My Conversation with Tracy MacDonald
When I was in the messy middle of writing It’s Your Turn, there were days when the words felt heavy. Writing can be lonely work. I’d find myself wondering, Is this even going to help someone? Am I writing what’s on my heart… or just what I think I should say?
That’s when I thought of Tracy.
I met her at a women’s empowerment retreat, long before I wrote one word for It’s Your Turn.. Tracy MacDonald is accomplished, wise, and rich with lived experience from years of navigating life overseas as the spouse of a diplomat, all while continually reinventing herself.
At the retreat, she looked me in the eye and said, Please write the book.
It was exactly the fuel I needed to keep my “why” strong.
Whenever I hit a wall, I would tell myself, Do it for Tracy.
We sat down for a conversation about community, purpose, and what it takes to keep showing up for yourself when life keeps shifting. This conversation is too good not to share.
Her wisdom for navigating it all is worth remembering
After years of navigating constant change, living overseas, and reinventing herself with each new chapter, Tracy has learned a few truths worth passing on. These aren’t complicated systems or perfect routines but small, grounding practices that keep her connected to herself no matter where life takes her.
- Factor yourself into the equation
Stop putting your own needs at the very bottom of the list. - Release the guilt
You add value simply by waking up and showing up each day. - Find your people
Seek friends who truly understand your life, even if they’re halfway around the world. - Stay grounded
For Tracy, that means journaling, gratitude, being in nature, and scheduling things to look forward to. What does that look like for you?
Why this matters for you
You don’t have to be a diplomat’s spouse or live a life of constant relocation to relate to Tracy’s story. You might be in a season of transition yourself, kids growing up and moving out, your spouse deep in their own career, and you wondering, Now what?
The truth is, most of us have spent years focusing on everyone else. The idea of factoring yourself into the equation, letting go of guilt, or even asking What do I want? It might feel new, and even uncomfortable.
But that’s why stories like Tracy’s matter. They remind us that the shift isn’t about suddenly having the perfect plan. It’s about making small, intentional choices to show up for yourself, even in the middle of a busy, unpredictable life.
It is Your Turn Now
If you’ve been feeling like your life is full of roles but missing you, this is your nudge to begin.
Tracy’s story is one of the many reminders that inspired me to finish It’s Your Turn. It’s here to encourage women ready to stop waiting for “someday” and start reclaiming their identity, energy, and purpose right now.
In our conversation, Tracy shares what it really takes to keep showing up for yourself, even when life keeps shifting around you. Her wisdom will encourage you to see your own possibilities in a new light. Let her story spark your next step.
