June is here, nearly half-way through the year. This month I turn 50, in time with the solstice, moving into the second half of the year and hopefully the second half of my life. A very poignant reminder that no matter how much life we have lived, there are new seasons, new things to start, old things to let go, and an opportunity to honour the legacy of what we have lived to date as well as consider our life and legacy yet to create.. 

I've been reflecting over the past few months about my life, and the things I wanted to get done before the new decade and my life's second half starts. There have been a lot of health checks, decluttering of belongings, reconnecting with people with whom friendships had waned due to the busyness of life, reminiscing with others as they also turn into a new age... and also looking at who I am and how my life is right now, before I consider new possibilities.

I know my 50 years on this earth have been interesting - many adventures had, journeys taken through many countries - a few I've called home for a brief period of time - many friendships that enriched my life, a loving family, great achievements, and a LOT of learning (both academically and life experiences). Yet even in these 50 years on this earth, I feel like I am finally just getting started to really BE in this life. My life has been full, yet it seems like it is just truly beginning, armed with life lessons and an insatiable curiosity to live even more.

So for this full moon, called a Strawberry Moon, June 11th 2025, I explored a bit into what the symbolism means. Thanks to the wonders of AI, I got the following explanation:

• Irish Connection:

  The Strawberry Moon is a time for reflection and reconnection with nature's rhythms, encouraging people to pause and appreciate the passage of seasons. 
• Spiritual Significance:

  It's seen as a powerful time for manifesting desires, strengthening relationships, and releasing negativity. 

Thise seems very in tune with how my life is right now.

Over the past six months a lot has been enjoyed - speaking at several events on the importance of advance planning, getting to travel to deliver training programmes on succession planning, securing new clients, meeting many wonderful people moving into new chapters in their lives. I am also expanding my wings to connect with more people that are helping me learn, grow, and consider my life (and work!) yet to create. So, symbolism included, this time in my life is the first in a long time I feel content. No huge desires for much more, no regrets for past deeds or missed opportunities. Happily content.

I have spent so long finding whelm (which I'm determined will be a book title for my long desired writing dream), that I now recognise it for this content state of being. As I move into my next chapter, the importance of getting everything in order cannot be underestimated. 

I feel so blessed and fortunate to have this opportunity to create Living Legacy, and privileged to have you on the journey with me, so thank you for your part in this life's chapter.

As I consider my next chapter of 'the 50's' I'm curious as to what I really want to invest into my life, and what seeds I want to sow for harvesting for the years yet to come. The 40s were filled with LOTS of dramas, lots of life learning, recognising what no longer serves me and letting them go, and being open to new opportunities - the path has been cleared to now be revealed.

I invite you to come with me on the journey and let's figure out life even more, together.

Happy full moon, and wishing you a fulfilling solstice for the 21st. I hope you can use this as a reminder that before any new chapter in life, the current one needs to be closed off. So now is the time to just BE, reflect, and recognise all you have been and become, to honour who you are right now. On the 21st in celebration, I shall raise a toast in your honour.

Jen x

Jennifer McConnell (Founder, Living Legacy).

Your Next Chapter - Getting Started - Join us this Friday 13th at 1pm (British Standard Time)

Have you considered how you can get ready for your next life chapter? We are running a Free webinar as an introductory to advance planning this Friday 13th June at 1pm - Sign up here 

Crisis management meets legacy planning as such. This is not Will preparation or financial planning, but is advance planning as the steps to getting ready for everything else, whilst also ensuring you are ready for formalising your financial and legal wishes.

To find out more please go to www.livinglegacy.ie

We are Emerging...

On June 7th I had great delight in being recognised as a finalist in the Emerging New Businesswoman category in Network Ireland's Dublin branch Businesswomen of the Year awards. As I am starting to dip my toe into networks and putting Living Legacy on the map, I am thrilled to have this recognition to raise awareness about the importance of Advance Planning and the importance of getting ready for your life yet to come.

Pictured here is Network Ireland Dublin's Vice President Carol O'Kelly with Living Legacy Founder, Jennifer McConnell (side note - I am wearing my grandfather's tailcoat which I inherited when I was 16. I really want to enjoy the mementos and heirlooms in my life, so a fitting tribute to my ancestral legacy).

Legacy Building - What You Can Do.... and How We Can Help

We are getting more and more calls and queries about helping people put their plans in place - both for community groups and business succession planning, and also for crisis preparedness 'in case of....' for individuals and groups. We have been on the road from Donegal, to Wicklow, Kildare, to London helping individuals and organisations take the first steps to getting prepared and really taking stock of where they are at now, to consider where they want to get to. Our need for fulfilment often gets neglected by a sense of urgency while also procrastinating on our 'must dos'. Yet most people don't know where to start. This is where our services WILL help you get your affairs in order.

One new client recently commented at the end of their first one-to-one coaching session 'I thought this process was going to be very serious and just a checklist to work through, yet I found this session so uplifting and really motivating to consider myself, my life and what I want for the future'.

This can be your experience too. Even though here in Ireland we are in the middle of Summer, often when we allow ourselves some downtime, is the best time to really invest in yourself and consider your life and your legacy.

We have openings for new clients over the Summer in our one-to-one accountability sessions which can be booked in 1, 2, or 4 block sessions. These sessions focus on your needs, whilst also bringing a guiding light to help you on the path forward to getting your advance plans in place.

We are also keen to give presentations to community groups and networks so we can offer the opportunity to delve into your legacy planning in a supportive environment.

To learn more check out www.livinglegacy.ie and book a call if you want to discuss before making your decision on the next step forward.

We work in collaboration with wealth planners, legal advisors, and are also on the panel of trainers with The Irish Hospice Foundation. While Living Legacy's work is NOT financial or legal advisory services, we help you get ready for that, by guiding you on everything else in order to ensure you have your care and commemoration wishes in place, as well as giving you the support to take stock of your life lived to date so you can make space for your life yet to create.

Give us a call. We'd love to talk further with you to help you start the journey to a fulfilled life.

To find out more about our work you can also follow us on Instagram @livinglegacy.ie