Quarterly Exit Strategy - Fall Newsletter 2026

Hey babe, how are you? How’s the living thing going with all the stuff it brings? Are you okay or are you trying to figure stuff out?

I think many of us can feel like we are doing the latter and saying ‘what the heck?’ more times than we want to admit. This is kind of a thing in this living life, isn’t it? And not that we asked for it either but geez, really, does it have to be like this more often than we’d like it to be? Whatever. Loved ones are going through it, the whole world is going through it and when you’re also going through it, it can seem like a ton of yogurt to handle.

As the seasons are changing; despite whatever hemisphere you’re in (I happen to be back in the northern hemisphere so for me, it’s fall, hence the newsletter title), and I always see the changing of the seasons as another phase in our life. Now on a side note, if any of you know me, you know I am thrilled with this news (fall coming), because I am not a fan of the heat, being sweaty and feeling like I can’t cool off – with my early menopause and other stuff, my body just can’t handle it and I am loving this cooler weather, bring it on!!

A new season is another renewal time. A time for us to reflect a little bit maybe, and think about how we want to be living, not just in the next year or season, but maybe just tomorrow. 

Or not. I always say the ‘or not’ part because sometimes life is a lot and we just need to get through a period of time. While I would like to think that even in tough times, we can ‘make the most of it’ and get some meaning out of it, which is great, sometimes we need to just move through it because that’s all we can do at the time. This is okay. You’re not failing at the living part of things if this is you. It has been me and many, many other people on this planet that’s whizzing around that big, fireball (that makes me overheat, geez).

I recently got back from the southern hemisphere (South Africa), where summer is coming. When I was leaving, I was talking about the changes the amazing people on the ground in the bush were preparing for. I got to put my nursing skills to work on the wild animals there as a volunteer and it was awesome. Thinking about the people and the surrounding nature and what they are in for, made me sad since they are in for a very intense and hot, South African summer.

Knowing things may be getting tough already puts us in a state of mind and body state of fear, anxiety and whatever else it brings up for us. So even before it happens, we are already there, sweating through our shirt, adrenaline pumping and my hair frizzing up because let’s be real, that is what it does every single summer. No wonder stress and grief can shorten our lives. Because before we even get to the thing that is supposed to happen and cause us stress and/or grief, we are already living it out loud, like it’s already happened.

Some of you may even be thinking, well we can do that with ‘positive’ emotions too! And yes, that’s true and amazing for those who can. For those who are going through it though, and are exhausted most often, we may just need to get through this time, and it may be a while. I want to give you permission, not that you need it from me, to allow this to be okay. Try taking the pressure off making meaning of a hard time when it already feels like too much because you don’t need one more thing hanging over you. You need to make it through this thing first. 

Maybe along the way, you may have a moment of clarity, revelation and/or profound whatever, to give this period where you’re challenged, something more than just the challenge. But let this come without the pressure.

Let’s be okay with this and maybe change the algorithm on your feed if that helps too, because we don’t need any motivational speeches that don’t seem authentic, especially at a time where life is challenging us.

What do you think?

Anniversary time!!

Happy bday! Everybody’s Doing It, So Let’s Die Better, my book, just turned one year old recently. It is a 31-day companion for caregivers facing the final chapter with their loved one.

You can find it at diebetterbook.com.

It has received wonderful reviews and feedback - and if you gave it a read and have a minute, I (and Auntie D too), would be really appreciative if you left an Amazon review.

Dead Famous

“Storms make trees take deeper roots.” (not that you need deeper roots but if we are going to take the message in this newsletter for what it's worth, this seemed appropriate)

Dolly Parton 

Dying to Meet You

Like I always mention in my newsletters, while I am alive on this planet, one of my favorite things to do is meet you all.

If you ever want to connect, write/DM to talk about your questions, hobbies, hopes, etc. I would love to connect with you!

Loads of love,
Abigail