to her long-time beau. We knew it was coming and had talked about possible venues, themes, and priorities for the budget-a Swing Band for sure! You could say we had talked about her “High Dream” for the wedding day. Once the official engagement was here we were ready! We all kicked into high gear and had 5 key things booked in 21 days: our local church and choir, a fabulous historic reception site (priority #1), a caterer who is familiar with said fabulous site, a Swing Band, and the hotel block of rooms for all the out-of-town guests! Not bad for the fact that the bride, the groom and mom live in three different states! We have a budget outlined, and so far we are doing fabulously!

Planning a wedding takes an open mind, lots of stamina, good goal setting, budget minding, and time management skills, and the ability to balance the wants and needs of a lot of important people in your life. Now that I am a trained life and relationship coach, I am going to throw my hat in the ring and permanently live in the world of weddings! I belong here. I'm comfortable and experienced here. I'm not leaving my other clients (entrepreneurial women, moms), I'm just adding to them. They all have something in common; they are seeking a fulfilled, happy life and they deserve to have an advocate by their side.

I want to help Brides (and their moms) remain calm and in control while also enjoying the dreaming and exploring of options. I want to help discover what they want for themselves and their marriage. I want to help them consciously live the most exciting year of their life with a plan to strengthen their relationships with eyes wide open. No hiding behind hurt feelings or avoiding sticky subjects. And No Bridezilla's! No one wants to be that out-of-control person who is on the verge of tears all the time. There is a better way. And I can show them how. Having a wedding coach (AKA personal and relationship coach) is the answer to supporting the bride and the bride's most intimate relationships. It’s not just about the wedding day, it’s about the journey before and after the big day!

Know any newly engaged women or their moms? Pass this on!
Monica Leggett, CPCC
Life and relationship coach
Wedding coach for the bride and/or mother-of-the-bride (she needs help too!)
www.newstepslifecoaching.com
203-209-5462