I just counted 49 networking meetings and events on my calendar that I’ve attended in the past six months.

Forty. Nine. (!!!) That’s a lot for me, and I’ve met a lot of people—a few gems, but most of them I’ll probably never talk to again.

Maybe we didn’t align on values, or didn’t get past small talk. I’ve learned that a room full of “girl boss” energy—where every intro sounds like a copy-paste with a shock-value f-bomb—isn’t the stage I’m in. (Despite being a fan of frilly dresses, pink, and glitter, you won’t find me carrying a “Boss Babe” Stanley cup.)

I’m not saying the people weren’t smart or kind or interesting; I’m just in a different season, and that’s okay.

On the other side, I went to an event on Friday where I saw a woman I’ve met more than once this year…aaaaaand, she didn’t even recognize me when I went over to say hi. 😆 So, I’m well aware I’m not for everyone either.

(BTW, if you’ve ever found yourself overthinking how to introduce yourself in those rooms, this blog post might help. I share a simple, fill-in-the-blank prompt to make that part less awkward.)

Every event has been part of the experiment. I’m noticing which rooms energize me and which ones don’t, and it’s helping me get more intentional about where I want to spend my time and energy for the rest of 2025.

That’s part of why I recently said yes to being on a panel for the Becoming Ageless event in Seattle this September for women 40+ who are reimagining what this next chapter of life can look like.

I’ll be on a panel talking about becoming ageless in mind and spirit, alongside women focused on health and longevity.

If you’ve been craving a different kind of connection, maybe this is your kind of room. We can experiment together. 🙂 Let me know if you’ll be there!

📍 Seattle
📆 September 20, 9:00AM–7:30PM
🎟️ Here’s the link if you want to check it out. (Early bird tickets are still available as of today.)

---

An idea to try today: look at your calendar or just think back to where you’ve spent time the past week. On a piece of paper, make two columns: “Energize” and “Drain.” List the things, people, or places that lifted you up in one column, and the ones that left you feeling depleted in the other.

Is there anything you could delegate, decline, or pause from the “Drain” side?
Anything on the “Energize” list you could add more of this week?

– Nicole