Growing Up Without Losing the Magic

Setting boundaries, speaking truth, and choosing wonder

I just returned from the Elfin Forest, where I spent several soul-nourishing days with the Sacred Spirit Illumination community.
One friend’s daughter called it “God Camp”—and honestly, that feels exactly right. Sacred space, deep listening, and unexpected joy woven into every branch and conversation.

And Spirit, as always, had more to teach.

My trip began with a situation that quickly asked me to step up—not as a rescuer, not as a people-pleaser, but as a conscious adult.

My ride from the airport had been delayed, so I caught a ride with someone I had never met in person. She asked me to drive (which I didn’t mind—I love test driving new cars!). On the way, she shared that she had slept in her car the night before, unable to find the place someone else had arranged for her. She was beyond exhausted. With only a photo of a gate and a street name, we tried to locate it—but without an actual address, we were out of luck.

So we returned to the place where I was staying, hoping things would get sorted. She collapsed into a lounge chair, clearly depleted. I figured a short nap might refresh her enough to start making calls and find a place to stay.

But time passed. Still, no action.

That old familiar urge crept in: fix it, take care of it, be the responsible one.

So I made some calls. Found a place that had two rooms left. Wrote down the info. handed her the address and phone number.

And then, I did the hard thing: I told her I couldn’t drive her - I did not have the bandwidth. I needed to take care of myself and focus on why I came.

That might sound simple, but for me—someone who’s spent a lifetime defaulting to caretaker, fixer, peacekeeper—it was huge. I felt the familiar guilt and anxiety rise, I could have easily betrayed myself again, but I didn’t backtrack. I let her handle what was hers. It wasn’t mine to solve.

I couldn’t have done that without the support of the community around me—reminding me of the difference between compassion and over-adulting. Between being loving and losing myself.

A few days later, on a hike with Kelly, we reflected on all the ways we’ve grown.

We talked about conscious adulthood—how it’s not about being perfect, but about integrity, leadership, and boundaries.

For me, I realized I often revert to my child-self, defaulting to “I don’t know,” like the confused child waiting for permission or someone else to tell me what to do. I’m choosing to adult now.

This experience reminded me that conscious adulthood isn’t about over-adulting either—taking on too much at the expense of our own well-being. It’s about aligned responsibility. Letting others walk their path. Trusting them to grow—or not. It’s their choice.

And it’s also about remembering that wonder belongs too.

There’s a big difference between being childlike and being childish.
One invites curiosity, awe, and joy.
The other demands attention, refuses accountability, or clings to control.

So here I am—trying to balance the child, adolescent, adult, and the elder within myself.
Learning to say no when it’s not mine to carry.
Learning to say yes to myself —and not feel guilty.
Learning to speak my truth—even when it’s uncomfortable.
And learning to honor the part of me that still delights in bubbles, moonlight, and the quiet nudges of Spirit.

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Reflection Questions for you:
✨Where are you being called to grow into conscious adulthood—or to soften out of over-adulting?
✨ Where are you being invited to reclaim joy?
✨ What are you saying yes to… that’s causing you to say no to something that truly matters?
✨ Where might you be betraying yourself—saying yes when your soul means no? Or saying no to something that truly matters, simply because it feels scary?

I’d love to hear—share a moment, a shift, or a little spark below.