Funderful Experiences

08/29/2026

I've been thinking about how often we talk about wanting more connection without really thinking about what kind of connection we're actually looking for.

I've realized that I don't have a ton of free time for socializing, and I also need a fair amount of downtime. I love people, but I equally love being home in my comfy clothes with nowhere I have to be. 😊

So when I do choose to spend my time socially, I'm pretty selective. I'd rather spend time with people I can have a really good conversation with, or connect over something we both genuinely enjoy doing, than have a calendar full of social plans just for the sake of being busy.

But that's me.

I know people who are happiest with a packed social calendar, lots of activities, different groups of people, casual get-togethers, and always something coming up. They genuinely get energy from that.

I know others who would happily spend most of their free time alone and have no desire for a huge social circle. But give them one person they really enjoy and a couple of uninterrupted hours together, and they're perfectly happy.

Some people love connecting through shared interests like hiking, mahjong, pickleball, books, volunteering, whatever it might be. Others care less about what they're doing and more about who they're doing it with.

Some want a handful of very close relationships. Others enjoy having lots of different people in their lives.

And, of course, most of us probably aren't entirely one thing or another.

None of these is better. But I do think it's useful to know which one is you.

Because if what you really want is a few close relationships, adding more and more casual social plans probably isn't going to leave you feeling satisfied.

And if you love variety, activity, and meeting new people, trying to force yourself into a tiny social circle may not feel like enough.

Sometimes the question isn't “Do I have enough people in my life?”
Maybe it's “Am I spending my social time in ways that actually feel good to me?”

I'm curious, what have you figured out about yourself? What kind of social life feels best to you?

08/27/2026

Are you easy to get to know?

I’ve been thinking about this question lately, and it’s a little more uncomfortable than asking whether other people are friendly, interesting, or good at conversation.

Because you can be warm, friendly, and genuinely interested in other people...and still be surprisingly hard to know.

Someone asks, “How was your weekend?”

“Good! How was yours?”

“Good!”

Well, we certainly learned a lot about each other. 😂

Here’s what I’ve realized: Being curious about other people is only half of connection. We also have to give people something to get curious about.

An opinion. A story. Something you’re excited about. Something that made you laugh. One little detail instead of the automatic answer.

Think of those details as threads. When you offer one, you give the other person something to pick up. And when someone offers you one? Pick it up. Ask another question. See where it goes.

You don’t have to overshare. You don’t have to become more outgoing. And every conversation certainly doesn’t need to become profound.

Just make yourself a little easier to know. Because genuine connection isn’t something another person creates for us.

We create it together.

So I’m curious: Do you think you’re easy to get to know?

08/22/2026

https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/article/2024/jun/14/what-is-social-health

Research has proven that social health – wellbeing that comes from connection – is as essential as food and water, but it is vastly underappreciated

08/21/2026

Someone noticed I was gone. And it made my day.

I recently tried a new exercise class. I’d gone a few times, then was away for a bit. When I came back, a woman I’d only met briefly said, “I’m so happy to see you back. I was wondering if we scared you away.”

I laughed. But I also got this immediate little boost of energy. She had noticed I wasn’t there.

Such a small thing. But it reminded me how little it can take to make another person feel seen.

Remember someone’s name. Ask about something they mentioned last time. Notice when they haven’t been around. Let them know you’re happy to see them.

Not every acquaintance needs to become a friendship. Not every conversation needs to turn into a heart-to-heart. But sometimes a tiny bit of attention can turn an ordinary interaction into something that feels a little more human.

I noticed you. I remembered you. I’m glad you’re here.

We could probably all use a little more of that.

Has someone ever done something small that made you feel surprisingly seen?

08/21/2026

Despite being somewhat introverted, I've always had no trouble striking up a conversation with a stranger. And I’ve found that meeting people is easy. But finding women you really enjoy being around, women whose values and approach to life resonate with your own, and who make it easy to be yourself, is something else entirely.

That’s a big part of why I created my Connected Hearts community last year. I host a facilitated gathering each month. And between gatherings, members stay connected through a virtual Connection Call, an “Unplugged” social get-together, and a “Heart-to-Heart” member pairing. All are optional, but are wonderful ways to stay connected to the community.

Our members live throughout North County, with most in Carlsbad, La Costa, Oceanside, and Vista. One even makes the trip from Escondido. We don't have any age restrictions, but if it matters to you, many of us are in our 50s and 60s.

We’ve been gathering for nine months now, and one of the things I love seeing is that members (myself included) aren’t only spending time together at Connected Hearts, they’re getting together on their own, too, whether it’s to play mahjong, pursue a shared interest, or grab coffee, as the friendships forming within the community often extend beyond it.

And while some of us have gotten to know each other quite well, we love welcoming new women into the mix. Being warm, inclusive, and making it easy for someone new to feel part of things is really important to me and to the culture we’ve created together.

I’m sharing a link to learn more about Connected Hearts below so you can take a look and see if it sounds like your kind of crowd. Our next gathering is September 8, and I have a few spots available for guests. You can register directly on my website.

And since I’m the person behind it, feel free to DM me if you have any questions and would like to chat by phone or text. 😊

Connected Hearts Carlsbad A community for women in North County San Diego where personal growth, genuine connection, and shared joy come together to make life richer, and fully your own. Start With a Guest Experience How to Know if Connected Hearts is Right for You Something has shifted. Maybe

08/01/2026

You've tried the Meetup groups, the Facebook communities, the casual social events. Sometimes it was great, sometimes it wasn't, and either way, you're not looking for another version of that.

What you actually want is three things that don't always coexist elsewhere: connection, depth, and fun.

That's what Connected Hearts is.

🌺 Join us for an evening of fresh perspective and conversation that goes beyond small talk, with a few surprises along the way.

Tuesday, August 4th, 6-8pm in La Costa. Address sent upon registration.

Real laughter, real encouragement, and a little island magic this month at Connected Hearts.

Come see what it's like when women gather with kindness, warmth, and heart.

Learn more and register to attend as a guest: https://www.funderfulexperiences.com/connected-hearts/

Use code ALOHA50 at checkout for 50% off. Registration closes August 1st.

07/31/2026

Have you ever looked around and realized your life is full... but something still feels like it's missing? That was me when I moved to California eight years ago.

I had an amazing husband, a career I enjoyed, and this beautiful new place to call home. But it turns out sunshine doesn't come with a built-in friend group. Then the pandemic happened, and whatever momentum there might have been pretty much disappeared.

What I realized wasn't that I wanted more friends. It was that I wanted different friendships.

I missed having women in my life who really knew me. Not just people to meet for coffee once in a while, but women I could have honest conversations with about things that matter... and laugh with until my stomach hurt... and simply be myself around... and who genuinely cared about me (and I them).

Over the years, through both my own experiences and the work I've done with the people I've coached, I've come to believe something that's pretty simple: Most of us aren't looking for more people in our lives just for the sake of it. We're looking for people with whom we feel seen, encouraged, and free to be ourselves.

Quality over quantity.

That realization changed the way I wanted to spend my time, and eventually, the kind of experiences I wanted to create for myself and for other women. If you're reading this and you can relate, I'd love to meet you.

I have a few guest spots available for my gathering in Carlsbad this coming Tuesday evening, August 4th. And because life is serious enough already... this month's gathering has a fun Hawaiian-inspired twist. 🌺Registration closes Sunday, August 2nd.

Here's the link if you'd like to learn more and register: https://www.funderfulexperiences.com/connected-hearts/

Genuine Connection Changes Everything Helping women create richer, more connected lives through shared experiences, fresh perspective, and community. What I Believe A rich life isn't built by achievement alone. It's shaped by the quality of our relationships, the moments we share, and the

07/18/2026

North County Women: Imagine feeling seen, supported, and encouraged, not just another face at another event. Imagine a place where the laughter is real, conversations actually go somewhere, and you walk away with fresh ideas for your everyday life. Imagine feeling more like yourself, and leaving lighter than when you arrived, month after month. That's Connected Hearts. Real, meaningful, fun.

Come experience how it feels when women gather with kindness, warmth, and heart.

Learn more and register to attend our August gathering as a guest.
https://www.funderfulexperiences.com/connected-hearts/

Use code: ALOHA50 at checkout for 50% off. Registration closes August 1st, or when the gathering reaches capacity - whichever comes first.

Please note: RSVPing "Going" or "Interested" on Facebook does not reserve your spot. If, after learning more about Connected Hearts, you'd like to attend as a guest, you'll find registration instructions on our website. The specific location will be shared after you register.

Stay connected:
https://www.funderfulexperiences.com/get-the-uplift/

Connected Hearts: A Community for Women Ready for Something More Real. Conversations that go somewhere, a new way of seeing your own life, and a place where you can be yourself, feel seen, and truly belong. What is Connected Hearts? Fun. Meaningful. Real. Connected Hearts is a membership community f...

07/10/2026

Thirty years.

That's how long it's been since I walked into a group fitness class.

Back in the day, I actually taught step aerobics (yes... think leg warmers, Reebok high tops, and big hair 😄). I loved it.

Then life happened.

Recently, I watched Physical on Apple TV, a show about the rise of aerobics in the '80s, and it stirred something in me. It reminded me how much joy I used to find in moving to music.

I started looking for step aerobics, but apparently it's become extinct. 😂

Then I discovered a Jazzercise studio just a few minutes from home and decided to give it a try, even though I'd never taken a Jazzercise class before.

I absolutely love it.

For someone who doesn't really enjoy exercising just to exercise, it's perfect. Great music, fun choreography, and before I know it, I've gotten a workout without even realizing it.

One thing I've learned over the past few years is that some of the best experiences come from being willing to try something new... or rediscover something you once loved.

You never know what might bring a little more joy into your life.

Have you rediscovered an old passion lately? I'd love to hear what it was.

07/03/2026

Most women come to their first Connected Hearts gathering a little nervous. They're not sure what to expect. They don't know anyone. They wonder if they'll fit in, if it will be awkward, if they'll be glad they came or relieved when it's over.

And then something happens. The conversation goes somewhere real, faster than anyone expected. Someone says the actual thing instead of the safe thing. And everything shifts.

That doesn't happen by accident. Every gathering is intentionally designed so that genuine connection is felt. The questions, the format, the environment, all of it exists so that women who didn't know each other an hour ago leave feeling like something meaningful just happened between them. That's the moment I built Connected Hearts for.

If you've been curious, this is your sign. Our next gathering is July 7. A few guest spots are still available. Ready to experience it for yourself? https://www.funderfulexperiences.com/connected-hearts/